When Jeddah's summer sun pushes past the comfortable zone and the Corniche turns into a sauna by noon, a smart full-day plan in the city happens indoors. The best malls in Jeddah for a full summer day out — led by Red Sea Mall and Mall of Arabia — pack cinemas, ice rinks, play zones, food halls and hundreds of shops under one cool roof, so you can arrive mid-morning and leave after dinner without ever stepping into the heat.
Here's how to plan a proper day at each: what to do, roughly what it costs and how to get there.
Why Jeddah malls are the summer survival move
From June through September, daytime temperatures in Jeddah regularly sit high, and the humidity off the Red Sea makes outdoor afternoons tough. A mall gives you reliable air conditioning, entertainment for every age, prayer facilities, and food options from a SAR 35 quick bite to a SAR 300+ sit-down dinner — all in one place. Pick the right mall and you genuinely have enough to fill 8 to 10 hours.
Red Sea Mall — Ash Shati, near the Corniche
Red Sea Mall sits in the Ash Shati district, close to the Jeddah Corniche, which makes it an easy pairing: a full day inside, then a cooler evening stroll by the sea if you still have energy. It's one of the largest and most popular malls in the city, and it leans heavily into entertainment, not just shopping.
What to do all day
You can genuinely spend a whole day here without repeating an activity:
- VOX Cinemas — catch a morning or matinee film to escape the midday peak
- Snowy Forest — a snow-themed attraction, a novelty in Jeddah's climate
- Funky Monkey and Luca Land — indoor play zones aimed at younger kids
- Game Over and Fastrack — arcades and games for older kids and teens
- Adventura and Saran — family entertainment and activity zones
- Pet Land — a hit with animal-loving little ones
Between activities you have hundreds of fashion, beauty and electronics stores, plus a wide food court and full-service restaurants and cafes for when everyone needs a break.
Hours and getting there
Red Sea Mall typically runs long hours — listed around 9:00 AM to 12:00 AM daily — so you can start early to beat the crowds and stay through dinner. Keep in mind individual shops and attractions may open and close at slightly different times, and Friday often starts later for retail.
Getting there is easiest by Careem or Uber from most parts of Jeddah; if you're driving, parking is plentiful but fills up on weekend evenings, so arriving before lunch is smart.
Mall of Arabia — An Nuzhah, near the airport
Mall of Arabia is in the An Nuzhah district, close to King Abdulaziz International Airport, making it convenient if you're flying in or out or staying on the northern side of the city. It's a strong all-rounder with a standout line-up for families.
Best for families with kids
If you're travelling with children, Mall of Arabia is hard to beat for a single-venue summer day:
- KidZania Jeddah — a role-play city where kids "work" real-world jobs; easily a half-day on its own
- Muvi cinema with IMAX — big-screen films, including the premium IMAX format
- Ice-skating rink — a genuinely cool (literally) break from the heat
- Sparky's — a large arcade and games zone for all ages
Add shopping, dining and plenty of seating, and a family can comfortably arrive at opening and leave after dinner.
Hours and getting there
Like many Jeddah malls, Mall of Arabia generally operates from around 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM Saturday to Thursday, with a later start of about 1:00 to 2:00 PM on Friday. Always check the specific attraction — KidZania and the cinema may run their own schedules.
It's a short ride from the airport side of the city; Careem and Uber are the simplest option, and there's ample parking if you drive.
How to budget a full day
Your spend swings widely depending on how much shopping and how many paid attractions you add. As a planning guide for a full summer day out:
- Light day (cinema + food court + window shopping) — typically around SAR 200 per person
- Family day with kids (one major attraction like KidZania or ice skating + meals + arcade) — typically around SAR 400 to 700 per person once tickets and food add up
- Big day out (multiple attractions, sit-down dining, some shopping) — comfortably SAR 1,000+ per person
For context, a quick meal at a food court commonly runs around SAR 35 to 60, while a full restaurant meal can be SAR 150 to 300+, and shopping items span roughly SAR 35 to 500+. Cinema ticket prices vary by format and showtime; check the venue or app on the day. Attraction entry for KidZania, ice skating, play areas and arcades is best confirmed at the venue, as prices change by day and package.
Tips for a smooth summer mall day in Jeddah
- Arrive early — opening time means cooler car parks, shorter queues and first pick at attractions
- Book cinema tickets ahead — weekend evening shows sell out fast in summer
- Buy attraction tickets online where possible — skip the queue and lock in a time slot
- Dress for strong AC — malls run cold, and ice rinks even colder, so pack a light layer for kids
- Plan prayer breaks — both malls have prayer facilities; expect short retail pauses at prayer times
- Go cashless — cards and Apple Pay are accepted almost everywhere
Looking for more ways to fill the season? Find restaurants, cafes and things to do across the city in our Jeddah guides on Saudi Living, and browse what's on at the Saudi Living events hub before you plan your day.
FAQs
Which is the best mall in Jeddah for a full day out?
Both are excellent. Choose Red Sea Mall in Ash Shati for the widest spread of entertainment zones and an easy Corniche evening afterwards, or Mall of Arabia in An Nuzhah if you have kids and want KidZania, IMAX and ice skating in one place.
What time do Jeddah malls open and close?
Many Jeddah malls run roughly 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM Saturday to Thursday and open later — about 1:00 to 2:00 PM — on Friday. Red Sea Mall lists longer hours of around 9:00 AM to 12:00 AM. Individual shops and attractions can differ.
How much does a day at a Jeddah mall cost?
Plan for roughly SAR 200 to 1,000+ A light day of cinema and food sits near the lower end, while a family day with a major attraction and meals lands higher.
Is Red Sea Mall or Mall of Arabia better for kids?
Mall of Arabia edges ahead for children thanks to KidZania Jeddah, the ice-skating rink and Sparky's. Red Sea Mall also has strong kids' zones like Funky Monkey, Luca Land and Pet Land.
How do I get to the malls without a car?
Careem and Uber are the simplest way to reach both malls from anywhere in Jeddah. Red Sea Mall is near the Corniche in Ash Shati, and Mall of Arabia is near King Abdulaziz International Airport in An Nuzhah.
Do I need to book anything in advance?
Entry to the malls is free. For a smooth day, book cinema seats ahead and buy attraction tickets online where available, especially on weekends and during summer peaks.
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