Abha
Saudi Arabia · Asia
About Abha
Abha (Arabic: أَبْهَا, ʾAbhā) is the capital of Asir Province in Saudi Arabia. It is situated 2,270 metres (7,450 feet) above sea level in the fertile Asir Mountains of south-western Saudi Arabia, near Asir National Park. Abha's mild climate makes it a popular tourist destination for Saudis. Saudis also call the city the Bride of Mountain due to its position above the sea.
Abha was the capital city for the Prince of Asir Ibn Ayde under the authority of the Ottoman Empire until World War I. In 1918, the Prince of Asir, Yahya bin Hasun Al Ayde, grandson of Ibn Ayed, returned to his family throne conquered in Abha with complete independence. In 1920, Asir was conquered by the Ikhwan tribesmen of Nejd loyal to Ibn Saud during the Unification of Saudi Arabia. Abha has many historic places such as forts and other locations, thanks to the region's cultural heritage. Bani Shehr, Bani Amr, Bal-Ahmar, Bal-Asmar, Bal-Qarn, Shumran and some others belong to Al-Azd and some extended families, such as Qahtan, and Shahran, which belong to Hood. Azdi tribes had migrated after Marib Dam collapsed for the third time in the third century AD.
Al-Namas, Billasmar Region, Hawra Billasmar...
Abha travel guide
Getting there
By plane There are flights to Abha from Riyadh and Jeddah.
By road The drive to Abha from Khamis Mushayt can be very interesting, but as usual drive carefully. The road from Sharourah via Najran is hard to drive across, but interesting - up and down ribbon across the dunes, with an old version off to one side for many km. There were camel warning signs along it, but some were single hump silhouettes, others had 2 humps! You can also drive in from the west coast, with lots of winding roads, bypassing old washed out bridges, some picturesque villages, and more or from the north from Taif - a lot more twisty roads, and not as interesting as going to the coast. Neither trip offers much in the way of accommodations, so be prepared to camp out.
By bus The national bus company SAPTCO has multiple daily services from all major cities in Saudi Arabia. 1 Abha bus station is located just north of the city centre.
See
Lookout at Mt Sooda. Trip to Habala Hanging Village - couple of hours. Trip to Turkish Fort - also couple of hours - fabulous views down a valley towards Yemen. Many older houses are made of mud brick, with slates sticking out to fend off the water. Many nests in bushes of weaver birds. Most hotels will put on tours if enough people are interested. Try driving down the road from near Jabal Sawda, 'Monkey Road' heading to Mohayil, or the road to Taif over the mountain range.
Do
The cable car. Climb up Jabal Sawda. Try to visit the airbase.
Buy
Buy traditional Asir clothes from a museum and traditional 'silver' ware in the Khamis sook. Eat Kabsa.
Go next
Najran — well worth a visit, especially for the old Governor's Palace in mud brick.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.