AlUla is an oasis city in Saudi Arabia’s north, pitched between the red deserts of Tabuk and the holy city of Madinah. Whatever image such a description might conjure in your mind, do yourself a favour: forget what you think you know. AlUla is surprising. Few places in the Middle East capture history, natural wonder, and opulent luxury in quite the manner AlUla does.
AlUla is truly an oasis—naturally, historically, culturally. The valley’s natural irrigation system led to a thriving settlement to form thousands of years ago. That settlement became a key stop on both the Incense Route and the Spice Route, which precipitated a flow of goods between Asia, Africa, and the Mediterranean. AlUla’s oasis was a natural resting point, where merchants and caravans could recharge for supplies and take a break from the desert. This led AlUla to develop into a cultural crossroads as well. The merchants, caravanners, and other travellers hailed from diverse civilizations and had the chance to exchange ideas, share traditions, and grow their artistic influences while meeting others at the oasis.
Today, AlUla continues this tradition as an oasis and a cultural crossroads. It’s a place where people from around the world take a pause from their own metaphorical caravans to slow down and experience the beauty of the desert and the past in all its majesty. It’s also become the swankiest new spot in the Middle East, ready for its time on the big stage that will surely come with the FIFA World Cup in 2034.
Explore the treasures of Hegra, the southern capital of the Nabataeans.
The appeal of AlUla starts with Hegra, the sister city of Petra in Jordan. Petra is the iconic northern capital of the Nabataeans. Hegra is their southern capital, where you can experience the same ancient culture, recently unveiled to the world in an intimate setting. In the ancient world, the Arab kingdom of the Nabataeans ruled a stretch of land between Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. They controlled trade across the desert until the Roman Empire annexed the kingdom in 106 AD. Their kingdom was absorbed by history, but their cities weren’t, as the arid desert preserved their magnificent monuments for future generations to see.
Hegra is AlUla’s greatest treasure and Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. I was lucky enough to first spot the monuments from the air on a morning hot air balloon ride, these massive, rock facades mere pebbles along the great desert landscape that unfolded before me. But when you approach from the ground on a well curated tour, you realize how massive these monuments are. The Tomb of Lihyan son of Kuza is the most magnificent of the many well-preserved tombs and facades across the site. It stands 22m (72 ft) tall and carved perfectly out of the sheer rock itself. It’s a true wonder to behold.
Escape to an Oasis in the desert and soak up the refined atmosphere of the Old Town.
AlUla is not just Hegra—but even if it was, it’d be worth the adventure. Trust me: few sites compare. However, there’s more to AlUla than the well-preserved archaeological site. The AlUla Oasis is ground zero for exploring the city centre. Today, it’s a historic site where you can learn about Arab agricultural practices and delve into the history of the region. The greenery of the site is striking as you walk amongst thousands of date palms set against the red rocks of the valley.
Beyond the oasis lies the remains of mudbrick buildings, which show how people lived in centuries past, as well as the Old Town centre on a swank shopping corridor where you’ll find artisanal crafts, coffee shops, and open-air restaurants like the upscale Somewhere (the shrimp sayyadiyeh is a rich, fragrant wonder). It’s worth spending at least an evening wandering these streets, drinking in the atmosphere of the Old Town, with the dry breeze sweeping through as you window shop for rugs and ceramics.
Snap a selfie at Elephant Rock or Maraya, the world’s largest mirrored building.
AlUla is also made for social media moments. At sunrise and sunset, the surrounding desert and red rocks positively glow, and provide the perfect backdrop for your Instagram posts and TikTok reels. There are also several landmarks, both manmade and natural, beyond Hegra and the Oasis that demand your attention.
First is Harrat Viewpoint, an observation deck to the north of the city. Located 1,219 m (3,999 ft) above sea level, the viewpoint is often your first stop if you enter the city from the north. Head to the swank outdoor lounge area to enjoy 360-degree views of the desert unfolding beneath you, as well as the Oasis, the Old Town, and other sites such as the archaeological remains of Dadan.
Next up is Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil), a massive sandstone monument carved from centuries of wind and rain (when it happens). Standing 35.6 m (117 ft) tall, the rock looks like the silhouette of an elephant when the sun hits just right (which happens to be sunset every day). Get there early if you want to secure some of the comfy lounges set into the sands or head to a nearby ridge to plop yourself on a blanket and watch the setting sun bring this rock to life.
The other stop that should be on every content creator’s itinerary is the Maraya Concert Hall. Known as the world’s largest mirrored building, Maraya is a true optical illusion. Catch it at midday and you might not even see it at all—that is, until you trace the horizon and realize there’s the slightest right angle bracketing it off from the surrounding valley. Maraya is a concert hall and performance venue that attracts big name stars from around the world, but even if you haven’t secured a ticket inside, it’s worth stopping to snap some of the trippiest selfies you’re ever likely to take.
Stay like royalty in AlUla’s luxury resorts.
As AlUla is a getaway for the rich and famous, it stands to reason that its upscale guests need some nice places to sleep the night. Luckily, you don’t have to look far to find gorgeous resorts set in the surrounding valley. For instance, Our Habitas AlUla is a luxury resort property with a focus on wellness set in a private valley to the north of the city. Guests enjoy curated treatments and access to the sprawling grounds when they’re not relaxing in their own private bungalows with incredible night sky views (the stars hit different here). Banyan Tree AlUla is perhaps even fancier; it’s the venue of choice for many members of the Saudi Royal Family, as the gorgeous luxury tents seem to disappear into the surrounding landscape and provide unmatched sophistication and privacy. Don’t forget Shaden Resort, which is the preferred accommodation for King Charles when he’s in town (the royal villa is even named after him).
With its combination of historic treasures and natural splendour, it’s easy to enjoy your time in AlUla. The attention to detail in the restaurants and resorts only add to the appeal, making this city as the highlight of any trip to Saudi Arabia.
You might say that Aren was destined to become a globetrotter after his family took him to Germany two times before he was four. If that wasn’t enough, a term spent in Sweden as a young teenager and a trek across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand confirmed that destiny. An independent writer, director, and film critic, Aren has travelled across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and South America. His favourite travel experience was visiting the major cities of Japan’s largest island, Honshu, but his love for food, drink, and film will take him anywhere that boasts great art and culture.
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