The Bustling Market
Presumably, Jeddah’s central fish market is not much different from other fish markets in coastal cities around the world. Nevertheless, it is worth a visit, – at least as long as the newly planned, modern fish market is not yet completed.
Although you probably won’t come at the break of dawn, when fishermen unload their catch at more than 100 stalls, when boxes and boxes of colourful fish and seafood fresh from the sea are sold to (mostly male) buyers, and when things can get a bit hectic – even in the morning the atmosphere is busy and the halls are filled with smells, bustle, spectacle, noise, palaver and colours. Just stroll through the different sections, enjoy the colours and freshness of the fish, crabs, lobsters, observe the bargaining with sellers and selecting the best seafood for their meals. Nothing is pre-packed everything is as fresh as you could possibly imagine. The market offers additional service, too. Buyers can have cleaned, cut, and even cooked the seafood on-site by professional workers.
Absolutely most of the fish and seafood come from several areas not too fat away from Jeddah, e.g. most commonly from Yanbu, Jizan, Yemen and ‘Balad’. The ones from Balad (basically from Jeddah) are called ‘Baladi‘.
The central fish market includes a restaurant, a large number of fish shops and a place where fish is sold at auctions. A visit on Friday morning may be a good idea, as many stores, museums etc. are closed on Friday mornings.
Anyhow, you will immediately understand that Jeddah’s fish hub is a gathering place for fish traders since ancient times has become more than just a marketplace — it is a cultural and economic spot that mirrors the centuries old and inseparable connection between the city and ‘its’ Red Sea. Jeddah’s fish market offers a unique and unforgettable experience for everyone.
Address: Central Fish Market, Foursquare, Al Kurnaysh Rd, Al Baghdadia Al Gharbia, Jeddah 22232
Open: daily 5am – 9pm
https://goo.gl/maps/
