Abha and Asir: a guide to Saudi Arabia's mountains

Why visit Abha

Asir has a culture all its own. Its stone and mud tower houses, its painted interiors known as Al Qatt Al Asiri, listed by UNESCO as intangible heritage, and its flower crowned men of the nearby Tihama region set it apart from the rest of the country. The landscape is dramatic, the pace slow and the welcome warm.

Abha city

The city centre has the Al Muftaha arts village, a hub for local artists, and the Tuesday market, a traditional souq where farmers, spice sellers and craftspeople gather. The Abha Dam lake and the green parks around it are popular in the evening. The fog that often settles over the city in summer is part of the charm.

Al Soudah

Al Soudah is the highest point in the area, a plateau of juniper forest close to the summit of Jabal Sawda, the tallest mountain in the kingdom. A cable car drops from the plateau down the escarpment towards the village of Rijal Almaa. Big development plans are under way here, so expect construction and new resorts.

Rijal Almaa

Rijal Almaa is a village of multi storey stone houses with white trimmed windows, stacked into a valley below the escarpment. Its museum, inside one of the old houses, holds a private collection of weapons, manuscripts and household objects. It is one of the most photogenic places in the country.

Habala

Habala is a hanging village on a ledge below a sheer cliff, once reachable only by rope ladder. A cable car now carries visitors down to the village, where folk dance shows sometimes run in season.

Food

Try areeka, a dense bread dough dish with honey, butter and dates, and local Asiri honey, prized across the region. Mountain cafés serve coffee and grilled meats with views over the valleys.

Where to stay

Abha and neighbouring Khamis Mushait have international chain hotels and mid-range options. Mountain lodges and chalets around Al Soudah suit those wanting views.

Safety

Asir province borders areas close to Yemen. Some governments advise against all travel within a set distance of the border and against all but essential travel in a wider zone that includes parts of Asir and neighbouring Jazan and Najran. Abha city lies outside the main warning zones in recent advice, but check your government's current travel advice and its map before you go.

Getting there and around

Abha International Airport has frequent flights from Riyadh and Jeddah. The mountain roads are steep and winding, with fog at times, so many visitors book a driver or tour.

Practical tips

Pack a warm layer even in summer, as evenings in the mountains are cool, and nights in winter can drop close to freezing. Fog can close roads and cable cars, so keep plans flexible. Asir is more conservative than Jeddah or Riyadh: dress modestly and ask before photographing people or homes. English is less widely spoken here, so a translation app helps.

A suggested two days

On day one, visit Al Soudah in the morning, ride the cable car and spend the afternoon in Rijal Almaa. In the evening, walk around the lake and Al Muftaha Village. On day two, head to the Tuesday market if your dates fit, then take the cable car down to Habala.