Jeddah features an arid climate, and unlike many other Saudi Arabian cities, it retains its warmth during the winter months from November to February. Summer temperatures see the mercury reaching extreme temperatures, sometimes soaring above the 104F (40C) mark in the afternoons and hovering around 86F (30C) in the mornings and evenings. The summer months are punctuated with dust storms which come from the Arabian Peninsula's deserts or from North Africa. During the winter months rainfall in Jeddah is infrequent but is most common in the month of December when winter thunderstorms are also common.

Arabic is the official language in Saudi Arabia, but English is widely understood.

The Saudi currency is the Riyal (SAR), divided into 100 halala. Foreign currency can be changed at banks and exchange bureaux. Banking hours are generally Saturday to Wednesday from 8am to 12pm and 4pm to 8pm. All major credit cards are accepted at shops, hotels and restaurants in Saudi Arabia. Travellers cheques are also accepted and ATMs are widely available. There are no taxes in Saudi Arabia, so shopping is good value.

Shopping in Jeddah is a serious sport. As there aren't many entertainment options for women in Saudi Arabia, shopping malls have turned into 'destination malls': enormous structures with not only hundreds of shops, but full-scale amusement parks, ice skating rinks, and dozens of restaurants. The facilities are ultra-modern, and most importantly completely air-conditioned, allowing both men and women in Jeddah to beat the heat while they enjoy themselves.

The newest and largest mall in Jeddah is the Mall of Arabia, which has more than 330 shops, and a Snow Village where guests can cool off and enjoy themselves in the snow. The mall has plenty of entertainment for children as well, including puppet shows and children's theatre. Other popular malls in Jeddah include the Red Sea Mall, the Heraa International Mall, and Roshan Mall.

The selection of shops at the malls is huge, with many international brands that visitors will recognise, including Diesel, Nike, Banana Republic, Express, H&M, Lacoste, Marks & Spencer, and Nine West. Luxury brands are also there in abundance, including Versace, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel and Armani. Most shops in Jeddah are open from 9 or 10am to 1pm, and then from 5pm to 10pm.

For a more authentic Middle Eastern shopping experience, the old town centre of Jeddah is home to a number of crowded souks (bazaars) where touts are waiting to haggle over leathergoods, gold jewellery and textiles, as well as knock-off designer goods. The most popular bazaar in Jeddah is the Souq al-Alawi.

Jeddah is considered the most cosmopolitan city in Saudi Arabia, and the constant expansion of the concrete is threatening to engulf the beautiful coral architecture of the Old Town, which is in a sad state of disrepair. However, some, like the Naseef House, have been restored to its former glory, complete with camel-friendly ramps.

The Souq al-Awawi is a fascinating place, even if you aren't there to buy. The biggest bazaar in Jeddah, the narrow streets are bursting with merchandise, and the market is especially busy during Haj. Another market worth seeing is the fish market in Al-Balad, where dozens of species ranging from hammerhead sharks to squid are sold at auction between 5am and 9am.

Another popular place for sightseeing in Jeddah is the 22-mile (35km) Corniche, a busy meeting place where families and friends gather for picnics and other activities on warm summer nights. A number of interesting sculptures line the promenade north of the port.

To learn something about Jeddah's history, visit the Al-Tayibat City Museum for International Civilisation, which has more than 300 rooms filled with fascinating artefacts ranging from beautiful Islamic manuscripts to ancient pottery and furniture.

Travellers wanting to see a different side of Jeddah can explore the abundant sealife in the Red Sea. Scuba diving in Jeddah is a popular activity, with several stunning coral reef systems and shipwrecks in the area.

Local time is GMT +3.