Abha

Perched at 2,270 meters in Saudi Arabia's southwestern mountains, Abha stays cool year-round, with temperatures rarely exceeding 35°C (95°F). You can walk among purple jacaranda trees on Art Street, ride cable cars up to Green Mountain's observation deck, or explore the stone houses of Rijal Almaa, where merchants lived and traded for 900 years. The surrounding Asir National Park has hiking trails where you might spot some of the park's 300 bird species.

Getting to Abha

Abha International Airport connects the city with Dubai, Cairo, and Doha, plus major Saudi cities. The coastal highway runs 850 kilometers to Jeddah. SAPTCO buses operate daily routes between Abha and other Saudi cities, with air-conditioned coaches and scheduled rest stops.

Weather and Best Time to Visit

The city's elevation creates cool temperatures throughout the year. February to April sees the most rainfall, turning the mountain slopes green. Visit in April, August, or November when daytime temperatures stay between 18-25°C (64-77°F), ideal for outdoor exploration.

Art Street

Purple jacaranda trees shade this creative district's ten art galleries and cafes. Local artists work and display paintings, sculptures, and photographs daily from 10 AM to 10 PM. After sunset, LED light displays add color to the street's evening atmosphere.

Rijal Almaa Village

This 900-year-old merchant settlement sits two hours from central Abha. The village museum, opened in 1985, displays historical manuscripts and silver jewelry from the region. Multi-story stone buildings incorporate vertical air shafts that keep rooms cool without modern air conditioning.

Mountain Adventures

Take the six-station cable car system up Jabal Sawda, Saudi Arabia's highest peak. The Fog Walkway observation platform sits at 2,900 meters, often above cloud level, with views across the Tihama mountain range. Hiking trails connect the cable car stations.

Parks and Green Spaces

Abu Khayal Park overlooks both the Aqaba mountain slopes and Abha's city center, with designated children's play zones. At Al Salam Park, you can rent paddle boats on the central pond or walk the circular path around it. The Abha Dam Lake stretches for one kilometer, surrounded by pine forest with marked walking trails.

Museums and Architecture

The 1820 Shadda Palace houses exhibits of regional clothing, weapons, and household items across three floors. In the Aseer Regional Museum, seven galleries cover local history from prehistoric times to the present. The city's hilltop fortresses combine clay, stone, and wood construction techniques from the 18th and 19th centuries.