Saudi Arabia

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Ta'if

Saudi Arabia's cool mountain summer escape

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Ta'if Plan a trip around Saudi Arabia

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

Photo: Nick Shields, CC BY 2.0

Taif is a high-elevation city in the Hijaz Mountains, known as Saudi Arabia's unofficial summer capital for its mild weather, rose farms and mountain resorts. People come for the cooler air, the rose oil distilleries, historic souqs and views over the Al-Hada escarpment.

Largest cities

Riyadh
Jeddah
Mecca
Medina
Dammam

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Saudi Arabia
Capital: Riyadh
City population: 579,970
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: 1,673 m
Plugs: A / B / C / G · 220V
Emergency numbers: 911
Best time to visit: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, 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	20°	22°	24°	27°	30°	34°	32°	32°	32°	28°	24°	22°
Low	9°	10°	12°	15°	18°	22°	22°	22°	21°	16°	13°	10°

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.$48
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$115
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$300

Plan a trip to Ta'if

Top things to do

Free
Souk Okaz
Walk the remains of the pre-Islamic market 40 km north of the city, where poetry competitions and craft events are still held; go early as there is little shade.
- Half day
- Central Taif (old city and souq area)
- Good for kids
≈ $5
Shubra Palace Museum
The regional museum in a palace built around 1900 that later lodged Ibn Saud; a good indoor stop if the afternoon sun is strong.
- Half day
- Central Taif (old city and souq area)
- Good for kids
- Indoors
Free
Al Gadhi Rose Factory
See how Taif's famous rose oil is distilled at the city's largest factory, run by the same family for over a century; a 12-gram bottle costs about $430, so buy small.
- Half day
- Central Taif (old city and souq area)
- Good for kids
- Indoors
Free
Bab Alrea and the old city
The triple-arched gate marks the entrance to the historic quarter, pleasant for a short evening walk past Al-Kateb House and the old lanes.
- Half day
- Central Taif (old city and souq area)
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
Free
Abd Allah ibn al-Abbas Mosque
One of the city's historic mosques, holding the tomb of the Prophet's cousin Abdullah ibn Abbas; dress modestly and avoid prayer times.
- Half day
- Central Taif (old city and souq area)
- Good for kids
- Indoors
≈ $3
Al-Rudaf Park
A large park in South Taif with granite outcrops, a small zoo, a lake with fountains and space for families; late afternoon and evening are the coolest times.
- Half day
- South Taif
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
Free
Al-Hada and Nuqbat al-Hamra' Park
A full day on the Taif–Al-Hada road, with the cable-car views over the escarpment and the nature preserve at 2,100 m; bring a jacket as it is cooler up here.
- Full day
- Al-Hada
- Good for kids
≈ $5
Ash-Shafa village and fruit gardens
Drive up to this mountain village at 2,200–2,500 m for fruit gardens, a camel ride and views towards Jabal Dakka; the road is winding, so allow time.
- Full day
- Ash-Shafa
- 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

Taif International Airport (TIF) sits just outside the city and handles domestic flights plus a few regional routes; a taxi or Uber into the centre takes about 20–30 minutes. Many visitors instead drive from Jeddah (about 2–3 hours via Highway 40 and the non-Muslim bypass route 298) or from Mecca (under an hour on Highway 15).

Getting around

A car or ride-hailing app is the practical way to move around, since the city covers roughly 800 km² of hilly terrain, though the central souq and old-city sights are walkable.

Local tips

Dress modestly in public places; women should carry an abaya, and men should avoid shorts in markets and mosques.
Alcohol is illegal and public behaviour rules are strict; photography of people, especially women, needs permission.
Cards are widely accepted, but keep some Saudi riyals in cash for souqs, small cafés and taxi fares.
Summer afternoons are mild by Saudi standards but the sun is strong at 1,879 m, so use sunscreen and drink water; spring brings the rose harvest and the busiest weekends.

Areas worth knowing

Al-Hada
New Taif
Ash-Shafa
South Taif
Central Taif (old city and souq area)

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