- AreaNorth-west Saudi Arabia, Madinah Province
- Best forArchaeology, landscapes, stargazing
- Time2–4 days
- TipBook Hegra tickets in advance; slots sell out in winter
AlUla is the place that changed how the world sees Saudi Arabia. In a long valley in the north-west, wind-carved sandstone mountains rise from date-palm oases, and between them lie the remains of ancient kingdoms that controlled the incense trade routes for more than two thousand years. The Royal Commission for AlUla has opened the area to visitors with carefully managed sites, excellent guides and a growing collection of desert resorts.
Hegra and the ancient kingdoms
Hegra (Al-Hijr, also known as Mada'in Salih) was Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 2008. It was the southern city of the Nabataeans, the same people who built Petra, and holds over 110 monumental tombs carved into rock outcrops in the first centuries BC and AD. The most famous, Qasr al-Farid, stands alone in the sand. Visits are by timed ticket with a hop-on tour bus or guided experience, so book through Experience AlUla before you travel.
Older still are Dadan, capital of the Dadanite and Lihyanite kingdoms, and Jabal Ikmah, an "open library" of hundreds of inscriptions in ancient scripts. Both are close to the Old Town and easy to combine in one morning.
Landscapes and modern icons
Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil) is a 50-metre rock arch shaped like an elephant, with a lounge area at its foot that is at its best at sunset. Just as striking is Maraya, a concert hall clad entirely in mirrors that reflect the canyon around it. The AlUla Old Town is a maze of mud-brick houses on a hill crowned by a fort, with a restored market street full of cafés and craft shops.
Getting there
AlUla International Airport (ULH) lies around 35 km from the Old Town. Saudia and flynas fly from Riyadh, Saudia from Jeddah, and flynas from Dammam on some days. Regional links have included flydubai from Dubai and Qatar Airways from Doha, with Royal Jordanian from Amman in winter; schedules are seasonal, so check before booking. By road, AlUla is about 300 km north of Madinah and around 300 km south of Tabuk. The sites are spread out, so a hire car or pre-booked transfers are essential.
Where to stay
AlUla has some of the Kingdom's most memorable hotels, from tented camps to villa resorts in hidden canyons such as Ashar Valley. Mid-range hotels and guesthouses are found near the Old Town and in AlUla town itself. Prices peak in the winter festival season, so book early: compare AlUla hotels.
How long to stay
Two full days cover Hegra, Dadan, Jabal Ikmah, the Old Town and Elephant Rock. With four days you can add hiking, a hot-air balloon flight in season, horse riding in the oasis or a drive into the surrounding desert, and slow down to enjoy the resorts. AlUla also fits neatly into a north-western loop with Tabuk and the coast; see our 10-day itinerary.
Tours: AlUla
Compare guided trips, transfers and tickets.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book Hegra in advance?
Yes. Entry is by timed ticket through Experience AlUla, and popular slots sell out in the winter season. Independent wandering is not permitted.
What is the best time to visit AlUla?
Late October to March, when days are warm and nights cool. This is also festival season, so hotels cost more and fill quickly.
How do I get to AlUla?
Fly to AlUla International Airport (ULH) from Riyadh, Jeddah or Dammam, or on seasonal regional flights. Driving from Madinah takes roughly three and a half to four hours.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.