Taif (pronounced "Taayef", also written Ta'if) is a city in western Saudi Arabia. It is in the mountains near Mecca and was once used as the summer capital, letting the royal family get out of the much hotter Riyadh.

 

The main areas of Taif are:

• Al Shafa (الشفا): A natural place with green scenery and a good picnic location

• Al Hada (الهدا ): Famous for its cable cars and the Al Kar Tourist Village

• The Town (البلد): Where you can eat and where locals Live

• South Road (طريق الجنوب): high way to south of Saudi Arabia and it has beautiful sight.

• Maysan (ميسان): A natural place with green scenery and a good picnic location and it has a huge amount and great high look out and magnificent sight and weather. to go there you need to have car and take south road till you see board written to Maysan.

 

The only way to get to these areas is by road. A well-established road network connects main places. Don't hesitate to ask locals, but mostly they won't speak English.

 

Whenever you go, you will see breath-taking mountains. Trust me, your camera will be full of mountains pics.

 

The most important thing you have to buy is fruit. Taif specializes in peach (khokh), pomegranate (romman), grapes (enab), and dates (tamr) These are the best fruits in Saudi Arabia.

• Fitfat (Qabeela Fitfat), Base of Al Hada. This is one of the most famous tribes of Taif, know for their hospitality. Ask them, and they will write one of their famous poems singing your praise. Some stores in the region trasnlate these poems and frame them for you.

 

Try to eat Saudi's own Kabsa or Bukhari Rice. The signature dish of Taif is "Seleeg," a sort of large-grain rice and milk pudding. However, be careful because hygiene in some restaurants is not satisfactory. Don't miss The Tazaj fast food chain.

 

As with the rest of Saudi Arabia, alcohol is strictly prohibited. You can drink Saudi champagne (alcohol free) from any coffee shop.