Welcome to Al Bahah, a welcoming province in of Saudi Arabia, where the beauty of the landscape is matched only by the warmth of its people. Here, amidst the rolling hills and valleys, hospitality isn’t just a tradition—it’s a way of life.

From the moment I set foot in Al Bahah, I was embraced by the genuine kindness and generosity of its residents. Join me on a journey through Al Bahah, where the beauty of the land is resembles only by the warmth of its people.

Saudi Arabia Travel Guide
Riyadh
Tabuk
Asir Region
Jazan
Hejaz, including Jeddah
Sharqiah (Eastern Region)
Najran

Table of Contents

What you need to know about Al Bahah

The region includes Al-Baḥah City, Al-Mikhwah and Baljorashi.
The capital is Al-Bahah.
Baljorashi has a famous traditional market known as Sūq as-Sabt (Saturday Market)
Al Bahah as many meanings but it is commonly translated as the courtyard of the house.
Al-Baha National Airport receives flights from all cities of the Kingdom and is located in Aqiq Province 45 km (28 mi) from Al-Baha city itself.
The city is known for its healthy and nutritious traditional meals brought by local farming such as Daghābīs.

During the Founding Day of Saudi Arabia in February 2024, I had the opportunity to visit Al Bahah city and some parts of Al Bahah province. I took a flight via Saudia.

If you recommend me some places, give me a chat in any of my social media pages. I will try to visit them.

Al Bahah city is considered the capital of the Ghamdi and Zahrani tribes in Saudi Arabia, and most of its inhabitants are from the native tribes.

What to do

Rich nature and culture of Thee Ain Historical Village

The village dates back about 400 years, and it witnessed the battles between the Ottoman Turks and its inhabitants. The village was named after an ʿAyn (water spring) continuously flowing from the nearby mountains to several reservoirs and each particular pond has its own name.

We had a lunch under a shady tree with a view of the village waterfall. Something that’s in my Saudi bucketlist.

Thee Ain village welcomes visitors every day of the week from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Visitors can continue their journey to “Tuesday Market,” located 10 km from the village in the center of the Al-Makhwah Governorate. It is one of the largest local traditional markets that preserve its original landmarks.

Family Weekend at Raghadan Forest

This is work I actually celebrated the Founding Day. I wore their traditional thawb. Locals were taking photos and videos of me. I think, this way I am able to give back to them and show my appreciation to their community.

Raghadan Forest supplies you with a sense of adventure such as: thrilling and adventurous experience walking on a bridge hanging between fog and nature that overlooks Aqabat Al Baha and Raghadan Forest, plus you can try zipeline and other activities.

Every year, Raghadan Forest prepares itself to hold many musical and cultural events and festivals in summer, and is considered a favorite destination for families.

Experience a one-of-a-kind rural tourism with Al Baha caves

The locals have transformed abandoned mountain caves once inhabited by their ancestors in Jabal Shada Al-Asfal in Al-Makhwah Governorate into modern, fully-equipped accommodation with all modern amenities.

Here, I was able to get to know more my two tour guides, especially their childhood – Abu Fahad, a retired geologist from Aramco, and Abu Saad, a businessman. They both are mountaineers from their young age to date. Abu Fahad gave a brief about the history of the cave resort we visited and its owner.

Picnic in the Al Baha lakes and falls

End your day with the greenery and blues of Al Bahah. They are everywhere!

Other activities

Bin Raqoush Palace

Its construction dates back to 1834 and it was considered a complete residential system consisting of several family homes and guesthouses headed by the “Zahran” council.

Al-Zaytouna Farm

The farm includes more than 4,000 olive trees, in addition to three tanks for storing rainwater, a bird breeding garden, and a horse stud. The farm is open every day from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Tickets start from SAR 20 per person and children over 3 years old.

Where to stay

Albaha Domes

Imagine glamping with a view of the mountains. I did that here. Each dome costs SAR450 per night. The dome is a smart-room with simple yet elegant design.

Cloud City Hotel

If you are not a fan of this kind of accommodation, then try Cloud City Hotel. At SAR400 per night, you have a room and a breakfast.

Where to eat

Boulevard

If you are looking for a trendy place where young Saudis convene, this is the place! Just visiting this, there are a lot of restaurants to choose from.

