It is called the City of Roses, as you can smell the fragrance of roses from neighboring orchards. Famous for its salubrious climate, scenic beauty and variety of fruits that attract tourists from the rest of the Arabian Peninsula, Taif also has a very old history.
To enjoy a beautiful short holiday, or to spend an unforgettable weekend, visit the ruins of the Taif historical wall where you will appreciate the ancient architecture of Al Hijaz. To travel through time, don’t forget to visit the Okaz Museum, the National Museum, and the Shubra Museum. But, for the most beautiful adventure, fly by cable car above towering mountains to feast your eyes on beautiful greenery around and below you.
For a longer vacation, you can drive by car to Makkah through Hada road and enjoy the unprecedented magnificent views on your way there. Within one hour, you can reach Jeddah to enjoy the magical nights by the sea or wander through the town in the evenings. If you would like to experience a mountain trip, take a drive to Baha, which is only 250 km from the city.
Al-Hada & Al-shifa It is one of the most beautiful summer places in Saudi Arabia, which is linked with the best and latest mountain roads with neighboring cities. It offers all the services including a number of hotels and a large number of parks and gardens. Hada includes an agricultural area that produces apricots, figs, peaches, grapes and pomegranates in addition to roses that are produces in large quantities that are utilized in the extraction of essential oils and the rose water.
Al-shifa is located south of the city of Taif about 2400 meters above the sea level. This area is known to produce many kinds of honey and excellent figs. Furthermore, it includes public parks, gardens and aesthetic formations. The most important parks located on Al-Shifa road are: Wadi Ardah, Al-Hadban, and Jabal Dakka Parks. Al Shifa is linked to Al Hada by a two-way traffic road; hence you don’t need to reach the Taif city center to access them.
Rose Farms and Factories
Taif governorate is distinguished for producing Taif Roses and it is famed for producing ‘Eau de parfum’ the Rose Water and the Arabian Oud (tiny wooden chips emitting aromatic smoke when put on hot charcoal). The production of Taif Roses dates back to more than a hundred years old. Taif has about 700 farms distributed in the region of Hada and other parts of Taif. The roses are planted in cold agricultural areas, such as Al-Hada, Al-Shifa, Al-Dehia, Al-Gadirain. Cultivation of roses and manufacture of their derivatives, they are two sides of the same coin. There are plenty of rose factories scattered in Hada area where one can visit and to get to know the traditional methods of distillation.
Souk Okaz It is one of the most popular ancient market place where the Arabs, who come for Hajj before Islam, meet together. It was considered as a forum of intellectuals, literatures and poets. In the present time folk art performances are organized in this market. Visitors can reach there using their own cars or come accompanied by tourist group.
Shubra Palace
This Palace includes within it the Taif Regional Museum. Historically, it was the residence of King Abdul-Aziz - may God have mercy on him – and later it was used by King Faisal - may God have mercy on him - as a place to preside the Cabinet during summers. Also, it was used as the headquarters of the Ministry of Defense and Aviation, and recently it is turned into one of the most important museums in the Kingdom.
Mountain Climbing
Mountaineering lovers can practice their favorite sport in Taif due to the frequency of mountains in nearby suburbs such as Al-Hada, Al-Shifa, Bani Saad, Thaqif, Bal-Harith, Bani Malik, and other close locations.
Cable Car
The cable car station on the the top of Al-Hada Mountain includes a fine restaurant and hotel with a great view and a number of utilities that can be accessed through a fascinating journey by cable car. Such a trip starts from the lower station in the Al-Kurr Village, which includes a restaurant and designated areas for games in addition to the water park equipped with the most modern luxury and service in the region.
Horse Race
If you are one of the horse fans and interested in watching horse races, inevitably you will enjoy this sport by visiting the race track on Al-Hawiyah Road, where many such races are held annually. You may even win one of the prizes that are prepared for the public, such as luxury cars and other valuable prizes.
Al-Kurr Tourism Village
It is about 900m above sea level and it is characterized by its wonderful climate during summer. This Village includes the lower station of Al-Hada cable car project, where there are a number of water rides and two artificial rivers.
Taif National Park
It is one of the most modern parks established by the government. It is punctuated by stunning natural terrain, with trees, shrubs and natural rare wild herbs. In the center of the park, there is Mu’awiah bin Abi Sufian Dam. Rain and flood water accumulates here up to a million cubic meters.
King Fahad Garden
It is an important tourism landmark in Taif. It has a large area of green turf surrounding a lagoon fed by an artificial waterfall. It includes all service utilities and contains 25 istrahas, restaurants, canteens and shops selling gifts, souvenirs and toys.
Taif Zoo
It includes a wide range of animals and birds, such as lions, tigers, elephants, zebras, ostriches and various monkeys and reptiles. Also, it has a lovely amusement area, many istrahas, restaurants and an open theatre for holding events and various competitions.
Kara Archeological Road
It is a 4 km long ancient road, more than one thousand years old. It is divided into two parts, the first one for pedestrians and the second for the animals. About 1700m of this Road have been restored and rehabilitated by Taif branch of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities.
Image: Old buiding in Taif
Image : Highway to Taif (Night view)
Image: A beautiful forest full of greenery in Taif
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