Full travel guide to AlUla

How to get to AlUla and getting around

The region is easily accessed through AlUla’s International Airport (ULH) with short travelling distances to all the key attractions. From the UK visitors can flying with Saudia or British Airways into Jeddah or Riyadh and connect onto a short domestic flight to AlUla. Alternitively visitors can fly one stop from the UK using the code share partnership with Emirates and flydubai changing aircraft in Dubai, with Qatar Airways over Doha, or Royal Jordanian over Amman.

When you touch down, getting around is easy using the transfer services provided by your operator or a plethora of taxi services. Rent a car with or without a driver, or make use of the popular ride-share service Careem.

Three must-visit heritage experiences in AlUla

Hegra is Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. A visit here allows you to be among the first to see AlUla’s natural and man-made works of art, from rock formations sculpted by nature to the preserved Nabataean tombs. Don’t miss the chance to take a Hegra Vintage Land Rover tour with a local Rawi (storyteller) to hear secrets of this ancient wonder. A tour takes approximately two hours. Highlights include the iconic Tomb of Lihyan son of Kuza, Hegra’s largest tomb at 21m tall. The Diwan and The Siq in the natural mountain outcrop of Jabal Ithlib are also must-sees, where you can peek through the narrow rock chambers. Admire the red hue of the recently excavated 18 tombs of Jabal AlAhmar and gaze upon Face Rock, which is shaped like a human head and makes for a glorious sight at sunrise or sunset.

In ancient Dadan, look out for carved lions high above the tombs of the Dadanite royal family and uncover stories about the legends of the Dadanite and Lihyanite civilisations. Considered one of the most developed 1st Millennium BCE cities in the Arabian Peninsula, this city displays a dozen tombs cut into the red-rock cliff and you can view a series of on going excavations demonstrating these fascinating civilisations. A visit to Jabal Ikmah offers a glimpse into the past through its rock inscriptions, an area with one of the highest concentration of scripts and rock art in Saudi Arabia. Elevate the experience with a Rawi to learn the stories behind this open-air library and the precursors to Arabic and other languages. The combined Dadan and Jabal Ikmah tour provides the opportunity to explore both sites. Meander the Oasis Heritage Trail, or take a tour with a Rawi (local storyteller) andn the fascinating scenic walk under the canopy of palms and through the small farm holdings. Finish off with a spot of lunch or dinner in one of the many restaurants in, or adjoining, the Oasis, in AlJadidah or AlUla Old Town.

For thousands of years, the oasis provided safety, water, shade and natural produce and today is a modern agricultural epicentre, particularly known for its production of dates, fruits, aromatic herbs and perfumed oils. Measuring 19km long and full with over 2.2 million palm trees, it also produces 29 types of citrus fruit as well as numerous varieties of dates, with the sweet and sticky barni variety being the local favourite. A great way to experience the oasis is to embark on the Oasis Heritage Trail, starting close to AlUla Old Town. You’ll stroll between farms, the wadi (valley) and the Orange Path with its citrus trees. Alternatively, you can independently hire a local guide to explore this beautiful oasis.

Capturing the imagination of keen photographers the world over, this rock formation is shaped, as its name suggests, like an elephant with a distinctive ‘trunk’ and ‘body’. Shaped by millions of years of wind and water erosion, this awe-inspiring natural wonder is a non-ticketed experience with optimal viewings during sunrise or sunset to watch the colours change across the rock. Travellers can drive right up to the rock where a café offers refreshments before you take your seat in the comfortable sunken area and enjoy the view of this famous geological formation.

AlUla is home to more than 28,490 square kilometres of desert landscape and incredible rock formations. Drive some 90 minutes north of the Old Town for a stargazing experience that you will not soon forget. Sitting on a traditional woven carpet, a Rawi will share stories of years gone by alongside this spectacle with its naturally formed rock pillars stretching up to the sky in the desert. Devoid of light pollution, the sky here is as dark as they come, and you will easily be able to see the Milky Way twinkling above. The tour includes dinner under the stars, but guests should arrive early to see the hues of oranges, pinks and gold paint the evening sky before the true beauty of the stark black sky is lit up with stars as far as the eyes can see.

Three thrilling adventures to have in AlUla

A 30-minute morning helicopter ride is certainly one way to awaken your senses. Above the sand and rocks, enjoy views over AlUla’s seven most famous landmarks and heritage sites, starting with Jabal AlFil (or Elephant Rock due to the shape of the rock formation) before seeing the former southern capital of the Nabataean civilization, Hegra and one of the last trains of The Hijaz Railway frozen in time. After, your helicopter will head down the valley over Jabal Ikmah, Dadan and lastly AlUla Old Town.

Maraya Social by Jason Atherton

The first restaurant in AlUla with a Michelin star chef opens on October 21, 2021 and is situated on the rooftop of Maraya, the world’s largest mirrored building. Located in pristine Ashar Valley one of Britain’s most beloved chefs brings his newest restaurant to AlUla, open Wednesday to Saturday for dinner serving produce from local farms.