Essentials
- City
- Taif, Makkah Province, Saudi Arabia
- Population
- Approximately 700,000
- Internet Speed
- Fiber optics available; average 95 Mbps (STC 5G frequently reaches 300+ Mbps)
- Currency & Banking
- Saudi Riyal (SAR); 1 USD ≈ 3.75 SAR (fixed peg)
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; use bottled water (e.g., Nova or Berain, approx. 2 SAR per 500ml)
- Power
- 230V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type G sockets (UK style)
- SIM Card
- STC (Sawa), Mobily, and Zain; available at Taif International Airport (approx. 100 SAR for 20GB)
- Banking for Expats
- Al Rajhi Bank, SNB (AlAhli), and digital banks like STC Pay or Urpay
- Accommodation
- Furnished apartments (Haraj or Gathern) and luxury hotels like InterContinental Taif
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, Mada (local debit), Apple Pay, and Visa/Mastercard accepted almost everywhere
- Short Term Rentals
- Gathern (local Airbnb equivalent) and Booking.com
- Budget Accommodation
- Obeikan Star Hotel or various 'Furnished Units' in Al Ruqyee (approx. 150-250 SAR/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Al Shafa or Al Hada for mountain views and cooler climate
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Sadaq or Al Khalidiyyah for proximity to cafes, gyms, and reliable fiber internet
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- WorkHub (Abu Bakr Road) - Approx. 80 SAR/day
- Best Cafe for Work
- Overdose Coffee or Barn's X (Abu Bakr As Siddiq St) - High-speed Wi-Fi and power outlets
- Networking Events
- Taif Chamber of Commerce business forums; occasional tech meetups at Taif University
- Social Events for Expats
- InterContinental Taif social nights and private compound gatherings in Al Hawiyah
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber and Careem (most reliable); Kaiian is a local alternative
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Limited; mostly available for leisure in Arruddaf Park (approx. 30 SAR/hour)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Jeddah Corniche (approx. 170 km / 2 hours drive via the scenic Al Hada road)
- Top Regional Airline
- flynas and flyadeal
- Top International Airline
- Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines)
- Highway Access
- Route 15 (Taif-Makkah Highway) and Route 40 (Taif-Riyadh)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No train station in Taif; SAPTCO VIP Bus Terminal is the main hub for intercity travel
- Public Transport Passes
- No local city pass; SAPTCO buses use per-trip tickets (approx. 3-5 SAR)
- Regional Travel
- SAPTCO VIP buses to Jeddah/Makkah or domestic flights to Riyadh/Dammam
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Al Hada Military Hospital or King Abdulaziz Specialist Hospital
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- NuYu (Female only) and various wellness spas in Al Hada resorts
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Fitness Time (Pro and Junior branches) - approx. 2,400 SAR/year
- Laundry Services
- Al-Jabr Laundry (chains throughout the city) - approx. 5-10 SAR per item
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- HungerStation, Jahez, and ToYou
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Saleeg Taifi (creamy rice with meat) - Try 'Matam al-Safi'
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Boga Super Foods (Salads/Sandwiches) or Moon Shell (Plant-based)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Saadeddin Pastries or Aani & Dani (Al Shifa Road)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Taif Central Market (Souq Al Balad) and Lulu Hypermarket
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.sa and Noon.com
- Grocery Delivery
- Nana or Panda Click
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- No alcohol/bars available; nightlife revolves around late-night cafes in Al Shafa mountains
- Local Brewery
- Non-alcoholic beer only; Barbican or Moussy available at all supermarkets
- Wine Bars
- Strictly prohibited; high-end hotels serve sophisticated 'Saudi Champagne' (fruit juice and soda)
- Street Food Stalls
- Taif Rose Festival stalls and Balad area for Mutabbaq and Samosas
- Popular International Cuisine
- The Cheesecake Factory (Obeikan Mall) or Casper & Gambini's
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Shubra Palace and the Taif Rose Factories (Bin Salman Distillery)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Al Sharif Museum (Private heritage collection) - Entry approx. 20 SAR
- Historical Sites
- Okaz Souq (Ancient pre-Islamic market site)
- Religious Sites
- Addas Mosque and Abdullah Ibn Abbas Mosque
- Annual Events
- Taif Rose Festival (April) and Crown Prince Camel Festival (August)
- Cultural Districts
- Al-Balad (Old Town Taif)
- Theater Venues
- Souq Okaz Theater (during festivals)
- Local Markets
- Souq Al-Balad for honey, roses, and spices
- Music Scene
- Traditional 'Ardah' dances and live music during 'Taif Season' festivals
- Street Art
- Modern murals in the heart of the city near the pedestrian zones
- Cooking Classes
- Occasional workshops at the Saudi Culinary Arts Commission events
- Art Galleries
- Saudi Arts Council seasonal exhibitions
- Historic Buildings
- Beit Kaki and Shubra Palace
- Local Heritage
- Taif Rose (Ward Taifi) perfume and honey production
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Al Shafa Mountains (Hiking and viewpoints)
- National Parks Nearby
- Saiysad National Park (Camping and trekking)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Arruddaf Park walking track (over 4km loop)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Al Hada Cable Car (Teleferic) - approx. 100 SAR round trip
- Birdwatching Locations
- Wadi Mitna and the rural outskirts of Al Shafa
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated desert camping spots in Al-Hawiyah (permit may be required)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Aramex, SMSA Express, and DHL
- Tech Repair Services
- Jarir Bookstore or the mobile market on Khalid bin al-Walid St
- Table Tennis Spots
- Fitness Time gyms or various youth social clubs
- Language Classes
- Berlitz or Wall Street English (mostly for Arabic speakers learning English)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Taif Public Library and King Abdulaziz Library
- Community Centers
- Taif Literary Cultural Club
- Gaming Lounges
- Challenge Zone (PC and Console gaming)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Prohibited in Saudi Arabia
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 4,500 SAR per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 180,000 SAR)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 3,200 SAR per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 128,000 SAR)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 4,200 SAR per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 252,000 SAR)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 3,000 SAR per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 180,000 SAR)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 4,000 SAR per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 320,000 SAR)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 2,800 SAR per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 224,000 SAR)
- Corporate Tax
- 20% (for foreign investors); Zakat at 2.5% for Saudi/GCC nationals
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 5%
- Tax System
- No personal income tax for employees; Zakat for nationals
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 0% (No personal income tax)
- VAT
- 15%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC rules, but transfer pricing regulations apply
- Property Tax
- No annual property tax; 'White Land Tax' applies only to undeveloped urban plots
- Property Transaction Tax
- 5% Real Estate Transaction Tax (RETT)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Saudi Premium Residency (SAPC) offers long-term options, but no specific 'Digital Nomad' tax break beyond 0% income tax