Tawala

If you want some shisha, then this is for you. Plus, they serve hot drinks, perfect for Al Bahah’s weather, while you are chatting with your friends.

The Pan

It offers burgers and snacks. The restaurant has big servings.

Al Bahah is now one of my favorite provinces in Saudi Arabia. I really enjoyed the trip with the generosity of its people – Abu Fahad and Abu Saad are clear manifestation. Our trip did not stop there, a gift from them was a stop at the Ministry of Culture’s event. Would like to thank also Dr. Osama AlQahtani of Abha for connecting me with Abu Fahad. If interested to have them with you during your trips, let me know so I can connect them with you.

During my journey, a profound realization struck me: the importance of embracing life’s adventures while we’re young. Witnessing the passion and zest for life exemplified by individuals like Abu Fahad and Abu Saad deeply inspired me. Their dedication to their passions serves as a reminder to pursue what ignites our souls, regardless of age or circumstance. This realization fuels my desire to explore the world, immersing myself in its diverse cultures and realities. By accumulating experiences and wisdom along the way, I aspire to contribute to the tapestry of history and offer guidance to future generations, ensuring that the flame of curiosity and passion continues to burn brightly.

My Saudi Arabia does not stop here. Look for more adventures in the Kingdom by visiting my Saudi Arabia Travel Guide.

Saudi Arabia Travel Guide
Riyadh
Tabuk
Asir Region
Jazan
Hejaz, including Jeddah
Sharqiah (Eastern Region)
Najran

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AlBaha Domes

Cloud City Hotel thru Booking.com

About the Author

Paul Michael JaramilloChief Executive Editor

PJ is a Certified Public Accountant, writer, storyteller, and an advocate for youth empowerment and environmental protection. His passion for storytelling and social impact has taken many forms—from writing thought-provoking articles on national development, featured in a Spanish newspaper and Rappler, to producing documentaries on mining and environmental issues that aired on ABS-CBN News and GMA News.

A proud Ilocano and graduate of Northwestern University, PJ earned his degree in Accountancy then passed the CPA licensure exam in 2015. That same year, he began his professional career at KPMG in the Philippines. As an external auditor, he handled a diverse portfolio of clients, including a global workspace provider (the largest audit engagement of KPMG Philippines), a global bank, a major FMCG player, and several shared service centers.

His commitment to innovation was evident early in his career. PJ and his team won the KPMG Asia-Pacific Data & Analytics Challenge and later coached the Philippine team to a top-three finish at the KPMG GlobalRunner Cup. He went on to lead KPMG Philippines' Network of Audit Innovators and Data & Analytics Champions, as well as its academic arm. He was an active contributor to the Asia-Pacific Audit Digital Transformation Workstream and a member of both the Audit Methodology Group and the Root Cause Analysis Team. Beyond technical excellence, PJ is deeply committed to learning and leadership. He was a regular training facilitator on audit methodology, professional standards, and emerging tools in data and analytics. He also served as the Firm’s System of Quality Management (SoQM) Implementation Manager and one of its Workforce of the Future Champions.

In 2019, he contributed to the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) as a member of its Technical Working Group on Audit Methodology. His role in shaping audit quality and innovation has left a meaningful imprint on the profession.

PJ defines success by the people he uplifts. As a mentor and coach, he invests in the growth of emerging professionals and previously served as a member of the KPMG Philippines People Committee.

He leads various community-centered advocacy projects and shares inspiring stories through his vlog, PJspirations, a platform that celebrates individuals and their journeys. As a volunteer, he serves as Academic Master and Head Coach of PREMIER International Learning and Development Center, an organization devoted to providing coaching, mentoring, and training programs that help people grow personally and professionally.

Today, PJ brings his passion and expertise to the Middle East, South Asia, and Caspian regions as part of KPMG’s Professional Practice and Audit Learning & Development team. In this role, he contributes to audit methodology advancement and learning strategy across the Middle East Cluster.

He is also a certified #IAmRemarkable facilitator, leading sessions of the global Google initiative that empowers women and underrepresented groups to celebrate their achievements.

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VoicePoints

#TheSoloDrifter in Saudi Arabia | Al Bahah’s Generosity Trace: A Welcoming Place

What you need to know about Al Bahah

What to do