Located partway between King Abdulaziz International Airport and the city centre, Ar Rawdah is a bustling suburb north of Jeddah. Its residential streets are dotted with eateries specialising in global cuisines, as well as designer malls and palm-studded parks. Ar Rawdah is an ideal base for exploring the attractions of Jeddah’s north, including Al Tayebat International City and the House of Islamic Arts.
Things to do in Ar Rawdah
In the south-west corner of Ar Rawdah is the Tahlia Mall, which is home to global fashion retailers such as H&M, Victoria’s Secret and Pierre Cardin. You can browse the home goods at Villeroy & Boch, shop for bath accessories at the Body Shop or pick up a luxury watch at the Rolex Boutique. Kids will love the games and play equipment at the Tahlia Mall Ksa.
North is the Rawdah Garden, where you’ll find an outdoor playground, a basketball court and palm-fringed lawns for relaxing. Once you’ve built up an appetite, you can dine on Asian fusion cuisine at Soy, opt for pizza and pasta from Portofino or grab a coffee at Kaffa Bun.
Ar Rawdah makes an ideal base for visiting Al Tayebat International City, which recreates Jeddah’s traditional Hijazi architecture. Learn about the five pillars of Islam and see a model recreation of the Mecca pilgrimage before getting up close to artefacts from the area’s early fishing tribes. The museum also features exhibits about Saudi Arabia’s nomadic Bedouin people and the establishment of the modern kingdom.
Getting around Ar Rawdah
Ar Rawdah is around 15 minutes’ drive from the centre of Jeddah and 25 minutes from King Abdulaziz International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Buses travel to Ar Rawdah although taxis are the main means of getting around the area.