11 Wonderful Things to Do in AlUla, Saudi Arabia

AlUla was my favorite stop in my Saudi Arabia itinerary. The ancient oasis town, located in the north-west of the country, is known for its historical sites, stunning landscape, and plenty of attractions. You can easily spend a few days there, enjoying all the great things to do in AlUla, and you will not be bored. 

Even if visiting AlUla might be a bit of a challenge, since the place is surrounded by desert and far from major cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, or Medina, the detour and trouble to get there are definitely worth it. The place is among the most beautiful ones in the region, and I’m sure it will be one of the highlights of your trip to Saudi Arabia, too.

I put together this guide with the best things to do in AlUla as well as some practical information you might need (including recommended tours and accommodation), so you can easily plan your trip there. Read on and visit AlUla soon!

Things to do in AlUla, Saudi Arabia

Visit Hegra

The highlight of the area and the main reason why everyone decides to visit AlUla is Hegra – a large archaeological site which is often compared to the famous Petra in Jordan. It was the second capital of the Nabataean Kingdom, founded in the 3rd century BC. The style of Hegra is similar to Petra, as both places were built with a similar rose-red sandstone. In 2008, Hegra was named the UNESCO World Heritage Site as the first place in Saudi Arabia with that title.

Today, in the large area that used to be Hegra, you can see numerous ancient tombs, 94 of which are decorated with inscriptions and drawings. Many of the burial sites are monumental, either freestanding or carved into rocks. The most impressive place and symbol of Hegra is Qaṣr al-Farīd, the Tomb of Lihyan, son of Kuza. It’s large, 23 meters high, and stands alone, surrounded by desert. 

To visit Hegra, you need to join the official tour – it’s not possible to explore the site independently. The tours start from the Winter Park Visitor Center and take around three hours, during which you visit all the most important places in Hegra (including Qaṣr al-Farīd).

I really enjoyed the tour, even if I wouldn’t mind spending a bit more time visiting Hegra. The guide was very knowledgeable and shared a lot of information about the place and its history; there was also plenty of time for pictures. You can book the tour via the official Experience AlUla website. I recommend taking the earlier tours before the day gets too hot. 

Relax at the iconic Elephant Rock

Another iconic AlUla attraction is the Elephant Rock – a massive rock formation, located around 11 km from the Winter Park Visitor Center and 17 km from AlUla Old Town. At 52 meters high, this is a truly spectacular site. Elephant Rock, together with the surrounding desert and other rock formations, is a perfect place to relax after a busy day of exploring AlUla.

The site is especially popular around sunset time, when it gets even more beautiful under the soft orange glow. There are some charming seating areas, a few food trucks offer snacks and drinks, and people enjoy each other’s company in this lovely setting. 

Explore the Old Town

The Old Town in AlUla dates back to the 12th century, as it was an important stop on trade routes and the pilgrimage path from Damascus to Makkah. Today, you can wander around the maze of narrow lanes surrounded by mud brick houses. Besides the recently renovated (or even rebuilt) part, you can also find the truly old quarters, which are in a rather poor shape.

Exploring AlUla Old Town feels a bit like stepping back in time and offers a good overview of historical settlements in the region. This is also where you will find numerous restaurants and souvenir shops. It’s worth visiting AlUla Old Town both during the day to properly see the place and in the evening, when the area gets busy with people enjoying the outdoors.

While you are here, you should continue your walk along Market Street to the AlJadidah Arts District, with even more cafes, restaurants, galleries, and art installations. It’s a vibrant area, a bit different from the nearby Old Town, but complements it perfectly.

Walk the Oasis Heritage Trail

Across the main street from the Old Town, you can find the Oasis Heritage Trail. This easy, 3 km-long path will take you through old farms and ancient dwellings, with mud-brick houses and numerous palm trees and date palms along the way.

You don’t need to walk the whole trail to get an insight into farm life in the oasis; even a small section is an interesting experience. Oasis Heritage Trail also offers some great views and scenic spots along the way, so if you enjoy photography, this is another great place to add to your AlUla itinerary.

See the area from the Harrat Viewpoint

The best way to get a proper look at AlUla and its surroundings is from the Harrat Viewpoint, located in the mountains above the town, at 1,219 meters above sea level. It’s around a thirty-minute drive from AlUla, but it’s definitely worth a little detour, as the views from up there are breathtaking.

You get a vast panorama of the AlUla valley, with beautiful orange rock formations, a green oasis, and the town right in front of you. It’s especially pretty around sunset time, when the golden hour light warms up the area. The Harrat Viewpoint is also a nice place to relax a bit, with stunning scenery around. At the top, you will find comfortable sofa seats to rest and a restaurant if you get hungry.

Admire the architectonic gem of Maraya

Located in the desert, with only sand and red rocks around, Maraya is a true wonder. This event hall is such a unique place, covered in mirrored glass that creates fascinating illusions as the surroundings are reflected in the structure. The word “Maraya” means “mirror” in Arabic and is very relevant as 9740 glass panels were used to build this magnificent structure with its futuristic look.

