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Hejaz
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Explore Hejaz in Saudi Arabia through Red Sea heritage, historic Jeddah, mountain Taif and the sacred landscapes of Makkah and Madinah.

Hejaz occupies Saudi Arabia’s western flank, a region of volcanic uplands, rugged escarpments, fertile oases and Red Sea coast. Its best-known cities are Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah, while Taif rises into cooler mountain country and Yanbu combines an old port with a modern industrial city. The region’s geography has always shaped movement: coastal roads and sea lanes connect the ports, mountain passes lead inland, and the ancient pilgrimage routes converge on the holy cities.
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For Muslims, Makkah and Madinah are the spiritual centre of the Hajj and Umrah journeys. Makkah is home to the Masjid al-Haram and the Kaaba, while Madinah is associated with the Prophet’s Mosque and the formative years of the first Muslim community. Access rules are important: non-Muslims are not permitted to enter Makkah, and the central sacred precincts of Madinah, including the Prophet’s Mosque, are reserved for Muslims. Visitors should check current Saudi regulations before planning religious travel, as permits, visa categories and entry arrangements can change.
Jeddah provides Hejaz’s most accessible blend of maritime history and contemporary urban life. Its historic Al-Balad quarter contains coral-stone houses, shaded souqs and merchants’ residences shaped by centuries of Red Sea trade. Beyond the old town, the Jeddah Corniche follows the coast with public spaces, sculpture and views across the water. Further north, the Red Sea coast offers coral reefs, mangroves and opportunities for boating and diving, although conditions, conservation rules and access vary between sites.
Madinah’s broad avenues and palm-lined districts surround a city with deep religious and historical significance. The surrounding landscape includes volcanic fields and mountain ridges, while Quba Mosque and the area associated with the Battle of Uhud illustrate the city’s place in early Islamic history. Taif has a different atmosphere: its elevation brings milder conditions, orchards and mountain scenery, with rose cultivation and fruit farming forming part of its regional identity.
Hejazi food reflects pilgrimage, trade and the meeting of inland and maritime cultures. Rice dishes, slow-cooked meat, dates, breads, savoury pastries and seafood appear alongside influences from South Asia, East Africa and the wider Arab world. Hospitality is often expressed through coffee and dates, while Jeddah’s dining scene is particularly diverse. Across the region, travel is most comfortable when organised around the heat, religious calendar, long distances and the distinct rules applying to sacred sites.

When is the best time to visit Hejaz?

Best: February–March, November · 22–25°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January2110
February (best)228
March (best)256
April304
May342
June371
July381
August381
September362
October324
November (best)256
December218

Getting to and around Hejaz

How to get there

King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah is the principal international gateway for western Saudi Arabia and serves Jeddah, Makkah and the wider pilgrimage network. Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport serves Madinah, while Taif International Airport serves the mountain city and surrounding districts. Jeddah and Madinah are connected by the Haramain high-speed railway, which also serves Makkah and King Abdullah Economic City. Non-Muslims must not enter Makkah, and access to the central sacred areas of Madinah is restricted to Muslims; travellers should check visa, permit and route requirements before departure.

Transportation

The Haramain railway is the most useful intercity option between Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah and its intermediate stations, subject to current booking and operating arrangements. Long-distance coaches, taxis, ride-hailing services and private cars provide additional connections. Jeddah has the region’s broadest urban transport choice, while Madinah and Makkah are organised around major pilgrimage and visitor corridors. A car is useful for Taif, coastal areas and dispersed historical sites, but traffic, restricted approaches and seasonal congestion can make driving near the holy cities slow. Avoid unlicensed transport and allow extra time during pilgrimage periods.

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Best attractions in Hejaz

Hejaz offers a broad range of experiences shaped by faith, trade, mountains and the Red Sea. In Jeddah, the restored streets and merchant houses of Al-Balad introduce visitors to the region’s coral-stone architecture, old souqs and maritime connections, while the Corniche provides public art, open views and access to the coast. Makkah and Madinah are primarily religious destinations, with access governed by Islamic requirements and Saudi regulations; Muslim visitors can explore major mosques, pilgrimage landscapes and historically important sites through official channels. Around Madinah, Quba Mosque, the Uhud area and volcanic terrain connect religious history with the wider landscape. Taif offers mountain scenery, orchards, rose-growing traditions and viewpoints over the western escarpment. Along suitable parts of the coast, diving, boating, coral observation and mangrove environments provide outdoor alternatives, subject to local permissions and conservation rules. Museums, cultural centres, markets and food districts add urban context, while desert and mountain excursions are best undertaken with reliable transport, water and local guidance. The region’s attraction landscape is less about a single circuit than about moving between distinct environments: dense historic quarters, sacred cities, highland farms and the maritime edge.

