Car & Van Hire - Taif

Taif is known as the City of Roses, and it's not just a metaphor. You'll find these beautiful flowers blooming in and around the city, creating a stunning backdrop to your explorations. To see the damask roses at their best, visit Taif in February or March. The rose fields are bursting with colour in these months, with over 300 million flowers grown in the area around the city. Taif's roses are harvested for their oil, which in turn is made into luxury products, including perfumes and soaps. You can even take a guided tour of one of the city's rose factories to learn more about this industry.

Due to the beauty of the surrounding area, Taif has long been a favourite spot for Saudi royalty. You can see Shubra Palace, which was the king's summer residence until 1995. Today, it is a heritage museum. Other traditional sights include the Taif Souq, the historical market where you can find souvenirs. Don't be afraid to haggle for your handicrafts and artisan honey - the vendors here expect it!

If you're travelling with the family - or if you're still a big kid at heart - you might also want to pay a visit to Green Mountain Park, a theme park. This is found right in the city centre and has a rollercoaster and 9D movies. Pay attention to the opening hours, which are designed for Saudi Arabia's stiflingly hot climate and may seem strange to visitors from other countries. The park is closed in the mornings, opening from 14:00 to 03:00. If you've ever wanted to ride a rollercoaster in the middle of the night, now's your chance!

Car hire in Taif is a great way to get around, as there are many wonderful day trips from the city. For a scenic drive, head up Al Hada Mountain. This rocky peak has a wide road zig-zagging up it, with beautiful views beyond. You can see the full mountain range, the pink rose fields and wild, seemingly untouched open spaces.

Another option for a drive outside the city is Al Shafa Mountain, the highest peak in the region. There is a road all the way to the top. Some visitors just come for the views or a picnic, while others stay a bit longer, enjoying one of the spas on the mountain. With car or van hire in Taif, you can also head to the Al-Wahba Crater. This is a jaw-dropping sight, approximately 250 km from the city centre. Stand on the rim of the crater staring down, and you'll find yourself lost for words.

Taif does not have as much traffic as some other cities in Saudi Arabia. Most parking spaces must be paid for. You can usually do this with cash, a card or via an app or other form of mobile payment. While on-street parking can often be found, it's best to look for a covered car park. Taif is cooler than some other cities in the country, but this is relative. Temperatures here are extremely hot between May and September, and getting into a car that has been parked in direct sunlight can feel like torture.

Pay close attention to driving regulations. Women can now legally drive in Saudi Arabia, though they are still a fairly uncommon sight on the roads. In cities, the speed limit is 45 km/h. Elsewhere, it varies between 80 and 120 km/h. You can expect to find speed cameras and radars monitoring you almost everywhere you go. The traffic police here are very active, and they take their job seriously. A fine in Saudi Arabia is no laughing matter, as they are often far more expensive than in other countries. To avoid ruining your holiday, stick to the rules of the road.

Driving on Al Hada Mountain is easier than you might anticipate. There is a dual carriageway for much of the journey, and although the road has plenty of bends, they are fairly gentle. You'll find plenty of stops along the way where you can park your car and get out to admire the views. Watch out for the baboons, though. These wild primates may seem cute and playful, but they can turn aggressive very quickly, particularly if their babies are nearby. Feel free to admire them from a distance, but don't get too close.

Other mountains in the area have less sophisticated roads. You will not need a 4WD to visit Al Shafa Mountain or the Al-Wahba Crater, but you will need to stay attentive to the twists and turns of the roads.

Taif is quite close to Mecca, and it's best to avoid any roads leading to the holy city during the Hajj. You are likely to encounter traffic on a scale you've never seen before!

There are no tolls in Saudi Arabia, and the highways are generally very well-maintained. Petrol stations are usually easy to find and are open 24 hours a day.