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Abha travel takes you into the green Asir mountains of southwest Saudi Arabia, where the highlands around Al Soudah rise near 10,000 feet, juniper forests drift in and out of cloud and painted stone villages cling to the slopes.
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At a glance
From the United States
The essentials for American travelers, at a glance.
Checked October 18, 2026. Rules and schedules change, so confirm on the official portal before you book. Connecting on a Gulf or Turkish carrier? See stopover programs, and plan with your first trip.
Why go
Asir surprises almost everyone who expects Saudi Arabia to be all desert. Terraced fields, juniper forests and misty peaks give it a climate that stays mild while the rest of the country bakes, which is why Saudi families flock here in summer. Abha, the regional capital, sits on a plateau at about 7,450 feet, and the Al Soudah highlands just west of town include some of the kingdom's highest ground.
The region has its own culture too: stone and mud tower houses, flower-crowned men of the Tihama and the bold geometric wall paintings of Al Qatt Al Asiri, painted by women and inscribed on UNESCO's list of intangible heritage. Learn more on living heritage.
Looking ahead, Soudah Peaks is a planned luxury mountain destination in the Al Soudah highlands; its opening dates are to be confirmed.
Cool juniper forests, mountain viewpoints and walking trails above the clouds; the cable car down toward Rijal Almaa has long been a highlight.
A heritage village of multi-story stone towers trimmed in white quartz, with a museum of local life. One of the most photogenic villages in Arabia.
A dramatic cliffside village historically reached by rope ladders, with sweeping views over the escarpment.
Galleries and studios in a restored quarter, good for seeing Al Qatt Al Asiri and contemporary Asiri art.
Honey, coffee beans, herbs, baskets and woven hats from the region's villages.
Abha's luxury offer is still modest; these are the best choices open today, with more to come at Soudah Peaks.
The city's best-known five-star hotel, in a quiet setting by the lake with mountain views, gardens and family facilities.
A planned collection of luxury mountain hotels and residences. Opening dates to be confirmed.
Asiri cooking is warming mountain food, best enjoyed on a terrace as the evening mist rolls in. Try hanith, slow-cooked lamb on rice, the flatbread-and-butter dish areekah with honey, and the region's renowned Sidr honey. Coffee is grown on the terraces of nearby Jazan and Asir, and the khawlani coffee tradition is part of UNESCO's intangible heritage; see coffee and dates.
Asir combines well with the coffee terraces and Farasan Islands of neighboring Jazan, reached by a dramatic drive down the escarpment to the Tihama coast, or with a flight to Jeddah and the cooler heights of Taif. Many Saudi travelers make a summer circuit of the three mountain regions, staying a few nights in each. For a contrast of landscapes on one trip, add the desert canyons of AlUla or the beaches of the Red Sea resorts to the north.
Fly from the US to Riyadh or Jeddah (Saudia nonstop from New York JFK and Washington Dulles, about 12 hours), then take a domestic flight to Abha International Airport, about 1 hour 45 minutes from Riyadh. A car with driver is the best way to reach the mountain villages; see chauffeurs and self-drive. Private jets can land at Abha; see private jets.
US passport holders use the Saudi tourist eVisa. Dress modestly; Asir is more traditional than the big cities. Alcohol is not served. Summer is the busy season, with rain showers and fog common in the afternoons, so book ahead; the autumn months bring clearer views. Pack a warm layer for the evenings at any time of year, and allow time on the mountain roads, which are steep and winding.
Soudah Peaks plans branded mountain residences alongside its hotels, part of a wider push to grow year-round tourism in the highlands. For ownership rules, see Saudi Arabia Luxury Real Estate.
Questions travelers ask
June to September for cool summer weather, or October to December for clear skies and fewer crowds.
Not yet. Soudah Peaks is a planned luxury resort; opening dates are to be confirmed.
About an hour's drive down the escarpment.
Evenings are cool year-round, and winter nights can be chilly. Bring a jacket.
Ultra-Luxury Real Estate · Own Here
The places you discover as a guest are the places to own. Open to non-Saudis under the law in force since January 22, 2026, with designated zones in Riyadh and Jeddah; residents may own a home outside restricted areas.
Ultra-Luxury Tourism & Ultra-Luxury Real Estate
Weather
Average day highs, night lows and rainy days for each month, in Fahrenheit and Celsius side by side. The months in gold are the most comfortable for visiting.
| Month | Day high | Night low | Rainy days | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| °F | °C | °F | °C | ||
| Jan | 63° | 17° | 47° | 8° | 5 |
| Feb | 66° | 19° | 50° | 10° | 5 |
| Mar | 69° | 20° | 53° | 12° | 7 |
| Apr | 71° | 22° | 56° | 13° | 10 |
| May | 77° | 25° | 61° | 16° | 11 |
| Jun | 83° | 29° | 66° | 19° | 5 |
| Jul | 81° | 27° | 66° | 19° | 7 |
| Aug | 79° | 26° | 64° | 18° | 14 |
| Sep | 81° | 27° | 63° | 17° | 5 |
| Oct | 75° | 24° | 56° | 13° | 3 |
| Nov | 69° | 21° | 52° | 11° | 5 |
| Dec | 65° | 19° | 48° | 9° | 2 |
Averages for 2020–2024, Open-Meteo historical weather (ERA5). Rainy days: days with at least 1 mm (0.04 in) of rain. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com.
Checked October 2026. Prices and dates are approximate and can change. See our standard.
Luxury Real Estate
See the homes, the communities and how buyers from abroad can own in Al-Baha or Asir, on its Luxury Real Estate page, where its Founding Partners, chosen by TheMiddleEast.com, are presented.
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