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Aparthotels & serviced apartments in Taif

21 stays · 21 aparthotels and 0 serviced apartments

Taif sits at 1,879 metres in a raised valley ringed by the Hejaz Mountains, and that altitude keeps it far milder in summer than Jeddah, Mecca or Riyadh, which is why it is often called the unofficial summer capital of Saudi Arabia. Families tend to arrive for weeks rather than days, so aparthotels and serviced apartments in Taif make practical sense: separate bedrooms, a living area and a kitchen suit larger groups and longer summer stays far better than a single hotel room.

21 stays

Where to stay in Taif

Central Taif and the old town

  • first-time visitors
  • markets
  • walking

The historic core is marked by Bab Al Rea, a triple-arched gate to the old city, and the souk area around Bab Alhazm, where handicrafts and souvenirs are sold. Al Balad Market nearby is one of the largest commercial markets in the city, with clothing, fabrics, perfume and jewellery, and many sights in the centre are within walking distance of each other.

Stays in or near Central Taif and the old town

Shubra

  • museums
  • shopping
  • central base

This district takes its name from Shubra Palace, built around 1900, used as Ibn Saud's lodging in the 1930s and now the regional museum of Taif. Wikivoyage describes Taif's Heart Mall, the largest mall in Taif, as being in the city centre, making this a convenient base for errands and sightseeing alike.

Stays in or near Shubra

Al Faisaliyah

  • onward travel
  • coach connections

Al Faisaliyah is home to the SAPTCO station, which Wikivoyage lists for onward bus travel within Saudi Arabia, including the three-hour coach service to Jeddah. It suits travellers who plan day trips or onward journeys by coach and want to stay close to the station.

Stays in or near Al Faisaliyah

Al Hawiyah

  • university visits
  • business travel

Al Hawiyah is where Taif University has its main campus; the university has four campuses across the Taif Governorate. Taif International Airport is 30 km east of Taif, so check the transfer route if you have early flights.

Stays in or near Al Hawiyah

Al Hada

  • mountain views
  • families
  • summer stays

Al Hada is a mountain resort area on Highway 15, known locally as the Taif – Al-Hada Road, which arrives from Mecca and bends around the mountains through Al Hada. Visit Saudi promotes the Al Hada cable car, and Wikivoyage lists the Green Mountain Resort, a children's theme park, on Alhada Road.

Al Shafa

  • cooler climate
  • fruit gardens
  • scenery

Al Shafa is a small mountain village at 2,200–2,500 metres. Wikipedia describes it as rich in agricultural products and home to Taif's fruit gardens, with Jabal Dakka in view, and says camel rides are available.

Getting around Taif

Taif International Airport is 30 km east of the city. Wikivoyage puts the flight from Jeddah at under 45 minutes and from Riyadh at under 90 minutes. There is no railway to Taif, so the airport transfer is by taxi, ride-hailing app or rental car, and Uber operates in the city, including pickups at the airport.

By road, Highway 15 links Taif with Mecca, and Wikivoyage says most people drive to Taif from Jeddah: about two hours or a little more via Highway 40 and Highway 15, or about three hours on the alternative route that joins Highway 15 by route 298. SAPTCO runs intercity coaches between Jeddah and Taif, taking around three hours depending on traffic.

Taif covers about 800 square kilometres of mountainous terrain, and Wikivoyage calls a car the best way to get around quickly. In the centre, a lot of attractions are within walking distance, and Uber is an alternative to driving.

Living in Taif for longer

For a longer stay, the central shopping malls, including Taif's Heart Mall and Jouri Mall, cover everyday shopping, while Al Balad Market and the old souk at Bab Alhazm are the places for fabrics, perfume and local crafts. Rose oil from Taif's plantations is a well-regarded gift, according to Wikivoyage.

Green space is a strength: King Abdullah Park, opened in 2013, covers some 150,000 square metres, Al Rudaf Park in the south of the city has a large lake among granite outcrops, and Saiysad National Park has forests and rivers, a rarity in Saudi Arabia, according to Wikivoyage.

When to visit Taif

Taif has a hot desert climate, but its altitude makes summer far more comfortable than elsewhere in the kingdom, and winters are mild. Rainfall is low but falls in every month, with more in spring and late autumn. Wikipedia says it is much cooler in summer than the rest of Saudi Arabia, particularly Riyadh.

Spring is rose season. According to UNESCO, which added the cultural practices related to Taif roses to its intangible heritage list in 2024, the harvest begins in March and lasts 35 to 45 days, with blooms picked early in the morning for market or distillation. The Taif Rose Festival is held in spring, with recent editions starting in April, and the Souk Okaz festival, at the historic market site 40 km north of the city, has featured in the Taif Season programme.

Mountain resort villages such as Al Hada and Al Shafa lie in the Hejaz Mountains around the city. Choosing a base comes down to whether you want the shops and markets of the centre or cooler air and views up in the hills. For the coast below, see Jeddah; for another highland city, Abha.

Long-stay tips for Taif

Of the 21 properties here, 7 offer an in-apartment washing machine, 1 list a laptop-friendly workspace, 10 include some form of housekeeping and 20 have a 24-hour front desk. Each property page has a facts box, so you can compare apartments before you book.

13 properties list a full kitchen and 8 only a kitchenette, so check the room type if you plan to cook more than simple meals.

Where room sizes are published, the median apartment here is 60 m².

Moving for work? Our guide to serviced apartments for relocation explains what to look for.

Other cities in Saudi Arabia

Comparing destinations? See aparthotels in Riyadh, Jeddah, Madinah, Al Khobar, Dammam, Abha, Tabuk and Buraydah.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best area to stay in Taif?

Central Taif and Shubra are the most convenient for markets, malls and museums. For cooler air and mountain views, look at Al Hada or Al Shafa, though Wikivoyage calls a car the best way to get around the area.

How far is Taif airport from the city?

Taif International Airport is 30 km east of Taif. With no rail link, transfers are by taxi, Uber or rental car.

How do I get from Jeddah to Taif?

Most people drive, which Wikivoyage puts at about two hours or a little more via Highway 40 and Highway 15, or about three hours on the alternative route 298. A SAPTCO coach takes around three hours, and flights from Jeddah take under 45 minutes.

When is the best time to visit Taif?

Summer is popular because Taif stays much cooler than the rest of Saudi Arabia, while spring brings the rose harvest from March and the Taif Rose Festival.

Do I need a car in Taif?

It helps. Wikivoyage calls a car the best way to get around Taif quickly, given its mountainous geography and large area, though the centre is walkable.

How many aparthotels are there in Taif?

We currently list 21 aparthotel and serviced apartment properties in Taif.

Do aparthotels in Taif have kitchens?

21 of the 21 properties we list have a kitchen or kitchenette in at least one apartment type.

Which aparthotels in Taif have a washing machine?

7 properties list an in-apartment washing machine. Use the facts box on each property page to check.

Sources

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