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Best landmarks in Hejaz

The Kaaba within the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah is Hejaz’s most important religious landmark and the direction towards which Muslims pray worldwide. Its setting is part of an enormous sacred complex whose access, movement and photography are governed by religious and security regulations. In Madinah, the Prophet’s Mosque is a defining landmark of Islamic history, while Quba Mosque is associated with the earliest Muslim community and the Uhud area recalls one of the formative battles of the first century of Islam. Jeddah’s Al-Balad is a landmark urban quarter rather than a single monument: its coral-stone houses, projecting wooden rawashin and narrow lanes express the city’s Red Sea trading heritage. The old Jeddah waterfront and historic port setting further explain the city’s role as the maritime gateway to Makkah. Taif’s mountain escarpments and elevated outlooks form a natural counterpoint to the coastal plain, while surviving sections of the Hejaz Railway around Madinah evoke the engineering ambitions of the late Ottoman period. These places are significant for religious, architectural, political or geographical reasons, not merely for their appearance.

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Explore Hejaz on the map

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Best restaurants in Hejaz

Hejazi food reflects the movement of pilgrims, sailors and merchants through western Saudi Arabia. Jeddah has the region’s widest dining range, from traditional rice and meat dishes to seafood, grilled foods, breads, savoury pastries and restaurants influenced by South Asian, East African and other Arab cuisines. Makkah and Madinah offer many places serving filling dishes suited to pilgrims, including rice-based meals, soups, dates, sweets and fresh juices, while hotel dining is especially prominent during busy religious seasons. Taif is associated with mountain agriculture, fruit, honey and rose products, and local markets provide opportunities to see seasonal produce. Look for traditional breakfasts, regional bakeries, Arabic coffee and dates, and fish or shellfish in coastal communities. Saudi tipping is not governed by a single universal rule, but a service charge may appear on bills and modest additional gratuities are discretionary. During Ramadan, restaurant hours and public dining arrangements change substantially.

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Best bars in Hejaz

Hejaz does not have a conventional bar and nightclub culture because alcohol is prohibited throughout Saudi Arabia. Evening life instead centres on restaurants, cafés, dessert shops, family-oriented public spaces, cultural programmes and late-opening shopping areas. Jeddah has the region’s broadest contemporary scene, with coffee houses, speciality cafés, live performance spaces and restaurants concentrated in modern commercial districts and around the Corniche, although venues and schedules change. In Makkah and Madinah, evening activity is closely connected to worship, pilgrimage routines, hotel areas and food streets, with a quieter atmosphere outside peak seasons. Taif’s cooler evenings encourage café visits, restaurant meals and walks in public areas. Visitors should not bring, buy or consume alcohol, and should observe local rules concerning public behaviour, music, photography and mixed public spaces. Seasonal festivals and cultural events may add evening entertainment, but arrangements should be checked through official channels.

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Best nightclubs in Hejaz

Hejaz does not have a conventional bar and nightclub culture because alcohol is prohibited throughout Saudi Arabia. Evening life instead centres on restaurants, cafés, dessert shops, family-oriented public spaces, cultural programmes and late-opening shopping areas. Jeddah has the region’s broadest contemporary scene, with coffee houses, speciality cafés, live performance spaces and restaurants concentrated in modern commercial districts and around the Corniche, although venues and schedules change. In Makkah and Madinah, evening activity is closely connected to worship, pilgrimage routines, hotel areas and food streets, with a quieter atmosphere outside peak seasons. Taif’s cooler evenings encourage café visits, restaurant meals and walks in public areas. Visitors should not bring, buy or consume alcohol, and should observe local rules concerning public behaviour, music, photography and mixed public spaces. Seasonal festivals and cultural events may add evening entertainment, but arrangements should be checked through official channels.

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Best shops in Hejaz

Shopping in Hejaz ranges from historic souqs and small neighbourhood stores to modern malls and air-conditioned commercial centres. Jeddah’s Al-Balad remains the strongest setting for traditional retail, with shops selling perfumes, spices, textiles, jewellery, prayer goods, dates and regional food products, although individual premises and trading patterns change. Contemporary Jeddah also offers international brands, Saudi fashion, homeware and speciality coffee, while Madinah has extensive retail around pilgrimage and hotel districts. Makkah’s commercial areas are similarly shaped by religious travel, with dates, prayer garments, perfumes, books and gifts prominent among the merchandise. Taif is associated with rosewater, perfumes, honey, fruit and products from the surrounding highlands. Across the region, food markets are useful for dates, Arabic sweets, nuts and spice blends, while craft and gallery shopping is more visible in Jeddah’s cultural districts. Bargaining may be possible in traditional markets but is not expected in fixed-price shops, malls or branded stores; compare quality and provenance when buying antiques or jewellery.

