
Highlights
Free access to the mosque complex for worshippers and visitors; there is no ticket or entrance fee.
About this experience
Al Rahma Mosque in Jeddah — often called the Floating Mosque — is a white, turquoise-domed mosque built on pillars over the Red Sea at the north end of the Jeddah Corniche. Completed in the 1980s, it appears to sit directly on the water at high tide and has become one of the city's most photographed landmarks as well as an active place of worship.
What's included
- Free access to the mosque complex for worshippers and visitors; there is no ticket or entrance fee.
- The chance to walk out along the short causeway to the mosque and stand above the water, especially atmospheric when the tide is high and waves surround the pillars.
- Access to the main prayer hall and courtyards for Muslims, plus viewing points around the exterior where visitors can see the dome, minaret and sea views.
- Use of mosque facilities such as ablution areas, toilets and shaded outdoor areas, subject to normal mosque etiquette and separation of men's and women's sections.
- NOT included: transport to and from the Corniche, guided tours, boat trips, food and drink from nearby cafés, or any photography services — those are all separate.
Who it's for
- Primarily a mosque for local worshippers and pilgrims, but also a popular stop for visitors who want Red Sea views and photos of the “floating” structure.
- Suitable for Muslim travellers who want to pray by the sea in a distinctive modern mosque that still uses classic Islamic design details.
- Non-Muslim visitors are generally welcome to walk around the exterior and, outside of busy prayer times, may be allowed inside certain areas if they are modestly dressed and respectful; access policies can vary slightly over time and by staff on duty.
- Works for most fitness levels — the main effort is a short walk from parking across flat paved areas and a causeway; wheelchairs can usually reach outside viewing areas via ramps.
What you'll do
- Travel up to the northern Jeddah Corniche by taxi, rideshare or car and park near the clearly signposted Floating Mosque / Al Rahma Mosque area on the seafront.
- Walk along the promenade and short causeway out towards the mosque, stopping to take photos of the white structure, turquoise dome and minaret set against the Red Sea.
- If you are Muslim and arriving around prayer time, enter the appropriate men's or women's section, perform wudu and join the congregational prayer in the main hall.
- Outside of prayer times, spend some quiet minutes inside (if permitted) or around the exterior, enjoying the sea breeze, sound of waves under the pillars and views back to the Corniche.
- Afterwards, wander a little along the Corniche, grab a drink or snack from nearby kiosks or cafés, and watch the light on the water if you have timed your visit for sunrise or sunset.
Before you go
- Tickets / price (starts from): there is no admission fee for Al Rahma Mosque — visiting is free. Treat 0 SAR as your base cost and budget only for transport, snacks and anything else you do nearby.
- Opening hours: the mosque functions around the clock as a place of worship, with visitors usually welcome most of the day. Non-Muslims are typically asked to avoid prayer times or may be restricted from entering the prayer hall during those periods; policies can be stricter on Fridays and in Ramadan.
- Dress code: modest clothing is essential. Women should cover their hair with a scarf and wear loose, full-length clothing; men should wear long trousers and a shirt with sleeves. Avoid tight, transparent or beach-style outfits — you are directly at the sea but still in a mosque.
- Behaviour & photography: keep voices low, don't film or photograph worshippers at close range without consent, and follow any signage about where photography is or is not allowed. Remove shoes before entering carpeted prayer areas.
- Safety: sea walls and edges can be slippery in spray or rain; stay behind barriers when taking photos, supervise children closely and avoid climbing railings or rocks to get “closer” to the water.
Good to know
- Location: Al Rahma Mosque sits on the north end of the Jeddah Corniche in the Al-Shate' / north-coast area, directly on the Red Sea shoreline and a short drive from Red Sea Mall and the northern waterfront hotels.
- Architecture: the mosque covers roughly 2,400 m² and combines a main turquoise dome, white minaret, dozens of small outer domes and decorative umbrellas, all built on pillars anchored below the sea, which creates the floating illusion at high tide.
- Time needed: plan about 1—2 hours including travel from most Jeddah hotels, a short walk along the Corniche, some quiet time at the mosque and photo stops.
- Best timing: early morning and late afternoon to sunset give the most comfortable temperatures and the best light; at high tide the mosque most strongly looks like it is floating on the water.
- Who can visit: unlike Makkah, Jeddah is open to both Muslims and non-Muslims, and current guidance commonly lists Al Rahma Mosque among the mosques that non-Muslims can visit respectfully, mainly outside prayer times and within local rules.
Why this is worth it
Expect 0 SAR to visit and set aside about 1—2 hours for Al Rahma Mosque — Jeddah's famous “Floating Mosque” on the north Corniche, built on pillars over the Red Sea with a turquoise dome, sea views and a calm, photogenic setting that welcomes worshippers and respectfully dressed visitors.