Tucked away in the Shafa Mountain range not far from Mecca, Taif offers lively souks, striking architecture and beautiful surrounding scenery. The soft scent of roses fills the air as you walk its wide tree-lined streets, carried from the rose and fruit orchards that dot the nearby landscape and giving Taif its ‘City of Rose’ name. It's a hidden gem and one of those unusual destinations you should add to your bucket list.
The imposing Hejaz mountains give this ancient city a dramatic backdrop, and are also popular with hikers and walkers. In April the city is filled with the scent of roses, as the blooms burst into life. If you don't want to use up all your energy walking up the mountain trails, take the newly opened cable car that whisks you to the top, providing you with some amazing views along the way.
