Cheap Flights to Abha Jazeera Airways Tickets

Discover Abha

The capital city of Saudi Arabia’s ‘Asir region, Abha is a destination that’s popular for its proximity to the Asir Mountains and the Asir National Park. The mild climate makes it a favourite location for Saudi visitors and now the city is opening up to international tourists, making it an exciting and truly ‘off the tourist trail’ destination.

Home to over 1 million people, it’s also famous for being the highest large city in the Kingdom and sits at over 2,200m above sea level. That elevation creates a milder climate compared to the rest of the country, with daily temperatures ranging from a cool 15° up to a maximum of around 35°C, and not one but two short ‘rainy seasons’ running from March to May and again in July and August. This increased rainfall level means that the entire region is incredibly lush and green. The city has been populated since Roman times, and is filled with the influences of different cultures including the Ottoman Empire.

Today, it’s a thriving city full of cultural centres, cafés and historic attractions, making it an attractive destination for visitors who want to discover more about this part of the Kingdom. It’s a warm, welcoming and friendly city, with a relaxed atmosphere and thriving economy. At Jazeera Airways, we love introducing our adventure travellers to new and exciting destinations, and our package tours to Abha will take you to a city that makes a perfect base for exploring the lush mountains and natural wonders of this part of the Kingdom.

Jebel Al-Akhdar - The Green Mountain

Abha is surrounded by spectacular scenery, and nowhere is more enchanting than Jebel Al-Akhdar, or The Green Mountain. Reaching up to 2340m, it gives visitors one of the best panoramic views of the city as well as the Sarawat Mountain range in the far distance. A small café sits at the top of the mountain, and with a road winding its way to the top, it’s easy to access even for less able visitors. Another way to visit this attraction is to take one of the cable cars that run to the top of the mountain.

Al-Basta

For a glimpse into the historic side of Abha, the ancient village of Al-Basta is well worth a visit. It’s filled with traditional architecture, and small, winding streets and alleyways that lead towards the Ottoman Bridge, thought to be one of the oldest in the country. It’s the perfect place for a leisurely stroll on a cool afternoon.

Shamasan Fort

The Ottoman influence is strong in Abha, and the 16^th-century Shamasan Fort is a reminder of the Empire’s influence over this region. Overlooking the northern part of the city, the fort is 91m long and 25m wide with three huge circular towers. It’s an ideal spot for some atmospheric photos of the fort and the city below at sunset.

Shopping

Abha has plenty of modern shops and boutiques, but if you’re looking for regionally specific mementoes of your travels then head to the Khamis Souq, where you’ll find plenty of stores selling local silver jewellery. The Souq Al Thulatha or Tuesday Market is a traditional Arabic market filled with stalls selling jewellery, clothes and food. The aptly named ‘Art Street’ is the place to go for art lovers and anyone interested in photography. It’s filled with galleries selling work by local artists and photographers, as well as Saudi painters and international artists.

Food And Drink

Traditional Arabic food is full of flavour, combining a rich variety of spices to create complex ‘layers’ of tastes in what are seemingly simple rice and meat dishes. The national dish is Kasba, with brightly coloured orange rice flavoured with meat and vegetables. Each region has its own variation, and you’ll find the combination of spices different in every restaurant. The drink of choice is coffee (often flavoured with cardamom). For a cool and very refreshing alternative, try Laban, made from fermented milk.