Saudi's 'city of roses' offers fragrant reminder of desert's beauty

Saudi’s ‘City of Roses’ refers to Taif, a mountain city in western Saudi Arabia renowned for its breathtaking rose fields and ancient tradition of rose cultivation. Nestled at around 1,900 meters above sea level, Taif’s cool climate and fertile terrain make it ideal for growing the famous Taif rose, a flower prized for its intense fragrance and essential oils.

Over 800 farms produce roughly 300 million roses every season. The flowers are used to make luxurious rose water and oil, key ingredients in high-end perfumes and traditional rituals. Rose oil from Taif is used in everything from international perfumes to rituals at the Grand Mosque in Mecca. Rose farming supports thousands of local families and helps preserve a centuries-old agricultural tradition.