Car & Van Hire - Khamis Mushait

The Green Mountain, or Jabal Thera, is located around 40 km to the southwest of Khamis Mushait's city centre and is one of the region's most popular attractions. It is named after the green lights that help to light up the mountain at night, and visitors can opt to either hike up the mountain or take a cable car to the summit. In addition to the spectacular views, there are many facilities for visitors, including restaurants and cafes.

If you are looking to do some shopping during your time in Khamis Mushait, the Souq Al Khamis or Thursday Market is a great option. Visitors will find a range of items for sale, from clothes, food and spices, to jewellery and fragrances. Alternatively, Silver Souq is well-known for selling items made from silver, including jewellery. Both of these markets provide an ideal opportunity to test your bartering skills, allowing you to buy items at great prices.

A more relaxed, family-friendly shopping experience can be enjoyed at the Asdaf Mall Shopping Centre, which is great for an all-day shopping trip and offers local and global brands. Some of the common items for sale include clothes, perfumes and accessories. An entertainment area within the mall offers bowling and other activities, while the food area provides access to a number of popular restaurants and fast-food chains.

One of Khamis Mushait's most significant locations of interest for Muslims, as well as for those with an interest in the region's architecture, is the Khamis Mushait Grand Mosque, which is sometimes referred to as the King Fahd Mosque. If you are interested in the cultural history of the area, the Ancestral Heritage Museum has various items of interest on display, including swords, daggers, guns, spears, clothing and agricultural tools.

The city is home to a large number of restaurants, from international chains to independent restaurants offering local cuisine. Popular local dishes include tharid, a spicy lamb stew that is especially popular during Ramadan; martabak, a stuffed pancake; and kabsa, a mixed rice and meat dish. Meanwhile, those with a sweet tooth may wish to try "coconut dates" (Tumblr bel nargine). These treats are made from a blend of almonds, dates, cardamom, desiccated coconut and butter.

To drive in Saudi Arabia, you must be at least 18 years old, but car hire in Khamis Mushait and the rest of the country will require drivers to be 21 or over. Driver's licences from some countries, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, European Union, Australia, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates, can be used for up to three months. Licences issued by other countries may only be valid when combined with an International Driving Permit.

Vehicles drive on the right and overtake on the left, and seatbelts must be worn by all occupants of a vehicle. It is important to take extra care during the night, as it is not uncommon for wild animals to cross the road. Motorists should also respect the call to prayer times and cease playing music in their vehicles during these periods.

The speed limits in Khamis Mushait and surrounding areas range from 50 km/h in the most built-up areas to 120 km/h on national highways. Urban freeways will typically have a speed limit of 70 km/h. Some speed signs in the area may only feature Arabic numbers, so you should learn these before visiting or use a sat-nav system or mobile app that provides up-to-date speed limit information. Mobile phones are only permitted when used hands-free.

You should keep to the speed limit at all times, as the punishment for speeding is likely to be a significant fine. Saudi Arabia also has some of the strictest laws in the world with regard to alcohol and recreational drugs. It is illegal to possess these substances, and the punishment for driving under the influence of either is likely to be a prison sentence.

Your driver's licence will be revoked if you amass 24 points on your licence. Running a red traffic light can result in 12 points on your licence, while the use of a mobile phone or failure to wear a seatbelt both result in two points. Driving without appropriate lights or without fully functioning brakes can result in eight points on your licence.

For drivers who wish to explore some of the locations around Khamis Mushait or use the city as a hub for travel around the country, Route 15 leads west from Khamis Mushait and will take you to the city of Abha, while Route 10 leads to the south-west, towards Al Shuqaiq. This then provides access to the coastal areas along the Red Sea, including Jizan.