Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DESTINATION
LENGTH
FREQUENCY
COST
Abha
nine hours
every two hours
SR120
Dammam
14 to 15 hours
every two hours
SR265
Jizan
nine hours
every hour
SR120
Riyadh
12 hours
every two hours
SR150
Taif
three hours
every hour
SR40
Yanbu
five hours
every two to three hours
SR75
TOP OF CHAPTER
Taif
02 / POP 987,900
Taif in summer can seem like a breath of fresh air, and compared to humid Jeddah it truly
is. At 1700m above sea level, its gentle, temperate climate is its biggest attraction, and in
summer Taif becomes the Kingdom's unofficial capital. With wide, tree-lined streets, tra-
ditional architecture, a lively souq and beautiful surrounding scenery, it's not hard to see
why even the king relocates here.
Taif is known for the cultivation of roses and fruit - honey-sweet figs, grapes, prickly
pear and pomegranates. Over 3000 gardens are said to grace Taif and its surrounds.
CAMEL CHAOS
Each weekend (Thursday and Friday), every two weeks during July and August, the town of Taif departs for the
races. Open to all, the camels come from far and wide including from other Peninsula countries. It's a spectacular
sight. Located 10km outside Taif, the four races run from 3pm to 5.30pm and attract from between 25 to 100 par-
ticipants in a single race! No wonder: first prize is SR150,000 in cash, 10 cars and 100 bags of wheat.
Sights
Shubra Palace
MUSEUM, HISTORIC BUILDING
( 732 1033; Shubra St; 8am-2pm Sat-Wed Sep-May, 8am-noon & 5-7pm Jun-Aug)
The city's
museum is in a beautiful early 20th-century house that is the most stunning vestige of old
Taif, with latticework windows and balconies and interior Italian marble from Carrara.
King Abdul Aziz used to stay here and it was later the residence of King Faisal.
