14 Best Things To Do In Abha, Saudi Arabia

Best things to do in Abha, Saudi Arabia

Many attractions in Abha open around 4-4:30 p.m. on the weekends. So, be prepared to start your day late. Isn’t that what we all want on our holidays?

Stroll along the Art Street

Whether you’re visiting Abha, Saudi Arabia, for the first time or the tenth, you cannot miss a stroll along the lively Art Street. 

Art Street is a vibrant hub for local artists and art enthusiasts, making it a must-visit destination in Abha. If you want to spot beautiful murals, this is the place to be.

Art Street comes to life in the evenings, usually after 5:00 pm, when locals come for a walk, and artists get to work. The street is adorned with lights and decorations.

Abha’s Art Street is also one of the best places to see beautiful purple jacaranda flowers if you’re visiting in spring (April – May). 

Beyond its visual appeal, Art Street also offers a lively atmosphere with cafes and shops. 

Abha is especially busy during the summer (July-August) when the rest of Saudi Arabia is extremely hot. People from these regions flock to Abha for cooler temperatures.

Abha hosts numerous festivals during summer, including the famous “Abha Brings Us Together” Festival.

★ Pro Tip: Explore Abha on this Abha City and Al Habala Full Day Tour for a more immersive experience.

Visit Rijal Almaa

Looking to visit a quaint Saudi village? Head to Rijal Almaa village, quickly done as a day trip from Abha.

Nestled between the majestic mountains of the Asir Region in southwest Saudi Arabia, Rijal Almaa is renowned for its distinctive, multi-storied clay and stone buildings, which represent traditional Asiri architecture. 

The houses look straight out of a fairytale, giving Rijal Almaa the moniker “Saudi Arabia’s Gingerbread Village.”

Rijal Almaa has 60 traditional buildings, but the highlight is the Rijal Almaa Heritage Museum, housed in a 700-year-old traditional building called Al-Elwan Fort. 

This museum has an impressive display of historic artifacts, including household items, clothing, and jewelry, offering insights into the daily lives of the region’s ancestors. 

Be sure to notice the beautiful Al Qatt art adorning the room interiors. Al Qatt art, inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, is a traditional art form practiced by women to decorate their living and guest rooms. It has now become a core part of Asiri heritage.

The best way to get to Rijal Almaa from Abha is by car because there is no public transport between the towns. Per my tour guide, a cable car runs only in summer.

You can drive to Rijal Almaa from Abha. But remember, the roads are winding and mountainous. 

★ Pro Tip: I chose to leave the driving to expert locals and visited Rijal Almaa on this private tour from Abha. Our tour guide, Mohammed, did an outstanding job of showing us the best of Rijal Almaa and some of Abha. I highly recommend booking this guided tour.

Visit Abu Kheyal Park

Abu Kheyal Park is one of the most beautiful places in Abha. Located atop a mountain opposite Abha High City, the park offers breathtaking views of the city and the dense, foggy mountains surrounding it. 

If you’re seeking peaceful moments in nature, Abu Kheyal Park is the best place to be. Whether you come for a jog in the morning or a daytime picnic, you will not be disappointed.

Abu Kheyal Park is also one of the best places in Abha to see the jacaranda blooms. 

At Abu Kheyal Park, you can also enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Abha from the viewing platforms and walkways. There is also a small play area for kids. 

See Shamsan Ottoman Castle

Shamsan Ottoman Castle in Abha, Saudi Arabia, is a historic landmark from the Ottoman era. Located at the city’s main entrance in the north, it formed Abha’s primary line of defense.

This historic fortification, perched strategically atop Shamsan Hill, offers an insight into the region’s history and unparalleled panoramic views of the city of Abha and its lush surroundings. 

Unfortunately, the castle is closed to visitors. You can only appreciate it from the outside. But I am hoping the government will open it up soon and give us a peek into the stories of the past. 

