King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, often called "The Shining Jewel", is Saudi Arabia's largest stadium, with a capacity for over 60,000 spectators. Located north of Jeddah, it serves as the home ground for the prominent Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli football clubs and is designed to host major international events. Its architecture incorporates geometric Islamic patterns and functions like a modern mashrabiya, providing shade and ventilation in the coastal climate. The stadium is the centrepiece of a larger sports city that includes an indoor arena, practice pitches and tennis courts. While primarily a sports venue, it has also hosted international wrestling and music concerts, establishing itself as a key multipurpose arena.

Beit Al-Sharbatly is a distinguished 1930s mansion in Al-Balad, celebrated for its ornate Hejazi architecture. Its façade is defined by elaborate rawasheen (projecting bay windows) featuring intricate mashrabiya (wooden lattice screens). Completed in 1936, the building first housed the Egyptian Embassy before being acquired by the prominent Al-Sharbatly trading family. While the house has been restored and is admired for its almost cinematic exterior, public access can be unpredictable. The interior is not consistently open to casual visitors, so it is best appreciated from the outside.

Beit Nassif stands as one of Al-Balad’s most significant restored coral houses, a 19th-century merchant’s mansion that later served as a royal residence for King Abdulaziz. Its Ottoman-inspired design includes distinctive bay windows and ramps built for camel messengers to access the upper floors. The interior reveals grand rooms and a library, while a 130-year-old neem tree — once Jeddah’s only tree — guards the entrance. Visiting can be a logistical exercise; access is not always straightforward, and some areas, like the rooftop terrace with its panoramic views, may be closed without notice. It’s wise to call ahead to confirm opening times and avoid a fruitless journey.

Macahambus Adventure Park is a natural park where you can see the spectacular Macahambus Gorge, take a walk across the Sky Bridge elevated some 36 metres off the ground, enjoy a slide ride through the undergrowth, and walk through ancient forests.