--- title: "Top 10 Things To Do in Taif, Saudi Arabia | Wimup" description: "The 10 best things to do in Taif: the spring rose farms, the Al Hada cable car, Al Shafa's peaks, Shubra Palace, Souq Al Balad and the ancient fair at Souk Okaz." url: https://wimup.com/city/taif type: City guide updated: 2026-10-25 publisher: Wimup (https://wimup.com) --- # Top 10 Things To Do in Taif Taif, Saudi Arabia · Asia · By Wimup Editorial, 10 min read Taif sits at about 1,880 metres in the Sarawat Mountains above Makkah, the kingdom's summer capital and its rose capital. Come in spring for the harvest and the stills, or in summer when the heights stay cool and the racing season runs. Bring a car. ## Quick answer Spend a spring morning at a rose farm in Al Hada while the stills run, then ride the cable car down the escarpment to Al Kar. Give the afternoon to Shubra Palace, Al Kaaki Palace and the lanes of Souq Al Balad. On day two drive up Al Shafa for the views, stop at Souk Okaz on the way back, and end the night in Arruddaf Park. ## Quick facts - **Best months:** Mar · Apr · Jul · Aug - **Ideal length:** 2–3 days - **Budget per day:** $70–150 - **Language:** Arabic; English at hotels and main sites - **Getting around:** Car hire, taxis & the Al Hada cable car - **Tourism board:** [Official site](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ## The 10 best things to do in Taif ### 1. Walk a rose farm at harvest Rose farm · Al Hada and Al Shafa, Taif Taif's rose farms open to visitors in spring, when the 45-day picking season starts at the end of March and the stills run on that morning's petals. Go early, while the pickers are out, and ask to see the stills at work. - **Time:** 2 hrs - **Cost:** Check before you go - **Best at:** Early morning, Mar–Apr - **Tip:** Buy rose water at the farm Links: [Website](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/rose-farm?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ### 2. Ride the Al Hada cable car Cable car · Al Hada, Taif The line runs more than 4 km from the Al Hada summit down the escarpment to Al Kar Tourist Village, about 17 minutes each way. The ticket office sits opposite the Ramada hotels on the summit. - **Time:** 1–2 hrs - **Cost:** Ticketed - **Best at:** Late afternoon - **Tip:** Check seasonal hours first Links: [Website](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/destinations/taif/attractions/alhada-mountain-in-taif?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ### 3. Drive up Al Shafa Mountain · Al Shafa, Taif The Al Shafa heights top 2,500 m about 30 km southwest of the city, with cafes and viewpoints over the Sarawat range. Drive up late in the day for the cooler air and the light on the ridges. - **Time:** Half day - **Cost:** Free roads - **Best at:** Sunset - **Tip:** Bring a warm layer Links: [Website](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/al-shafa-mountain-in-taif?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ### 4. Tour Shubra Palace Palace museum · Shubra Palace, central Taif A four-storey palace of about 150 rooms, finished around 1905, that served King Abdulaziz as a summer residence and later housed the Council of Ministers. It became a museum in 1995 and is being refitted by the Ministry of Culture. - **Time:** 1 hr - **Cost:** Check before you go - **Best at:** Morning - **Tip:** Confirm it has reopened ### 5. Browse Souq Al Balad Market · Souq Al Balad, central Taif The old market is a web of alleys selling incense, perfume, honey, ghee, leather and rose oil, restored by the municipality with its shopkeepers. Old gates such as Bab Al-Riyah and Bab Al-Abbas still stand at its edges. - **Time:** 1–2 hrs - **Cost:** Free - **Best at:** Evening - **Tip:** Taste honey before you buy Links: [Website](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/albalad-taif?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ### 6. See Al Kaaki Palace Palace · Al Kaaki Palace, old Taif A three-storey palace of 1939 that sets Roman-style columns against Hijazi windows and woodwork, built over about two years from granite, limestone and juniper. Entry is free. - **Time:** 45 min - **Cost:** Free - **Best at:** Morning - **Tip:** Pair it with Shubra Palace Links: [Website](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/al-kaaki-palace-in-taif?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ### 7. Visit Abdullah ibn Abbas Mosque Mosque · Abdullah ibn Abbas Mosque, central Taif The mosque at the foot of Mount al-Madhoon holds the grave of Abdullah ibn Abbas, though the present building is late Ottoman. The library beside it keeps more than 10,000 books and 520 manuscripts. - **Time:** 30 min - **Cost:** Free - **Best at:** Between prayers - **Tip:** Dress modestly ### 8. Stand at Souk Okaz Historic site · Souk Okaz, northeast of Taif The site of Arabia's great pre-Islamic fair, dated to about 501 CE, where poets competed and tribes sealed alliances each Dhu al-Qi'dah. The fair was revived in modern times as a cultural festival staged on the site. - **Time:** 1–2 hrs - **Cost:** Check before you go - **Best at:** Late afternoon - **Tip:** Add Marwan Castle nearby ### 9. Spend an evening in Arruddaf Park Park · Arruddaf Park, Taif A city park set among rocky hills, with musical fountains, lawns, cafes and a seasonal flower festival. Entry is free, and Taif families fill it after dark. - **Time:** 1–2 hrs - **Cost:** Free - **Best at:** Evening - **Tip:** Eat at the park cafes Links: [Website](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/arruddaf-park-in-taif?