Learn about Asiri Arts at Fatima Museum

The Fatima Museum in Abha is a true hidden gem. Had it not been for my tour guide at Abha Trips, I would have never discovered this beautiful museum. 

The Fatima Museum houses a diverse collection of artworks, textiles, and artifacts that illustrate the daily life and artistic expressions of the Asiri people. 

Its exhibits are thoughtfully curated to enlighten visitors about the region’s traditional arts, which include the famous Al-Qatt Al-Asiri art, a mesmerizing form of wall painting recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The museum’s collection of Al-Qatt creations is fantastic. Wall paintings, pots, mugs, boxes, and all kinds of housewares are painted in the Al-Qatt style. You can also see a short video on the history of the art and how the museum’s patron, Mrs Fatimah Faye’e Alalmai, has kept the art alive.

You can also buy Al-Qatt souvenirs from this museum. They range anywhere from 50 – 5000 SAR.

The museum is dedicated to Mrs Fatimah Faye’e Alalmai’s love of art and culture, which is why the name. Her family runs the museum.

★ Related Read: Find more about the dying art of Al-Qatt Al-Asiri in Saudi Arabia.

Explore Al Basta Heritage District

Al Basta Heritage District is one of Abha’s oldest neighborhoods. It still features many old houses and monuments.  

Walking through Al Basta’s quaint old streets surrounded by ancient stone and mud-brick buildings is like stepping into a time warp. 

Age-old eateries serve delicious local fare, and cute boutique shops sell traditional souvenir items. Visiting Al Basta is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the living history and customs of the Asiri people. 

Do not miss the historic Al-Qabil Bridge, which is entirely made of stones. 

Visit Al Muftaha Village 

Al Muftaha Village is another historic neighborhood chock-full of heritage buildings and traditional Asir houses. It also has a 260-year-old theater and a beautiful mosque covered in calligraphy.

This atmospheric district is full of artsy museums. It is often the venue of cultural events such as the Jacaranda Season in April – May. 

Like many other attractions in Abha, Al Muftaha Village also opens at 4:30 – 11:30 pm. 

Buy souvenirs at the local market

Do you love shopping for souvenirs? Good news! Abha has many traditional Saudi souvenirs to choose from, and the local market is just the perfect place to buy them.

The local market has several stores filled to the brim with local goodies such as traditional Saudi dresses, artifacts, spices, dates, dried nuts, and honey. 

Asiri honey is incredible and available in so many different varieties, some of them unique. I got a whole bottle for myself, and trust me, it tastes awesome. 

Abha Trips gifted us two cute souvenirs representing Asiri architecture, and they are lovely. 

Try delicious local food

When in Abha, be sure to try the local food of the Asiri region. 

Haneeth is a regional delicacy in which lamb or goat meat is rubbed with spices and cooked slowly for 6-7 hours in an oven under the earth. The resulting meat is tender and delicious. 

Haneeth is usually served on a bed of Basmati rice and raisins and eaten from a common plate. To enjoy the dish to the fullest, use your hands.

Hike in the Asir National Park

If you love hiking in the mountains, head to Asir National Park in Abha. 

I had never imagined towering mountains and lush green valleys in the middle of the Arabian Desert. Still, here we were, in Asir National Park with abundant sprawling green landscapes. This place is also home to Saudi Arabia’s highest peak – Jabal Soudah.

Asir National Park is a hiker’s paradise. The park boasts many excellent hiking trails, breathtaking sceneries, and rich biodiversity, including the native Hamadryas baboons. Don’t carry any food items with you when baboons are around, or they may attack. 

Take a stroll along Foggy Walkway 

Strolling along the Al Dhabab Walkway in Abha is an unmissable experience. 

Al Dhabab Walkway, also known as the Foggy Walkway, is popular for its misty ambiance, which is created by the frequent fog that blankets the area, providing the whole area with a mystical aura.

Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature at Al Dhabab. If the sun lets you peek through the fog, capture the panoramic views of the majestic Tihama mountains surrounding the city. 

