While Saudi Arabia is working apace to get its futuristic giga-projects ready to welcome visitors, there’s one destination in the kingdom that’s already a hit with adventurous travellers. AlUla’s natural and man-made landscapes – think dramatic geological formations, ancient tombs and an oasis of more than two million palm trees – are some of the most alluring in the region, if not the world. Here are 10 of our favourite things to do in AlUla.
1. Explore the Nabataean tombs at Hegra
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hegra, which has more than 110 tombs hewn from desert rocks by ancient nomadic traders known as the Nabataeans, is AlUla’s showstopper. The most well-recognised monument is the tomb of Lihyan, Son of Kuza, carved around the first century BCE from a single rock and, mysteriously, never completed. On a tour of the site by bus or vintage Land Rover, visitors will also experience: the 29 tombs at Jabal Al Banat, some decorated with flowers, others with ancient Greek motifs such as eagles and urns; and, Jabal Ithlib, with its carved diwan, where a narrow passageway between two imposing geological formations leads to ancient ritual sites. Later this year, visitors will be able to stay even closer to the rock monuments with the opening of a new Chedi hotel, the first to be built within Hegra itself.
2. Go even further back in time at the tombs of Dadan
Predating those at Hegra by centuries, the tombs carved into the red rock face at the ancient city of Dadan may look like geometric holes-in-the-wall but this simplicity belies its mystery. Visitors should keep their eyes peeled for the lions carved into the rock that appear to be protecting a number of tombs. At first glance the beasts may appear simple and unadorned, but closer inspection reveals vivid fur, teeth and claws.
3. Decipher centuries’ worth of inscriptions at Jabal Ikmah
Since the first millennium BCE, people have left their mark on the rock walls of Jabal Ikmah in the forms of inscriptions and petroglyphs, some carved by professional scribes, others by ordinary people. Thousands of such records of the ancient past exist here, rendered in ancient scripts like those used by the Dadanites and Lihyanites, as well as rock art. Some inscriptions speak of offerings to the Lihyanite gods and pilgrimages being embarked upon; whilst its drawings take the form of people, camels, oryxes and, even, musical instruments. The longer you gaze upon the rock surfaces, the more will be revealed.
4. Get lost in the labyrinthine Old Town
Springing up as a major crossroads on trade and pilgrimage routes, AlUla’s Old Town was inhabited from the 12th century right up to the 1980s and undoubtedly benefited from its proximity to AlUla’s rich oasis. Originally made up of around 900 mudbrick houses and 400 shops packed into narrow streets and overlooked by a fort, restored areas of the neighbourhood are now home to restaurants, cafés and shops. Head to Suhail for contemporary Saudi flavours served on the sunny rooftop of a restored house, lounge against cushions and dive into Hijazi flavours at Al Nakheel, or go for burgers and baos – with lots of vegetarian and vegan options – at Acme. Guided tours through the narrow lanes are well worth doing to gain a greater insight into its history. Most fascinating, perhaps, are oral histories about the Old Town that have been handed down by people who lived here until only a few decades ago.
5. Swim in one of the world’s most dramatic infinity pools at the Banyan Tree
The Banyan Tree AlUla’s glorious infinity pool, squeezed between towering rocks with views out over the Ashar Valley is reserved for guests, so if you want to get a shot for your feed, you’re going to have to splash out on what is a truly extraordinary experience. Gazing out beyond the rock pool’s edge you’ll see the spectacular geological formations that hug the valley, carved out over thousands of years by wind and water, as well as AlUla’s most notable modern man-made landmark, the mirror-covered Maraya. The pool’s modest size makes the experience even more intimate, inspiring quiet reflection, whether you choose to float in its waters under a fierce midday sun or, at sunset, as the valley landscape takes on a soft golden hue. At AlUla, it can be tempting to pack days full of sight-seeing but this is one place that merits some quiet time for relaxation.
6. Stay in an Airstream trailer at Caravan by Habitas AlUla
AlUla is definitely not a budget travel destination and accommodation here can be expensive. For those looking for something more cost-effective, however, the stylish Airstream trailers at Caravan by Habitas AlUla can cost less than half the price of rooms at its sister resort Habitas AlUla, a little further up the valley. In a dramatic setting
between towering cliffs, the distinctive silver-sided trailers have their own screened decks for gazing at the surrounding rock formations and come with twin or queen
beds and showers – not to mention being brilliantly photogenic when
the desert sunlight hits their mirrored surfaces. Dining comes courtesy of on-site food
trucks, and a central tented area is filled with sofas, carpets and cushions for
socialising.
7. Watch the sunset at Elephant Rock
Another popular and highly photogenic spot and one that is best seen around sunset is the 52-metre high Elephant Rock or Jabal AlFil. Carved by the elements over millennia, it is one of AlUla’s most recognisable and best-loved sights. Enjoy the view from sunken seating areas around the rock; there’s an on-site cafe as well as a branch of Dubai’s homegrown burger truck-turned-restaurant, Salt, both of which are open late into the night.
8. See AlUla from the air
Not surprisingly, seeing AlUla from the air reveals the landscape from a whole new perspective. Hop on a 30-minute helicopter tour and appreciate the vastness of the site, flying over seven of AlUla’s most prominent landmarks, including Elephant Rock, the tombs of Hegra and mirrored Maraya. Just as exciting as playing spot-the-monolith is seeing the scale of the oasis with its 2 million date palms, the ever-changing sands and colours of AlUla’s deserts, and its golden geological formations.
9. Gaze in awe at Maraya’s shining surfaces
While the most famous man-made sights of AlUla date back centuries, there’s one
much more recent addition to the landscape that’s breathtaking in its own right.
Maraya, the world’s largest mirrored building, sits in the Ashar Valley, reflecting the
surrounding scenery and clear desert skies. The venue often plays host to exhibitions
and big-name concerts – Andrea Bocelli and Alicia Keys are regulars – and there’s a
restaurant by British chef Jason Atherton on the roof, but it’s the architecture that
has earned Maraya its place among the list of AlUla’s wonders. Visit by day when
the sun is high and the light is at its brightest to be completely blown away.
10. Head out on a hike at night
AlUla really comes into its own in winter, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t things
to do here in the summer months. One of the best ways to enjoy the landscapes away from the heat of the midday sun is to join a night hike into the Sharaan Nature Reserve’s
Hidden Valley with adventure operator Husaak. Time your hike for a full moon and
you’ll see the shadows of the sandstone mountains cast onto the surrounding sands.
Step out on a moonless night, and the skies will be full of stars. Even in summer the
desert can get cool after sunset, so be sure to bring an extra layer.