Built in 1858 and rebuilt/expanded into its current form in 1905, the palace was later used by the Saudi royal family until 1995, when it was turned into a heritage museum. It's the marquis attraction in this city with a moderate climate and lovely natural surroundings due to its location on the slopes of the southwestern Hijaz mountains (and reachable in just over an hour from Mecca and an eight-hour drive or 2½ flight from Riyadh). Taif has a history stretching back to at least the 6th century. The area is an agricultural breadbasket (and known for its roses), and the city is a popular destination for visitors looking to get away from the scorching heat of the kingdom´s larger cities, and there are a number of appealing nearby mountain resorts.
Read more in Tripatini contributor Muminah Tannous´s post Saudi Arabia´s Top 9 Destinations.
Comments