Ride the Cable Car

When in Abha, do not miss riding the cable car. This thrilling experience offers unparalleled panoramic views of the entire region, allowing you to get a bird’s eye view of the panoramic beauty of the mountains and valleys. 

The ride to Green Mountain, also known as Jabal Akhdar, is particularly magical. You glide over lush landscapes and witness the contrasting colors of nature. The ride lasts around 25 – 30 minutes.

Visit Shadda Palace

Dating to 1820, Shadda Palace once served as the residence of Abha’s local rulers. Unfortunately, it was being renovated when we visited and wasn’t open to visitors. 

But once Shadda Palace is transformed into a museum, you can glimpse into the lifestyles, customs, and artistry of the Asiri people here. 

Enjoy Abha’s Cafe Culture

Love your cuppa? Abha has several excellent cafes offering a mix of traditional Arabic coffee, karak chai, and international blends. 

The city has seen a surge in cozy, stylish cafes that provide not just a place to enjoy a good cup of coffee but also a space to relax, work, or socialize. 

You’ll find many cafes on the Art Street. Kaya Cafe is a trendy place.

One of my favorite cafe-cum-restaurant is the Jorry Cafe and Restaurant, which offers breathtaking views of the mountains and Abu Kheyal Park. This place is stunning in the jacaranda season.

Other nice things to do in Abha, Saudi Arabia

Abha in Saudi Arabia has several other unique attractions I plan to explore on my next trip there. 

The Abha Dam for picturesque lake views, Abha High City for its abundant collection of boutique shops, restaurants, and cafes, Al Raqdi Museum for rich insights into Asiri history, and the Archeological Museum of Abha are a few attractions that are still high on my Abha travel bucket list. 

Where to stay in Abha, Saudi Arabia?

There are many nice hotels in Abha with great views and amazing breakfast spreads.

We chose to stay at the Blue Inn Boutique Hotel on our 2 days Abha trip and absolutely loved the place. Their rooms are spacious and neat, and the beds are comfortable. The staff understands and speaks English. What I loved most about Blue Inn Boutique was their terrace restaurant, where we had delicious breakfast every morning amidst beautiful city views and jacaranda blooms.

A couple of other hotels that we liked were the Aman Hotel Suites and Abha Palace Hotel.

You can find more hotels in Abha here.

Best time to visit Abha

Spring (April – May) is the best time to visit Abha in Saudi Arabia. Temperatures are comfortable for walking and exploring the city. This is also the time when the jacaranda trees in Abha bloom, turning the entire city purple. Spring is a beautiful time to visit Abha.

Summer is a busy time in Abha because Saudi nationals from all over the country flock to this mountainous town for its cooler temperatures.

If you don’t mind the cold, you can visit Abha in the winter. Temperatures can drop to 28°F (-2°C), making it a chilly place. Sometimes, Abha also experiences snow.

Yes, can you imagine?? Snow in Saudi Arabia! This is one of the many secrets that Saudi Arabia holds.

How to get to Abha?

You can get to Abha by air and road.

The closest airport is Abha International Airport, which services many domestic destinations such as Riyadh, Jeddah, and Damman, and international locations such as Cairo, Dubai, and Kuwait. Flight is the fastest way to get to Abha.

You can also drive to Abha from Jeddah (an 8-hour journey) or Riyadh (a 10-hour journey).

Taking public transport is possible. SAPTCO (Saudi Public Transport Company) buses run between Jeddah and Abha and Riyadh and Abha and usually take a couple of hours longer than the car.

How to get around Abha?

Walking is the best way to get around Abha Old Town, which includes Art Street, Al Basta Heritage Village, and Al Muftaha Historic Neighborhood.

You need a car to visit other attractions in Abha. You can rent a car here or hire a private taxi or tour guide through Abha Trips.

The best way to see the town is on a guided tour with a local guide who can give you rich insights into the region’s history and culture.

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