Car & Van Hire - Abha

Sitting high above the Red Sea, Abha is one of Saudi Arabia's tourist hotspots. The city is known for its history and nature, with plenty of spots where you can enjoy stunning views across the mountains. It attracts visitors for most of the year. However, it's not worth visiting in winter - most of the tourist attractions are closed, and the chilly nights can make things decidedly uncomfortable.

Most of Abha's top attractions take advantage of the city's high altitude. If you're scared of heights, it's best to avoid the Fog Walkway at the Joy Venue. This is the most iconic restaurant in the city, where you can enjoy a traditional meal high in the clouds. You'll sit on an outdoor terrace, and the floor and walls are transparent, giving you an unobstructed view of the surrounding clouds. Even the tables and chairs are see-through! It's a great spot for photos or just to enjoy a meal in a remarkable setting.

The Green Mountain is one of the main attractions in the city. Choose whether you'd rather visit by day or by evening - either way, you'll enjoy stunning views over the city. When night falls, Abha is lit up with a carpet of twinkling lights, which is a spectacular sight. To get to the top of the Green Mountain, you'll need to take a cable car ride. It takes about 20 minutes, giving you plenty of time to admire the views on the way up.

You can use car hire in Abha to get around the local area. One unmissable sight is Jabal Sawda, the highest point in Saudi Arabia. Around 3,000 metres above sea level, this huge mountain is just 20 km from the city centre. The peak is usually shrouded in fog and drizzle, but it's still worth exploring. Take care on the trails! You'll see some local Bedouin people leaping around the rocks without a care in the world, but don't be tempted to join in - leave that for the experts. For a very special night, try staying in a hotel high on the mountain.

With car or van hire in Abha, you can also visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Rijal Alma'a, a well-preserved historic village. Dating back over 900 years, this site has more than 60 buildings, including old fortresses. You can stroll through the mud and stone buildings, some of which are eight storeys high, and admire the colourful mats and intriguing inscriptions.

Abha is a popular tourist destination, so you are more likely to find traffic during the weekend. Remember that in Saudi Arabia, the weekend runs from Friday to Saturday.

When driving in Saudi Arabia, pay close attention to speed limits. This is a country that takes rule-breaking very seriously. You'll notice speed cameras and radars almost everywhere, and traffic police are constantly on the job. To make things trickier, speed limits are listed in Arabic. If you can, try to familiarise yourself with the Arabic numbers. If not, here's a general guide: the limits are usually 50 km/h in built-up areas, 70 km/h on urban freeways and 120 km/h on highways.

You will also find far more speed bumps in Saudi Arabia than in most countries, often unmarked. Keep an eye out for them. As long as you remain within the speed limit, you should be okay. Remember that fines in Saudi Arabia are significantly higher than they are elsewhere.

When driving in the mountains near Abha, you are likely to see baboons. These animals can look cute from a distance but don't get too close. Even if you see other travellers feeding them, it's best not to join in. Baboons can be extremely aggressive, especially if they are in a group with their offspring. They are unpredictable animals and can attack without warning. If you are getting out of the car to take photos, close the doors behind you. This is far easier than trying to shoo a curious monkey out of your vehicle!

The mountain roads near Abha feature a lot of twists and turns. A 4WD is not strictly necessary, but it can be a good idea if you are planning a longer cross-Saudi road trip, as you will sometimes have sand storms and dirt roads to tackle. If you do get caught in a sandstorm, it's best to pull over and wait for visibility to return to normal.

Abha is close to the border with Yemen. Due to ongoing conflict in the region, this should not be crossed. You are unlikely to stumble across the border by accident, as crossings are heavily patrolled. In general, it is best to avoid heading too far south of the city. There have been some border skirmishes in the area, though they never reach the city of Abha itself.