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Abha is the capital of Asir province in Saudi Arabia.
It is situated at 2,200 metres (7,200 ft) above sea level in the fertile
mountains of south-western Saudi Arabia near the National Park of Asir.
Its mild climate makes it a popular tourist destination for Saudis.
According to 2004 census figures it has a population of 201,912 with an
estimate of 252,126 for 2009.
Abha is located in the Southern Region of Asir, it is highly elevated
and it is home to the culminating point in Saudi Arabia, Jabal Al Sooda
(the Black mountain) which stands at 3000 meters high.
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The area is subject to rain, sometimes heavy, some of its neighboring
villages and rural areas are sometimes the witnesses of flash-floods
during the winter. The cooler weather, comparatively to the rest of the
peninsula, makes it an attraction point during the summer.
Abha is the administrative capital of the Asir region, therefore home to
the governorate of Asir. All Government departments are located there.
Also there are extensive medical and educational facilities. King Khalid
University and Prince Sultan College for Hotel Management are located in
Abha. There is a regional international airport in Abha that has direct
flights to Jeddah, Taif, Riyadh, Dammam, Dubai and Cairo. Al Watan,
which is one of the main Saudi daily newspapers, has its head office and
printing presses in Abha.
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The Saudi government has been promoting Abha as a tourist destination
and has created events, such as the Abha Festival during the summer, to
draw people to the city. Events are organized to attract visitors to
discover the city and its surroundings, such as sporting events, shows,
exhibitions and musical performances by famous Arabic poets and singers.
Artist Talal Maddah died on stage during a performance in Abha.
The old Shadda Palace, thought to have been built around 1820, has been
converted to a museum.
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Cable cars have been installed in the city and its surroundings
providing a view of the landscape.
The village of Rijaal Almaa, a 40 minute drive down the mountains to the
west of Abha, contains 5 and six storey traditional houses dating
400–600 years old built from local stone and quartz. One of the houses
has been converted to a museum, contains examples of traditional women's
and men's attire, ornamentation, farm implements, household utensils,
and even old jailers' implements for restraining 'culprits'. Entrance
fee 10 Saudi riyals.
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There are two ways of reaching Rijaal Almaa, straight down the Asir
mountains through Sawdah or going around the hills on highways 5 and
211. The first option will save you some time although it is incredibly
steep and has turns of 180+ degrees. Good brakes and good steering are a
must. It is by far more dangerous than the Taif hills. Even though
taking the highway means flat terrain, it also implies heavy traffic and
more drivers avoiding the hills. Take into account that international
driving standards and common sense are not as common, so extreme caution
is suggested.
A lively weekly traditional Tuesday market takes place in the centre of
Abha, near the Al Mafteheh tourist complex. The market contains local
produce wares, spices and clothes, with buyers and sellers coming from
regional areas, including a decreasing number of traditionally dressed
Tihama men in striped sarong and with their long oiled hair ringlets
capped by circlets of herbs and flowers, which gives them their other
colloquial name "Flower men of the Tihama".
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Only 35 minutes drive south from Abha Airport is the Al Habbalah
village. Inhabited until the 1970s, the traditional stone and thatch
houses perch precariously on narrow terrace edges down the side of an
escarpment. Previously only reached by ropes and pulleys, a modern
telephrique (cable car) now allows visitors access and a modern tourist
centre has been built. The houses are slowly being restored and some now
are accessible. Cost of the cable car is 45 Saudi riyals. The Al-Habalah
Park opens after 1pm on Fridays (after prayer).
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At the city center a soothing place for an evening shisha, tea and
coffee is the Green Mountain, also equipped with a cable car. On high
terrain and with green lights, it is easy to find at night. 30 Saudi
riyals entrance fee per car.
Paragliding has become and increasingly popular sport. Winter sees
pilots launch from Jebel Al Hudda near Muhayil, a one hour drive north
of Abha towards the Tihama. In summer pilots launch from the purpose
built launch site near the intercontinental hotel. With the gracious
patronage of the Emirs of Assir, a four day paragliding competition
takes place at this launch site on Jebel Al Sooda, some 2500 metres
above sea level, during the summer Assir Festival.
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It is highly recommended to rent a car at the airport to be out
and about at your leisure. Cars are inexpensive and can be hired at
around 200 Saudi riyals per day. Only Saudi driving licenses are
accepted, not even international ones.
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Abha is enclosed by a ring road which gets you everywhere. Although
there are no English signs, a little Arabic will get you a long way.
When asking for directions always remember Alatul: Straight, Yamin: Turn
right, Yasar: Turn left.
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