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Visiting Rijal Almaa – Saudi Arabia’s Fairytale Village

Are you planning to visit the fairytale village of Rijal Almaa in Saudi Arabia? You’re in the right place.

Located in the remote Asir mountains of Saudi Arabia, Rijal Almaa is a picturesque village featuring unique art and architecture. It is often referred to as Saudi Arabia’s “gingerbread village” because of its traditional stone and clay buildings that actually look like gingerbread houses.

In this Rijal Almaa travel guide, I’ll guide you through the highlights of Rijal Almaa, share some travel tips, including how to get to Rijal Almaa from Abha and give you a glimpse of what to expect on this incredible journey.


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About Rijal Almaa

Al Elwan Fort at Rijal Almaa

The history of Rijal Almaa dates back 900 years, when the tiny village served as a crucial trading hub between Yemen and the Red Sea Coast, Makkah, Madinah, and onwards the Levant. Caravans carrying goods such as incense and spices once stopped at Rijal Almaa, making it a melting pot of ideas and cultures.

Rijal Almaa was involved in many wars, including a significant coup against the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century.

Today, Rijal Almaa is known for special stone and clay fortresses that resemble gingerbread houses. Tiny, white-bordered windows against a brown background make them even cuter and more “gingerbready”!

The region is also home to the “Flower Men” of Saudi Arabia, who have been wearing fragrant flower wreaths in their hair for over two thousand years. They are also known as fierce warriors. Rijal Almaa hosts a unique “Flower Men” Festival in September every year.

The good news is that you can visit Rijal Almaa. It is about 60 miles (100 km) from Abha, the capital of Asir province, and can easily be visited on a day trip.

How to get to Rijal Almaa from Abha?

Roads leading to Rijal Almaa

There is no public transport to Rijal Almaa from Abha. So renting a car or booking a guided tour are the best ways to get to Rijal Almaa from Abha.

Rijal Almaa is located in a valley in the middle of the Asir mountains. Therefore, the roads from Abha to Rijal Almaa are hilly and winding. You need to be an experienced driver to deal with them. The drive takes about 1-1.5 hours.

This road is sometimes termed the “unsafe road” between Abha and Rijal Almaa. Let me assure you there’s nothing unsafe about it as long as you’re a sensible driver and enjoy mountain driving.

That said, planning your journey in the morning is best because the roads are usually empty then. Locals from Abha start thronging Rijal Almaa in the afternoon and evening, so the streets get really busy! I recommend hiring a local driver if you’re planning an afternoon trip.

There’s another road, which is flatter and safer than the hilly one. However, it takes longer (about an hour more) to get to Rijal Almaa via that road. Have a look at both routes on Google Maps here.

Since I don’t drive, I booked this private guided tour with Abha Trips, a reliable and popular tour agency in Abha, and had a great time.

Best Things to Do in Rijal Almaa

Marvel at Rijal Almaa’s Architecture

Unique gingerbread architecture of Rijal Almaa

Rijal Almaa is renowned for its unique Asiri architecture, which gives it the nickname “gingerbread village.”

For centuries, the people of Asir have built multi-story stone and clay houses with tiny, colorful windows bordered by white paint. Their interiors are adorned with intricately painted Al-Qatt wall art.

Since these houses were expansive and spread over many levels, locals often called them forts. There are 60 such forts in Rijal Almaa. The tallest fort, Al Elwan Fort, is six stories tall.

Rijal Almaa was declared one of the best tourism villages by UNWTO and is on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage sites because of its unique architecture.

Visit Rijal Almaa Museum

Traditional Asir jewelry at Rijal Almaa Museum

At the beginning of the 20th century, the younger population of Rijal Almaa started moving to bigger cities like Abha and Riyadh for better work opportunities, and the village started crumbling. In 1985, the locals built the Rijal Almaa Museum to preserve the region’s heritage.

Housed in the Al Elwan Fort, the Rijal Almaa Museum offers a fascinating insight into the history, culture, and daily life of the Asiri people.

Several exhibits are on display, including jewelry, kitchen equipment, utensils, water containers, coffee pots or dallahs, tools, and other household items.

