Abha Voyage Tips and guide

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Abha is a city in Saudi Arabia. The capital of Asir province, its high altitude makes it a popular summer getaway for Saudis.

There are flights to Abha from Riyadh and Jeddah.

The drive to Abha from Khamis Mushayt can be very interesting, but as usual drive carefully. The road from Sharourah via Najran is hard to drive across, but interesting - up and down ribbon across the dunes, with an old version off to one side for many km. There were camel warning signs along it, but some were single hump silhouettes, others had 2 humps!

You can also drive in from the west coast, with lots of winding roads, bypassing old washed out bridges, some picturesque villages, and more or from the north from Taif - a lot more twisty roads, and not as interesting as going to the coast. Neither trip offers much in the way of accommodations, so be prepared to camp out.

The national bus company SAPTCO has multiple daily services from all major cities in Saudi Arabia. 18.23426742.501251 Abha bus station is located just north of the city centre.

Lookout at Mt Sooda. Trip to Habala Hanging Village - couple of hours. Trip to Turkish Fort - also couple of hours - fabulous views down a valley towards Yemen. Many older houses are made of mud brick, with slates sticking out to fend off the water. Many nests in bushes of weaver birds. Most hotels will put on tours if enough people are interested.

Try driving down the road from near Jabal Sawda, 'Monkey Road' heading to Mohayil, or the road to Taif over the mountain range.

The cable car. Climb up Jabal Sawda. Try to visit the airbase.

Buy traditional Asir clothes from a museum and traditional 'silver' ware in the Khamis sook.

Eat Kabsa.

• 18.21024342.4834731 Abha Palace Hotel (فندق قصر أبها). (updated Sep 2017)

• Najran — well worth a visit, especially for the old Governor's Palace in mud brick.