Makkah Province (Makkah al-Mukarramah) is the spiritual heartland of Islam and one of Saudi Arabia's most significant regions, encompassing the holy city of Makkah, the cosmopolitan port city of Jeddah, the mountain resort city of Taif, and the Red Sea city of Yanbu. The province draws millions of Muslim pilgrims annually for Hajj and Umrah, while Jeddah welcomes all visitors with its UNESCO-listed Al-Balad district, vibrant Red Sea coastline, and modern urban culture.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Taif — City of Roses and Mountains
Taif is Makkah Province's mountain escape at 1,800 meters elevation, offering dramatically cooler temperatures and a completely different landscape. Visit the rose farms (peak bloom February-April), Shubra Palace Museum, Al Hada cable car, Al Rudaf Park, and the Barhat Al-Qazzaz traditional night market. Famous for producing the world's finest rose attar.
Highlights: Taif Rose Farms (Feb-April) · Shubra Palace Museum · Al Hada Cable Car · Al Shafa Mountain Village · Traditional Barhat Al-Qazzaz Market
Yanbu — Red Sea Diving and Historic Port
The Red Sea port city of Yanbu offers crystal-clear waters with spectacular coral reefs, an Ottoman-era historic quarter with coral-stone architecture, and a completely different pace from Jeddah. Best known for world-class scuba diving and snorkeling in pristine waters. Consider an overnight stay to fully experience the diving.
Highlights: Red Sea scuba diving and snorkeling · Yanbu Historic Quarter (Old Town) · Coral reef exploration · Traditional fish market · Sunset dhow cruise
Al Wahbah Crater — Volcanic Moonscape
A spectacular 2.3km-wide volcanic crater with a surreal white sodium phosphate crystal floor that glitters in sunlight. The surrounding basalt lava fields create an otherworldly landscape. The hike down to the crater floor is strenuous but extraordinary. Best visited in cool winter months.
Highlights: Volcanic crater rim views · Sodium phosphate crystal floor · Basalt lava fields · Sunrise photography · Desert wilderness experience
Jeddah's Northern Coast and Obhur Creek
Jeddah's most relaxed beach and watersports destination — the Obhur Creek area offers private beach resorts, jet skiing, kayaking, boat tours, and fresh seafood restaurants. The protected creek creates calm lagoon-like conditions ideal for swimming and water sports.
Highlights: Obhur Creek water sports · Red Sea sunset views · Fresh seafood restaurants · Private beach resort day passes · Dhow sunset cruise
King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC)
A futuristic purpose-built city on the Red Sea coast being developed as part of Vision 2030. Features the King Abdullah Port (one of the world's largest), a golf course, marina, and the beautifully designed Educational District. Interesting insight into Saudi Arabia's ambitious modernization program.
Highlights: Futuristic city architecture · King Abdullah Port views · KAEC Beach Club · Golf course · Haramain Railway experience
Al-Balad Evening to Taif Mountain — Jeddah + Taif Combined
A perfect day combining Jeddah's UNESCO Al-Balad heritage district in the morning with an afternoon drive up the dramatic mountain highway to Taif. Start with the Al-Balad souqs and Nassif House Museum, drive the scenic Taif Road, stop at Al Hada for views, visit Shubra Palace, and return via the mountain sunset. A one-day digest of the province's highlights.
Highlights: Al-Balad morning walk · Scenic mountain highway drive · Al Hada viewpoints · Shubra Palace Museum · Taif mountain honey shopping
Makkah Holy City Pilgrimage Tour
For Muslim travelers, a day in Makkah encompasses the spiritual highlights of a lifetime — performing tawaf around the Kaaba, climbing Jabal al-Nour to the Cave of Hira, visiting Mount Arafat, and experiencing the extraordinary atmosphere of Masjid al-Haram. Proper attire (ihram for umrah) required.
Highlights: Tawaf at Masjid al-Haram · Cave of Hira on Jabal al-Nour · Zamzam Well · Mount Arafat · Mina Valley
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Tours
- Organized day tours from Jeddah to Taif from SAR 300-500 ($80-133) including transport and guide; Yanbu from SAR 400+ ($106.70+)
- Private
- Private car hire with driver from SAR 350-600/day ($93.35-160)
- Public
- Haramain Railway to Makkah (45 min, SAR 65-80); SAPTCO buses to Taif (SAR 37) and Yanbu (SAR 60-85)
- Rental
- Car rental from SAR 100-250/day ($26.70-66.70); International Driving Permit required
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Start Taif day trips before 8AM — the mountain highway is best driven in cooler morning air
Visit Taif rose farms only February-April for peak bloom — out of season farms are just fields
For Makkah, book Haramain Railway tickets online in advance — can sell out on peak days
Non-Muslims should avoid the Makkah highway exits and never attempt to enter the holy city
Al Wahbah Crater requires a 4WD — do not attempt with a regular car
The Jeddah-Taif highway is scenic but has sharp mountain curves — drive carefully
Carry sufficient water for any desert or mountain excursion — minimum 2 liters per person