Jeddah, the bride of the Red Sea, never fails to surprise us. Every corner of this vibrant city tells a story of tradition meeting modernity. Recently, my family and I—my wife, and our three children, Isha, Shabil, and our little three-year-old explorer, Ishwa—decided to spend a memorable evening exploring some of the most iconic spots along the beautiful Jeddah Corniche.
Our itinerary was packed with excitement: the famous "Floating Mosque," the ultra-modern Jeddah Yacht Club, the artistic Promenade, and finally, the wonders of the deep sea at the Fakeeh Aquarium. It was a journey filled with awe, laughter, and beautiful memories that we will cherish forever.
The Journey Begins: From Mahjar to Al-Rahmah Mosque
Our adventure started in the afternoon. We booked an Uber from our residential area in Mahjar and headed straight towards the northern coast of the city. As the car moved along the sweeping roads of Jeddah, the bustling city view slowly transformed into the vast, calm blue of the Red Sea.
Our first destination was one of Jeddah’s most beloved landmarks: Masjid Al-Rahmah , famously known to travelers worldwide as the Floating Mosque or the Hanging Mosque .
The Architectural Marvel of the Floating Mosque
When we arrived, the sight took our breath away. Built in 1985, Masjid Al-Rahmah is uniquely constructed on the edge of the Red Sea, with concrete pillars anchored directly into the seabed. During high tide, the water rises around the structure, making the entire mosque appear as if it is floating effortlessly on the surface of the waves.
We took our time admiring the architecture. It is a brilliant blend of traditional Islamic art and modern engineering.
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The Dome: The mosque features a majestic turquoise-colored main dome, surrounded by smaller domes that catch the afternoon sunlight beautifully.
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The Interior: Inside, the mosque is bright and airy, illuminated by a massive central chandelier and natural light filtering through stained-glass windows. The white marble floors and intricate Arabic calligraphy on the walls create an atmosphere of absolute peace.
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The View: For our family, the best part was walking along the courtyard. Looking out through the arched windows, you see nothing but the endless horizon of the sea.
Isha and Shabil were fascinated by how the building stood over the water, while little Ishwa pointed excitedly at the small waves splashing against the mosque's white pillars. It was the perfect, serene start to our evening.
Walking into Luxury: Jeddah Yacht Club and Art Promenade
After spending some quiet, spiritual time at the mosque, we decided to explore the nearby coastal developments. Jeddah’s waterfront has undergone an incredible transformation, and two of the newest jewels here are the Jeddah Yacht Club and the Jeddah Art Promenade .
The Jeddah Yacht Club
As we walked into the Jeddah Yacht Club area, we felt like we had stepped into a different world. This is the first official marina of its kind along the Red Sea coast, recognized internationally for its luxury. The marina was lined with spectacular, high-end yachts and boats docked elegantly against the docks.
The architecture here is ultra-modern, featuring sleek glass buildings, high-end fine dining restaurants, and boutique cafes. It is a hub for international travelers and water sports enthusiasts, showcasing the modern, global vision of Jeddah.
The Art Promenade
Right next to the yacht club is the Jeddah Art Promenade, a vibrant, open-air walkway that stretches beautifully along the marina. As the name suggests, it is a celebration of creativity. The promenade is dotted with massive, colorful modern art installations and sculptures that make perfect backdrops for photographs.
The kids loved the lively energy of this place. The walkway is wide, clean, and completely pedestrian-friendly, giving Ishwa plenty of space to run around safely under the watchful eyes of her older siblings.
Flying High: Parasailing in the Sea
While we were strolling along the promenade, a colorful sight captured our attention out on the water. We saw people parasailing high above the Red Sea!
A speedboat was cruising fast, pulling a large, bright parachute into the air. The rider was gliding effortlessly between the blue sky and the sparkling sea. Shabil and Isha watched in absolute fascination, tracking the parachute as it danced with the wind. It looked incredibly thrilling and added a wonderful sense of adventure to our peaceful seaside walk.
