Taif, Saudi Arabia: travel guide
Cool mountain city of rose farms, honey and Hejaz hill views
A cool mountain city at 1,800 m in the Hejaz Mountains, 75 km southeast of Makkah — Saudi Arabia's most pleasant year-round climate destination. Famous for its rose farms, honey markets and the Al-Hada and Al-Shafa mountain resorts popular with Gulf families.
About Taif
Taif sits high in the Hejaz Mountains, southeast of Makkah, and its altitude gives it cooler air than the plains and coast, which is why Saudi families have long escaped here in summer. The city is known for its rose farms, where distilleries make rose water and perfumes, and for honey, fruit and other produce sold in the markets.
In the hills above, the Al Hada and Al Shafa areas have mountain roads, viewpoints and a cable car, while Shubra Palace is a historic house that now serves as a museum. Al Rudaf Park is a green space among the rocks, and the wider area is good for relaxed drives and short walks.
Taif suits families and anyone who wants mountain air after the desert heat. Summer is the busy cool-weather season, while spring is the time to see the roses in bloom.
- Country
- Saudi Arabia
- Currency
- SAR
- Time zone
- Asia/Riyadh
- Nearest airport
- TIF
Last updated
Top places to visit in Taif
Al Hada & Al Shafa Mountain Resorts
Mountain Resort · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
Twin mountain resort villages 30 km west of Taif at 2,000–2,500 m elevation — Saudi Arabia's premier summer escape. Al Shafa (2,500 m) is cooler and quieter; Al Hada has the famous cable car (Al Hada Gondola) descending 1,200 m to the…
Taif Rose Farms & Distilleries
Farm/Agritourism · 4.8 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Taif is the world's leading producer of the finest damask rose (Rosa damascena) oil — used in luxury perfumes and skincare. The rose season (late March to mid-April) transforms the landscape with 700+ km² of farms blanketed in pink blooms.…
Al-Hada Cable Car (Teleferik)
Activity · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
7 km cable car descending the Al-Hada escarpment with sweeping views of the mountains and plains below.
Al Rudaf Park
Mountain Park · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Taif's most beloved park, set among granite boulders and juniper trees at 1,800 m elevation. The park features walking paths, picnic areas, a stream, and a small lake — a rare lush green escape. The giant boulders are unique to the Taif…
King Fahad Park Taif
Nature · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Large central public park with landscaped gardens, fountains, playgrounds — popular family destination.
Shubra Palace
Museum · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Italian-Carrara marble palace built 1904 as royal summer residence — now a heritage museum on Taif and Hejaz history.
Al-Kar Tourist Village
Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
Mountain resort village at 2,100 m altitude with cable car access — restaurants, viewpoints, cool air.
Souq Okaz
Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
Annual cultural-festival site reviving the historic pre-Islamic Souq Okaz poetry, crafts, traditional arts (Aug–Sep).
Jabal Daka
Viewpoint · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
Highest peak in Taif region at 2,580 m — mountain hiking, picnic spots, panoramic Hejaz views.
Taif Zoo (Sayd Park)
Wildlife · 4.0 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Family zoo with 200+ animal species — popular Taif weekend outing.
Things to do
- Taif Rose Farm Visit Activity · 2.5 h · from SAR 35 per person
- Al-Rudaf Park Nature Walk Activity · 2 h
- Al-Hada Cable Car Ride Activity · 0.8 h · from SAR 32 per person
- Souq Okaz Heritage Visit Heritage · 1 h · from SAR 20 per person
Where to stay in Taif
- Al-Hada Mountain Resort Zone about SAR 4,500 per night
Stay in Al-Hada or Al-Shafa at 1800 to 2500 m. Cool climate year-round, rose farms walkable in season.
- Taif City Centre about SAR 2,250 per night
Lower-altitude city centre hotels near Shubra Palace and souqs.
Hotels
- InterContinental Taif 5-star · INR 9,000 to INR 22,500 per night
- Al Shafa Village Resort 3-star · INR 2,700 to INR 6,750 per night
- Mövenpick Hotel Qasr Al Sharq Taif 5-star
- Le Meridien Taif 4-star
Where to eat
- Al-Shafa Grand Restaurant Saudi, Hejazi, Mountain Food · about SAR 68 per person
- Al-Wifaq Honey Restaurant Saudi, Hejazi · about SAR 45 per person
- Najd Al-Reef Restaurant Taif saudi · about SAR 84 per person
- Al-Hada Panorama Restaurant arabic, international · about SAR 84 per person
- Al Baik Taif fast_food, saudi · about SAR 32 per person
Getting to Taif
Airport: Taif (TIF)
Getting around
- Car Rental Self
- Walking
More in Saudi Arabia
Frequently asked questions about Taif
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Taif?
- The highest-rated places in our Taif guide are Taif Rose Farms & Distilleries, Al Hada & Al Shafa Mountain Resorts, Shubra Palace, Jabal Daka, Al-Hada Cable Car (Teleferik).
- Where should I stay in Taif?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Taif: Al-Hada Mountain Resort Zone, Taif City Centre.
- How do I get around Taif?
- Ways to get around Taif covered in our guide: Self-drive car, Walking.
- Which airport is nearest to Taif?
- The nearest airport to Taif has the code TIF.