On Saudi’s western coast, the Red Sea and the city of Jeddah offer an array of options for those looking to stay in style. Along Jeddah’s sprawling waterfront, you’ll find design-forward hotels, home to polished hammams and light-washed treatment rooms, while in the UNESCO-listed cultural district, restored coral-stone houses welcome travellers looking to make a lasting connection. And along the Red Sea shoreline, five-star outposts from the world’s top hotel brands combine stargazing decks with practitioner-led wellness programmes.
This sparkling stretch of coast offers a relaxing reset within easy reach of the UK — with daily Virgin Atlantic flights linking London and Riyadh, and onward connections to Jeddah and the Red Sea provided through partner carrier Saudia. Whatever type of escape you’re looking for — whether it’s a quick post-flight refresh before seeing the city sights or a week-long immersion into the world of wellness — here’s how to choose the best experience.
Find your flow with sunrise yoga
Start at first light with a gentle stroll along the palm-lined promenade of the Jeddah Corniche to the city’s iconic King Fahd Fountain — the world’s tallest fountain — which blasts a plume of seawater over 1,000ft in the air. Then, drop into a session at Karama Yoga, which runs infrared-heated flows, stress-releasing yin and sculpting power yoga classes. The luxury studio was founded by Lana Nazer, a well-known face in Saudi’s wellness community. Alternatively, check out the Arab Yoga Foundation on the Corniche for community-minded teaching and workshops. Many hotels, such as Shangri-La Jeddah, offer private sunrise yoga classes for guests, with the option to wind down post-session with a steam bath, sauna and cold plunge in the spa.
Reset with a ritual hammam
Arabian wellness culture is grounded in hammam — a bathing ritual involving steam, exfoliation and cleansing. Some of Jeddah’s top hotel spas, such as The Evania & Seba Spa at Park Hyatt Jeddah, elevate the traditional practice with the inclusion of modern hydrotherapy in an aquamedic seawater pool heated to 38C. The upscale spa has dedicated facilities for women and men, with indoor and outdoor pools, saunas and steam rooms. Those a little more pressed for time should check into the Shirvan Hotel City Yard Jeddah in Al Rawdah, where the tree-lined wellness area sits just a few steps from the lively dining courtyard. Overlooking the city skyline, the contemporary spa — housing a sauna, pool and gym — blends seamlessly with the hotel’s polished, heritage-inspired design.
Dive or snorkel in the Red Sea
When the day calls for the simplest medicine — saltwater and sunlight — head to Abhur Bay (also known as Obhur Bay), around 18 miles north of Jeddah city centre. With typically clear conditions and manageable currents, the inlet buzzes with boats that depart regularly for the Red Sea’s remarkable coral reefs. PADI-affiliated operators such as Dive Point run a range of guided dives and beginner courses. Or, if you aren’t into deep-sea pursuits, opt for a snorkel day. Floating over the Red Sea’s diverse coastal reefs, you’ll spot a colourful array of corals and marine life, including anthias and butterflyfish.
Take a stroll in Historic Jeddah
Wellbeing also means seeking context and feeling the ground beneath your feet. In UNESCO-listed Historic Jeddah, coral-stone houses and carved wooden mashrabiyas (covered balconies) cast latticed shade over lanes where traders once served pilgrims bound for Makkah (also known as Mecca). Many of these homes have been lovingly restored, and a guided tour with an operator such as Deira is the best way to take in the highlights. A few hours in the fascinating district is an ideal way to recalibrate the senses: the feel of cool stone and old timber on your fingertips, the scent of cinnamon and cardamom drifting from cafes and stalls, and the sound of the call to prayer rippling through the air.
Relax in a luxurious destination spa
The best wellness escapes in Jeddah and the Red Sea
