By air
AlUla International (ULH), ~40 km
Middle East · Saudi Arabia
AlUla, Saudi Arabia
Ancient tombs in a sandstone valley
Getting there
Best time to visit
October to March — mild
Don't miss
Hegra
AlUla Old Town
Elephant Rock
Dadan
Things to do
Hegra's Nabataean tombs
The old town
The mirrored Maraya
Stargazing
Where to eat
What to pack
Layers, sun protection
A quieter corner
The Harrat Uwayrid lava-field viewpoint
Questions travellers ask
What's the best time of year for AlUla?
October to March, when it's mild. Pack layers and sun protection.
Which sights in AlUla shouldn't I miss?
Hegra's Nabataean tombs, AlUla Old Town, Elephant Rock and Dadan — plus the mirrored Maraya.
What can I do in AlUla after dark?
Go stargazing. By day, save time for the Harrat Uwayrid lava-field viewpoint, AlUla's hidden gem.
Does AlUla have its own airport?
Yes — AlUla International (ULH), about 40 km away. Once there, slow down over dates and Arabic coffee.
About AlUla
- Desert
Where it is
AlUla is an oasis town in the Medina Province of north-western Saudi Arabia, in a valley of palm groves between towering sandstone cliffs, on the ancient incense route between southern Arabia and the Mediterranean.
History
AlUla was the seat of the ancient kingdoms of Dadan and Lihyan, and nearby Hegra, the largest Nabataean site south of Petra, holds more than 100 monumental tombs carved in the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD. The walled old town of mud-brick and stone houses was lived in from about the 13th century until the late 20th century. Hegra became Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.
People
AlUla's people are Saudi Arabs whose families have farmed the oasis for generations, growing dates and citrus fruit, and Arabic is spoken. Festivals of music, art and heritage are held in the cooler winter months, when the valley's farms and old town are at their liveliest.
Known for
- Hegra's Nabataean tombs
- AlUla Old Town
- Elephant Rock
- Maraya, the mirrored concert hall
- The ancient site of Dadan
Did you know?
Maraya, a concert hall in the desert near AlUla, is clad entirely in mirrors and has been recognised by Guinness World Records as the largest mirrored building in the world.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.