Set inside the beautifully restored Bab Al-Bunt building in Al-Balad, the Red Sea Museum invites visitors to dive into the stories, cultures and coastlines that have shaped the region for centuries.
From ancient navigation tools to contemporary Saudi art, it brings the Red Sea’s rich past and vibrant present together in one immersive, family-friendly experience.
The Red Sea Museum is a major new cultural institution in Jeddah dedicated to the natural, cultural and historical heritage of the Red Sea region. Positioned within the restored Bab Al-Bunt building in Historic Jeddah’s Al-Balad district, the museum brings together archaeology, art and maritime history across a programme designed to illuminate the Red Sea’s long history as a crossroads of trade, pilgrimage, ecology and cultural exchange.
Housed in a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the museum combines the restored heritage architecture of Bab Al-Bunt, once Jeddah’s gateway from the sea, with contemporary museological design and immersive exhibition technology. More than 1,000 artefacts and artworks are presented across 23 galleries, organised into seven thematic sections that explore topics ranging from ancient navigation tools and maritime trade routes to coastal communities, environmental diversity and artistic interpretations inspired by the Red Sea.
The permanent collection includes items such as Chinese porcelain, coral jewellery, navigational instruments, historic maps and sacred manuscripts, alongside modern and contemporary works by Saudi and international artists. The museum’s design encourages visitors of all ages to engage with the multifaceted story of the Red Sea, linking material history with cultural narratives and ecological context.
At its opening, the museum also features a temporary exhibition titled “The Gate of Gates” by Saudi artist Moath Alofi, curated by Philippe Cardinal. This exhibition reflects on the transformation of Bab Al-Bunt and its role as a gateway between past and present, framing the building itself as an integral part of the cultural narrative on display.
In addition to its galleries, the Red Sea Museum launches with a programme of public activities including workshops, talks and masterclasses. Initiatives such as “Made in the Red Sea” provide artisan training, while performances like “Music of the Red Sea” celebrate the region’s rich musical heritage, expanding the museum’s remit beyond exhibitions into community engagement and cultural production.
The museum also aligns with wider cultural infrastructure initiatives under Saudi Vision 2030, reflecting the Kingdom’s investment in heritage preservation, sustainable cultural development and international exchange.
The Red Sea Museum opened to the public on 6 December 2025 in Historic Jeddah.
The museum is located in the Bab Al-Bunt building within the Al-Balad Historic District of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that anchors one of the oldest urban areas on the Red Sea coast.
Mariam Khawer is a Dubai-based writer and PR professional whose work spans food, art, and travel across the region. When she isn’t chasing deadlines, she’s likely at a gallery opening, testing out a new restaurant, piecing together one of her mixed-media art projects or at home with her four cats, who keep her on her toes.
