Jeddah Streets and Waterfront Become Open-Air Art

Aug 29, 2026
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Jeddah Streets and Waterfront Become Open-Air Art

Jeddah has emerged as a large open-air art destination, with hundreds of public sculptures and decorative artworks spread across major roads, roundabouts, plazas, and the waterfront. Together they form a distinctive visual scene that residents and visitors can enjoy freely as part of everyday life in the city.

Along the historic waterfront around Al Arbaeen Lagoon facing البلد, the Jeddah Culture Square project is regenerating the area into a cultural and public-art landscape. The design features continuous promenades, plazas, shaded routes, reflective pools, and integrated seating and amphitheater areas, all open to the public.

The كورنيش جدة and its promenade, including new art walkway areas, are laid out as open spaces with large-scale sculptures, calligraphy-based murals, and contemporary installations lining pedestrian and cycling paths. This turns the waterfront into a civic spine for daily use and events.

Beautification and calligraphy

Recent programs have focused on large-scale repainting and artistic upgrades, including color-focused projects on the southern Corniche and an artistic revamp of a 3,200-meter waterfront walkway carried out in multiple phases. Campaigns have also highlighted Arabic calligraphy murals across main roads, sidewalks, flyovers, buildings, and squares, integrating art with architecture.

The city's legacy Beautification Project (Jeddah Tajmil) continues to shape its visual character, with many historic sculptures retained, restored, or relocated within newer developments such as the Jeddah Art Promenade, where conserved works remain visible in roundabouts and plazas.

Access to the main waterfront promenades and squares is free of charge, with no tickets needed to walk, view outdoor artworks, or use the open seating areas. Design and permitting for built structures and construction linked to public-space projects fall under the national municipal system, with building permits requested and managed electronically through the Balady platform, including online submission and fee calculation.


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Jeddah Streets and Waterfront Become Open-Air Art | Saudi Living