Shupra Castle

Ta'if (pronounced "Taayef", also written as "Taif") is a city in the Mecca province of Saudi Arabia. With an elevation of 1,879 m (6,165 ft), it is the sixth most populous city in Saudi Arabia, and is a very popular tourist destination among Saudis.

Understand

The city has been indirectly mentioned in Sura 43:31 of the Qu'ran.

Get in

The road to Taif

By car

Most people typically drive to Ta'if from Jeddah and it is a great way for you to experience some scenery that you wouldn't normally find in large parts of the country. It is often reported that the drive to Ta'if from Jeddah is scenic and breathtaking.

Given Ta'if's highly mountainous geography, almost no highways pass through the city. The only exception is Highway 15, which is the only highway to serve the whole city.

• If you are driving from Jeddah, go along Highway 40 and then go onto Highway 15. The journey should take you two hours depending on traffic conditions. Bear in mind that this path will take through Mecca. If you're a non-Muslim tourist or visitor, you should not take this route. There have been reports of non-Muslim tourists taking this route and getting away with it, but don't get your hopes up as it possible you won't be so lucky.

• Another way to enter the city is to go along Route 80 from Jeddah, then take Route 298, and then go onto Highway 15. The journey is slightly longer, however. If you're a non-Muslim tourist or visitor, it is recommended that you take this route.

• If you're in Mecca and plan on driving to Ta'if, just go along Highway 15. You'll reach Ta'if in less than an hour.

By plane

• 1 Ta’if Regional Airport (TIF  ^IATA) (located some 15-20km north-east of the city). Despite being named as a "Regional" airport, the airport offers flights to Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. (updated Jan 2022)

Get around

View of Taif at dusk

See

Mountains near Taif

Ta'if has been called the best summer destination in Saudi Arabia, and there are plenty of things to see in Ta'if.

Historical attractions

• 1 Shubra Palace. A former royal residence, built in 1858, now a museum. (updated Jan 2022)
• Al Rudaf Park, south of Taif, has clumps of trees lie and beautiful weathered granite rocks, plus a small zoo.
• Wadi Mitna was Muhammad's refuge in 619 AD.
• Ta'if rose plantation. In April, fields are full of pink roses. They are harvested and distilled into Ta'if rose oil, a luxury item which has been used in famous perfumes including Chanel.
• Rock Carving Site, 40 km north of Taif, is where there used to be a large souq (market) in ancient, pre-Islamic times.
• Turkish Fort: This is near the Rock Carving Site, and it is believe that Lawrence of Arabia fought here during World War I. Many other battles have taken place in the area, so there are graves of war dead nearby.
• Nature Reserve: This reserve is 2100 meters above sea level, at the peak of Al Hada Mountain. This is a novelty in Saudi Arabia: A place of greenery, trees and shrubs, and also a great place to watch the sun set.
• 2 Souk Okaz. (updated Jan 2022)

National parks

• 3 Saiysad National Park. A national park characterised by lush forests and rivers, a rarity in Saudi Arabia. (updated Jan 2022)
• 4 Al Shafa Mountain Park. A village in the mountains (2,200 - 2,500 meters above sea level). One way to experience great views. (updated Jan 2022)

Do

Hamadryas baboon in Ta'if

Located beside the Ramada Hotel, the newly opened cable car, which is the largest in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, will show you the extremely fantastic scenery of Taif's Mountains. If you are lucky you will be able to see monkeys. These cable cars, located in Al Hada Region will cost you a notable amount of money. The cable cars drop you in Al Kar Tourist Village, which is mainly a water games center with swimming pools. The cable car will cost you 30 Riyals for an adult and 15 Riyals for kids. If you wish to take a return trip, you will pay double. You can have your own cable car for 150 Riyals one way and 300 Riyals for two way. Don't Forget Your Camera! Since 2011 the price is 90 Riyals flat, this includes to and fro cable car and waterpark.

Buy

The most important thing you have to buy is fruit. Taif specializes in peach (khokh), pomegranate (romman), grapes (enab), and dates (tamr) These are the best fruits in Saudi Arabia.

Eat

Ibn Thali Palace

Budget

• 1 Koshary Albashawat, ☏ +966530089565, kosharyaboahamed33@yahoo.com. (updated Jan 2022)

Splurge

• 2 Nile Gate Restaurant, ☏ +966127488702. Egyptian restaurant. (updated Jan 2022)

Drink

As with the rest of Saudi Arabia, alcohol is strictly prohibited. You can drink Saudi champagne (alcohol free) from any coffee shop.

Sleep

Night view of the city

Splurge

• 1 Intercontinental Taif, Airport Rd, Alqayam Al Asfal, +966-12-7505050FORMAT. One of the main landmarks in Ta'if and the most well-known 5-star hotel in the city. Very close to the regional airport. (updated Jan 2022)

Go next

• For Muslims, Mecca, about 1 1/4 hours' driving time to the east on Route 15, is a logical place to go next.
• Jeddah is about 2 hours' drive for Muslims. However, non-Muslims driving from Taif to Jeddah need to use the non-Muslim Bypass to avoid Mecca. This adds about 70 miles to your trip.