Jeddah is gearing up for a grand cultural event as the Red Sea Museum will open its doors to visitors on December 6, 2025, the Saudi Museums Commission announced.
Red Sea Museum
The new museum is located in the restored Bab Al-Bunt building in Historic Jeddah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once the gateway to Saudi Arabia, this unique location carries a cultural weight, acting as a bridge between cultures along the Red Sea coast. The building will now preserve and share the tangible, intangible, and natural heritage of the Red Sea.
Moreover, the Red Sea Museum will offer an exceptional blend of historic architecture and cutting-edge design, innovation and inclusive storytelling, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Captivating Exhibits
The museum showcases a permanent collection of over 1,000 artifacts and artworks displayed across seven themes in 23 galleries. These themes include Al-Bunt, which maps the building’s history and transformation; Salam Upon the Sea, which explores the origins and cultural significance of the Red Sea; and Orientation, which displays navigation tools used by sailors and travelers.
Moreover, they include A Living Sea, which celebrates the region’s biodiversity; Sea of Abundance, which outlines the maritime trade and cultural exchange across the Red Sea; Sea of Faith, which traces the historic journeys to sacred cities and landmarks; and Sea of Inspiration, which highlights artistic interpretations of the Red Sea.
The Red Sea Museum also showcases historical artifacts, such as Chinese porcelain, incense burners, coral, jewelry, navigational tools, astrolabes, maps, sacred manuscripts, and photograph, alongside modern and contemporary artworks by Saudi, regional, and global artists.
Inaugural Exhibition
Another key highlight is The Gate of Gates temporary exhibition by Saudi artist Moath Alofi, curated by Philippe Cardinal. The museum’s inaugural exhibition documents the transformation of Bab Al-Bunt and how its bridges the past and the present.
Furthermore, the Red Sea Museum hosts a rich public program of workshops, masterclasses, and panel discussions. It also organizes artisan training through the Made in the Red Sea, collaborative sustainability projects such as Red Sea Art, and cultural performances, including Music of the Red Sea.
