When the Jeddah summer settles in and the humidity rolls off the Red Sea, the smartest full day out is an air-conditioned one. Whether you're a long-time Jeddah resident or new to the city, the big malls are a summer staple — and the two locals reach for again and again are Red Sea Mall in Ash Shati and Mall of Arabia near the airport. Both are big enough to fill a whole day with cinema, family attractions, dining and shopping without stepping back into the heat. Here's exactly how to make a day of each, when they open, and what to budget.
These are among the best malls in Jeddah for a full summer day out — Red Sea Mall, Mall of Arabia & more — because they bundle everything into one cool building: breakfast, play, a film, lunch, more play, then dinner before you drive home.
Why Jeddah malls are the summer play
Jeddah summers are long and sticky, so outdoor plans like the Corniche or Al-Balad are best saved for after sunset. During the day, the big malls do the heavy lifting — think of them as indoor entertainment complexes that happen to have shops attached.
Both of our picks have a cinema, dedicated kids' play, sit-down restaurants and casual food courts, so a family can genuinely spend eight to ten hours inside without anyone getting bored.
Red Sea Mall — Ash Shati, north Jeddah
Set in the Ash Shati district in north Jeddah, Red Sea Mall is one of the city's largest and most popular destinations. It's a reliable all-rounder: fashion, electronics, a big Danube supermarket, a wide spread of restaurants and cafés, and plenty to keep children busy.
What to do all day at Red Sea Mall
- Catch a film at VOX Cinemas — ideal for the hottest part of the afternoon, when you want to sit in the dark and cool off.
- Family and children's play areas — soft-play and activity zones to burn off energy between meals.
- Virtual reality and interactive attractions — a fun midday stop for older kids and teens.
- Dining across every budget — from quick food-court bites to full restaurants and specialty cafés.
- Grocery run at Danube — handy if you want to grab snacks or cover the week's shopping on the way out.
Opening hours
- Saturday to Thursday: 9am to midnight
- Friday: 1pm to midnight
Individual attractions, the cinema and food outlets may keep slightly different hours, so confirm the specific venue's same-day schedule before you commit to a plan.
Mall of Arabia — An Nuzhah, near the airport
Over in the An Nuzhah district, close to King Abdulaziz International Airport, Mall of Arabia is the obvious pick if your children are the reason for the day out. Its headline attraction is KidZania Jeddah, a role-play city where kids "work" real-world jobs and earn in-game currency — easily a couple of hours on its own.
What to do all day at Mall of Arabia
- Spend the morning at KidZania Jeddah — the standout family experience, great for kids roughly 4 to 14.
- Cinema in the afternoon — a cool, easy way to reset between activities.
- Family entertainment zones — arcades and play areas across the mall.
- Restaurants and cafés — proper sit-down meals plus quick casual options.
- Retail across fashion, tech and gifts — enough variety to round out the day.
Opening hours
- Monday to Thursday, Saturday and Sunday: 10am to 11pm
- Friday: 2pm to 11:30pm
As with Red Sea Mall, KidZania, the cinema and individual shops can run their own hours, and Friday timings shift for prayers. Always check the exact attraction's schedule for the day you're going.
How to plan a full day out
A little planning turns a mall visit into a proper day out. Here's a simple rhythm that works for families:
- Arrive mid-morning for breakfast or coffee before the crowds build.
- Do the big paid attraction first — KidZania at Mall of Arabia, or the VR and play zones at Red Sea Mall — while everyone's fresh.
- Break for lunch at a sit-down restaurant to reset.
- Book a cinema session for the hottest hours of the afternoon.
- Free time for shopping or arcades, then dinner before you head home.
If you're choosing between the two: pick Mall of Arabia if KidZania is the main event for younger kids, and Red Sea Mall if you want a broader mix of shopping, cinema and a Danube grocery run in one trip.
What a full day costs
There's no fixed entry fee to either mall — you only pay for what you do. A realistic full-day budget for a family lands roughly in this range:
- Light day (window shopping, food court, one coffee stop): typically around SAR 200.
- Mid day (cinema, casual lunch, a play session): typically around SAR 400 to 600.
- Full day (KidZania or VR, sit-down meals, cinema, some shopping): SAR 1,000+.
Attraction prices — KidZania, cinema tickets, VR and activity sessions — vary by date, session and ticket type, so check the current rate when you book rather than assuming a fixed figure.
Getting there and around
Both malls have large free car parks, so driving is straightforward. If you'd rather not drive, Careem and Uber cover both locations easily — handy at the end of a long day when everyone's tired and loaded with bags. Mall of Arabia's position near King Abdulaziz International Airport also makes it a convenient stop if you're meeting arriving family or killing time before a flight.
FAQs
Which Jeddah mall is best for kids?
Mall of Arabia is the strongest choice for families with younger children thanks to KidZania Jeddah, a role-play "city" that can fill a couple of hours on its own. Red Sea Mall is also excellent, with play areas, VR and a cinema.
Is there an entry fee to Red Sea Mall or Mall of Arabia?
No. Entry to both malls is free. You only pay for attractions, cinema tickets, food and shopping.
What are the opening hours?
Red Sea Mall opens 9am to midnight Saturday to Thursday and 1pm to midnight on Friday. Mall of Arabia opens 10am to 11pm most days and 2pm to 11:30pm on Friday. Individual venues may vary.
How much should I budget for a full day?
Expect around SAR 200 for a light day and SAR 1,000 or more for a full family day with paid attractions, cinema and sit-down meals.
Do mall hours change during Ramadan or holidays?
Yes. Hours regularly shift for Fridays, Ramadan and public holidays, and individual attractions set their own schedules. Always confirm the same-day timings before you go.
How do I get to the malls without a car?
Careem and Uber serve both Red Sea Mall and Mall of Arabia reliably, and both have large free parking if you drive.
Planning more than a mall day? Browse the latest things to do and family activities in Jeddah on Saudi Living.
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