- AreaAsir highlands, south-western Saudi Arabia
- Best forMountain scenery, summer escapes, folk art
- Time2–4 days
- TipBring a warm layer; evenings can be chilly even in summer
Forget every image of endless sand: the Asir region looks more like the Yemeni highlands or East Africa. Its capital, Abha, sits at around 2,200 metres, where summer days are mild, fog rolls over the escarpment and terraced fields cling to the slopes. Saudi families have long escaped the summer heat here, and the region is now being developed as a year-round mountain destination.
Abha town
Abha is compact and easy-going. The Al-Muftaha Village arts quarter showcases local painters, and the weekly Tuesday market is a good place to see traditional baskets, honey and spices. Around town, viewpoints and parks overlook the Abha Dam lake and the green hills; Green Mountain (Jebel Al Akhdar) is lit up at night and popular for an evening tea. Look out for Al-Qatt Al-Asiri, the bold geometric wall painting traditionally created by Asiri women, inscribed by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage in 2017.
Jebel Soudah and the high plateau
Around 20 km west of town, Jebel Soudah rises to about 3,000 metres and is generally considered the highest peak in Saudi Arabia. Juniper forests, hiking trails and lookout points line the edge of the escarpment, and baboons are a common sight along the road. The area is the focus of a major tourism project, so new hotels and facilities are opening gradually. A cable car descends from the Soudah area towards the Rijal Almaa side; check whether it is running before you plan around it.
Rijal Almaa
About 45 km west of Abha, down a spectacular mountain road, lies Rijal Almaa, a village of multi-storey stone towers trimmed with white quartz. Once a stop on trade routes linking Yemen with the Hejaz, it now houses a museum of local history and crafts. It is one of the most photogenic places in the Kingdom, and many visitors combine it with Soudah in a single day: see Asir tours.
More of Asir
The hanging village of Al-Habala, perched on a cliff ledge and reached by cable car, and the farming towns of Al-Namas and Tanomah, with stone houses and mountain views, are worthwhile further afield. Down on the coast, the Red Sea and the Farasan Islands off Jazan offer a complete contrast.
Getting there and around
Abha International Airport (AHB) has domestic flights from Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, plus a few regional routes. A car is close to essential for exploring: compare car hire in Abha. By road, Abha is roughly 600–700 km from Jeddah via Taif and the mountain highway, a scenic but long drive. For hotels, compare stays in Abha; options range from city hotels to mountain chalets around Soudah.
Tours: Abha and Asir
Compare guided trips, transfers and tickets.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Abha?
June to September is peak season, when Abha is pleasantly cool compared with the rest of the Kingdom. Spring and autumn are quieter and often clear; winter nights can be cold.
How far is Rijal Almaa from Abha?
About 45 km, roughly an hour's drive down a steep, winding mountain road. Many people combine it with Jebel Soudah in one day.
Do I need a car in Asir?
Realistically, yes. Public transport is limited, and the best sights are spread across mountain roads. Alternatively, book a guided day tour from Abha.
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