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The Al Hada cable car above the mountains of Taif

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Saudi Arabia

Taif Travel: The Rose City in the Mountains

Taif travel means cool air and the scent of roses: at about 6,000 feet in the Sarawat Mountains above Jeddah, the rose city has long been the summer retreat of Saudi Arabia, famous for its rose farms, fruit orchards and winding mountain roads.

Updated

At a glance

Taif at a glance

Best months
April to September (roses bloom in spring)
Elevation
About 6,170 feet
From Jeddah
About 2 to 2.5 hours by car
Airport
Taif (TIF) domestic; Jeddah (JED) for international flights
Time difference
7 hours ahead of New York in summer, 8 in winter
Currency
Saudi riyal, fixed at about 3.75 to US$1

From the United States

Taif for travelers from the US

The essentials for American travelers, at a glance.

Entry for US passports
Tourist eVisa or visa on arrival; up to 90 days per visit on a 1-year multiple-entry visa; about US$130–145 incl. insurance. Visa details
Getting there
Nonstop to Riyadh from New York and Washington on Saudia (about 12 hr 15 min from New York); Jeddah from New York on Saudia (about 11 hr 45 min from New York). All nonstops
Time difference
7 hours ahead of New York (8 in the US winter)
Money
Saudi riyal, pegged to the dollar: US$1 = SAR 3.75. Cards and Apple Pay almost everywhere.
Power plugs
Type G (the British three-pin), 230 V: bring an adapter (most phone and laptop chargers are dual voltage)
Weekend
Friday and Saturday

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

Why go to Taif

While the coast swelters in summer, Taif stays mild, which is why Saudi families have escaped here for generations. The city sits on a high plateau, with the resort villages of Al Hada and Al Shafa higher still among granite peaks, terraced orchards and baboon-dotted roadsides. Jebel Daka, near Al Shafa, is one of the highest points around Taif.

Taif is best known for its roses. The Taif rose, a fragrant damask rose distilled into precious rose oil and rose water, was added to UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage in 2024. Farms open their distilleries in spring, and the city celebrates with a rose festival. Learn more about the craft on perfume and oud and living heritage.

Taif pairs well with Jeddah for a coast-and-mountains trip, or with Abha and the Asir mountains farther south.

The white facade and carved wooden rawasheen of the 1905 Shubra Palace in Taif
Photo: Richard Mortel · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Things to do

Things to do in Taif

Rose farms and distilleries

Al Hada and Al Shafa

In spring, watch the dawn harvest and the copper stills at work, then buy rose oil and rose water at the source, a lovely gift to take home.

Al Hada mountain road

Al Hada

The road from the coast climbs through dozens of hairpin bends with sweeping views; the cable car near Al Hada has been a classic family outing.

Al Shafa

South of Taif

A high village of fruit gardens and viewpoints, cool even in August, with camel rides and picnic spots.

Souq Okaz

About 25 miles north of Taif

The site of the great pre-Islamic poetry and trading fair, now revived with an annual cultural festival.

Shubra Palace and the old souk

Central Taif

A historic palace in Hijazi style and the busy markets of the old town, good for honey, rose products and spices.

Where to stay

Taif's hotel scene is smaller than Jeddah's; these are the best options open today.

InterContinental Taif

★★★★★ Taif

The city's leading international hotel, set in extensive grounds with pools, gardens and family facilities.

Official site ↗

Stay in Jeddah

Jeddah

Many luxury travelers make Taif a long day trip or an overnight from one of Jeddah's five-star seafront hotels, such as The Ritz-Carlton or the Waldorf Astoria Qasr Al Sharq.

To be confirmed

CORE Taif Retreat

Taif

A members' mountain retreat with short stays for CORE members. Opening date to be confirmed.

Getting there

Fly from the US to Jeddah, then drive to Taif in a little over two hours, or connect to Taif's domestic airport. Saudia flies nonstop from New York JFK to Jeddah, and from New York and Washington Dulles to Riyadh. A chauffeur is the easiest way to manage the mountain roads; see chauffeurs and self-drive.

Important for non-Muslim travelers: the direct highway from Jeddah passes through Makkah, which only Muslims may enter. Non-Muslims take the signed route around the city, which adds some time; your driver will know it.

Where to eat

Taif's food is hearty mountain fare. Look for grilled lamb, fresh flatbreads, local honey from the surrounding highlands and seasonal fruit from the orchards of Al Shafa: pomegranates, figs, grapes and prickly pears in late summer. Rose appears everywhere, in tea, sweets, ice cream and the rose-scented Arabic coffee served at farm visits. The InterContinental's restaurants are the most polished in town, while roadside cafes along the Al Hada road are part of the experience on a cool evening.

Good to know

US passport holders can travel on a Saudi tourist eVisa. Dress modestly; alcohol is not served. Taif is busiest in the summer months and during the rose season in spring, when booking ahead is wise. Winters are cool and pleasant by day but chilly at night, so pack a light jacket whatever the season.

Property

Property in Taif

Taif has a long tradition of family summer homes, and new projects aim to grow its mountain tourism. For ownership rules and Premium Residency, see Saudi Arabia Luxury Real Estate.

Questions travelers ask

Questions travelers ask about Taif

When do the Taif roses bloom?

In spring, roughly March to April, depending on the year. The harvest is at dawn.

Can non-Muslims visit Taif?

Yes. Taif is open to all visitors; non-Muslims use the signed route that bypasses Makkah when driving from Jeddah.

Is Taif cool in summer?

Yes. At around 6,000 feet, it is far milder than the coast, which makes it a favorite summer escape.

How far is Taif from Jeddah?

About two to two and a half hours by car.

Travel TodayBefore you travel, check the US State Department's current advice for Saudi Arabia. See the advice ↗

Ultra-Luxury Real Estate · Own Here

Own a home in Makkah

The places you discover as a guest are the places to own. Jeddah has designated zones for foreign buyers; ownership in Makkah is limited to Muslim individuals and Saudi companies.

Ultra-Luxury Tourism & Ultra-Luxury Real Estate

Makkah Luxury Real EstateThe Founding Partner Agencies and Developers for Makkah, side by side.Saudi Arabia Luxury Real EstateWho can buy, the best areas, fees and how to buy.Buy from abroadVisit first, buy without boarding a plane, or invest as an institution.Can Foreigners Buy Property?The rules in all fourteen countries.

Weather

Taif weather by month

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.

Taif weather by month, in Fahrenheit and Celsius
MonthDay highNight lowRainy days
°F°C°F°C
Jan67°20°47°8°4
Feb71°21°50°10°2
Mar76°24°54°12°2
Apr79°26°58°14°6
May86°30°64°18°1
Jun92°34°71°21°1
Jul89°32°71°22°1
Aug89°31°70°21°4
Sep90°32°68°20°0
Oct83°28°60°16°2
Nov76°24°55°13°2
Dec71°22°49°10°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.