When approaching Maraya, it feels at first like your mind is playing tricks on you. It takes a moment to figure out what the landscape is and what the reflection is, but once you do, it’s impossible to stop looking at the building; it’s so captivating. 

Inside, you can find a fine dining restaurant and a venue hall. Unfortunately, you need a table reservation or an event ticket to see the interior; you can also join a guided tour.

Since Maraya is located inside the gated area, it might be a bit tricky to get close to the building. There are a few hotels and resorts nearby, so you can stay in one of them (which is what I did), or you can tell the security at the gate that you are staying there to be let in (however, a proof of reservation might be needed). You can also join the Maraya tour – click here for details.

Spend the night in the desert

In the desert surrounding AlUla, you can find some great hotels, resorts, and other accommodation options. They are a bit more expensive, but it’s worth splurging for this unique experience.

I stayed at the glamping site Caravan AlUla, which was the cheapest of all the available options (and still much more than I usually pay for accommodation). I found the place a bit pretentious and overpriced, but I still enjoyed it to the fullest, and I think the overall experience was worth the money. The place was so serene, with stunning scenery all around and a mind-blowing sky above in the evening. There is nothing like waking up in this peaceful place, with camels wandering around just outside the window. 

The desert accommodation offers not only beautiful scenery and a clear night sky, but also some relaxing options. There was a pool to relax at, good restaurants, movie screenings, and so much more. Staying in the desert was a great way to complete the whole experience of visiting AlUla.

Stargaze at Gharameel

While light pollution is very low in AlUla and its surroundings, making it easy to watch the stars at night, there is one place that is especially good for it – Gharameel. It’s about an hour and a half by 4×4 from AlUla, but it’s worth the effort. Surrounded by beautiful rock formations, this great spot offers a clear view of the sky, with the Milky Way, stars, and constellations right above you. 

Enjoy the thrill of adventure

AlUla is also an excellent destination for adventure lovers, with some great activities to choose from. You can try ziplining, abseiling, giant swing, rock climbing, via ferrata, and more. All these activities are available at the Adventure Hub, not too far from the Winter Park Visitor Center, so you can easily include them in your AlUla itinerary.

Discover Wadi AlFann

Fans of contemporary art should visit Wadi AlFann – “Valley of the Arts”. In the beautiful desert landscape, you will find numerous works by both international and local artists. There are also exhibitions, events, and art tours available. It’s a perfect combination of nature and culture.

Visit Dadan

While Hegra is the most popular ancient site in the AlUla region, there is another place worth visiting: Dadan. Over two thousand years ago, this was the capital of the Dadan and Lihyan kingdoms and the local agriculture and trade hub.

Today, its main highlights are tombs carved in the red rock cliffs, up to 50 metres above the ground. What makes them special is the unique inscriptions that are still not fully deciphered. Dadan is not too far from AlUla Old Town. You can get there via the Dadan Heritage Trail, which takes you through a beautiful landscape and palm groves. 

Visiting AlUla – practical information

Where is AlUla

AlUla, a town of around 60,000 inhabitants, is located in north-western Saudi Arabia. The nearest popular destinations are Medina (330 km), Jeddah (380 km), and Riyadh (1040 km).

How to get to AlUla

Even though AlUla is far from the main Saudi cities, it has its own small airport, so flying there is not a problem. There are direct flights from within Saudi Arabia: Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam; as well as from abroad: Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Doha (Qatar), and Amman (Jordan). You can also fly to relatively nearby Tabuk or Madinah.

How to get around AlUla

There is a public bus in AlUla, but it doesn’t work well for tourists. Your best options are to rent a car, use taxis (which can be expensive but reliable), or take car-share rides. However, don’t rely on car-sharing too much; there aren’t enough cars available, and finding a driver can be a problem. For places a bit farther from the center and Old Town, guided tours are the best.

Here are the recommended AlUla tours:

• Alula Full Day Tour
• AlUla wonders: Hegra , Elephant rock , Old town , Harrat view
• AlUla Cultural Experience
• Al Ula: Dadan and Jabal Ikmah Tombs Guided Tour
• Hegra Tour: AlUla’s No.1 Haven For Nature, Wildlife Lovers

Where to stay in AlUla

Since AlUla is a popular tourist destination, there are numerous accommodation options to choose from, ranging in prices and comfort. I can definitely recommend staying in the desert – it is more expensive, but the overall experience is amazing.

Here are some highly-rated places to stay in AlUla:

• Caravan AlUla by Our Habitas (9.3/10)
• Dar Tantora The House Hotel (9.2/10)
• Ashar Tented Resort (9.4/10)
• and many more!

Further reading

If you are planning a trip to Saudi Arabia, here are a few more articles I published that you might find interesting and useful:

• Saudi Arabia itinerary – What to See in One Week in Saudi Arabia
• 9 Great Things to Do in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• 9 Amazing Things to Do in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

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