Scenic beauty, year-round festivals, and Nabataean sandstone carvings - AlUla's pull has never been stronger.

Any article about AlUla must lead with its immense historical legacy. It’s here, amid the time-sculpted sandstone of the Medina province, that Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site Hegra is located. The second city of the Nabataean civilisation—after its capital, Petra—2,000-year-old Hegra is remarkably well preserved and famed for its ornate tombs elegantly carved into the local sandstone. But others have also left their marks here. Primitive rock art dates to the Neolithic Era, while the Dadanites of early Arabian history centred their kingdom around AlUla’s precious water reserves and agricultural potential.

You’ll often find people using Hegra and AlUla interchangeably, such is the importance of the Nabataean remains as an archaeological site. Led by a Rawi storyteller, visitors often prioritise a visit to Hegra’s atmospheric banquet halls and its iconic sights such as the exquisite ‘Lonely Castle’. But while Hegra is naturally seen as AlUla’s ‘jewel in the crown’, this is very much a multi-faceted destination. The 12th-century Old Town, for example, is a knot of atmospheric alleyways weaving between crumbling mudbrick homes. Embarking on a guided tour here returns bustling life to this trading outposts sand-worn streets. The Old Town is also one part of the award-winning AlUla Old Town Village where you’ll find clothes boutiques, fine-dining as well as casual restaurants, and artisan stalls that sympathetically inhabit the remains of the old market.

Dadan was the capital city for two successive kingdoms that based themselves in this extraordinary desert location. See their legacy carved into the red rock cliffs, as well as the sculpted lions that still stand guard over their tombs. And be sure to visit the naturally-formed Nabataean sanctuary known as Jabal Ithlib. Beyond its fascinating history, outstanding photographic opportunities can be found from the sandstone heights above.

Contributing to AlUla’s perpetual allure is the area’s outstanding natural beauty. It’s a region of red rock canyons, streams trickling through lush oases, and epic desert vistas. For an adrenaline-fuelled overview, book a Jeep Tour for a thrilling ride through AlUla’s unforgettable terrain. Look for rock formations like the 52-metre-high Elephant Rock (even more impressive when lit up in the warm evenings), or the so-called ‘Seven Pillars of Wisdom’. Examine the sandstone up close while rock climbing, or hike to panoramic lookouts, and embark on other off-road adventures. With the Kingdom’s commitment to eco-friendly practices, all activities have been considered in line with preserving the AlUla's timeless beauty.

You’ll encounter a verdant change of scene when you visit AlUla Oasis, the lifeblood of the successive civilisations that have dwelled here. Walk the Heritage Trail through this fragrant grove of date palms and you’ll spot the signs of ancient agriculture, as well as hammock seats beneath the breeze-shivered leaves. And as evening falls, you’ll discover that AlUla’s night sky has more stars than dates in the oasis. In this remote location, the cosmic light show will take your breath away. It’s possible to join a tour, led by a local guide, that takes you to the very best look out spots for stargazing.

Bolstering its reputation as a year-round destination is AlUla’s cycle of fantastic festivals and events. Arts festivals, mouth-watering food festivals, a glamorous desert polo tournament, and large-scale seasonal extravaganzas such as the Summer Festival—held in the oasis—as well as the ‘Winter at Tantora’ concert series. The entrancing centre of AlUla’s cultural offering is its mirage-like Maraya Concert Hall. Opened in 2019, the modern concert venue’s exterior is entirely mirrored, reflecting the contours of the desert and sandstone hills that surround its rectilinear architecture. What’s the best way to admire its mirrored magnificence? Probably at sunrise from high overhead during AlUla’s Balloon Festival—although it is possible to chart a balloon ride year-round.

With its one-of-a-kind mix of ancient history, poetic landscapes, and luxury amenities, AlUla has swiftly risen to become one of the world’s most alluring destinations.

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