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ### 10. See Al Shareef Museum Museum · Al Shareef Museum, Taif A private collection of old weapons, coins, clothing and household objects set in a traditional house. It is the best single look at Hejazi daily life in the city. - **Time:** 1 hr - **Cost:** Check before you go - **Best at:** Afternoon - **Tip:** Call ahead to confirm hours Links: [Website](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/al-shareef-museum?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ## Best rose farms in Taif Where to watch the petals go into the stills, and buy the water and oil they make. 1. **Rashid Al Qurashie Rose Factory** (Rose factory · Al Hada · Al Hada): A distillery in Al Hada with its own rose garden and tours of the process. [Website](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/rose-products-factories-in-taif?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) 2. **Alshiokh Farm and Factory** (Rose farm · Al Hada road · Al Hada): A farm on the Al Kur road to Al Hada, with a cafe over the rose fields. [Website](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/rose-products-factories-in-taif?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) 3. **Al Gadhi Rose Factory** (Rose factory · Taif · Taif): One of the oldest and largest rose factories in Taif. ## Best restaurants & cafes in Taif Saudi cooking in town, then cafes on the heights where the view does the work. 1. **Mallah Restaurant & Cafe** (Saudi · Taif · Taif): Saudi plates such as kabsa and jareesh; walk-in only. [Website](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/destinations/taif/attractions/mallah-restaurant-cafe?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) 2. **Al Nakhil Restaurant** (Arabic · Al Hada · Al Hada): Arabic cooking with mountain views in Ghyoom Al Hada. [Website](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/al-nakhil-restaurant?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) 3. **Seven Huts Cafe** (Cafe · Taif highlands · Taif): Seating in huts and beside fountains in the highlands. [Website](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/seven-huts-cafe?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) 4. **Ghosn Cafe** (Cafe · Taif · Taif): A hilltop cafe for coffee, local desserts and the wide view. [Website](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/ghosn-cafe?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) 5. **Baz Cafe** (Coffee · Al Shafa · Al Shafa): Specialty coffee and sweets in the Al Shafa highlands. [Website](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/baz-cafe?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) 6. **Shar Cafe** (Cafe · Al Shafa · Al Shafa): An open-air evening cafe looking over the Al Shafa mountains. [Website](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/shar-cafe?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) 7. **Breezes Cafe** (Cafe · Al Hada · Al Hada): Outdoor tables in Al Hada, a stop on the way to the cable car. [Website](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/breezes-cafe?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ## Best museums & palaces in Taif Shubra and Al Kaaki lead the list; these three fill in the city's royal and civic past. 1. **Earus Almasayif Museum** (Museum · Taif · Taif): A heritage museum of furnished rooms, crafts and old building work. [Website](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/destinations/taif/attractions/earus-almasayif-museum?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) 2. **Al-Kateb Palace** (Palace · Taif · Taif): A historic palace being turned into the Taif History Center since 2014. 3. **Jabra Palace** (Palace · Northeast Taif · Northeast Taif): A palace in northeast Taif that was for a time a residence of King Abdulaziz. ## Best mountain stops in Taif Three stops on the heights around the city, best on a cool afternoon. 1. **Al Hada road** (Scenic road · Al Hada · Al Hada): The hairpin road down the escarpment, lined with stalls selling rose water and fruit. [Website](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/destinations/taif/attractions/alhada-mountain-in-taif?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) 2. **Al Kar Tourist Village** (Theme park · Al Kar · Al Kar): The cable car's lower station, with a water park and a toboggan run. 3. **Jisr Alluwzia** (Viewpoint · Al Shafa · Al Shafa): A quiet spot in the Al Shafa mountains among almond trees. [Website](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/jisr-alluwzia?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ## Best family outings in Taif Fruit to pick and an evening walk, all within a short drive of the centre. 1. **Strawberries Farm** (Farm · Al Hada · Al Hada): Pick-your-own strawberries in Al Hada, open all year, with a bird garden. [Website](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/strawberries-farm?