ThePlace: Jeddah Waterfront

The Jeddah Waterfront is well-organized and divided into many spaces. (AN photo by Ziyad Alarfaj)
  • The Jeddah Waterfront is well-organized and divided into many spaces

Jeddah Waterfront Less than a year after it opened, the new corniche along the Red Sea port of Jeddah is a favorite weekend attraction for locals and tourists.
The SR800 million ($213.3 million) 4.2-kilometer corniche is known as “Jeddah Waterfront.” It has watersport parks, beaches, children’s play parks, interactive water fountains, restaurants, kiosks, a floating marina dock, larger-than-life animal and art sculptures, as well as dozens of designated restrooms and phone charging stations.
The Jeddah Waterfront is well-organized and divided into many spaces specially designed for children, for those who just want to walk, for those who want to enjoy the sandy beaches, and its division allows people to not clash with each other and avoids crowding.
Families in Jeddah are arranging get-togethers and have several spots to choose from — be it thick grass, sandy beach, concrete or wooden huts — and are reviving the long-standing tradition of gathering their family and spending their day relaxing at the seafront.
Earlier, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced a separate $4.8 billion redevelopment of the corniche that will add 1,200 acres of beach, retail stores, museums, a marina and more than 10,000 residential housing units. Construction is set to begin early next year and is expected to be completed by 2030.