A cool mountain city 170 km east of Jeddah with Shubra Palace, viewpoints and rose farms.
Taif is a cool mountain city about 170 km east of Jeddah, known as the City of Roses. The drive climbs the Al Hada escarpment on a winding mountain road and takes about 2 to 2.5 hours each way. Typical full-day tours of 8 to 9 hours visit Shubra Palace with its carved lattice windows and balconies, the old town and Bab Al Rea gate, Al-Kaki Palace, the Al Hada and Al Shafa mountain viewpoints, and rose farms and perfume workshops. The rose harvest falls in March and April.
Visitors can drive themselves, take a SAPTCO coach to Taif and a local taxi, or join a guided tour from Jeddah with hotel pickup, listed on Expedia and Civitatis from about USD 118 (about SAR 443) per person. Taif is much cooler than Jeddah in summer, so it is a popular escape from May to September. Note that roads to Makkah branch off the Taif road; non-Muslims must take the signed bypass.
| Distance | About 170 km east of central Jeddah by road (estimated) |
|---|---|
| Travel time | About 2-2.5 hours each way |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Address | Shubra Palace, Shubra district, Taif, Makkah Province, Saudi Arabia |
How to get there
- Mode
- SAPTCO coach plus local taxi
- Cost
- Fares set by SAPTCO, shown at booking
- Frequency
- Several departures daily; confirm on saptco.com.sa
- Mode
- Self-drive or private driver
- Cost
- Fuel and rental, or fare agreed at booking
- Frequency
- Any day
- Mode
- Guided full-day tour with pickup
- Cost
- From about USD 118 (about SAR 443) per person
- Frequency
- Daily departures on request
Location
Shubra Palace, Shubra district, Taif, Makkah Province, Saudi Arabia
21.2713, 40.4107 View on map
Highlights
- Shubra Palace and the old town of Taif
- Al Hada and Al Shafa mountain viewpoints
- Rose farms and perfume workshops in March and April
- Cool mountain air compared with Jeddah
Tips for visiting
- Start before 07:00 to fit the drive, the sights and the return before dark.
- Follow the non-Muslim bypass signs at the Makkah junction; the main road enters the holy city, which is closed to non-Muslims.
- Pack a light jacket for the mountains, especially in winter evenings.
- Mountain roads can be foggy or wet in spring; drive carefully.
- Confirm palace and museum opening hours before arriving, as they are not published reliably.
When to visit
March and April for the rose harvest; May to September for cooler air than Jeddah.
Accessibility
Shubra Palace has stairs and the old town has uneven lanes, so wheelchair access is difficult. Mountain viewpoints are reached by car.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
How far is Taif from Jeddah?
About 170 km east of Jeddah, roughly 2 to 2.5 hours each way by car.
Can non-Muslims drive to Taif?
Yes, but they must follow the signed bypass roads around Makkah, which is closed to non-Muslims.
How much does a guided tour cost?
Full-day tours from Jeddah are listed from about USD 118 (about SAR 443) per person; private tours cost more.
When are the roses in bloom?
The rose harvest falls in March and April.