Things To Do in Abha, Saudi Arabia

Abha Things to Do

High in the mountains at 7700 feet, morning mists swirling around as the sun peeks from behind a cloud, the Asir Mountains  are breath of fresh air. With mild temperatures and beautiful vistas, no wonder many Saudis make the trek to the provincial capital Abha.

Touring the City

Divided into four distinct quarters, Abha mixes old with new in almost every area. Walking along one of the streets to the square and there will be the traditional three story stacked houses made from mud bricks next to modern high rise apartments of steel and glass. On Tuesdays it is market day and the souk is filled with produce, leather goods, traditional kaftans embroidered and decorated with traditional Asiri patterns, hand woven multicolored baskets and all types of pottery.  There is also a gold souk and a spice, oil and incense souk. Jabal al Akhdhar aka the “Green Mountain” is in the center of Abha and a great place to see the entire city. There is a café, an international restaurant and some shops. Its name comes from the green lights that turn the entire hilltop into an emerald beacon at night.

Surrounding Countryside

Going outside of Abha opens a door to terraced farms of fruits, flowers and fragrant scents.  About an hour from Abha is Asir National Park, a lush protected area that is home to over 300 species of birds.  There are troops of wild baboons run across the roads, sometimes climbing on top of moving vehicles looking for food. The Jabal Sawda, the tallest mountain in KSA, known to locals as “Al Souda” is located in the park.  A fast cable car whisks you like a magic carpet through the dense forest to the top.   On the outskirts of Abha, visit the hanging village of Habbalah. This village was built in the side of a steep cliff during the Ottoman occupation. Today, it is accessible by cable car providing breath taking views of mountains and desert landscapes.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about things to do in Abha,  Saudi Arabia.