Do not miss the Al-Qatt Al-Asiri art form adorning the museum’s walls. This ancient art form, practiced only by women, has been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The museum is open from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, but they close during prayer times. The entrance fee is 20 SAR (about $5.3). They accept cash and Apple Pay.

Enjoy Haneeth

Haneeth - a local delicacy in Abha, Saudi

No trip to Rijal Almaa is complete without trying Haneeth, a traditional local dish. This flavorful, slow-cooked lamb dish served on top of a bed of rice is an absolute culinary delight.

Haneeth is eaten communally – 3-4 family members/friends eat from the same plate with their hands. You can request for spoons.  

Restaurants usually have separate eating sections for families, unlike the restaurants in Riyadh, which have mixed seating areas nowadays.

Enjoy panoramic views along the way

Asir National Park in Saudi Arabia

Apart from enjoying the heritage and architecture of Rijal Almaa, there are several things to do on your way to the fairytale village from Abha.

The drive from Abha to Rijal Almaa is just as enchanting as the destination.

Be sure to stop at various viewpoints to take in the stunning views of the majestic mountains, winding roads, and quaint villages in the valleys.

These stops offer fantastic photo opportunities and a chance to appreciate the region’s natural beauty.

Remember to take a break to enjoy some refreshing mint tea and local bread for a taste of local hospitality. The hot tea and warm bread were an absolute godsend in the chilly mountain weather.

See the Hamadryas Baboons

Baboons in Saudi Arabia

Don’t miss the Hamadryas baboons, which are endemic to the Arabian Peninsula. These animals were once considered sacred in Egypt but are now extinct there.

Observe them from a distance and avoid feeding them.

Rijal Almaa Travel Tips

Since there is no public transport to Rijal Almaa, renting a car or taking a guided tour is essential. If you’re not very confident in your mountain driving skills, I recommend booking a guided tour with Abha Trips. They have some of the best drivers in town.

The best time to visit Rijal Almaa is in the first half of the day when the village is quieter, and there are fewer crowds. It is also easier to drive on the mountainous roads during this time. However, if you’re interested in seeing the Al Elwan Fort lit up in the evening, visit later in the day.

Beautiful gingerbread houses of Rijal Almaa

Wear comfortable shoes for walking around the village.

Carry an umbrella if you have one because surprise showers are common.

Dress modestly when visiting Rijal Almaa. Both men and women should cover their shoulders and knees. Pants and shirts with long sleeves, long, flowy skirts, and long dresses work well for women. Just make sure they are not a see-through material.
You’ll still see local women in abayas and niqabs (face coverings), but tourists are not expected to wear them. You don’t have to cover your head.
Saudi Arabia is changing fast, and in places like Riyadh (where I live), Jeddah, and Al Ula, you can get more creative with your outfits. But in Abha and Rijal Almaa, I recommend wearing long sleeves and long pants/skirts to avoid standing out very much from the crowd.

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Wondering where and what is Rijal Almaa in Saudi Arabia? Rijal Almaa is the perfect fairytale village of Saudi Arabia that's filled with unique art and architecture and stories of a glorious past. Check out this epic Rijal Almaa travel guide with lots of travel tips including best things to do and how to get there.

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2 Comments

  1. I so much enjoyed my first ever visit to Saudi Arabia last year, and spent most of my time in a hotel in Abha and driving through the region from Abha to Najran, and over to Jizan and took the ferry with my rental car to the island of Farasan.

    Everyone I met was friendly and helpful, even when I lost my wallet with all my money and credit cards in a mall in Taif, which was recovered ‘fully intact’ and returned to me the next day by the administrator of the Mall and his staff. Some Saudi high school students gladly volunteered their English abilities to intercede for me with the administrator who only spoke as much English as the limited Arabic I knew. I look forward to going again, either in September for the Flower Man Festival or in the winter when it’s cooler.

    1. Hi Aaron, that sounds like the perfect Saudi Arabia itinerary – these are all such beautiful places yet barely known in the world outside. Glad to hear that you had such a good time and an interesting adventure by losing your wallet and recovering it too. I look forward to visiting Abha during the Flower Man Festival sometime – it is such a peculiar and interesting tradition and I would love to dig deeper into it one day.

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