Updated · Saudi Arabia Taxi Services
What is Rijal Alma?
Rijal Alma is a village of colourful stone tower houses west of Abha, with a museum. It is a heritage visit you can make at any time of year, and most people spend about 2 h 30 min there.
The village is about 45 km from Abha by road, so it makes a relaxed half-day trip or the morning part of a longer day. Museum opening hours and any entry charges can change, so check with Visit Saudi or the venue before you go.
How do you get to Rijal Alma from Abha?
By car. The road descends the escarpment from the highlands, with bends that drivers take steadily. Fog can form on the mountain roads around Abha, so allow extra time, and tell us when you book if anyone in your group gets car-sick; we plan breaks.
If you are flying in, Abha Airport (AHB) to Rijal Alma is 72 km, about 1 h 5 min, from SAR 130 one way. Your driver meets you at the arrivals exit, opposite the taxi rank; our Abha Airport guide covers arrivals.
When is the best time to visit Rijal Alma?
Rijal Alma is a year-round visit. Morning light is best for photos of the tower houses, so leave Abha early.
Summer, roughly June to September, is Abha's busy season, when visitors come for the cool highland air, so book your driver early for those months. The village lies below the escarpment and can feel warmer than Abha, so wear layers you can take off.
A sample day: Rijal Alma, then Abha after dark
Book the morning as a return trip from SAR 320 and the evening as a 3-hour booking from SAR 240, or take single rides in Abha from SAR 60 each.
- Early morning: leave Abha and drive down the escarpment.
- Morning: the tower houses and the museum, about 2 h 30 min.
- Afternoon: back up to Abha for lunch and a rest.
- Early evening: Al Muftaha Art Village, a restored quarter of artists' studios and galleries in central Abha, about 1 h.
- After dark: dinner on the Green Mountain, a hill above Abha lit green at night, with cafés and city views. Weekend evenings are busy.
How does Rijal Alma compare with other trips from Abha?
Al Soudah and Habala are covered in our Abha and Al Soudah summer trip guide, and the Asir mountain road trip links them into a longer route. Prices are per car in an economy sedan with the driver waiting.
| Place | From Abha | Typical visit | Return, driver waits | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rijal Alma | 45 km | 2 h 30 min | SAR 320 | Morning light for photos |
| Al Soudah | 25 km | 3 h | SAR 320 | Fog often rolls in by the afternoon |
| Habala Village | 60 km | 2 h 30 min | SAR 400 | Check the cable car is running |
Which vehicle should you book?
Fares are per car, fixed before the day, and include fuel, the driver and a trip of about 4 hours. Museum entry is not included.
| Vehicle | Passengers | Rijal Alma return |
|---|---|---|
| Economy sedan | Up to 3 | SAR 320 |
| Comfort MPV | 4 to 6 | SAR 480 |
| SUV | Up to 7 | SAR 720 |
| Family van | Up to 11 | SAR 600 |
Tips for your visit
- Wear comfortable shoes; you explore the village on foot.
- Bring water and sun protection.
- Modest clothing is expected, as anywhere in Saudi Arabia.
- Take your time on the descent and the climb back, and ask the driver to stop for photos only where it is safe.
- For other ways around the city, see getting around Abha.