Bordered by sandstone, carved by caravans, and illuminated by a crystal-clear night sky, AlUla is an unfolding story of millennia-old heritage and an ambitious future.
Soar above ancient Nabataean tombs in a hot air balloon, savor Michelin-starred cuisine, or leap across rugged canyons. Whatever your agenda, this extraordinary landscape promises a holiday that will leave an imprint in your memory.
Trace stories in a living museum
Hegra
The story begins at Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, where monumental Nabataean tombs are carved into sandstone mountains, forming a vast open-air archive of history.
111 remarkably preserved tombs, carved directly into massive sandstone outcrops, stand as silent sentinels of the Nabataean kingdom.
As you stand before the colossal Tomb of Lihyan Son of Kuza, you will feel the profound weight of history in the cool desert air.
Up close, the details feel striking and intimate. Chiseled facades, ancient inscriptions, and towering doorways hint at the lives, rituals, and prestige of a civiliszation that once controlled major incense and spice trade routes across the region.
AlUla Old Town
For a glimpse into life as it was centuries ago, wander through the labyrinthine streets of AlUla Old Town.
Inhabited from the 12th century until the 1980s, around 900 restored houses and ancient forts are steeped in the legacy of the merchants, pilgrims, and storytellers who always knew the magic of this desert crossroads.
Submerse yourself in the art and culture
The Rawi tradition
In AlUla, storytelling is a form of hospitality. The Rawi (traditional storyteller) brings place to life in a way by weaving memory, meaning and the emotional thread that connects the landscape with people.
Festivals and art: AlUla Moments
AlUla Moments is the city’s dynamic, year-round calendar of events where performance and place seamlessly intertwine.
Through music under open skies, art-led gatherings, and vibrant seasonal celebrations, this ongoing festival series turns the sweeping desert landscape into a world-class stage.
The Incense Road Experience
This award-winning activation invites you to teleport yourself back to the days of ancient trading.
Through a captivating blend of vivid storytelling, live performances, and hands-on perfume and incense-making workshops, the multi-sensory journey through the mud-brick labyrinth of the Old Town beautifully brings the historic trade route back to life in your mind.
Date: Ongoing until 26 June 2026
Old Town Market Street
To truly carry a piece of AlUla home, take your time exploring the sun-warmed walls and tightly knit alleys of the Old Town Market Street. Inside this restored historic labyrinth, the scent of traditional Saudi coffee (Gahwa) fills the air, inviting you into a shopping experience deeply rooted in local artistry.
Browse for small treasures and authentic crafts, from intricate ceramics and regional spices to hand-woven palm frond baskets. It is the kind of place where casual window shopping seamlessly turns into warm, lingering conversations with the very artisans bringing these traditions to life.
Feast for the senses
When in AlUla, along with cinematic views, your senses are treated to a delectable dining scene that exquisitely fuses authentic Arabian flavors with global culinary excellence.
Michelin star magic
Indulge in a world-class meal at Maraya Social, helmed by Michelin-starred British chef Jason Atherton. Perched atop the glittering, mirrored Maraya Hall, the restaurant offers spectacular rooftop views of the Ashar Valley alongside an inventive sharing-style menu of Mediterranean and modern Arabic dishes.
AlUla’s dining scene is earning global attention, with standout tables now featured in the MICHELIN Guide Saudi Arabia 2026 selection. Book a seat at Harrat or Tama, then make time for Joontos in the Old Town, a Bib Gourmand pick celebrated for Spanish-leaning Middle Eastern flavors.
Authentic flavors
For a true taste of the land, dine at concept restaurants like Somewhere (serving Middle Eastern and Mediterranean fusion) or Tofareya (bringing the cherished tastes of Saudi heritage from their kitchen to you). Both are beautifully nestled within the lush AlUla Oasis, allowing you to feast surrounded by the shade of 4.1 million date palms and vibrant citrus trees.
Marvel at nature’s wonders
Sandstone icons
Home to countless naturally sculpted sandstone formations scattered across the vast desert, AlUla showcases the awe-inspiring handiwork of Mother Nature.
The best way to explore this rugged terrain is by challenging yourself on hiking trails through the deep canyons. For a more luxurious pace, savor a lunch safari through the Sharaan Nature Reserve, where ancient rock formations, local folklore, and sweeping canyon landscapes come together.
Sculpted by wind and time, these natural masterpieces make up the wilder section of this living museum. Among these, Elephant Rock is the headline act. A towering natural formation shaped into an unmistakable silhouette, best met with time to linger and let the sunset change its mood.
