City in Asir Province, Saudi Arabia
Abha
Cool, green Asir highland city at about 2,200 m, with mountain views, cable-car viewpoints and painted villages. A calm Saudi domestic-holiday town: no nightlife, no alcohol, limited English and public transport.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$2,130–3,470Comfortable, one person · SR8,000–13,000Details
- Value for money18/100Better value than 17% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goApr–Jun, Sep–OctWarmest: Jun, 30°CDetails
- Internet168 MbpsFixed broadband, Saudi Arabia medianDetails
- Tap waterFilter or boilTreated, but almost everyone drinks bottled or filtered water; building tanks vary.Details
- LGBTQ+1/5DangerousDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: limitedDetails
- Doctor's visit$40–107Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundCareemYou'll need transportDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereContactless works in most shops and cafés; keep some cash for villages, small markets and mountain stalls.Details
Where to stay in Abha
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Central Abha (Al Muftaha, Al Sudah road) | Hotels, restaurants, arts village and shops |
| Al Soudah and Al Shaf | Mountain-top resorts, cool air, hiking |
| Khamis Mushait | Cheaper long stays and big shops, 30 km east |
Apps that work in Abha
Ride-hailing
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Careem | Works in Abha; fewer cars than in big cities |
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| HungerStation | Broadest restaurant choice |
| Jahez | Good local coverage |
| Keeta | Newer, strong promos |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Nusuk: Muslims: Umrah and Rawdah visit permits
- Taxis: Apps are patchier than in Riyadh; hotels can book trusted drivers. Taxis rarely use meters, so agree the fare first.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Saudi Arabia.
- Cards almost everywhere Contactless works in most shops and cafés; keep some cash for villages, small markets and mountain stalls.
- Currency: Rial (SAR). US$1 ≈ SR3.75 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: ATMs are plentiful; foreign-card fees vary by bank. Decline conversion to your home currency.
- Tipping: Not expected but appreciated: around 10% in restaurants, round up taxis, small tips for delivery riders and porters.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work at almost all contactless (mada) terminals.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Apply online at ksavisa.sa: tourist eVisa, ETA or visa waiver depending on passport; some nationalities get visas on arrival.
- The tourist eVisa fee includes mandatory medical insurance.
- Passport must be valid six months; previous travel to Israel may lead to refusal.
Emergency numbers
Police 999 · Ambulance 997 · Fire 998 · All emergencies 911
Plugs
Type G · 230 V, 60 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
stc, Mobily and Zain counters at airports and malls; passport and fingerprint registration required for a physical SIM. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Saudi Arabia
Going to Abha solo?
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Sources
- Saudi unified visa platform
- Visit Saudi
- Abha International Airport (Matarat)
- Saudi German Hospital Aseer
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.