Your guide to Maraya, AlUla

Drive into the Ashar Valley and you might well miss the colossal landmark that is Maraya. With sustainability credentials, architectural prowess and being a place that plays host to some of the world’s greatest superstars Maraya is perhaps one of the grandest works of art in the world.

Maraya is a purpose-built events venue that Guinness World Records acknowledges as the largest mirrored building in the world. It was designed by Gioforma Architects to reflect the sandstone mountains and the desert around it so as not to intrude on its impressive natural landscape. As you drive in to Ashar Valley, Maraya appears like a mirage and swiftly disappears into the landscape before reappearing. You’d be forgiven for thinking that the desert is playing tricks on you.

Maraya, which translates to English as mirrors, needed material that would not only reflect its surroundings but also withstand extreme weather conditions of the desert. So, it could not be constructed with standard mirrored glass. As such, a special and new formulation for mirror glass was developed in record time just for Maraya. 9740 square metres of separate panels were treated and coated before installation could begin. The diligence towards designing and installing the building paid off as Maraya was awarded the 2020 Architizer A+Awards in the Architecture and Glass category.

From all around within this giant mirrored cube, visitors can continue to enjoy the panoramic views of the canyon as the mirrored surface, while reflective on the outside, also offers transparency from within while flooding the inside with natural light. Designed to also express that AlUla is a place where you will meet the past, present and future in the same moment, Maraya’s mirrored exterior also begets an exchange between history, and nature that is shaping AlUla’s future. In a place of bygone wonder, Maraya is truly AlUla’s modern marvel.

Maraya features a 500-seat concert hall inside (Maxime Seltenrijch)

Maraya has a 550-seat auditorium, complete with four VIP boxes that offers private butler service as well as a Royal Suite reserved for the Royal family. In addition, four floors are used for global conferences and events and provides dining facilities for the events. Recently, Maraya hosted the inaugural AlUla World Archaeology Summit where delegates from 39 countries attended this inaugural event. In addition, global superstars such as Alicia Keys, Usher, Andrea Bocelli and Westlife have performed on its stage as well as regional artists Mai Farouk, Kadim Al Sahir and Angham.

In a recent art exhibition ‘Fame: Andy Warhol in AlUla’ featuring some of Warhol’s most famous paintings and prints of Elizabeth Taylor and Dolly Parton as well as his groundbreaking installation Silver Clouds were all displayed at Maraya. The United Nations World Tourism Organisation also hosted its awards ceremony at Maraya in 2022, attracting visitors and delegates from around the world.

As the winter season begins and most of AlUla’s big name festivals, such as Azimuth 2024, move outdoors with the cooler weather it’s still possible to catch live performances in Maraya’s auditorium. Recently, Maraya has welcomed stars like Egyptian performer Sherine Abdel Wahab, folk and pop icon Cheb Khaled and pop superstar Faouzia. Find out upcoming performances at Maraya here.

Few dining spots can match Maraya Social on Maraya’s rooftop (Experience AlUla)

Maraya Social, Michelin-starred British chef Jason Atherton’s first venture in Saudi Arabia is situated on Maraya’s rooftop. Whilst you will be impressed by the dishes served at Maraya Social, prepare to be bowled over by the design of the restaurant which offers diners an unequivocal sense of its surroundings. The rooftop terrace looks out over the ancient rock formations and the endless sand of the Ashar Valley as far as the horizon. After sunset, the sky lights up with a million stars and on a full moon, the soft lunar glow casts shadows across the scenery, offering a dining experience that might well be considered out of this world.

While you’re wowed by the surroundings, also try some of Maraya Social’s exquisite dishes meant for sharing. Octopus carpaccio, Black Angus raw beef tartar, salmon confit and AlUla date and banana pudding are only some of the delightful options on the menu. Maraya Social has married European cuisine with the sharing culture of Arabia to offer an exceptional and immersive dining experience in the desert. Be captivated by it all its energy as you enjoy Michelin-approved dining in a place where heritage meets astounding natural beauty.