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Khamis Mushait
ℹ️Practical info — Khamis Mushait
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- The city is high in the mountains of the Asir region, resulting in much cooler weather than most of Saudi Arabia.
- Renting a car is highly recommended for exploring the beautiful surrounding mountains and valleys.
- The local souqs are bustling on weekends; arrive early to experience the best atmosphere before it gets too crowded.
- Dress modestly in accordance with local customs, especially outside of the modern shopping malls.
- Visit the Bin Hamsan Traditional Village to learn about the heritage and culture of the Asir region.
🍽 Food
A regional specialty of Asir, find it in traditional restaurants.
A traditional hearty wheat dish often served with meat broth.
Enjoy this classic combination at a local cafe in the city center.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Known for its beautiful traditional Asiri silver jewelry.
Traditional curved daggers are sold in the old market area.
The Asir mountain region produces some of the best honey, available at specialty shops.
A large recreational area well-suited for a quiet, relaxing walk.
Just a short drive away for sweeping valley views and cool, peaceful breezes.
Water temperature…
Khamis Mushait is a city in southwestern Saudi Arabia, in the Asir province. The city is located at an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level, which gives it a pleasant climate, unlike most of the country. The city is the traditional center of the Shahran tribe. The name Khamis Mushait comes from the weekly Thursday (khamis) market, which was the commercial center of the region. Today, the city is a modern, bustling commercial hub and home to an important military base, King Khalid Air Base. The city is growing rapidly and is closely linked to the nearby city of Abha, the provincial capital. The region is famous for its natural beauty, green mountains, and its distinctive, fortified clay and stone towers (qasaba), which represent traditional Asiri architecture. Tourism is playing an increasingly important role in the city's economy, especially domestic tourism.
- Location: Saudi Arabia
- Nearby: Habala (26 km)
- Population: ~387.553 (2013)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Mar, Apr, Oct.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 22 | 19 | 17 |
| Rain mm | 3 | 5 | 4 | 18 | 8 | 1 | 8 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
Geography
Facts
- Khamis Mushait's population is approximately 535,000.
- The city's name refers to the Thursday market and the leader of the Shahran tribe, Ibn Mushait.
- Al-Hamsan Traditional Village is a living museum that showcases the culture of the Asir region.
- As-Soudah Park, located near the highest point in Saudi Arabia, is near the city.
- The region's agriculture produces coffee, wheat, and vegetables.
- King Khalid Air Base played a key role during the 1991 Gulf War.
- The traditional 'Al-Qatt Al-Asiri' mural painting is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage site.
Explore nearby
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Sights in the town Khamis Mushait (1)
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