Saudi Arabia

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Abha

Mountain city of Saudi Arabia's south

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Abha Plan a trip around Saudi Arabia

Best time to visit: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Sep, Oct
Currency: SAR
Time zone: UTC+3
Country: Saudi Arabia

Photo: Aiman titi, CC BY-SA 3.0

Abha is the capital of Asir Province, set at about 2,270 m in the Asir Mountains of south-western Saudi Arabia near Asir National Park. Its mild highland climate, hilltop fortresses and summer festival make it a popular getaway for Saudis, who call it the Bride of the Mountain.

Largest cities

Riyadh
Jeddah
Mecca
Medina
Dammam

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Saudi Arabia
Capital: Riyadh
City population: 236,157
Population of Saudi Arabia: 33M
Country area: 2,250,000 km²
Official language: Arabic
Currency: Saudi Riyal (SAR) · 1 USD ≈ 3.75 SAR
Time zone: UTC+3
Calling code: +966
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 2,214 m
Plugs: A / B / C / G · 220V
Emergency numbers: 911
Best time to visit: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Sep, Oct

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	17°	19°	20°	22°	25°	29°	27°	26°	27°	24°	21°	18°
Low	9°	10°	12°	14°	17°	19°	19°	18°	17°	13°	11°	9°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$43
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$103
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$240

Plan a trip to Abha

Top things to do

≈ $5
Shadda Palace Museum
A 1927 palace now a museum of local handicrafts and household items, a good short introduction to Asir culture; go in the morning when it is quiet.
- Half day
- Abha city centre and the old quarters
- Good for kids
- Indoors
Free
Abha Great Mosque
The city's main mosque and a landmark of the old quarters; visit outside prayer times and dress modestly.
- Half day
- Abha city centre and the old quarters
- Good for kids
- Indoors
Free
Lake Sadd and funpark
A lakeside area with a funpark next to it, popular for an easy stroll and family rides; evenings are cooler and livelier.
- Half day
- Lake Sadd and the New Abha hotel area
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
Free
Jabal Sawda lookout
The highest peak in Saudi Arabia, near Abha, with wide views over the Sarawat Mountains; bring a jacket as it is cool and often misty.
- Half day
- Jabal Sawda and the Asir highlands
- Good for kids
≈ $8
Abha cable car
A cable car ride over the mountain slopes and valleys around Abha; check operating hours, as they change with the season.
- Half day
- Jabal Sawda and the Asir highlands
- Good for kids
Free
Khamis Mushait souq
A traditional market for Asir clothing and silverware; bargain politely and keep small notes handy.
- Half day
- Khamis Mushait and its souq
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $10
Habala hanging village day trip
A half-day trip to the cliffside village reached by cable car, with dramatic views down the escarpment towards Yemen; start early and carry water.
- Full day
- Habala hanging village and the Yemen-facing escarpment
- Good for kids
Free
Monkey Road drive to Mohayil
A scenic drive from near Jabal Sawda down towards Mohayil, with villages, terraces and roadside baboons; drive carefully and do not feed the monkeys.
- Full day
- Jabal Sawda and the Asir highlands
- Good for kids

Before you go

Entry and visas

Most visitors need a visa before travel: many nationalities can apply online for a tourist e-visa or an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), and e-visas can also be issued on arrival at Saudi international airports. Passports must be valid for at least six months from arrival, and separate Hajj visas are required for the pilgrimage season. Rules differ by nationality and purpose of travel, so check the official Saudi visa platform before booking.

Official website

From the airport

Abha International Airport (AHB) has domestic flights from Riyadh and Jeddah plus regional international links to Cairo, Doha, Dubai, Sharjah and Sana'a. The airport sits close to the city, so a taxi into the centre usually takes around 15 to 25 minutes.

Getting around

Taxis and ride-hailing apps are the practical way to move around the city and to reach mountain viewpoints; SAPTCO buses run from the bus station north of the centre to other Saudi cities.

Local tips

Dress modestly and cover shoulders and knees; the Asir highlands are conservative, and a light jacket or scarf helps in the cool evenings.
Carry some cash for small shops, the Khamis souq and mountain stalls, though cards are widely accepted in hotels and malls.
August is the wettest month and the mountains can bring sudden rain and fog, so check the forecast before driving the winding roads.
Mountain roads to Jabal Sawda, Habala and the coast are steep and twisting; drive carefully and avoid them after dark.

Areas worth knowing

Habala hanging village and the Yemen-facing escarpment
Lake Sadd and the New Abha hotel area
Abha city centre and the old quarters
Jabal Sawda and the Asir highlands
Khamis Mushait and its souq

Official travel advice

The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on October 11, 2026. The advice includes warnings against travel to some areas. Read it before booking.

Read the advice on GOV.UK