Abha

Abha sits at around 2,200 metres in the Asir mountains, which gives it a climate unlike anywhere else in Saudi Arabia: mild summers, cold winters, and mist rolling in off the escarpment for much of the year, so that Saudis come here in July and August to escape the heat of the plains. The region's distinctive art is Al-Qatt Al-Asiri, geometric wall painting applied by women to the interiors of houses in bright colours, inscribed on the UNESCO intangible heritage list in 2017 and visible in restored houses and at the Muftaha village art centre. Shada Palace, a restored mud building in the centre, holds a museum, and Al Basta is the old quarter.

History

Abha was the seat of the princes of Asir of the Ibn Ayde family, and it lies at 2,270 metres in the fertile Asir Mountains, where its mild climate has made it a favourite retreat; Saudis call it the Bride of the Mountain (Wikipedia, Abha).

Highlights

• Al-Qatt Al-Asiri - the painted geometric interiors of Asiri houses.
• Shada Palace - the restored mud palace museum in the centre.
• Al Basta - the old quarter of the city.
• The escarpment mist - the cloud that fills the valleys most days.

When to go

April to October is the Saudi season, when Abha is at its most comfortable and busiest; winter is cold with frost and occasional snow. Mist can sit on the city for days at a time in any season.

What to expect

Mist frequently removes views entirely, including from the cable cars and viewpoints. Summer crowds and traffic are heavy. Painted house interiors are mostly in restored or museum settings rather than lived-in homes. Hotel prices rise sharply in season.

Nearby

Jabal Sawda lies west; Al Habala is southeast.

Key facts