Naseef House

Five-storey merchant tower house in the old city

The most famous house in Al Balad, built in 1881 by the Naseef family — wealthy merchants who controlled much of Jeddah's pilgrim trade. The five-storey tower follows the classic coral-stone-and-teak construction of the old city, with elaborately carved roshan windows shading every façade.

The house has been restored and opened as a museum and cultural centre. Climb to the top for a view across the old town. Free entry; opening hours can be unpredictable.

things to do sight architecture al balad
A story
The Naseef family had the only neem tree in the old city outside their door — the rest of Jeddah was bare of trees. When King Abdulaziz captured the city in 1925 he stayed in this house for several months. The staircase was famously built wide and low so a camel could climb up to the top floor with the family's belongings.

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