© Dr. Hans-F. Loth
The Province of AL BAHAH is located roughly in the centre between the metropolitan region of Jeddah / Mecca / Taif in the west and the regional centre of Abha / Khamis Mushait in the south-west of the country, not far from the Yemeni border.
AL BAHAH is hardly considered the “hub of the world”, so the question arises as to why I consider this city and province of the same name worth mentioning in my blog. Well, there a few reasons for doing that.
Already its geographical proximity to Taif is an argument for “taking in” this area during a visit.
In addition, AL BAHAH, province and city, have long been a popular tourist destination among Saudis and citizens of neighbouring GCC states thanks to its pleasant temperatures and lush greenery. And that is exactly why it is now increasingly being discovered by tourists from countries outside the Arabian Peninsula as a worthwhile destination, for example for a short break. Nature lovers and ‘pure’ city tourists alike will find something to suit their interests. The Saudi government has now recognised this and is increasingly investing in tourism in the province of AL BAHAH.
Hence, so much here defies the clichéd image of Saudi Arabia – no desert, but forested mountains; no sweltering heat, but pleasant to cool temperatures; and the considerable distance from the centralised power in Riyadh, which is reflected in the lives of the Saudis who call this place home. In short, AL BAHAH is a worthwhile detour, allowing you to explore the city and province quite well in two to four days.
Geography
Mountainous area of Sarat and Tihāmah, the long strip of land along the coast of the Red Sea
Climate
Varying climate due to the different geography ranging from coastal areas to mountain ranges and highland plains
Airport
King Saud Bin Abdulaziz Airport (ABT) for domestic connections that can be reached from the city of Al Bahah in around 40 minutes
Religious life
Picturesque historical mosques built from local wood and worked rock having cylindrical minarets in a height between 10 to 12 meters
accommodation
There are mainly middle-class hotels in Al Bahah city and near Baljurashi, some of which are also somewhat older.
Amidst the mountains and valleys of the Shadah mountain formations south of the city of Al Bahah, a unique form of tourism is emerging: cave resorts. These take advantage of geological features.
Food & Drink
As with other regions in Saudi Arabia, the Province of Al Bahah has its own traditional cuisine.
Try the local Shadweya coffee (Shadwi). Its coffee beans (Coffea arabica) grow on bushes in mountainous areas with moderately cool weather. And also try Al Bahah’s characterful honey.








