Khamis Mushait City Guide

Khamis Mushait is a key city in Saudi Arabia’s 'Asir Province, notable for its cooler climate and mix of traditional culture with modern amenities. It's a commercial and military hub with less tourist flow, providing a unique spot for those looking to explore non-mainstream destinations.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Good
7

Experience a good mix of local and international dishes, with an increasing presence of vegetarian and vegan options.

Local Dishes:
Kabsa, Mandi, Shawarma
International Cuisine:
Middle Eastern, Indian, Western
🌙
Nightlife
Poor
2

The nightlife is family-friendly, with no nightclubs or bars because of local laws. Dining and cafes are your go-to for evening fun.

Coffee Culture
Excellent
8

Coffee culture thrives with Arabic coffee shops and an increasing number of specialty cafes.

💰
Tipping
Not Required

Not mandatory but appreciated; 5-10% in restaurants.

Top Attractions
Abha Dam Lake
Nature
A beautiful lake located not far from the city.
Al-Basta Historical Village
Cultural
A glimpse into traditional life, in nearby Abha.
Khamis Mushait Grand Mosque
Religious
A significant religious site.
SIM Cards

Get SIM cards from STC, Mobily, or Zain. Available at airports and dealer stores. ID is required for activation.

Available at:
STC
Mobily
Zain
Recommended Apps
STC Pay/Mobily Pay(Finance)
Careem/Uber(Transport)
Hungerstation/Jahez(Food Delivery)
Google Maps(Navigation)
Tawakkalna(Utility)
Absher(Services)
Noon/Jarir(Shopping)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Good
7

Streets are generally clean, especially in main areas.

24/7 Services
Limited
5

Some late-night options but the 24/7 service culture isn't widespread.

Groceries
Panda
Danube
Carrefour

You can find international products and local goods easily. Large supermarkets like Panda, Danube, and Carrefour offer versatile shopping.

Cashless Payments
Widely accepted

High readiness with cards accepted widely, though cash remains handy for small vendors.

ATMs

ATMs are easy to find, especially in popular areas like malls and banks. Al Rajhi Bank, NCB, and Riyad Bank are mainstays.

Schools
International

International and local schools offer various curricula such as CBSE and Pakistani standards.

Available Schools:
International Indian School
Pakistan International School
Al-Rowad International School

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Not Available
Work-Friendly Cafés
Good
Starbucks
Popular chain with reliable Wi-Fi.
Dunkin' Donuts
Casual with Wi-Fi.
Local Cafes
Independent spots offer good environments for work.
Alternatives:
Hotel Lobbies
Quiet workspace with Wi-Fi, especially in larger hotels.
Digital Nomad Community
Poor
1

The community is almost unheard of here with most opting for bigger cities like Riyadh.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Good
6

Parks like King Fahd Park offer green areas but are not abundant.

Running
Good
6

Good routes in parks and paths; generally safe and clean for running.

Gyms
Available

Gyms offer separate facilities for men and women, with popular chains having multiple branches.

Available Gyms:
Fitness Time
Body Masters
Tennis
Limited
5

Courts available in clubs and centers; padel courts are emerging.

Padel
Limited
5

Padel is gaining traction with new courts opening up.

Yoga
Limited
4

Yoga and wellness options are growing, usually found in gyms or community spaces.

Martial Arts
Good
6

Training in martial arts like Taekwondo and Karate is accessible through sports clubs.

Skiing
Poor
1

Saudi Arabia doesn’t offer natural skiing options.

Water Sports
Poor
3

Limited to paddle boating on Abha Dam Lake, but not extensive.

Surfing
Poor
1

Surfing is not possible due to the city's inland location.

Diving
Poor
1

Far from the Red Sea, so no nearby diving opportunities.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Good
7

King Abdullah Medical City and Khamis Mushait General Hospital are notable facilities. English-speaking staff are common in private and some public hospitals.

Hospitals:
King Abdullah Medical City
Khamis Mushait General Hospital
Pharmacies:
Al Dawaa Pharmacies
Nahdi Pharmacies
Tap Water Safety
Not recommended

Bottled water is the preferred choice over tap.

Common Scams
Inflated prices for tourists in traditional markets, Taxi overcharging; agree on fares first

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Good
7

Families will find playgrounds and kid-friendly locations around, particularly in malls and parks.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Poor
1

LGBTQ+ rights are heavily restricted with no legal protections.

Pet Friendly
Poor
3

Public spaces have strict pet policies; supplies available but pet parks are rare.

Communities
Khamis Mushait News (اخبار خميس مشيط) (News)
'Asir Region Tourism (هيئة السياحة بعسير) (Tourism)
Saudi Expatriates Forum (Community)
Local Facebook groups (Social Media)

Quick Facts

Population
430,828
Power Reliability
Excellent
9/10

Electricity is stable with rare outages.

Mountains
Available

Located in the 'Asir Mountains, offering scenic views and hiking.

Languages
Arabic(100%)
English(30%)
Emergency
999
Police
997
Ambulance
998
Fire

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
1
🏔️
Earthquake
Low Risk
3

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Extreme Heat
June, July, August
Summers can be intensely hot, although less severe than other Saudi cities.
Dust Storms
March, April
Dust storms can occur during transitional months.
Rainfall
November, December, January, February, March, April
Rain is occasional, mostly in winter months.

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