Also, keep an eye out for whimsical formations like the sweeping Fish Rock, shaped perfectly like a desert creature swimming through the sand dunes, the Face Rock, the Dancing Rock, and the Arch just to name a few.
Oasis calm
Contrasting the sun-baked red stone is the lush, breathing heart of the region: the AlUla Oasis.
To truly connect with the lifeblood that has sustained travelers here for millennia, embark on the Oasis Heritage Trail Tour.
This scenic 3-kilometer guided walk winds through sunny clearings and under the protective canopy of 2.3 million towering date palms, taking you past historic remnants and beautifully restored farmlands bearing oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and more gifts from the earth.
Before leaving the oasis, reward yourself with an “oasis-to-table” lunch right in the heart of the farm. Savor Mediterranean fusion cuisines at Somewhere, or enjoy fresh baked food along with stunning farmland views at the Pink Camel Pastry Boutique.
Stargazing
Come night time AlUla shines like a diamond. Officially recognised as Saudi’s (and the Gulf’s) first International Dark Sky Park, it rigorously protects its pristine skies from light pollution.
Enjoy a Bedouin-style dinner beside the towering rock pillars of Gharameel or trace constellations with a local guide; the night sky will make every star and galaxy feel entirely within reach.
AlUla Skies Festival 2026
If there’s a single week that captures AlUla’s full personality, it’s AlUla Skies Festival 2026, a celebration “of all things sky.”
Skyrise Mass Morning Hot Balloon Flights
During the Skies Festival, this aerial procession will turn the horizon into a moving mural. Picture golden balloons lacing the sky like pearls, just as the rose-golden light of dawn breaks the night.
The experience includes balloon rides with pickup from 4- and 5-star hotels in AlUla, and a flight path designed to display the most breathtaking sights of Hegra.
From 6 to 15 November 2026, the festival will return once again to adorn AlUla’s skies like jewels at dawn.
Retreat to luxe havens
After a day of exploration, retreat to lush dens that redefines luxury, where the hospitality scene focuses entirely on sustainability, immersion, and leaning into nature instead of fighting it.
Premium and heritage stays
In the magnificent Ashar Valley and beyond, you will find premium escapes that blend seamlessly into the dramatic sandstone cliffs and ancient monuments:
- Banyan Tree AlUla: Unwind in a tranquil desert sanctuary featuring elegant tented villas nestled between towering rock formations. Its minimalist, Arabian-inspired canopy tents pay tribute to the land’s nomadic heritage, offering secluded private terraces that gaze out over the endless dunes.
If that’s not cinematic enough, the resort’s rock pool, squeezed tightly between two cliffs, is destined to be the most Instagrammable swim of your life.
- The Chedi Hegra: For a truly memorable sleep, check into this stunning luxury hotel set directly within the breathtaking landscape of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Built into the restored 1907 Hegra Railway Station, this place blends ancient stone with modern elegance, overlooking the magnificent Nabataean tombs.
- Dar Tantora The House Hotel: Experience an immersive heritage stay right in the heart of the beautifully restored mud-brick labyrinth of AlUla Old Town. As night falls, the true magic of this eco-community emerges when the entire property is illuminated by the warm, atmospheric glow of over 1,700 candles and traditional lanterns.
- Cloud7 Residence: For a modern, easygoing stay near the center of AlUla, Cloud7 Residence offers bungalow-style one-bedroom retreats, ideal for resetting between activities.
Unwind at the Pool Lounge or Off-Road Cafe, with a menu curated by two-Michelin-starred chef Jaume Puigdengolas.
- Ashar Tented Resort: Set among sweeping desert sands and rugged rock structures, this deluxe camping experience immerses you in spectacular scenery alongside five-star facilities.
Take in sweeping canyon views from the privacy of your own terrace, complete with a crackling firepit.
Wellness retreats
Habitas AlUla, Saudi Arabia | Luxury Hotel, Resort, and Travel Photographer, Middle East | Architecture + Lifestyle | Tanveer Badal Photography // TANVEERBADAL.COM
To feel a sense of all-round rejuvenation, check into Our Habitas AlUla, a sustainable desert resort masterfully combining luxury, and human connection.
Their Thuraya Wellness center offers yoga, breathwork, and unique treatments like the AlUla Essence Massage, which uses local ancestral ingredients like moringa peregrina and frankincense to generate a true sense of wellbeing.
Glamping experiences
For a closer connection to nature without sacrificing an ounce of comfort, AlUla brings comfort with an outdoors-first mindset:
- Caravan AlUla by Our Habitas: Hidden away in the stunning Ashar Valley, this immersive glamping experience lets you sleep close to the silence in deluxe Airstream trailers and get woken up by the soft desert light.
