Photos: Al Balad, Jeddah’s oldest neighbourhood

Visitors stand at the Jeddah Old Town 'Al Balad' entrance in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The Historic Jeddah area, known locally as Al-Balad (the town), is situated on the eastern shore of the Red Sea and was established in the 7th century AD as a major port for Indian Ocean trade routes, channelling goods from Jeddah to the holy city of Mecca.

The Historic Jeddah area contains more than 600 heritage buildings, 36 historical mosques, five major historical markets, ancient corridors and squares, and sites with historical significance, such as the old waterfront.

The Historical Old Jeddah, or downtown Jeddah, is in the heart of present Jeddah.

It is situated on the eastern shore of the Red Sea.

The Old Jeddah wall has two main doors, one facing the Holy Makkah and the other facing the sea, including six towers.

A Saudi man sits in an old house and reads the news on his smart phone.

Before naming it the royal seaport for Makkah in 657 AD, the Al-Balad site, “Historic Jeddah”, was built on beautiful coastal land. It gathered people from all cultures and walks of life throughout the ages.

The magic of the Al-Balad site, “Historic Jeddah”, is not limited to the heritage value surrounding you but also to the unique location being twenty minutes away from the best shopping experiences and international restaurants and another twenty minutes away from the largest and most important car race in the world; the STC Formula 1 Saudi Grand Prix.

Historic Jeddah has long been the home of the most ancient folk markets. It is the ideal destination for heritage and souvenir lovers and seekers of craftsmanship, handmade goods, and hard-to-miss offers.

Locals sit outside their homes and have Arabic tea in the Old Town 'Of Al Balad' in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.