Book a flight to Taif with Qatar Airways

If you are good with heights, your trip to Taif ought to take in a visit to the Al Shafa Mountains. At 2,500 metres above sea level, this is a popular spot for picnickers in search of refreshing breezes and breathtaking views. You’ll also find the small farming village of Al Shafa, where you can hire a camel if the walk seems a little too much for you.

Shubra Palace was once home to King Abdul Aziz ibn Abdul Rahman Al Saud, founder and first king of Saudi Arabia. The building represents one of the last remnants of old Taif, with latticework windows and an interior decorated with beautiful Italian marble. It has 155 rooms to explore in its more recent role as one of the most important museums in the kingdom.

King Fahd’s Garden is another green haven, surrounding a lagoon fed by a manmade waterfall. The nearby eateries make it all too easy to spend a peaceful day here.

As a mountain-top city, Taif is a natural draw for regional and foreign mountaineers. Neighbouring summits that pose a challenge include Al-Hada, Bani Saad, Banu Thaqif and Bani Malik. However, if scaling rugged peaks sounds a little too strenuous, you can always catch the view by taking the Al-Hada cable-car. There’s even a restaurant at the top.

Arabian horses are widely recognised as among the best in the world and Taif’s Al-Hawiyah Road race track is the perfect showcase for the regional stock. There are meetings throughout the year with high-stake prizes, such as luxury cars, for breeders and trainers.

If you are travelling to Taif with children, then Taif Zoo is highly recommended. Luxurious surroundings and well-maintained gardens are a welcome addition to the generous roster of exotic creatures, which includes monkeys, reptiles, elephants and tigers.

Taif’s cuisine offers dishes from India, East Asia and Central Africa. The combined effect is aromatic, while meals can also be surprisingly simple. To get a proper taste of Taif, hunt down a traditional restaurant or a street vendor.

You can find anything from traditional snacks, such as tirmis (salted lupine beans) to full-blown meals, such as kuzi (spit-roasted lamb, served on yoghurt that has been enriched with lamb fat, and served with fragrant rice or Arab bread).

If you’re a tea-lover, Taif is your wonderland. You can try anything from the musty, local brews to sweet mint tea and floral infusions.

The gate of old Taif now plays host to Souq al-Balad, one of the city’s most popular marketplaces. Among the network of stalls and shops, you can hunt down great bargains, such as pure rosewater, local honey, spices and even golden burqas. One part of the souq is dedicated to gold and it is here that you will find local craftsmen ready to haggle with you over a piece of intricate jewellery or a wedding crown.

However, if you prefer a more modern shopping environment, head to Shahar Street, famed for its high-end boutiques and a shopping mall that has everything you could want, including nationally and internationally branded goods.