Asir

Ruggedly beautiful mountains in Asir

Asir means "south" in Arabic and refers to a region of Saudi Arabia.

Understand

Wikivoyage uses "Asir" for the whole southern region of Saudi Arabia including three provinces:

• Asir Province, the southwestern highlands of Saudi Arabia. Like Taif to the north, the area is known for its temperate climate and is a popular place to go to escape the summer heat.
• Najran Province, another mountainous inland area.
• Jizan Province, a coastal area that, like the Jeddah region further north, gets very hot indeed.

The region borders Yemen, most of it was once claimed by Yemen, and there are cultural resemblances. However, it has been under Saudi control since 1934 and the Saudi and Yemeni governments finally agreed on a border at a conference in 2000.

Cities

the green mount

• 1 Abha. capital of Asir Province, popular summer getaway near the best national park in Saudi  
• 2 Jizan. capital of Jizan Province, third Saudi port on the Red Sea  
• 3 Khamis Mushayt.  
• 4 Najran. capital of Najran Province, Yemeni influence and the remarkable Najran Fort  

Other destinations

Inscriptions of Hima mountain

• 1 Asir National Park.  
• 2 Farasan Islands. in the Red Sea near Jizan — paradise undiscovered  
• 3 Bir Hima Rock Petroglyphs and Inscriptions. An ancient Palaeolithic and Neolithic rock art site, dating from 7000–1000 BC. In 2021 the site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. (updated Aug 2021)
• 4 ‘Uruq Bani Ma’arid. A world heritage listed protected area of the Arabian Desert with truly spectacular desert landscapes. It's the habitat of some iconic desert animals like Arabian Oryx (Oryx leucoryx) and Arabian Sand Gazelle (Gazella marica), which have been reintroduced there. (updated Sep 2023)

The Empty Quarter, the most thoroughly barren desert in Arabia, lies just to the east of this region. Visiting is possible, but requires a convoy of four-wheel drive vehicles and considerable caution.

Get in

King Abdullah Airport (GIZ ^IATA)

See

• There is a Tuesday traditional market (basket market) that works all weekdays; but, on Tuesdays, the vendors come from everywhere.
• The Al Muftahah Art Village includes studios and artists from Assar region.
• Al Sudah is the highest point in the Saudi Arabia (3015 meters above sea level). There are natural juniper forests.
• The Rijal Alma Traditional Village

Stay safe

	WARNING: Due to the risk of rockets and other munitions fired across the border from Yemen, stay at least 80 km (50 miles) away from the Yemeni border.
	Government travel advisories Canada New Zealand United Kingdom
	(Information last updated 11 Dec 2023)

This area is much safer than neighboring Yemen, but perhaps not entirely peaceful. The area just across the border is one of the most turbulent in Yemen and there have been border clashes.