Al-Ula

Understand

Al-Ula is an ancient oasis town at the northern tip of the Hejaz, best known for its many Nabatean historical sites, most notably the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hegra (Madain Saleh), a rock-hewn city built by the same civilization as Jordan's Petra. Long obscure, in 2017 the Saudi government set up a Royal Commission with the stated aim of turning Al-Ula into a world-class tourist attraction. Investment since has been fast and furious, with the airport now fielding direct international flights and a cluster of 10 luxury hotels springing up. Get there before the world finds out about it!

Getting there

By plane 1 Al-Ula International Airport. (ULH IATA) Connections to major regional hubs including Dubai, Doha, Jeddah and Riyadh. (updated Dec 2024) The nearest major airport is at Medina, around 300 km away.

By bus Saptco runs direct buses to Al-Ula from major towns including Jeddah (8 hr) and Riyadh (13½ hr).

By car There is no parking in the old town itself, but there are two park-and-ride car parks at the north and south ends of the town with free minibuses and golf carts.

Getting around

Uber and Careem are available. Don't count on being able to grab one at Al-Ula International Airport though.

See

Most visitors come to Al-Ula to see Hegra (Madain Saleh), 22 km away and covered in a separate article.

1 Old City of Dadan (very close to the modern day town). Remnants of an old Nabatean city. Highlight are the Lion Tombs of Dadan, carved tombs into the rocks with large lions carved at each side. The lion sculptures can only be observed by installed binoculars from about 170 m, because the structure is very fragile. Tour includes the visit at a small museum at the Dadan Visitor Center and a visit at the archaeological excavation site. It can only be visited as part of a two hour tour. Unfortunately the tour is spun out longer than it should be and the English version of the audio guide is weak. Around SR 60 per person, bundled together with Jabal Ikhmal. (updated Jan 2025) 2 Rock Carvings of Jabal Ikhmal. Ancient petroglyphs that were carved into the nearby mountains and rocks by ancient travellers and pilgrims. The tour includes a participation at rock carving workshop where visitors can carve their names in old Nabatean language into rocks, which they can take home as souvenirs. Visited together with the Old City of Dadan. Around SR 60 per person, bundled together with Old City of Dadan. (updated Jan 2025) 3 Dadan Heritage Trail (walk from the Old Town of Al-Ula). A picturesque trail close to the old city of Dadan, through a date plantation with many historical farm ruins and gardens. Free admittance. (updated Jun 2024) 4 Old Town of Al-Ula (about 5 km south of the Winter Park Visitor Center and 2 km north of the New Town). The historical town center, a cluster of ancient houses mixed with new buildings that were made looking old. A small castle has a great view of the old town but it can only be visited on a tour booked from the Incense Road. (updated Jan 2025) 5 Restored Hejaz Railway Station (Al Manshiyah) (on the northern side of Al-Ula). Facilities all set up and ready for tourists, but are locked tight as a drum! This location will likely be developed as

Buy

1 Market Street. The tourist street in the Old Town. There is a wide selection of souvenirs such as clothes, handicraft, beauty products, jewellery and such. (updated Jun 2024)

Eat

Most of the upper-class hotels in the region have their own exquisite in-house restaurants. Alternatively you can also look for rather tourist-oriented (and accordingly expensive) restaurants and cafés in the Old Town.

1 Somewhere (سموير). SAR 200+ per person. (updated Jan 2026) If you have your own means of transport or if you are staying there in the first place, you could visit the more local and cheaper restaurants in the New Town (2 km south of the Old Town), where all the regular locals go eat. There is a wide selection of Western-style fast food, Arabian-style rice dishes, Shawarma and Kebab, Yemeni cuisine and other restaurants.

Sleep

A cluster of 10 ultra-luxury hotels between the city and Hegra is in various stages of completion. Rates are very seasonal: during the winter peak you can expect to pay north of US$1000/night, but in midsummer the same hotel will go for $300.

1 Banyan Tree AlUla (about 10 km north of town). Luxury tented villas set in a wadi in the middle of the desert. The rock pool wedged into a narrow valley is spectacular. 2000 SAR. (updated Dec 2024) 2 Red Mountains Farm Resort, ☏ +966500012049. There are few budget or mid-range options in Al-Ula. These self-catered cabins are 35 minutes away, but are reasonably priced. Owner only accepts cash. Wi-Fi is good. Situated among beautiful rock formations and in a fruit orchard. 300 SAR. (updated Jan 2026)