About AlUla
Saudi Arabia's crown jewel — Hegra UNESCO World Heritage Site, Elephant Rock, the mirror-clad Maraya concert hall, and 7,000 years of Arabian history in a dramatic desert canyon landscape.
AlUla is Saudi Arabia's most spectacular tourism destination and the centrepiece of Vision 2030's cultural strategy. A vast desert valley (the size of Belgium) in northwestern Saudi, it contains Hegra (Madain Salih) — Saudi's first UNESCO World Heritage Site and the southern capital of the Nabataean kingdom that built Petra. Over 100 monumental rock-cut tombs dot the sandstone landscape. The Old Town of AlUla, with its 900-year-old mud-brick labyrinth, is being carefully restored. Elephant Rock — a 52-metre natural sandstone formation — is the iconic landmark. The Maraya concert hall, covered entirely in mirrors reflecting the desert, is the world's largest mirrored building. AlUla is positioning itself as a world-class luxury heritage destination with Aman, Banyan Tree, and Jean Nouvel resorts under development.
Highlights
🏛️
Hegra (Madain Salih)
Saudi's first UNESCO site — 111 Nabataean rock-cut tombs, sister city of Petra.
🐘
Elephant Rock
52-metre natural sandstone formation — AlUla's icon, lit up at night.
🪞
Maraya Concert Hall
World's largest mirrored building — reflecting the desert landscape.
🏘️
AlUla Old Town
900-year-old mud-brick labyrinth being restored — Arabian heritage.
⭐
Stargazing
Zero light pollution — the Milky Way is stunning here.
Best For
Travel Tips
Key Facts
- Timezone
- Asia/Riyadh
- Currency
- SAR
- Airport
ULH
📅 Best Time to Visit
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best months to visit: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
✈️ Travel Information — AlUla
Everything you need to know before you go
Visa Requirements
1
Climate: Hot desert — extreme summer, cool winters, cold nights
Monthly Temperatures
Safe
💰
SAR
Currency
🏷️
SAR
Symbol
⚡
220
Voltage
〰️
60
Frequency
🏛️ Top Attractions in AlUla
4 attractions
Historical
👨👩👧👦
Hegra (Madain Salih)
Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site — 111 monumental Nabataean rock-…
Natural-wonder
👨👩👧👦
Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil)
A 52-metre natural sandstone formation that resembles an elephant with its trunk…
Landmark
👨👩👧👦
Maraya Concert Hall
The world's largest mirrored building (Guinness World Record) — 9,740 sqm of mir…
Cultural
👨👩👧👦
AlUla Old Town
A 900-year-old abandoned mud-brick town with 900 houses, 400 shops, 5 town squar…
🏨 Where to Stay in AlUla
2 accommodations
Resort
$$
Habitas AlUla
★
★
★
★
★
Ashar Valley
A luxury eco-resort in Ashar Valley — villas nestled among sandstone c…
Resort
$$
Shaden Resort
★
★
★
★
★
AlUla Town
A heritage-inspired resort with traditional Hijazi architecture, deser…
🍽️ Where to Eat in AlUla
2 dining spots
Fine Dining
$$$
Somewhere Restaurant
Arabian-International
Halal
A fine dining experience set against AlUla's canyon walls — Saudi-inspired cuisi…
Restaurant
$$
AlUla Heritage Kitchen
Saudi Traditional · Indoor
Halal
Traditional Hijazi cuisine — kabsa rice with lamb, mandi, grilled meats, flatbre…
🛍️ Shopping in AlUla
1 shopping destination
🛒 Market
AlUla Heritage Village Shops
Crafts
Daily 9 AM-10 PM
Artisan shops in the heritage area selling Arabian incense (bukhoor), traditional perfume …
🌙 Nightlife in AlUla
1 venue
Local Regulations
Alcohol PROHIBITED. Saudi Arabia has a strict no-alcohol policy.
🎭 Entertainment Show
$
Elephant Rock at Night
Elephant Rock is dramatically illuminated at night with an outdoor café at its b…
🚌 Getting Around AlUla
✈️ Airports
✈️
AlUla Airport (Prince Abdul Majeed)
ULH
📍 35 from city center
🚐 Airport Transfers
🚇 Public Transport
🚕 Taxi & Rideshare
📱 Careem
Base: SAR 5 · SAR 1.50/km
💡 Getting Around Tips
right
Low — sites are spread across a 30 km valley. Car or organised tour essential.
📦 Book AlUla with Lavisa
Everything you need for your trip — all in one place
✈️
Flights to AlUla
Domestic from Riyadh/Jeddah. Seasonal international during A…
From AED 599
🗺️
Heritage Tours
Hegra UNESCO, Elephant Rock, Old Town, and stargazing.
From AED 199
📦
AlUla + Madinah
Heritage + spiritual — Hegra + Prophet's Mosque combo.
From AED 3,999
ℹ️ Practical Information — AlUla
Not expected.: Modest dress. No alcohol. Conservative area — respect local customs.: No alcohol. Shops close during prayer times. Friday is the holy day.
📅 When to Visit AlUla
Peak Season
Shoulder Season
Off-Peak
🏆 Best Months:
🥇 Sep
🥈 May
🥉 Apr
Jan
🔴 Peak Season
🌡️ 25° / 14°
🌧️ 2d
$$$$$
🎆 New Year
Feb
🔴 Peak Season
🌡️ 25° / 14°
🌧️ 2d
$$$$$
🛍️ Dubai Shopping Festival
Mar
🔴 Peak Season
🌡️ 30° / 20°
🌧️ 5d
$$$$$
🌙 Ramadan (approx.)
Apr
⭐
🟡 Shoulder Season
🌡️ 30° / 20°
🌧️ 5d
$$$
🎉 Eid al-Fitr (approx.)
📚 Spring Break
May
⭐
🟢 Off-Peak
🌡️ 30° / 20°
🌧️ 5d
$
Jun
🟢 Off-Peak
🌡️ 45° / 32°
🌧️ 0d
$
🐑 Eid al-Adha (approx.)
☀️ Summer Holiday Starts
Jul
🟢 Off-Peak
🌡️ 45° / 32°
🌧️ 0d
$
🎪 Dubai Summer Surprises
Aug
🟢 Off-Peak
🌡️ 45° / 32°
🌧️ 0d
$
Sep
⭐
🟢 Off-Peak
🌡️ 30° / 20°
🌧️ 5d
$
📚 School Year Starts
Oct
🟡 Shoulder Season
🌡️ 30° / 20°
🌧️ 5d
$$$
Nov
🔴 Peak Season
🌡️ 30° / 20°
🌧️ 5d
$$$$$
🇦🇪 UAE National Day (Dec 2)
Dec
🔴 Peak Season
🌡️ 25° / 14°
🌧️ 2d
$$$$$
🎄 Christmas & NYE
❄️ Winter Break
⭐ Reviews & Ratings
0.0
☆☆☆☆☆
0 reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first!
0.0
☆☆☆☆☆
0 reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!
✍️ Write a Review
★★★★★
Ready to explore AlUla?
Talk to a human travel planner — get a tailored quote within 24 hours, no commitment.
- 24h response
- No commitment
- Tailored proposal
Get a custom quote
Tell us what you're looking for — our travel team replies within 24 hours with a tailored proposal.
- 24-hour response
- No commitment
- Talk to a real human
Got it — thanks!
Our travel team will be in touch within 24 hours with a tailored proposal.
🌍
Ready to explore AlUla?
Book your flights, hotels, and activities with Lavisa Travel for the best prices and seamless experience.