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) 2. **Berry Village** (Farm · Taif · Taif): Strawberries, blueberries and raspberries to pick by season, plus juice stands. [Website](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/destinations/taif/attractions/berry-village?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) 3. **Taif City Walk** (Promenade · Taif · Taif): Restaurants, cafes, shops and seasonal events along one promenade. [Website](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/taif-city-walk?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ## Best ancient sites in Taif Rock art, an Umayyad dam and stone villages, spread across the governorate. 1. **Al-Arfaa rock art** (Rock art · Okaz · Okaz): Carvings of goats, deer and other animals near Souk Okaz, older than 2000 BCE. 2. **Marwan Castle** (Fort · Al Hawiyah · Al Hawiyah): A stone fort over 400 years old above Souk Okaz, in al-Ubaila. 3. **Al-Samallagi Dam** (Dam · Wadi Thumalah · Wadi Thumalah): An Umayyad dam in Wadi Thumalah, about 212 m long and 25 m high. 4. **Al-Kalada Heritage Village** (Village · Bani Saad · Bani Saad): A stone village on a summit in Bani Saad, crowned by two tall forts. ## Best day trips in Taif A crater in the desert, the Red Sea coast, and the holy city below the escarpment. 1. **Al Wahbah Crater** (Long day · Northeast · Al Wahbah): A volcanic crater about 2.5 km across and 380 m deep, about 250 km northeast. [Website](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/al-wahbah-crater-in-taif?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) 2. **Jeddah** (Day trip · Jeddah · Jeddah): The Red Sea city and its old Al Balad district, three hours by the bypass road. [Guide](https://wimup.com/city/jeddah.md) 3. **Makkah** (Muslims only · Makkah · Makkah): The holy city, about 87 km down the Al Hada road; open to Muslims only. ## Festivals & annual events in Taif (2026) - **Saudi Founding Day** (22 Feb): A public holiday for the first Saudi state, with heritage dress and events across Taif. - **Rose harvest** (Late Mar – Apr): About 45 days of picking from the end of March; farms open their stills to visitors. - **Rose and Aromatic Plants Global Forum** (Mar – Apr): A forum on the rose trade held during the harvest; the 2026 edition ran 29 March to 11 April. - **Ramadan** (Moveable): Quiet days and late evenings in Souq Al Balad and the parks. - **Eid al-Adha** (Moveable): The feast at the end of the Hajj, a public holiday that fills the parks and the heights. - **Taif Racing Season** (Jul – Sep): Horse racing every Friday and Saturday at King Khalid Racecourse; 2026 closed on 26 September. - **Crown Prince Camel Festival** (Sep): Camel racing at the Taif racecourse; the 2026 edition ran 3 to 13 September with 248 races. - **Saudi National Day** (23 Sep): Green flags, fireworks and a public holiday for the kingdom's unification in 1932. ## Must-try dishes in Taif, Saudi Arabia - **Saleeg**: Rice cooked in broth and milk until creamy, Taif's signature dish. - **Daggus**: The spicy tomato salsa served beside saleeg. - **Mutabbaq**: A folded pancake stuffed with minced meat or vegetables. - **Masoub**: Mashed flatbread with banana, honey and cream, for breakfast. - **Kabsa**: Spiced rice under chicken or lamb, the national dish. - **Jareesh**: Cracked wheat cooked soft with meat and spices. - **Taif pomegranates**: The late-summer crop, sold from farms from August. - **Taif honey**: Samr and sidr honey from the mountain hives, sold in the souq. ## Taif transport & airports - **Taif International Airport (TIF)** (TIF): About 30 km from the centre, roughly 25 minutes by taxi. Saudia, flynas and flyadeal fly to Riyadh and Dammam, and several airlines fly to Cairo. - **Road from Jeddah** (ROAD): Muslims drive up through Makkah and Al Hada in about two hours. Non-Muslims must take the Route 298 bypass round Makkah, about three hours. - **Intercity bus** (BUS): SAPTCO coaches leave the Taif bus station for Makkah, Riyadh and other cities. They are slow; most visitors fly or drive. [Website](https://www.saptco.com.sa/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - **Car hire and taxis** (CAR): Al Hada, Al Shafa, Souk Okaz and the farms need a car. Hire at the airport; the escarpment roads are steep, so drive them by day. ## Taif at a glance - **Country:** Saudi Arabia - **Region:** Makkah Province, in the Sarawat Mountains of the Hejaz - **Population:** 563,282 in the city (2022 census), 913,374 in the governorate - **Founded:** An ancient town of the Thaqif tribe; Souk Okaz dates to about 501 CE - **Nickname:** City of Roses; the kingdom's summer capital - **Language:** Arabic; English at hotels and main sites - **Currency:** Saudi riyal (SR, SAR), pegged to the US dollar - **Time zone:** UTC+3, no daylight saving - **Calling code:** +966 12 - **Airports:** Taif International (TIF), about 30 km from the centre - **Power:** 230V, 60Hz, plug type G - **Emergency:** 911 ## Interesting facts - The Taif Agreement that ended Lebanon's civil war was negotiated in the city in 1989. - Shubra Palace takes its name and design from a palace in Cairo's Shubra district. - Souk Okaz is named for mu'akazah, the poetry contests held at the fair. - The Al Hada cable car runs 52 eight-seat cabins, up to 1,000 people an hour each way. - An inscription at Al-Samallagi Dam credits its building