Mecca Province · Saudi Arabia
Where to stay in Ta'if
Ta'if is a city in Mecca Province, Saudi Arabia, home to about 580,000 people.
- Best months
- November to March
- Nearest airport
- TIF28 km · Taif International Airport
- Currency
- SARSaudi riyal
- Time zone
- Asia/Riyadh
- Language
- Arabic
About
About Ta'if
Taif is a city and governorate in Mecca Province in Saudi Arabia. Located at an elevation of 1,879 m (6,165 ft) in the slopes of the Hijaz Mountains, which themselves are part of the Sarat Mountains, the city has a population of 563,282 people in 2022, making it one of the most populous cities in the kingdom.
Ta'if literally means 'circulated' or 'encircled' in Arabic. It is said that the name of the city comes from a wall that was built around the city in pre-Islamic times. Certainly the city existed in those times, before the 7th century CE. There's no direct mention of Ta'if in the Qu'ran, but Sura 43:31 mentions two cities which scholars believe were Mecca and Ta'if. Ta'if does play a role in other Islamic writings.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Ta'if
See
Ta'if has been often been called the "best summer destination" in Saudi Arabia. Indeed, this couldn't be any more right because there are a plethora of things to see and do in Ta'if.
- Souk Okaz
- Abdullah Al-Suleiman Palace
- Al-Kateb House
- Al-Waht and Al-Waheit
- Bab Alrea
- Al Gadhi Rose Factory
- Ikrima Dam
- Al-Salmaqi Dam
Do
Ta'if has plenty of museums that can allow you to learn more about Saudi history.
- Sharif Museum
- Shubra Palace
- Asalat Al-Madi Museum
- Al Kar Tourist Village
- Saiysad National Park
- Al Shafa Mountain Park
- Al Rudaf Park
- Samnan and Samnin Park
- Green Mountain Resort
- Al Shalal Park
- King Abdullah Park
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Which part of Ta'if to stay in
True to its reputation as a popular tourist destination, there are numerous hotels in the city.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Hotels in Ta'if
8 hotels within 25 km of the centre, as recorded in Wikidata. Each name links to its encyclopedia article where there is one.
| Hotel | Opened | From centre |
|---|---|---|
| Capital O 461 Mena Plaza Taif OYO Rooms | 1.1 km | |
| OYO 176 Hotel Safari Al Hada OYO Rooms | 1.8 km | |
| OYO 212 Zahrat Al Jal OYO Rooms | 4.5 km | |
| OYO 236 Al Wethenani Apartment OYO Rooms | 9.1 km | |
| OYO 279 Al Jawahara OYO Rooms | 4.2 km | |
| OYO 542 Adwa'a Al Wadi OYO Rooms | 1.2 km | |
| OYO 559 Al Eairy Apartment Taif OYO Rooms | 1.4 km | |
| OYO 584 Al Wathenani Resort OYO Rooms | 10.1 km |
When to go
The best time to visit Ta'if
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Ta'if are November to March. June is the warmest month, with average highs of 36 °C; May is the wettest, with about 25 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Ta'if: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Taif International Airport (TIF), about 28 km from the city centre in a straight line; King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED, 138 km) is also within reach.
Getting in
For more information entering the country, see the Saudi Arabia article. Given Ta'if's highly mountainous geography, almost no highways pass through the city. The only exception is Highway 15, which connects Ta'if to Mecca. Approaching Ta'if, the scenery along it is breathtaking.
Getting around
Due to the city's mountainous geography, the best way to get around the city quickly is by car. With an area of 800km², it should take you a couple of hours to cover the whole city. If you are considering renting a car during your stay in the city, here are a few companies to choose from. As with any service, do your due diligence and research, and do check if your drivers license is valid in Saudi Arabia.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
TIF · Taif International Airport
JED · King Abdulaziz International Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Ta'if
Drink
As Saudi Arabia is governed by a strict interpretation of Sharia Law, alcohol is illegal throughout the country; see Saudi_Arabia. Ta'if was once the country's best-known wine region, and still produces fine grapes.
Stay safe
Ta'if is an extremely safe city. You're unlikely to face any major dangers. As Ta'if is a popular destination among Saudis, people go to great lengths to keep the city safe. The various safety tips found in the Saudi Arabia article will come in handy. You should try to refer to it often so that your visit can be hassle-free.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Ta'if: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Ta'if?
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Ta'if are November to March. June is the warmest month, with average highs of 36 °C; May is the wettest, with about 25 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Ta'if?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Taif International Airport (TIF), about 28 km from the city centre in a straight line; King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED, 138 km) is also within reach.
What currency is used in Ta'if?
Saudi riyal (SAR).
Nearby
Destinations near Ta'if
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.