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Hejaz essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the Saudi riyal, coded SAR, used throughout Hejaz and the rest of Saudi Arabia. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in hotels, shopping centres, transport facilities and established restaurants, especially in Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah. Carry some cash for smaller shops, traditional markets, roadside purchases and rural areas, although availability of card terminals is increasing. Exchange facilities and ATMs are common in major urban centres; notify your bank about travel and check any foreign transaction charges.
Safety
Use ordinary urban precautions in crowded markets, transport hubs and pilgrimage areas, and keep valuables secure in dense pedestrian zones. Heat, dehydration, glare and traffic are more immediate practical concerns than most visitors expect, particularly during outdoor visits and religious walking routes. On mountain roads around Taif, drive conservatively and allow for changing visibility. At the coast, use designated swimming areas where available and follow warnings about currents, sun exposure and marine conditions. Respect restricted areas, security instructions and crowd-management barriers around sacred sites.
Emergency Situations
Saudi Arabia’s national emergency arrangements apply throughout Hejaz. Call 999 for police, 998 for Civil Defence and 997 for ambulance services; 911 is also used as a unified emergency number in several major regions, including Makkah and Madinah, where available. In an emergency, state your location clearly, use a hotel or transport-station landmark if needed, and ask local staff to assist with Arabic communication. For coastal incidents, follow instructions from local authorities and lifeguards. Travel insurance with medical cover is strongly advisable.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress modestly in public and wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees, with additional care near mosques and religious sites. Remove shoes where required, keep voices low in places of worship and never photograph worshippers, officials or sensitive infrastructure without permission. Do not attempt to enter Makkah if you are not Muslim, and do not enter restricted sacred areas in Madinah. Public displays of affection should be avoided. During Ramadan, follow local guidance about eating, drinking and smoking in public during daylight hours, and follow any instructions concerning photography, security and pilgrimage conduct.
Local Tips
Jeddah is generally the easiest place to begin a cultural itinerary, combining the historic Al-Balad quarter with the Corniche and Red Sea-facing districts. Taif is a useful contrast to the coastal plain, but its elevation and winding approaches require planning in cooler daylight hours. In Madinah, allow time for the wider historical setting rather than concentrating only on the central mosque area. For food, look beyond hotel districts to established local restaurants and bakeries, while remembering that opening arrangements and access can change during religious seasons.
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From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
Helloمرحبا[Marhaban]
Goodbyeمع السلامة[Ma'a as-salama]
Yesنعم[Na'am]
Noلا[La]
Please/You're welcomeمن فضلك[Min fadlik]
Thank youشكرا[Shukran]
Excuse me/Sorryعفوا[Afwan]
How are you?كيف حالك؟[Kayfa halak?]
Fine. And you?بخير. وأنت؟[Bikhayr. Wa anta?]
Do you speak English?هل تتحدث الإنجليزية؟[Hal tatahaddath al-ingliziyya?]
I don't understandلا أفهم[La afham]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseأود رؤية القائمة، من فضلك[Awad ru'yat al-qa'ima, min fadlik]
I don't eat meatلا آكل اللحم[La akul al-lahm]
Cheers!في صحتك![Fi sihhatak!]
I would like to pay, pleaseأود الدفع، من فضلك[Awad al-daf', min fadlik]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!نجدة![Najda!]
Go away!ابتعد![Ibt'id!]
Call the Police!اتصل بالشرطة![Ittasil bil-shurta!]
Call a doctor!اتصل بالطبيب![Ittasil bil-tabeeb!]
I'm lostأنا ضائع[Ana da'i']
I'm illأنا مريض[Ana marid]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...أود شراء...[Awad shira']
I'm just lookingأنا فقط أنظر[Ana faqat anzur]
How much is it?كم ثمنه؟[Kam thamanuh?]
That's too expensiveذلك مكلف جدا[Thalik mukallif jidan]
Can you lower the price?هل يمكنك خفض السعر؟[Hal yumkinuka khafd al-si'r?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?كم الساعة؟[Kam al-saa'a?]
It's one o'clockالساعة الواحدة[Al-saa'a al-wahida]
Half past (10)العاشرة والنصف[Al-'ashira wa al-nisf]
Morningصباحا[Sabahan]
Afternoonبعد الظهر[Ba'd al-zuhur]
Eveningمساءً[Masa'an]
Yesterdayأمس[Ams]
Todayاليوم[Al-yawm]
Tomorrowغدا[Ghadan]
1واحد[Wahid]
2اثنان[Ithnan]
3ثلاثة[Thalatha]
4أربعة[Arba'a]
5خمسة[Khamsa]
6ستة[Sitta]
7سبعة[Sab'a]
8ثمانية[Thamaniya]
9تسعة[Tis'a]
10عشرة[Ashara]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?أين...؟[Ayna...?]
What's the address?ما هو العنوان؟[Ma huwa al-'unwan?]
Can you show me (on the map)?هل يمكنك إظهار (على الخريطة)؟[Hal yumkinuka izhar (ala al-kharita)?]
When's the next (bus)?متى يأتي (الحافلة) التالية؟[Mata yati (al-hafila) al-taliya?]
A ticket (to ....)تذكرة (إلى....)[Tadhkira (ila....)]