to the Umayyad caliph Muawiya. ## Taif travel FAQ ### How many days do you need in Taif? Two days covers the city palaces, the souq, Al Hada and the cable car. Add a third for Al Shafa, Souk Okaz and the archaeology of the governorate. ### When is the best time to visit Taif? Late March and April for the rose harvest, or July and August, when the heights stay far cooler than Jeddah or Riyadh and the racing season is on. Winter nights can be cold. ### Can non-Muslims visit Taif? Yes. The city is open to all visitors; only Makkah is restricted to Muslims. Coming from Jeddah, non-Muslims take the bypass round Makkah, which adds about an hour. ### When do the Taif roses bloom? The picking season starts at the end of March and lasts about 45 days, peaking in April. Farms distil every morning, so arrive early to see the stills at work. ### Do you need a car in Taif? Yes, for almost everything outside the centre. Al Hada, Al Shafa, the rose farms and Souk Okaz are spread across the mountains, and public transport does not reach them. ## Nearby guides - [Jeddah](https://wimup.com/city/jeddah.md): Saudi Arabia · 10 picks - [Abha](https://wimup.com/city/abha.md): Saudi Arabia · 10 picks - [AlUla](https://wimup.com/city/alula.md): Saudi Arabia · 10 picks - [All of Asia →](https://wimup.com/asia): 103 cities Part of the [Saudi Arabia guide](https://wimup.com/country/saudi-arabia.md) · [Asia](https://wimup.com/asia.md) ## Sources - [Taif tourism board](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Walk a rose farm at harvest (official site)](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/rose-farm?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Ride the Al Hada cable car (official site)](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/destinations/taif/attractions/alhada-mountain-in-taif?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Drive up Al Shafa (official site)](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/al-shafa-mountain-in-taif?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Browse Souq Al Balad (official site)](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/albalad-taif?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [See Al Kaaki Palace (official site)](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/al-kaaki-palace-in-taif?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Spend an evening in Arruddaf Park (official site)](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/arruddaf-park-in-taif?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [See Al Shareef Museum (official site)](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/al-shareef-museum?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Rashid Al Qurashie Rose Factory (official site)](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/rose-products-factories-in-taif?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Mallah Restaurant & Cafe (official site)](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/destinations/taif/attractions/mallah-restaurant-cafe?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Al Nakhil Restaurant (official site)](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/al-nakhil-restaurant?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Seven Huts Cafe (official site)](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/seven-huts-cafe?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Ghosn Cafe (official site)](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/ghosn-cafe?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Baz Cafe (official site)](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/baz-cafe?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Shar Cafe (official site)](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/shar-cafe?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Breezes Cafe (official site)](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/breezes-cafe?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Earus Almasayif Museum (official site)](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/destinations/taif/attractions/earus-almasayif-museum?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Jisr Alluwzia (official site)](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/jisr-alluwzia?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Strawberries Farm (official site)](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/strawberries-farm?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Berry Village (official site)](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/destinations/taif/attractions/berry-village?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Taif City Walk (official site)](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/taif-city-walk?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Al Wahbah Crater (official site)](https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/taif/attractions/al-wahbah-crater-in-taif?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Intercity bus (official site)](https://www.saptco.com.sa/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - Rankings are Wimup editorial picks. Prices, durations and budgets are editorial estimates, not live quotes; check the official site before you go.