Old Taif (Al-Balad)

Overview

Old Taif is the historic district in the centre of the city, with narrow alleys around the old souk. Taif was a crossroads for caravans and a stop on trade and pilgrimage routes, often called the eastern gateway to Makkah. A walk through the district is a short way to see traditional stone architecture and wooden windows.

Facts

• The historic markets include Souq Al-Balad, Souq Al-Anqari and Souq Okaz (Arab News, 2026).
• Each craft had its own market or lane: goldsmiths, ghee, local cheese and honey, and leather.
• Local crafts include rose oil and rose water distilling, copper and iron work, bisht and vest tailoring, leather goods and carpentry for windows and doors.
• The map shows the old city gates, including Al-Abbas, Al-Hazm and Al-Reea.
• The city was walled in the past: the traveller Burckhardt (1813) reported a wall and ditch, three gates, several towers and a castle.
• Restoration and development projects aim to revive the historic core while keeping stone buildings and wooden windows.
• Shubra Palace, now the regional museum of Taif, dates to the early 20th century; sources give 1900, 1905 or 1907.

Visiting

Which buildings are open to visitors changes, so ask locally. Do not confuse Old Taif with Al-Balad in Jeddah, which is a separate historic district.

Nearby

• Shubra Palace
• Al-Rudaf Park