Reasons why you should visit AlUla on your next trip

If you are about to visit Saudi Arabia this year, then make sure to include AlUla in your trip. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is a country located in western Asia, which is rich in cultural heritage and natural beauty, and the county of AlUla captures all of it completely. It offers an adventure that is in great contrast to the general city life that you are habituated with. If you want to disconnect from your hectic lifestyle and immerse yourself in nature and historical excellence, then AlUla in Saudi Arabia should fit your travel needs perfectly!

AlUla is a city that is located in the northwest of Saudi Arabia. It also houses various points of major historical importance, including the Nabatean city of Hegra, the ancient ruins of the AlUla Old Town, the tombs of Dadan, and much more. Apart from this, AlUla is also home to incredible scenic beauties, including sandstone mountains, lush oasis valleys, local wildlife, vegetation, and much more.

As a travel destination, AlUla offers everything you would expect from a trip amidst the desert and beyond. Along with its natural and human heritage, you will also be able to enjoy a series of exciting adventures that awaits you there. Here are some reasons to include AlUla as your next preferable travel destination in Saudi Arabia.

Heritage in AlUla

The land of AlUla is home to many heritage sites for settlers that lived and thrived in this region many years back. AlUla attracted pilgrims and travellers who came to take advantage of the abundant resources offered by its fertile oases. Today, it remains a welcoming place to rest, commune, and recharge. Each location has its speciality, making AlUla a destination with a lot of significance and history.

Alula Old Town

AlUla Old Town is located in the narrowest part of the AlUla Valley. Built on a slight elevation, the town is overlooked by the Musa bin Nusayr Castle, a citadel dating back approximately to the 10th century. It is a fascinating village that consists of around 900 houses, 400 shops and 5 town squares, the Old Town of AlUla still contains remnants of some of the original stone and mudbrick buildings constructed here. This amazing town gives you a glimpse of how life was in Saudi Arabia centuries ago. The Old Town in AlUla has been inhabited by people throughout the years, and the heritage and culture have still been well preserved!

Activities or experiences to look for

• Old town tour
• Shopping at local markets

Dadan

Dadan is an ancient city that once served as the capital of the Dadan and Lihyan kingdoms. The city, which was built meticulously from stone and astride the valley’s oasis, dates back between the late 9th and early 8th century BCE (Kingdom of Dadan) and 5th - 2nd century BCE (Kingdom of Lihyan). The ancient city of Dadan also housed over a dozen tombs carved into the cliffs, along with the ‘Lion Tombs’, which are seated lion sculptures that mark the burial site of elite society members. These tombs are up to 50 meters above ground level, spurring the imagination of how they were carved without modern construction equipment.

Activities or experiences to look for

• Dadan and Jabal Ikmah tour
• Dadan and Jabal Ikmah tour in a vintage Land Rover.

Jabal Ikmah

Jabal Ikmah is a mountain range that is located close to the ancient city of Dadan. This amazing location consists of engravings that are essential for the study and research of the Arabian language. These important traces of history, the earliest of which are believed to have been inscribed around 644 B.C.E. There are around 450 inscriptions that provide insight into the lives of the people who lived in this region thousands of years ago.

Activities or experiences to look for

• Dadan and Jabal Ikmah tour
• Dadan and Jabal Ikmah tour in a vintage Land Rover.

Hegra-Madin Saleh

Hegra, also known as Madain Saleh, is Saudi Arabia’s first-ever UNESCO World Heritage site that was once home to the Nabateans, who thrived between the 2nd century BCE and the 2nd century CE. This incredible site is one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in the world. Hegra also features over 110 remarkably well-preserved monumental tombs set in a desert landscape. Along with the wondrous tombs, visitors can also find wells and stone-lined water channels that showcase the civilisation's incredible craftsmanship.

Activities or experiences to look for

• Hegra Tour
• Hegra After Dark
• Hegra by Horse Carriage
• Hegra Tour in a vintage Land Rover

Adventures in AlUla

AlUla offers adventurous experiences for every type of traveler. You can experience zip lining across a mountain range, take a guided bike ride through the dunes, lace up your boots, and bring yourself back to nature by hiking one of our trails and exploring the rock formations, hidden valleys, and the serene beauty of AlUla. Experience the Arabian desert after dark on The Hidden Valley Hike, or the sweeping vistas of the palm tree-filled oasis on the Alula Oasis View Trail. As the sun sets, join a local astronomer on a stargazing or moonlit night adventure and enjoy a traditional meal as you look up in awe at the dark sky above you.

Activities or experiences to look for

• Giant swing: An exciting and alternative way to get airborne! This 70-meter swing is one of only seven in the world. The heart-pumping experience involves leaping from a mountains edge and flying between canyon walls, taking in the views as you swoosh dramatically through the air.

• AlUl a Stairway: An adventure that is unique to the region, the AlUla Stairway takes you up a 45-metre suspended ladder with an exhilarating 150-metre zipline back down to the valley floor! As well as the thrilling experience, you get a photo to take home to prove you braved it.

