Destination guide
AlUla
Sandstone canyons, 2,000-year-old Nabataean tombs and some of the most striking desert hotels on earth. Three nights is the minimum; four is better.
Updated · by Daniel
AlUla at a glance
- Best time
- October to March
- How long
- 3–4 nights
- Airport
- AlUla International (ULH)
- Getting around
- Hire car or private driver
- Must book ahead
- Hegra tickets, resort rooms, event nights
- Region
- North-west Saudi Arabia, Madinah Province
Plan your AlUla trip
AlUla
Visiting Hegra
Tickets, tour types, Qasr al-Farid and the best time of day.
AlUla
Hegra sold out?
Sold out? The realistic options, in order, from official releases to private tours.
AlUla
Where to stay in AlUla
Banyan Tree, Habitas and Dar Tantora compared, and which area to choose.
AlUla
Things to do in AlUla
Old Town, Elephant Rock, Maraya, Dadan, buggies and stargazing.
AlUla
Getting to AlUla
Flights into ULH, driving times, and getting around once you are there.
AlUla
AlUla without a car
Possible, but plan it: real costs of taxis, drivers and tours vs hiring a car.
AlUla
AlUla in December: what to wear
Warm days, cold desert nights: the exact packing list for December.
How to spend three days
Day 1: Old Town and sunset
Arrive, collect your car and check in. Walk the mud-brick lanes of AlUla Old Town in the late afternoon, then watch sunset at Elephant Rock, where the lounge seating faces the arch.
Day 2: Hegra
Take a morning tour of Hegra, including the lone tomb of Qasr al-Farid. Rest through the midday heat, then spend the evening at Maraya or in the AlJadidah arts district.
Day 3: Canyons and stars
Visit Dadan and the inscriptions at Jabal Ikmah in the morning. Finish with a desert stargazing experience; AlUla’s night skies are exceptionally dark.
Book for AlUla
Car hire
AlUla and the Riyadh escarpment are driving destinations. Book an SUV early in season.
AlUla airport transfer
Pre-book a car from AlUla International (ULH). Resorts are 30–60 minutes away.
Data eSIM
Install before you fly. Maps, ride apps and tickets all need data on arrival.
Questions travellers ask
How many days do you need in AlUla?
Three nights covers Hegra, Old Town, Elephant Rock and one evening experience. Four nights lets you add Dadan, Jabal Ikmah and a slow day at your resort.
Can you visit AlUla on a day trip?
Not realistically. It is a flight from Riyadh or Jeddah, and Hegra is only visited on timed tours. Stay at least two nights.
Is AlUla worth it?
Yes. Hegra alone is one of the great archaeological sites of the Middle East, and it is far quieter than Petra.
