Mountain viewpoints
Al Shafa road
Lookouts over the terraces and valleys of the Sarawat range.
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Taif, Saudi Arabia
Al Shafa
The high mountain area south of Taif, around 2,000–2,500 metres up, with terraced fruit farms, cool weather, viewpoints and roadside stalls selling fresh produce.
Favourite places
Fruit farms
Al Shafa villages
Terraced farms of pomegranates, grapes, figs and other fruit in season.
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Along the roads
Fresh fruit, honey and corn sold by the farmers.
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Local food
Taif pomegranates
Taif, Saudi Arabia
Taif is known across Saudi Arabia for its fruit grown in the mountain farms — pomegranates above all, plus grapes, figs and prickly pears in season. Roadside stalls sell them fresh and as juice.
Mountain honey
Taif, Saudi Arabia
Honey from the Sarawat mountains around Taif, including the dark sidr honey, sold in the souq and at mountain stalls.
Saleeg
Taif, Saudi Arabia
A Hejazi comfort dish: short-grain rice slow-cooked in chicken or lamb broth and milk until creamy, finished with ghee and served with the roasted meat on top. Popular across the Hejaz, especially in Taif and Jeddah.
Where to eat
Farm and roadside stalls
Al Shafa
Fresh fruit, honey and simple snacks.
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Al Shafa
Small restaurants serving mandi and grilled meats for day-trippers.
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Where to stay
Al Shafa
Taif, Saudi Arabia
Chalets and simple lodges among the mountain farms south of Taif — the coolest and quietest base, best with a car.
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Taif, Saudi Arabia
Hotels and apartments near the old souq and the main roads, practical for the museums and markets and for the drive to Al Hada and Al Shafa.
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Culture
A rural farming community: ask before entering farms or photographing people, and keep picnic sites clean.
History
Al Shafa is a farming area of old villages and stone terraces on the upper slopes of the Sarawat mountains. Its height gives it Taif's coolest climate, which has made it a summer escape and a place where fruit, honey and roses are grown.
Families from across western Saudi Arabia drive up in summer to picnic, camp and buy produce straight from the farms.
Tour plans
A day in Al Shafa
Full dayStep 1: Drive up in the morning
Leave Taif early to beat the crowds.
Step 2: Viewpoints
Stop at the lookouts over the terraces.
Step 3: Farm stalls
Buy fruit and honey from the farmers.
Step 4: Picnic lunch
Picnic or eat at a local restaurant before driving back.
Map
Travel information
Best time to visit
Summer (June–August) for cool air; spring for roses and green slopes. Weekends are busy.
How to get there
Al Shafa is about 25–30 km south of central Taif. Drive — the road climbs through the mountains with views along the way.
Getting around
By car between farms and viewpoints; walks on the terraces where farmers welcome visitors.
Travel tips
- Temperatures can drop sharply at night; bring a jacket.
- Fog and cloud can roll in quickly — drive slowly.
- Buy fruit and honey from the farmers' stalls in season.