AlUla is a place that defies the pace of modern travel, and time stands still in the best way.

The vast otherworldly landscape is often considered to be an open-air gallery where 200,000 years of human history are quite literally etched into towering sandstone canyons. As Saudi Arabia’s premier cultural destination, it offers a rare blend of deep-rooted heritage and avant-garde luxury. Whether you are floating over the desert at dawn or dining in a 12th-century mud-brick city by starlight, AlUla is designed to take your breath away.

Here are five must-do activities for your 2026 itinerary, particularly for first time visitors.

Watch the Sunrise from a Hot Air Balloon

Sunrise hot air balloon Hero Balloons AlUla 3

Sunrise hot air balloon Hero Balloons AlUla 2

If you're going to do AlUla, you need to do it right and there is no perspective quite like the one from 4,000 feet above the Ashar Valley. As the sun creeps up from the horizon beyond, a sunrise hot air balloon journey with Hero Balloon Flights is the ultimate way to start your AlUla adventure. As the first light of day hits the sandstone massifs, you’ll drift silently over the UNESCO-listed tombs of Hegra and the winding green canopy of the Oasis. The experience is both serene and exhilarating, offering a 360-degree look at how the ancient civilisations once utilised this dramatic landscape.

Book your sunrise hot air balloon ride here
@heroballoonssaudi

See The Icons: Hegra and Elephant Rock

Hegra at AlUla. STA

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No visit to AlUla is truly complete without witnessing Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, for yourself. Home to over 110 remarkably preserved Nabataean tombs, AlUla is considered as the sister city to Jordan’s Petra, but luckily for visitors, it remains far more untouched. After exploring the extraordinary ancient archaeology, head to Jabal AlFil or Elephant Rock, a natural phenomenon, as evening approaches. This 52-meter-tall natural monolith truly comes to life at sunset. Grab a coffee at one of the sunken fire-pit lounges surrounding the rock and watch the sandstone turn a deep, fiery crimson.

Explore Old Town AlUla by Night

AlUla Old Town via instagram

As evening falls, Old Town AlUla transforms into an atmospheric labyrinth of soft lantern light and storytelling. Wander through the restored mud-brick ruins, which were inhabited until as recently as the 1980s, before finding the perfect sport for a bite to eat. The growing cultural district has become a culinary hotspot; for a sophisticated evening, book a table at Entrecôte Café de Paris or explore the Old Town Culinary Voyage, a progressive tasting menu that pairs local flavours with the history of the Incense Road.

Go Into the Wild with a Desert Safari

Sharaan Reserve Platinum Safari AlUla 2

Sharaan Reserve Platinum Safari AlUla 3

To see the "untamed" side of the region, journey further into the Sharaan Nature Reserve. A guided 4x4 safari through these protected red-rock canyons offers a unique glimpse into AlUla’s landscape, and the continuing ecosystem regeneration. Keep your camera ready for the Idmi gazelles, Nubian ibex, and the rare Arabian wolves that roam the reserve. For an elevated experience, the Sharaan Platinum Dinner Safari combines the nature drive with a nocturnal eco-walk and a five-course meal under the desert stars.

Book your safari here
@platinumheritagesaudi

Reflect on Your Visit at the Maraya

Maraya Alaula via unplash arne-backhaus

Rising like a mirage from the desert floor, Maraya is a man-made wonder that must be seen to be believed. Covered in 9,740 mirrored panels, it holds the Guinness World Record for the largest mirrored building on Earth. It is designed to "disappear" into the surrounding Ashar Valley, reflecting the ancient cliffs back at themselves. While it serves as a world-class concert hall hosting global icons, you can simply visit to marvel at the architecture or dine at Maraya Social, the rooftop restaurant by MICHELIN-starred chef Jason Atherton.

Book your table at Maraya Social here
@marayaalula @marayasocial

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