Quick answer: The main Taif Ziyarat places are Masjid Abdullah ibn Abbas, Masjid Addas, Masjid al-Kou, the Miqat at Wadi Muharram and Qarn al-Manazil, and the historic Shubra Palace. Most families add Al Hada, Al Shafa and the rose farms for the cool mountain air. Taif is about 90 km from Makkah, so a full-day trip with a private driver is the easiest way to see the main sites without rushing.
Why Taif matters to Muslims
In the tenth year of Prophethood, the Prophet Muhammad ï·º travelled from Makkah to Taif to invite its people to Islam. He was turned away and stoned by the people of the town, and he made his well-known supplication in the gardens outside the city. Years later, in 8 AH, the Muslims besieged Taif, and the tribe of Thaqif later accepted Islam. Visiting Taif helps pilgrims connect these events of the Seerah to real places.
Taif Ziyarat places list
| Place | Why people visit |
|---|---|
| Masjid Abdullah ibn Abbas | Large mosque next to the grave of Ibn Abbas (RA), the Prophet’s cousin |
| Masjid Addas | Remembers Addas, who believed in the Prophet ï·º in Taif |
| Masjid al-Kou | Small old mosque linked by local tradition to the Prophet’s visit |
| Wadi Muharram | Miqat on the Al Hada road |
| Qarn al-Manazil (As-Sayl al-Kabir) | Miqat named by the Prophet ï·º for people from Najd |
| Shubra Palace | Historic palace and former royal summer seat |
1. Masjid Abdullah ibn Abbas
This is the best-known mosque in Taif. Abdullah ibn Abbas (RA), the cousin of the Prophet ï·º and one of the great scholars of the Quran, is buried in the grounds next to the mosque. The present building dates from the late Ottoman period. It is a good place to pray Dhuhr during your trip.
2. Masjid Addas
When the Prophet ï·º rested in a garden after leaving Taif, a young Christian servant named Addas brought him grapes. After speaking with the Prophet ï·º, Addas believed in him. A small mosque among the orchards remembers this meeting. The story is well known from the Seerah; the exact spot is based on local tradition.
3. Masjid al-Kou
A very small, old mosque that local tradition links to the Prophet’s visit to Taif. This link is not proven, and scholars differ on it, so visit it as a historical place rather than for any special blessing. Be careful with stories of footprints or marks on stones — they are not authenticated.
4. Wadi Muharram (Miqat)
Wadi Muharram, on the Al Hada mountain road, is the upper Miqat for travellers coming down from Taif to Makkah. It is about 76 km from the Haram and has a mosque with facilities for changing into Ihram.
5. Qarn al-Manazil (As-Sayl al-Kabir)
Qarn al-Manazil is the Miqat named by the Prophet ï·º for the people of Najd. Its main mosque is at As-Sayl al-Kabir, about 80 km north-east of Makkah, on the main road from Taif and Riyadh.
6. Shubra Palace
Built in the early 1900s, Shubra Palace was later used by King Abdulaziz as a summer seat and became a museum in 1995. Its wooden balconies and old stone work are a beautiful example of traditional Hijazi design. Check whether it is open before you plan a visit.
Other places worth seeing
- Al Hada: the mountain road and viewpoints about 20 km west of Taif, with wide views of the valleys below.
- Al Hada cable car: a 4.2 km ride of around 17 minutes between the top of Al Hada and Al Kar tourist village.
- Al Shafa: high mountains about 25 km south-west of Taif, at around 2,500 m, with fruit and rose farms.
- Rose farms: the Taif rose harvest usually starts in late March or early April and lasts about 35 to 45 days. Rose water and rose oil make lovely gifts.
- Al Rudaf Park: a large park with granite rock shapes — a good stop for children.
- Souq Okaz: the famous pre-Islamic market, revived as a cultural festival, about 40 km north of Taif.
Driver’s tip: The Al Hada road is steep and winding. If anyone in your family gets car sick, sit them in the front and plan a stop at the top.
Taif and Ihram: the Miqat
Taif is outside the Miqat. If you plan to perform Umrah when you return to Makkah, you must enter Ihram at Wadi Muharram or Qarn al-Manazil on the way back. Many families take their Ihram clothes with them and change at the Miqat mosque on the return journey. If you are unsure about your situation, ask a scholar before you travel.
Getting there and a sample day plan
Taif is about 87–90 km from Makkah on the Al Hada road, usually 1.5 to 2 hours by car. The Al Hada road is sometimes closed for maintenance; drivers then use the As-Sayl road, which is longer.
- Morning: leave Makkah after Fajr and breakfast; stop at the Al Hada viewpoints.
- Late morning: Masjid Addas and Masjid al-Kou.
- Midday: Dhuhr at Masjid Abdullah ibn Abbas, then lunch in Taif.
- Afternoon: Shubra Palace or a rose farm, depending on the season.
- Return: stop at the Miqat for Ihram if you plan to perform Umrah, and reach Makkah in the evening.
Our Taif Ziyarat taxi is a private car for the whole day, with waiting included at every stop and a Miqat stop on the way back. For more day trip ideas, read Taif, AlUla and Jeddah day trips, or see our Makkah Ziyarat guide.
Official sources: Visit Saudi – Taif · Saudipedia – Miqat Wadi Muharram · Saudipedia – Qarn al-Manazil
Frequently asked questions
What are the main Taif Ziyarat places?
Masjid Abdullah ibn Abbas, Masjid Addas, Masjid al-Kou, the Miqat at Wadi Muharram and Qarn al-Manazil, and Shubra Palace. Many families also visit Al Hada, Al Shafa and the rose farms.
How long does a Taif Ziyarat trip take?
Plan a full day. The drive from Makkah takes about 1.5 to 2 hours each way, and you need several hours in Taif to visit the main sites without rushing.
Do I need Ihram when coming back from Taif?
Only if you intend to perform Umrah on your return. In that case, enter Ihram at Wadi Muharram or Qarn al-Manazil on the way back to Makkah.
When is the Taif rose season?
The rose harvest usually starts in late March or early April and lasts around 35 to 45 days.
Opening times, road conditions and visitor rules can change. Always check the latest details before you travel. This guide was last reviewed in October 2026.
