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City in Makkah Province, Saudi Arabia
Photo: عباد ديرانية, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Ta'if (pronounced "Taayef", also written as "Taif") is a city in the Mecca province of Saudi Arabia. With a population of 690,000 people (2020 estimate), it is the sixth most populous city in Saudi Arabia.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Was once the largest and best known open-air market in the Islamic world. Now hosts multiple events such as poetry recital competitions, arts and crafts exhibitions, and so on.
An abandoned, historical palace.
A historical building that includes a number of Islamic decorations and Roman pillars.
A pre-Islamic archaelogical site located in the west of Taif.
A triple-arched gate to the old city.
The largest rose oil factory in the city (and probably the whole of Saudi Arabia), it has been run and owned by the Al-Gadhi family for more than a hundred years. The factory is hugely popular among Emirati people; some of them buy the oil by the liter. The Yemeni corner in Masjid Al-Haram in Mecca is scented with Al Gadhi rose oil.
A dam situated in the Wadi Leh valley. You can take a stroll here if you wish.
سد السملقي
One of the historical dams in the city.
A privately owned museum featuring a vast collection of artifacts from all over. You can even take part in auctions here.
A former royal residence, built in 1858, now a museum.
متحف أصالة الماضي
A privately owned museum that offers the visitor a chance to study and learn more about the history of the Hejaz region.
قرية الكر السياحية
Hop on a cable car and feast your eyes on the fantastic scenery of Ta'if! The cable car network is said to be the largest network in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. You can rent out a cable car for yourself, or you can share with others. Whatever you prefer.
A national park characterised by lush forests and rivers, a rarity in Saudi Arabia.
A village in the mountains (2,200 - 2,500 meters above sea level). One way to experience views that you may not otherwise see in large parts of Saudi Arabia.
A highly popular spot with visitors throughout the year. The main attraction of the park is a huge lake that covers an area of 13,000 sqm.
منتزه سمنان وسمينين
A park situated in the Wadi Leh valley.
منتزة الجبل الأخضر
An expansive theme park with multiple amenities for children.
An expansive theme park with multiple amenities for children. Often considered to be one of the most important recreational places in all of Saudi Arabia.
A sprawling park that was opened in 2013. It covers an area of 150,000sqm and is among one of the most visited places in Saudi Arabia.
A branch of the Buffalo Wings & Rings restaurant.
Fast food restaurant with two branches in the city.
Pastry parlour.
Egyptian restaurant.
Upscale 4-star hotel. A single room costs 550 SAR.
Spacious and comfy hotel.
One of the main landmarks in Ta'if and the most well-known 5-star hotel in the city. Very close to the regional airport, although it is quite far from the city centre.
Upscale 4-star hotel.
One of the largest commercial markets in the city. You can find products like clothes, shoes, perfumery stores, fabrics, handicrafts, and jewelry.
A part of the historical city of Ta'if, you can tour around the old area market, where you can buy some handicrafts and souvenirs.
An upscale shopping mall in the city centre.
The largest mall in Ta'if, situated in the city centre.
By car
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.
By plane
If you're not into long road trips, another convenient way to enter the city is by plane. If flying from Jeddah, you'll easily reach the city in less than 45 minutes.
By train
As of January 2022 Taif is not served by any railway networks. There is a plan to introduce a railway network in the city in the near future.
By bus
The Saudi Arabian Public Transport Company (SAPTCO) offers bus services to and from the city. A bus ride from Jeddah to Taif would normally take you three hours depending on traffic conditions.
By taxi
Uber is fully operational in Ta'if. You can hail an Uber at the airport without any hesitation.
By foot
If you are in the main city center, a lot of attractions are within walking distance.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Taif · International · TIF
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