Jeddah has a history that predates modern Arabia. As one of the Gulf’s oldest seaports and the gateway to the holy city of Makkah, Jeddah has been welcoming the world for centuries — which has helped transform the city into the culturally rich melting pot it is today. For a fascinating look into Jeddah’s long and cosmopolitan past, take a trip to the Tayebat Museum for a superbly curated representation of the city’s 2,500-year history. Located in the Al Faisaliyah district, the museum is housed in a multiroom complex that re-creates the traditional Hijazi architecture of the old city, with bay windows overlaid with intricate wooden lattice work and ornate coral masonry. With several floors of in-depth exhibits, the museum offers a living history lesson on the foundation of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and the wider Arabian Peninsula. There is also an entire floor dedicated to the city’s rich Islamic heritage.

 Raihanat Al Jazirah, Al Faisaliyyah, District, Jeddah