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Elephant Rock
A wonderful natural rock formation, Elephant Rock towers above the sands in a landscape of red rocky monoliths. It lies 11km northeast of Al Ula, just off the road to Hail, some 7km from the Arac Hotel Al Ula.
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Al Kateb House
Built by Mohammed bin Abdul Wahed in 1897, this historic building features a mix of Hejazi and Roman architecture with Islamic flourishes. Last occupied as a residence in 1968, it has been home to Taifs top officials.
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Asir National Park Abha Visitors Centre
The national park s visitors centre contains some interesting and informative panels on the park, a scale model and an upstairs viewing platform.The auditorium runs a 20-minute film about the park’s construction.
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Shada Palace
Built in 1927 for a local Saudi governor, this palace is one of the few traditional buildings left in Abha. Its squat, mud-walled tower provides an interesting counterpoint to the modern architecture that now surrounds it.
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Sky Bridge
High-speed elevators at the landmark Kingdom Center fly you (at 180km/h) to the 99th-floor Sky Bridge, from where the views are breathtaking (you’re allowed to take photos from up here). Avoid weekends and evenings after 6pm, when it can get very crowded.
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Prophets Mosque
The Prophet Mohammed offered prayers at the mosque after arriving with an army of 30,000 men for the Battle of Tabuk against the Byzantines. Originally constructed of bricks, mud and palm-tree trunks, the mosque was restored in 1652 and again in the early 20th century.
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Beit Kaki
Built in 1943 as a summer residence for one of Mecca’s most important merchant families, Beit Kaki is among Taif’s finest buildings. The intricately carved balconies and window and door frames have all been sympathetically restored and the building is now a small museum.
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Red Sands
The Red Sands are probably the most evocative dunes between Riyadh and Mecca, as they boast a backdrop of the cliffs of the Jebel Tuwaiq Escarpment – a great sight at sunset. Theyre just west of the turn-off to Duruma, around 40km west of Riyadh. To see them properly, you’ll need a
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Yanbu Lakes
Its not really a lake, but, as one of the greenest spots in the area, its beautifully landscaped and maintained, making it suitable for family picnics. Theres space for jogging and a play area for children. Its a perfect spot for lounging around on the weekend and watching the sun
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Al Shafa
Al Shafa, 25km southwest of Taif, is the highest mountain in the Taif region and accessible via modern, paved roads. The 10,000-sq-m Daka Mountain Park is perched on the peak and offers terraces for barbecues and picnics. Mountaineering is a favorite sport among tourists, but there
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Al Gadhi Rose Factory
The largest rose factory in Taif, the 120-year-old Al Gadhi Rose Factory is well worth a visit, particularly at harvest time (May to July), when it’s open 24 hours. Rose water (SR12 per bottle), used in Arabia to scent clothes, baths, cooking and drinks, is sold here. The factory i
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Shubra Palace
The city’s museum occupies a beautiful house built in 1905 on the orders of Sharif Ali Pasha. The palace is the most stunning vestige of old Taif, with latticework windows and balconies and interior marble from Carrara. King Abdul Aziz used to stay here and the palace was later the
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Castle Al Ula
To protect the ancient village, inhabitants in the 6th century used red-sandstone blocks to build a castle on a promontory, giving a 360-degree view of the surrounding valley. The 45m climb to the castle is of moderate difficulty but worth the effort once you see the red-tinged cli
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Ekma
Around 3km northwest of Al Ula off Rte 375 lies Ekma, a huge stone believed by some to be where the Prophet Saleh delivered a camel, born from the stone as a gift from God to the Thamud people, who challenged Saleh to perform a miracle. Archaeologists consider Ekma, also spelled Ik
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Souq Al Jamal
One of the largest in the Arabian Peninsula, Riyadh’s camel market is a fascinating place to wander. Late afternoon is when the traders really find their voices. If you want to put in a bid, you’ll need a good SR5000 to SR10,000. The market is north of the Dammam road 30km from the
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Beit Al Balad
Built in the early 20th century to be the British legation’s headquarters in Jeddah, and serving in that role from about 1915 to the mid-1930s, Beit Al Balad is now a museum housing artefacts, photographs and ephemera documenting Jeddah’s history. The structure is a typical cream-c
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Masjid Al Biah
Found off Al Haramain Rd near Mina, Masjid Al Biah is where tribal leaders pledged their allegiance to Mohammed in AD 621. Simple in design, but carrying Hejazi architectural touches, it features arched entryways opening to a large courtyard. It’s easily accessible from the street
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Al Haramain Museum
Be persistent when calling for an appointment to visit this venue, since the phones may go unanswered. But it’s worth the wait, with seven halls featuring the history of the Grand Mosque. A highlight is the Holy Kaaba Hall, which displays the kiswah , the cloth that covers the blac
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Souq Twaheen
In the old quarter of Tabuk, the souq is dominated by grain and vegetable wholesale sellers bargaining with shopkeepers and restaurant owners. It’s a good place for travellers to pick up items on the cheap for those out-of-the-way picnics. It’s not much to look at, but the souq is
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Prince Fahd bin Sultan’s Park
Although a bit sparse in amenities, Prince Fahd bin Sultan Park is a perfect spot for families to relax in the late afternoon and early evening. Even in summer the temperatures are relatively mild. A carpet of lush grass stretches along Rte 15, giving visitors an opportunity to tak
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