Tourism in Abha relies on several natural, cultural, historical, and heritage elements. It is one of the active tourist cities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Abha won the title of Arab Tourism Capital in 2017, because of its diverse environment and moderate climate, due to its location atop the Sarawat Mountains at an elevation of about 2,200 m above sea level.
Location and importance of Abha City
Abha City is located in Aseer Province in the southwest of the Kingdom. Aseer Province is characterized by widespread vegetation cover, containing 80 percent of the Kingdom's forests. Abha is one of the Kingdom's agricultural and tourist cities, hosting the largest farm of Taif roses in the Kingdom, producing more than forty million roses.
During the summer season, tourist bus trips depart from the city under the supervision of the Tourism Development Council, taking tourists on tours of the city's most important landmarks, in addition to its archaeological, heritage, and cultural sites.
Tourist landmarks in Abha City
Abha City and its affiliated centers like as-Sudah are among the prominent summer resorts in the Kingdom. It includes several notable tourist attractions, such as Mount Dhara, known as the Green Mountain, as-Sudah Mountains, al-Sahab Park, Abha Dam, al-Dabbab Walkway or the Fog Walkway, also known as al-Dabbab Corniche, al-Rawdah Walkway and its garden, Airport Park, and the gardens of Sama Abha. Additionally, there are cable car trips that depart from the New Abha Station on the Dam Lake towards the second station at the Green Mountain, then to Abu Kheyal Park. There is also another station that departs from as-Sudah Mountains at an altitude of approximately 3,015 m towards Rijal Alma.
Residents and visitors use Abha International Airport, located east of Abha City on the border with Khamis Mushayt Governorate, which has a capacity of about 1.5 million passengers annually.
Programs and events in Abha City
Abha City hosts a variety of entertainment, cultural, and social programs and events. Key events include the annual Abha Shopping Festival, the Grape and Seasonal Fruits Festival, Abha Brings Us Together Festival, which features captivating light and sound shows on Abha Dam, Abha Summer Festival, and as-Sudah Tourism Festival.
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