Ta'if (pronounced "Taayef", also written as "Taif") is a city in the Mecca province ofSaudi Arabia. With a population of 690,000 people (2020 estimate), it is the sixth most populous city in Saudi Arabia.
The city is at an elevation of 1,879 m (6,165 ft) and is therefore much cooler than any of the nearby larger cities:Mecca,Medina andJeddah. Ta'if is a popular tourist destination both among Saudis and among the fairly large expatriate community in Jeddah. The nearby upmarket resort town ofAl Hada is another popular destination.
Ta'if literally means 'circulated' or 'encircled' inArabic. It is said that the name of the city comes from a wall that was built around the city inpre-Islamic times. Certainly the city existed in those times, before the 7th century CE.
There's no direct mention of Ta'if in the Qu'ran, butSura 43:31 mentions two cities which scholars believe were Mecca and Ta'if. Ta'if does play a role in otherIslamic writings. After Khadija, Muhammad's first wife. died in 619 CE, he made his way to Ta'if and tried to spread Islam in the city, but was rudely rejected by the city's chiefs, was pelted with rocks and stones, and was chased out of the city. Bloodied and seriously wounded, he was taken in by a gardener who nursed him back to health. After recovering, Muhammad realised he could no longer enterMecca because his uncle, Abu Thalib, was no longer there to protect him.
In the years to follow, various battles left the city completely isolated and eventually, the inhabitants of the city were peacefully converted to Islam.
The Ottoman Empire dominated the city for several hundred years untilWorld War I when the Hashemites (the family who traditionally ruled Mecca) led an Arab revolt against them.
In the 1920s, Ta'if was incorporated intoSaudi Arabia by the ibn Saud family after a short battle. This was part of the process of founding modern-day Saudi Arabia. At the time Ta'if was a relatively small, unknown city. In the years to follow, the Saudi government has rapidly developed the city, and it is now a popular tourist destination among the Saudis.
In the 1930s, a treaty that established the boundary lines betweenSaudi Arabia andYemen was signed here.
For more information entering the country, see theSaudi Arabia article.
 | Note: Do not attempt travel to Ta'if viaMecca if you're anon-Muslim; under Saudi law non-Muslims are strictly forbidden to enter that city. |
Given Ta'if's highly mountainous geography, almost no highways pass through the city. The only exception isHighway 15, which connects Ta'if to Mecca. Approaching Ta'if, the scenery along it is breathtaking.
Most people drive to Ta'if fromJeddah.
If you're not into long road trips, another convenient way to enter the city is by plane. If flying fromJeddah, you'll easily reach the city in less than 45 minutes. If coming fromRiyadh, you'll reach the city in less than 90 minutes.
(updated Jan 2022)As of January 2022 Taif is not served by any railway networks. There is a plan to introduce a railway network in the city in the near future.
TheSaudi Arabian Public Transport Company (SAPTCO) offers bus services to and from the city. A bus ride from Jeddah to Taif would normally take youthree hours depending on traffic conditions. There are no VIP trips to the city, however.
There are many ways in which you can book a bus ride to Taif. You can do it at a SAPTCO branch, on the SAPTCO app (iOS,Android), or on the website. The bus fare can be between 50 - 200 SAR, but may change depending on a variety of factors. The SAPTCO app is only inArabic.
Due to the city's mountainous geography, the best way to get around the city quickly is by car. With an area of 800km², it should take you a couple of hours to cover the whole city.
If you are considering renting a car during your stay in the city, here are a few companies to choose from. As with any service, do your due diligence and research, and do check if your drivers license is valid inSaudi Arabia.
Uber is fully operational in Ta'if. You can hail an Uber at the airport without any hesitation. It's a convenient option if you want to cover the whole city quickly, or if you do not feel too comfortable driving on Saudi roads.
If you are in the main city center, a lot of attractions are within walking distance. Since the climate is not too extreme, Ta'if provides a good outlet for long-distance walks, especially during the summers.
Ta'if has been often been called the "best summer destination" in Saudi Arabia. Indeed, this couldn't be any more right because there are a plethora of things to see and do in Ta'if.
(updated Jan 2022)(updated Jan 2022)(updated Jan 2022)
One of Ta'if's biggest exports isrose oil, and it forms an important part of the city's economy and identity. Every spring, the city blooms up with red and pink roses, and more than 300 million roses are cultivated by almost 900 rose plantations each year.
Ta'if is sometimes referred to as the "City of Roses" (Arabic:مدينة الورود). The rose oil produced in Ta'if is of top quality; even luxury brands such as Givenchy and Jimmy Choo commonly use it to make their perfumes. Some of the many perfume vendors in theCairo bazaar will claim their oil comes from Ta'if, but such claims are often dubious.
Shiraz in Iran is also sometimes called the "City of Roses" and also has many gorgeous blossoms in season. However it does not rival Ta'if as a center of rose oil production.
Ta'if is home to numerous dams, mostly because of the fact that the city is home to many wadis (valleys).
Ta'if has plenty of museums that can allow you to learn more about Saudi history.
(updated Jan 2022)(updated Jan 2022)With such vast mountainous landscapes, why not do something to appreciate how beautiful Ta'if's scenery is?
Ta'if has a plethora of parks and recreational facilities. The most popular parks in the city are as follows:
Some of the best known local markets are as follows.
The most well-known shopping malls are as follows.
As Saudi Arabia is governed by a strict interpretation of Sharia Law, alcohol is illegal throughout the country; seeSaudi_Arabia#Alcohol.
Ta'if was once the country's best-known wine region, and still produces fine grapes.
True to its reputation as a popular tourist destination, there are numerous hotels in the city.
Ta'if is an extremely safe city. You're unlikely to face any major dangers. As Ta'if is a popular destination among Saudis, people go to great lengths to keep the city safe.
The various safety tips found in theSaudi Arabia article will come in handy. You should try to refer to it often so that your visit can be hassle-free.
The various respect tips in theSaudi Arabia article will come in handy. Try to refer to it often so that your visit can be hassle-free.
Consider buying some rose oil. Arabs consider it a gift of high respect and gifting it to the locals can leave a lasting impression on them.
The four mobile operators in Saudi Arabia, incumbentAl Jawal, Emirati rivalMobily ,KuwaitiZain[dead link] (Vodafone Network) and STC newcomerJawwy[dead link] are fiercely competitive, with good coverage (in populated areas) and good prices.
You should be able to get a prepaid SMS at major airports, or at local shops nearby.
If you plan on spending some time in the Mecca Province, consider visiting the following cities. The cities are served byHighway 15 and you can reach them in less than an hour.
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