FOREVER REVITALIZING: TRAVEL THROUGH TIME IN ALULA

A DESERT OASIS BRIMMING WITH NATURAL BEAUTY

Together with its rich cultural heritage and layer-upon-layer of human history, AlUla stands out for its remarkable wealth of natural wonders. Boasting a magnificent sense of space and peace, AlUla’s landscape invites you to wander and meditate upon the splendor of this open-air museum. From mazes of dramatic rock to rolling sand-swept dunes, a valley swathed in citrus groves to millennia-old lava flows, be sure to make time to explore AlUla’s outdoors and connect with its expansive natural offerings.

ELEPHANT ROCK (JABAL ALL FIL)
Set among dramatic desert landscape and soaring nearly 170 feet into the sky, Elephant Rock (known as Jabal All Fil) is AlUla’s most iconic geological marvel. The instantly recognizable form, with its distinctive trunk and body, was shaped by wind and water erosion over the course of millions of years. This monolithic sandstone formation is a wonder to gaze upon at any time of the day, but dusk is particularly magical. As the sun sets, colors dance in the sky and this epic elephant turns a magnificent shade of red. When night falls, the sky comes alive with the twinkling of thousands of stars.

HARRAT VIEWPOINT
AlUla is blessed with numerous lookout points that offer an elevated view of the epic landscape. Scale the black lava stone terrain of Harrat Uwayrid, and you’ll be rewarded with views over Dadan, AlUla Old Town, AlUla Fort and the AlUla Oasis. Stand at what feels like the edge of the world, meditate and reconnect with nature. Arrive before sundown to soak up the sights and sounds of the golden hour, when the sky’s orange glow adds a magical touch to everything you see. Stay for sunset and watch the sky slowly fill with thousands of dancing stars. Telescopes allow you to see further, finding constellations and stories among the stars.

HERITAGE OASIS TRAIL
With its lush palm-shaded paths and picture-perfect setting, the Oasis captures the beauty and heritage of AlUla. Meandering through it is the Heritage Oasis Trail, a path that invites you to stroll along and soak up its serenity and natural splendor. Stretching almost four miles past remnants of mudbrick houses, working farms and ancient city walls, the Heritage Oasis Trail is free and open to visitors, day and night. This beautiful, designated trail has multiple entry and exit points, so you can choose between long, leisurely walks or short strolls.

ASHAR VALLEY
With its dramatic canyons and wind-carved rock formations, Ashar Valley offers a truly spectacular geology that was millions of years in the making. The stunning landscape is also home to some of the region’s most luxurious hotels, as well as the award-winning Maraya – the largest mirrored building ever constructed.

SHARAAN NATURE RESERVE
At the Sharaan Nature Reserve, 579 square miles of soaring red-rock canyons, sprawling deserts and valleys carpeted in delicate wildflowers offer a treasure trove of natural wonders. The mission of Sharaan Nature Reserve is to restore, protect and conserve the sensitive ecosystem native to AlUla. Efforts are currently underway to restore the area, allowing for its natural inhabitants to reclaim the land. 

SPECTACULAR STARGAZING
Ever wondered why a dark sky is so coveted? You only need to understand how light pollution from cities dims the capacity to see stars and constellations. As the sun sets here, its beautiful hues of orange, pink and gold are the prelude to a magical excursion once the sky drops its curtain. We all live under the same sky, but its clarity and unfathomable beauty are a spectacular sight to behold in the ancient desert realm of AlUla.

MUST-SEE HERITAGE SITES

HEGRA
Hegra is Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage site. Here you will find over 110 remarkably well-preserved tombs set in a desert landscape while learning about the ancient people and culture of AlUla. The wells and stone-lined water channels demonstrate the civilization's expert craftsmanship. Roman influence is also present in the form of defensive walls, gates and towers that once encircled the city.

JABAL IKMAH
Jabal Ikmah is a mountain near the ancient city of Dadan and is described as a huge open-air library. Across the AlUla Valley lie thousands of inscriptions in Aramaic, Dadanitic, Thamudic, Minaic and Nabataean. These inscriptions make AlUla an important location for studying the Arabic language.

DADAN
The city of Dadan is the capital of the Dadan and Lihyan kingdoms. The city benefited from both its strategic location along the incense trade routes and the underground water resources. The quality of the remains in this ancient site is a testiment to the richness and intensity of the caravan trade of the early first millennium BCE.

ALULA OLD TOWN
AlUla Old Town is in the narrowest part of the AlUla Valley and built on a slight elevation. The town features 900 mudbrick houses, 400 shops and five town squares. Traces of original stone and mudbrick structures can be found at this site. Visitors can peek into the Masjid Al-Izam (Mosquee of the Bons), where Prophet Muhammad is believed to have prayed.