The Venice of Jeddah: Discovering the Soul of Murooj Water Village
Jeddah, the Bride of the Red Sea, has forever been a city defined by water. For centuries, its identity was forged in the salty air of its bustling port, where dhows laden with frankincense and spice navigated the coral-fringed coastline. The city’s historic heart, Al-Balad, with its magnificent Hijazi tower houses, still whispers tales of merchants and pilgrims who arrived via the sea. Yet, in the sprawling, modern metropolis that Jeddah has become, a new and unexpected relationship with water has emerged, not along the coast, but deep within its urban fabric. This is Murooj Jeddah, a place affectionately known as the Water Village—a destination that reimagines the city’s aquatic soul for a new era.
To arrive at Murooj is to witness a deliberate and beautiful contradiction. The Arabic word murooj translates to “meadows” or “green pastures,” an image of verdant abundance. To name a water-centric development after fields of green in a city carved from the desert speaks volumes about its ambition. It is not merely a commercial center; it is a statement—a vision of life, leisure, and community flourishing where one might least expect it. Opened in the mid-2010s and developed by the Wasat Al-Jeddah Development Company, Murooj was conceived not just as a place to shop or dine, but as a complete lifestyle destination, an open-air sanctuary designed to offer respite from the city’s relentless pace and scorching sun.
An Architectural Dialogue with Water and Light
Unlike the enclosed, air-conditioned malls that dominate much of the region’s retail landscape, Murooj Village unfurls itself under the open sky. Its design genius lies in its central feature: a serene, man-made canal that acts as the development’s spine. This glittering waterway, crisscrossed by elegant pedestrian bridges, immediately slows your pace. The gentle sound of fountains masks the city’s hum, and the sight of water reflecting the sky creates an atmosphere of tranquility that is both rare and intoxicating.
The architecture that lines the canal is a masterclass in modern, climate-sensitive design with subtle nods to tradition. The buildings, finished in cool, earthy tones of stone and plaster, are arranged to create shaded walkways and breezy corridors. Their clean, geometric lines are distinctly contemporary, yet one can feel the ghost of Hijazi heritage in their philosophy. While you won’t find the ornate, projecting wooden balconies, or rawashin, of Al-Balad, the principle behind them—creating shade, encouraging airflow, and mediating the relationship between public and private space—is elegantly reinterpreted. Deep-set windows, slatted screens, and cantilevered roofs perform the same function, creating a comfortable microclimate that makes outdoor living possible, especially during the city’s balmy evenings.
As dusk settles over Jeddah, Murooj transforms. A sophisticated lighting scheme illuminates the walkways and bridges, casting a warm, golden glow that dances on the surface of the canal. The water becomes a mirror, reflecting the vibrant life unfolding along its banks—the silhouettes of families strolling, the intimate glow from restaurant windows, and the vast, star-dusted Arabian sky. It is in these moments that Murooj transcends its commercial purpose and becomes a truly civic space, a public lung for the residents of northern Jeddah.
The Rhythms of Life Along the Canal
A walk through Murooj Village is an experience for all the senses. It begins with the aroma of freshly ground coffee beans wafting from world-class cafés like % Arabica, a minimalist haven for caffeine purists, or the organic, sun-drenched ambiance of Urth Caffé, where patrons linger over lattes and conversations. These spaces have become Jeddah’s modern-day salons, social hubs where friends meet, business deals are struck, and families gather. They are the contemporary evolution of the traditional Arabic coffee house, adapted for a globalized generation.
As you meander further, the scent profile shifts. The smoky char of grilled meats from the celebrated Brazilian churrascaria, Fogo de Chão, promises a carnivorous feast. Nearby, the refined aromas of truffle and basil drift from the terrace of Signor Sassi, an institution of Italian fine dining. The culinary landscape here is a direct reflection of Jeddah’s historical identity as a cosmopolitan crossroads. For centuries, this port city welcomed travelers from across the globe, and their cultures and cuisines became woven into its fabric. Murooj continues this legacy, offering a curated tour of global gastronomy within a few hundred meters. You can savor a gourmet burger at the beloved Kuwaiti-born Burger Boutique or indulge in the intricate flavors of modern Japanese cuisine, all within sight of the tranquil canal.
But the experience extends beyond food. Anchoring the village is Jarir Bookstore, far more than just a place to buy books. For decades, Jarir has been a cornerstone of cultural and intellectual life in Saudi Arabia. Stepping inside is to enter a world of literature, technology, and art supplies—a space that nurtures creativity and knowledge. Its presence at Murooj lends the development a sense of substance and community purpose. Similarly, the high-end supermarket, Manuel Market, elevates the daily errand of grocery shopping into an experience of discovery, with its pristine aisles of local produce and imported delicacies catering to Jeddah’s discerning, international palate.
A Microcosm of the New Jeddah
Murooj Village is more than an architectural success or a commercial hotspot; it is a physical manifestation of the cultural and social transformation sweeping across Saudi Arabia. In a country rapidly opening up, with a focus on enhancing the quality of life under the ambitious Vision 2030 framework, spaces like Murooj are essential. They provide the public realm—the shared spaces for interaction, entertainment, and leisure—that is at the heart of building a vibrant society.
The inclusion of a state-of-the-art Muvi Cinemas multiplex is a powerful symbol of this shift. For decades, public cinemas were absent from the Kingdom. Their return, and their prominent place in a development like Murooj, signals a new chapter centered on arts, culture, and shared entertainment. Here, Saudis and expatriates alike can come together to experience the magic of cinema, adding another layer to the village’s rich social tapestry.
Ultimately, Murooj Water Village offers a compelling vision of Jeddah’s future. It honors the city’s intrinsic connection to water, not as a force of commerce and trade, but as an element of beauty, tranquility, and community. It proves that modernity does not require the erasure of the past, but can instead engage in a thoughtful dialogue with it. While Al-Balad remains the city’s ancient, treasured soul, Murooj presents its confident, forward-looking heart. As the evening call to prayer echoes softly across the modern plazas and shimmering canals, one feels the perfect, harmonious blend of timeless tradition and boundless ambition that defines the Jeddah of today.
