About العلا
جوهرة السعودية — موقع الحِجر التراثي العالمي وصخرة الفيل وقاعة مرايا وسبعة آلاف عام من التاريخ العربي في مشهد صحراوي مذهل.
Best For
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 — العلا
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 العلا
4 attractions
Historical
👨👩👧👦
الحِجر (مدائن صالح)
Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site — 111 monumental Nabataean rock-…
Natural-wonder
👨👩👧👦
صخرة الفيل
A 52-metre natural sandstone formation that resembles an elephant with its trunk…
Landmark
👨👩👧👦
قاعة مرايا
The world's largest mirrored building (Guinness World Record) — 9,740 sqm of mir…
Cultural
👨👩👧👦
البلدة القديمة في العلا
A 900-year-old abandoned mud-brick town with 900 houses, 400 shops, 5 town squar…
🏨 Where to Stay in العلا
2 accommodations
Resort
$$
هابيتاس العلا
★
★
★
★
★
Ashar Valley
A luxury eco-resort in Ashar Valley — villas nestled among sandstone c…
Resort
$$
منتجع شادن
★
★
★
★
★
AlUla Town
A heritage-inspired resort with traditional Hijazi architecture, deser…
🍽️ Where to Eat in العلا
2 dining spots
Fine Dining
$$$
مطعم سموير
Arabian-International
Halal
A fine dining experience set against AlUla's canyon walls — Saudi-inspired cuisi…
Restaurant
$$
مطبخ تراث العلا
Saudi Traditional · Indoor
Halal
Traditional Hijazi cuisine — kabsa rice with lamb, mandi, grilled meats, flatbre…
🛍️ Shopping in العلا
1 shopping destination
🛒 Market
محلات قرية العلا التراثية
Crafts
Daily 9 AM-10 PM
Artisan shops in the heritage area selling Arabian incense (bukhoor), traditional perfume …
🌙 Nightlife in العلا
1 venue
Local Regulations
Alcohol PROHIBITED. Saudi Arabia has a strict no-alcohol policy.
🎭 Entertainment Show
$
صخرة الفيل ليلاً
Elephant Rock is dramatically illuminated at night with an outdoor café at its b…
🚌 Getting Around العلا
✈️ 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 العلا 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 — العلا
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
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