• The Twisted Maze (hike): An experienced guiding team will lead you off the beaten path through the canyons of Madakhel on this challenging, 8-hour hiking adventure.

• Stargazing: Distant from city lights, vast open spaces in remote desert lands make some of the world’s most desirable dark skies, making AlUla an idyllic location for star- watching.The best times to go stargazing are the days before, during, and soon after each new moon. Immerse yourself in a desert landscape and enjoy the moonlit AlUla experience.

• Zip lining: Race a total of 1.5km at up to 120 km/h while enjoying the incredible scenery of the Alula Mountains! This activity will certainly get your adrenaline pumping.

• Rock Climbing: Take an adventure to the next level with rock climbing on the stunning mountains of AlUla. Enjoy this fun experience while taking in nature’s beauty around you.

• Via Ferrata and Canyon Hammock: Experience the thrill of taking on a route of the Via Ferrata. Explore the canyons at great heights and admire the view that will take your breath away.

• Abseil: Experience the thrill of abseiling down the magnificent mountain landscapes. Feel the adrenaline rush as you descend and embark on this outdoor journey of a lifetime.

• Helicopter tour: Few aerial experiences beat the thrill of taking off in a chopper. Visitors can board a helicopter tour and soar over some of the most famous landmarks and heritage sites of AlUla while enjoying a bird’s-eye view of this breathtaking landscape.

• Harrat View Point: A unique lookout point that blends in with the magnificent surroundings where visitors get views of Dadan, AlUla Old Town, AlUla Fort, and the

• AlUla Oasis: You can wait for sunset and watch the sky gradually fill with thousands of dancing stars. Telescopes let you see further, finding constellations and tales among the stars.

• Cycling Trail: Take on a leisurely bike ride, crossing through the dunes and surrounded by AlUla’s unique landscapes, where you will view the stunning terrain and other interesting rock formations.

• Ridge Walk: The Ridge Walk is a leisurely hiking adventure that will fully engage you in the desert surroundings, characterized by awe-inspiring views and stunning terrain of AlUla.

• Buggy tours: Take to the desert sand with high-speed buggies and get your adrenaline pumping with a thrilling buggy ride over the rugged dunes and through the stunning sandstone mountains of AlUla.

• Hidden Valley Hike: Experience the grandeur and serenity of the Arabian Desert on this 4 km long trek. Travelling for roughly 1.5 hours, this journey makes you immerse yourself in nature and admire the rock formations and landscapes of the AlUla.

• Heritage Oasis Trail: Enjoy a long stroll or a short walk along the Heritage Oasis Trail. Stretching almost 3 kilometers from the Heart of the Oasis to Al Jadidah, this trail is free and open to visitors day and night. Find the perfect Instagram shot, framing tall palms in a historic archway of a mudbrick house or the lush green of the farms. Stop at a stall selling freshly squeezed juice, hang out on palm swings, and enjoy the beautiful seating.

Natural Beauty in AlUla

Along with the importance of human history and heritage, AlUla also serves as a location with several natural wonders that make this destination more exciting. Given these features, you get the opportunity to explore the beauty of the natural rock formations and landscapes of AlUla.

Places to visit

• Elephant Rock
• The arch rock
• Algharameel
• Dancing rocks
• Face Rock
• Jar rock
• Harrat viewpoint
• AlUla Osais
• Sharaan nature reserve

Arts and culture in AlUla

While in AlUla, visitors can find art and inspiration in its wind-sculpted red rock, soothing-green palms, and the stunning contrast of bright blue sky against the shimmering golden desert. Contemporary artists, too, are finding inspiration in AlUla. From artists making large-scale installations to locals studying traditional handicrafts, the essence of the arts lives in every corner of this valley. The award-winning Mayara continues to host a rich programme of regional and global musical talent as well as cutting-edge international exhibitions.

Activities or experiences to look for

• Fame: Andy Warhol in AlUla
• Silkscreen Studio
• Madrasat Addeera Workshops
• Wadi Alfann
• AlJadidah
• Desert X

Local cuisine in AlUla

AlUla offers many dining options for replenishing your energy after a day of exploring. Visitors can choose from casual to fine dining at a variety of local restaurants, cafés and food trucks, and be sure to sample the dates, citrus fruits and other delights of AlUla while on your visit. Visitors can opt for dining in Suhail in AlUla Old Town, Pink Camel Pastry Boutique by AlUla Oasis or Sahary Restaurant in Sahary AlUla Resort. AlWadi Farm near Winter Park is also a must-visit. Take a tour with a local farmer and pick your own fruit. The plentiful supply of water from the AlUla Oasis produces 29 citrus varieties as well as numerous varieties of dates being the local favourite.

From natural beauty, and cultural heritage to adventure activities and local art and craft, AlUla is truly a place that can offer you an all-in-one travel experience you have never witnessed before. All of these together make the land of AlUla truly phenomenal, which is why you should add it as your next travel destination, be that solo or with friends and family.