Crossing the Fast Lane: The Formula 1 Track
To reach our next big destination, we needed to cross over the main coastal road. We walked up to a large pedestrian overbridge. As we stood on top of the bridge, looking down, we realized we were crossing directly over the famous Jeddah Corniche Circuit !
This is the very track where the world-renowned Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix takes place. Known as the fastest street circuit in the F1 calendar, it winds right along the edge of the Red Sea. Standing on the bridge, we could see the sharp curves, the smooth asphalt of the racetrack, and the grandstands where thousands of racing fans cheer each year. I explained to Shabil and Isha how racing cars fly through these exact lanes at speeds of over $320\text{ km/h}$. Seeing a global sports venue up close from a quiet walking bridge was a very cool, unexpected highlight of our trip.
Once we crossed the bridge, we stepped down to the street level, hailed another taxi, and made our way to the highlight of the night for our children: the Fakeeh Aquarium .
An Underwater Adventure at Fakeeh Aquarium
The Fakeeh Aquarium is located ideally on the Next to Al-Shati, right on the Corniche. It is the only public aquarium in Saudi Arabia, making it a must-visit destination for families. For our three kids, this was the moment they had been waiting for all evening.
Stepping into the Deep Ocean
The moment we walked through the entrance, the bright evening light faded into a beautiful, glowing blue world. The aquarium is home to over 200 species of marine life, many of which are native to the coral reefs of the Red Sea.
Our journey through the aquarium was a series of delightful discoveries:
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The Glass Tunnel: This was, hands down, the most magical part of the experience. We walked through a long, curved acrylic tunnel where the ocean completely surrounded us—above our heads and on both sides. Isha and Shabil stood frozen in awe as massive reef sharks, giant manta rays, and schools of colorful tropical fish swam directly over us. Little Ishwa was absolutely thrilled. She pressed her nose against the glass, pointing her tiny fingers and shouting with joy every time a large fish looked like it was swimming right toward her.
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The Living Coral Reefs: We explored walls of brilliantly glowing tanks filled with live corals. The vibrant oranges, greens, and pinks of the reefs were mesmerizing. We saw clownfish (which the kids instantly recognized as "Nemo"), camouflaged stonefish, and long, elegant moray eels peeking out from underwater caves.
Meeting the Penguins
Another absolute favorite for the family was the dedicated Humboldt Penguin enclosure. Seeing penguins in the middle of the Middle East felt like a unique treat!
The aquarium has successfully created a perfect chilly, rocky environment for these flightless birds. We watched them waddle comically on the rocks and then dive with incredible speed and grace into their clear water pool. Ishwa laughed uncontrollably watching their funny walking style, and we had to spend a long time by their tank because the kids simply didn't want to leave.
Heading Home with Full Hearts
By the time we finished exploring every corner of the aquarium, the night had fully set in. The cool sea breeze greeted us as we stepped back out onto the Jeddah Corniche. The city lights were now reflecting beautifully on the dark water of the Red Sea.
Our legs were tired from all the walking, but our hearts were incredibly full. We found another taxi, climbed inside, and began our journey back to our room in Mahjar. On the ride back, the car was quiet. Little Ishwa was already getting sleepy, exhausted from her big day of exploring, while Isha and Shabil looked through the photos we took, talking happily about the sharks and the floating mosque.
This evening tour was a perfect reminder of why we love exploring. From the spiritual peace of Al-Rahmah Mosque to the high-tech luxury of the Yacht Club, and finally the natural wonders of the Fakeeh Aquarium, Jeddah gave my family a night we will never forget.
Until the next journey, keep exploring!
Travel Tips for ishabil.com Readers visiting Jeddah Corniche:
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Best Time to Visit: Start your trip around 4:00 PM. This allows you to see the Floating Mosque during the golden hour and enjoy the sunset from the Art Promenade.
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Transport: Uber and local taxis are highly available and convenient for jumping between spots along the Corniche.
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Family Friendly: The entire route is highly accessible for strollers, making it perfect if you are traveling with toddlers.
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