Ultimate Guide: Experience the Magic of AlUla

AlUla is fast becoming a go-to spot for locals, residents and visitors alike.

With its red sands, gigantic sandstone features and selection of luxury desert escapes – AlUla has a certain magic that is incomparable.

There are many reasons and ways that make AlUla a truly special place, so we’re taking a look at what elements draw people back to AlUla again and again.

Home to History & Heritage

AlUla is more than a city with stunning landscapes and welcoming people. It is an over 5,000-year-old city that has been home to many civilizations – from Dadanites to the Lihyanites to the Nabateans – due to its strategic location along the ancient incense route.

The history of this ancient city is evident in its many historical sites and archaeological remnants, some over 2,000 years old. Amongst its historical sites are iconic landmarks such as: the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hegra; its iconic Qasr Al Farid, known as the lonely castle but which is in fact a carved tomb that is believed to be the Tomb of Lihyan son of Kuza; the 18th century Hegra Fort; the magnificent Elephant Rock or Jabal Al Fil in Arabic; the Hejaz Railway that was built in 1909; and more.

If all of this history wasn’t enough, it was reported earlier this year that AlUla is the site where the oldest evidence to date of dog domestication on the Arabian Peninsula took place, with evidence pointing to a burial ground dating back around 4,300 BC.

On-The-Ground Adventures & Experiences

To experience all this history and culture up close, check out the many excursions and hikes AlUla offers, such as tours of Hegra, the Old Town, and its Hidden Valley.

Ancient Tombs
Hegra is home to over 100 tombs set in a desert landscape, a location full of history worth exploring. Most of the tombs are found in Jabal Al Banat and the rest spread in Jabal Al Ahmar (“The Red Mountain” named after its red sandstone).

Hidden Valley
The region’s Hidden Valley is a hike you can’t miss, taken with a professional guide, an experience that places you in the middle of a stunning desert landscape and the striking rock formations AlUla is renowned for.

Old Town, AlUla
AlUla’s Old Town, said to have been inhabited from before the 1100s, offers a peek into the region’s past through remnants of its original stone and mudbrick buildings.

Sky-High Adventures & Experiences

AlUla can be experienced in many ways but perhaps one of the most thrilling ones is from up above, and there is no shortage of sky-high tours and experiences to be found in the city.

Hot Air Balloon Rides
If you want to go higher and exert less energy, the city offers seasonal hot air balloon rides and 30-minute helicopter tours that take you over seven of the city’s most renowned locations.

Stargazing
For a different point of view, AlUla also has one of the best stargazing sites in the Kingdom, where you can take in the magic of the night sky while surrounded bythe stunning rock formations of Gharameel.

Zipline at Harrat Mountain
A fun way to experience AlUla above ground is zip-lining at Harrat Mountain, taking you past the stunning landscape below at a speed of over 100 km/h while also allowing you to take in the breathtaking views of AlUla’s iconic mountains around you.

A World of Unending Activities

If you want to get your heart pumping while also taking in the sights and sounds of AlUla, there are many activities you can partake in, from climbing the region’s awe-inspiring formations, to hikes that bring you closer to ancient inscriptions on magnificent rock faces, to cycling past the natural wonders of AlUla.

Climbing
The Saudi Climbing Federation and the Royal Commission for AlUla have been working on different climbing routes for experienced climbers to enjoy, allowing them to challenge themselves against a backdrop of natural wonders.

Cycling
AlUla offers cyclists a 14-kilometer trail to enjoy, set against a backdrop of sandstone mountains, desert sky, and the vast vistas AlUla is known for. The track offers sandy tracks and tricky slopes, so make sure you’re ready for this heart pumping adventure.

Hiking
For those of us who aren’t avid climbers, the city also has a number of hiking routes, an interesting one being the hike in Jabal Ikmah, known by the locals as the “Open Library.” The reason for this name is that Jabal Ikmah is home to hundreds of ancient inscriptions– some believed to be as old as the first millennium B.C. – in pre-Arabic languages such as Aramaic, Dadanitic, and Nabataean.

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Feel The Magic

Finally, if you just want to wander off and get lost in the magic of AlUla, it offers a world of arts and culture for you to enjoy, from its culinary traditions to sites such as Maraya, known as the world’s largest mirrored building, set in Ashar Valley.

Also make sure to check the calendar of upcoming events while in AlUla, such as the January 21 concert of renowned operatic tenor Andrea Bocelli and the January 28 concert of Lebanese soprano singer Majida El Roumi.