//
Governorate of Medina Region, Saudi Arabia
Photo: Pteropus conspicillatus, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Al-Ula (ٱلْعُلَا al-ʿUlā), officially branded AlUla, is a city in the Hejaz region of Saudi Arabia.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
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.
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.
A picturesque trail close to the old city of Dadan, through a date plantation with many historical farm ruins and gardens.
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.
Al Manshiyah
Facilities all set up and ready for tourists, but are locked tight as a drum! This location will likely be developed as a tourist attraction.
A scenic viewpoint at Mount Harrat overlooking the whole valley. There is also a parking lot and fancy restaurant at that same spot.
سموير
Luxury tented villas set in a wadi in the middle of the desert. The rock pool wedged into a narrow valley is spectacular.
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.
The tourist street in the Old Town. There is a wide selection of souvenirs such as clothes, handicraft, beauty products, jewellery and such.
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.
Uber and Careem are available. Don't count on being able to grab one at Al-Ula International Airport though.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Al-Ula · International · ULH
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Al-Ula and Saudi Arabia.
Food & drinkWhile the Middle East is vast and diverse, similar culinary traditions can be found across the region. They have been formed by the Mediterranean climate, commercial routes to Europe, Asia and Africa, and the Abrahamic…
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesThe annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, the Hajj is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims and is the largest annual gathering of people in the world.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsThis page is an overview of ferry services in the Red Sea. It gives only basic information, see each ferry port or country's "Get in by boat" section for more on times, fares, and other practicalities - especially visas.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyPre-Islamic Arabia refers to the history of the Arabian Peninsula up to the proclamation of Islam by the Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century.
Wikivoyage
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.