Taif from Makkah: Day Trip Guide to Al-Hada, Roses and Old Town

Taif from Makkah is one of the most popular short escapes in western Saudi Arabia: a mountain town with cooler air, rose farms, an old town and a mountain road with views. This guide explains how far it is, how to get there, what to see in one day and what is worth checking on the day, using the Saudi tourism authority’s public pages and our own catalogue.

ZiyaraGo is an independent information service. We read the official pages on 16 October 2026. Prices, opening hours and the status of roads and attractions change, so check them before you go.

Why visit Taif and how far it is

Taif lies in the Sarawat Mountains, east of Makkah. According to the Visit Saudi page on Taif, it is approximately 70 to 90 kilometres from Makkah and can be reached by the Al Hada Road or the Al Sail Road. The exact distance and the time depend on the route and the traffic.

The page describes a mild summer climate compared with other cities, cooler still in the higher areas such as Al Hada, and presents Taif as a destination for the whole year. The tourism authority suggests visiting in spring or summer and booking accommodation ahead in peak seasons and holidays.

How to get from Makkah to Taif

The two roads are Al Hada Road, a famous curving mountain road, and Al Sail Road. Ask your driver or your hotel which one is open and sensible on the day.

By car, you can drive yourself, hire a taxi or use a ride-hailing app for a day trip, and agree the price and the waiting time in advance. Intercity buses are also reported, so check fares and timetables with the operator. The Haramain high-speed train does not serve Taif.

Fuel up before the climb, check the weather in the morning, and keep in mind that roads on the mountain can close or divert after storms or for maintenance. Ask locally before you set out.

Al-Hada Mountain and the cable car

The Visit Saudi page on Al-Hada Mountain describes Al-Hada as part of the Al-Sarawat range, a curved stretch of about 87 kilometres between Taif and Makkah, where the temperature drops gradually as you drive up. The road follows an old caravan route, traditionally called Darb Al-Jammalah, and reaches about 2,177 metres above sea level. Along the way there are juniper and acacia trees and roadside stalls selling Taif rose water, fruit, warm drinks and snacks.

Al-Kar Tourist Village, which has water games and a rope ride, can be reached by cable car or by road. The tourism authority recommends visiting Al Hada early in the morning or before sunset. Check the cable car’s prices, hours and current status before you plan your day around it.

Rose farms and the rose season

Taif is known for its roses. The Visit Saudi page on the rose factories describes visiting rose-product factories such as Al Shiokh and Rashid Al Qurashie in Al Hada, where you can see how petals are picked, weighed, heated with rose water and processed into oil, and buy soap, rose water and rose oil in the shop.

The harvest runs roughly from late March to early May, depending on the year. The second Rose and Aromatic Plants Global Forum was held in Taif from 29 March to 11 April 2026. Dates for 2027 are announced by the Ministry of Culture and Visit Saudi, so watch their announcements before you build a trip around the festival.

Old Taif, Shubra Palace and Souq Okaz

The Visit Saudi page on Albalad describes the old town, Albalad, as a place of narrow alleys, heritage buildings, old mosques and markets with perfumes, spices and handicrafts, and as a historic stop on a long-distance route. It is a good place for a slow walk in the afternoon.

Shubra Palace and Souq Okaz are two of the best-known historic sights in the area. Check the current opening hours at Shubra Palace and the dates of the next Souq Okaz season before you go.

• Old Taif (Al-Balad)
• Shubra Palace
• Souk Okaz

Parks and mountains near the city

Taif has parks and viewpoints that suit families and short stops. Our catalogue lists Al Rudaf Park and the Al Shafa mountains. Check opening hours and entry fees locally, and treat them as flexible stops for the late afternoon.

• Al-Rudaf Park
• Al Shafa Mountains

A sample one-day plan from Makkah

Leave Makkah early in the morning and drive up Al Hada while the air is cool. Spend the late morning at Al Hada and visit a rose-product factory. Have lunch in the city, then walk through Albalad in the afternoon, and if there is time stop at a park or a viewpoint. Start the return before dark so that you drive the mountain road in daylight.

If you want to stay overnight, book ahead in school holidays and during the rose season.

Where to stay in Taif

Our catalogue lists hotels in Taif. Check the exact location on the hotel page and on the map before you book.

• Awaliv International Hotel, 5★
• Gardens View Aparthotel, 5★
• Iridium Hotel, 5★
• Meral Oasis Resort Taif, 4★

Practical tips

Bring a light jacket for the evening in the mountains, comfortable shoes for the old town and cash or a card for the stalls. Check the weather in the morning and the status of roads and attractions before you leave.

Compare more than one source before paying for transport or tickets, because prices vary.

How we chose

We built this guide from the Saudi Tourism Authority’s public Visit Saudi pages on Taif, Al-Hada, the rose factories and Albalad, read on 16 October 2026, and from our own catalogue, and we rewrote it in our own words. Prices, opening hours and the status of attractions change, so check them locally. We are not a tour operator, so confirm details with the operators.

Tips

• Go up Al Hada early in the morning or before sunset, as the tourism authority suggests.
• Check the weather and the road status in the morning before you leave Makkah.
• Ask for the cable car price and hours on site.
• Plan rose-farm visits for late March to early May, and watch official announcements for 2027.
• Start the return before dark.

Questions and answers