History of Hejaz

Pre-Islamic Trade and Settlement

Before Islam, western Arabia was connected to long-distance exchange routes linking the southern Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, East Africa and the Red Sea. Settlements in the Hejaz developed around wells, seasonal water sources, caravan movement and coastal trade. Makkah’s position in an inland valley supported pilgrimage and commerce, while Yathrib, later Madinah, benefited from oasis agriculture and date cultivation. Archaeological evidence across the wider region, including inscriptions and rock art, records older communities and religious practices, although much of the historical picture remains fragmentary.

The Rise of Islam in the Seventh Century

Hejaz is central to the origins of Islam. The Prophet Muhammad was born in Makkah, and the city’s sanctuary became the focus of the new faith. In 622, the Hijrah, or migration, took Muhammad and his followers from Makkah to Yathrib, which became Madinat al-Nabi, or the City of the Prophet. The events that followed established the first Muslim community and transformed the political and religious history of Arabia. Makkah and Madinah remain the two most significant cities in the Islamic world.

Pilgrimage, Caliphates and Medieval Muslim Rule

After the early Islamic period, Hejaz was governed by successive caliphates and regional powers, including the Umayyads, Abbasids, Fatimids, Ayyubids and Mamluks. The pilgrimage continued to bring travellers, scholars, merchants and rulers from across the Muslim world. Makkah and Madinah received endowments, religious institutions and architectural works, while the route infrastructure supported wells, caravan stations and fortified settlements. The region’s cosmopolitan character was reinforced by pilgrims arriving from Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, South Asia and Southeast Asia.

Ottoman Hejaz and the Pilgrimage Railway

Ottoman authority became established in the Hejaz in the sixteenth century and continued, with interruptions and changing degrees of local autonomy, until the First World War. The Ottoman period left an important architectural and administrative legacy in the holy cities and ports. The Hejaz Railway, constructed in the early twentieth century between Damascus and Madinah, was intended to make the pilgrimage journey faster and more secure. Its surviving stations and remains in the region recall the scale of imperial engineering and the logistical importance of pilgrimage.

The Hashemite Kingdom of Hejaz

During the Arab Revolt and the collapse of Ottoman rule, Sharif Hussein ibn Ali proclaimed the Hashemite Kingdom of Hejaz in 1916. The kingdom was centred on the holy cities and the western Arabian coast, but its independence was short-lived. Ibn Saud’s forces conquered Hejaz in the 1920s, taking Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah before the creation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932. The political transition reshaped administration, transport and the relationship between the region and the Saudi state.

Jeddah and the Red Sea Port Economy

Jeddah grew for centuries as the principal maritime gateway to Makkah and a major port for pilgrims and merchants. Its historic houses, built from coral limestone and timber, reflect a trading society connected to the Red Sea, East Africa, India and the wider Middle East. In the twentieth century, oil revenues, modern roads, air travel and port development transformed the city. Jeddah remains an important commercial and cultural centre, while the preserved Al-Balad district provides a visible link to its maritime past.

Modern Pilgrimage Infrastructure and Urban Transformation

The discovery of oil elsewhere in Saudi Arabia and the growth of the modern state brought large-scale investment to Hejaz. Airports, motorways, hotels, rail connections and expanded pilgrimage facilities changed the physical form of Makkah and Madinah. The Haramain high-speed railway now links Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah, complementing air and road travel. These developments have enabled millions of pilgrims to travel through the region, while also raising continuing questions about conservation, urban scale, crowd management and the protection of historic landscapes.

Hejaz in Photos

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Evendo - Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Hejaz, Saudi Arabia

Experience the best of Hejaz with Evendo, your 100% free travel guide app covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more. Plan and book all in one place.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
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Discover Hejaz like never before with Evendo. This free app provides detailed guides to top attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more, ensuring you make the most of your trip.

  • Curated local tips to experience Hejaz like a local
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Embark on an unforgettable journey to Hejaz, Saudi Arabia, with Evendo, your all-in-one travel guide app. Whether you’re drawn to the historic sites of Medina, the bustling markets of Jeddah, or the serene landscapes of Taif, Evendo has you covered. Dive into the rich history of Hejaz with detailed information on landmarks like Al-Balad, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the majestic Quba Mosque. Savor the local cuisine at renowned restaurants such as Al Baik and Najd Village, offering authentic Saudi flavors.

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