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Where some see only arid desert, others see an opportunity to grow and prosper.
As well as producing more than 90,000 tonnes of date varieties such as Barni, Mabroom, Machrook, Halwa, Anbara and Majhool every year, the more than two million date palm trees at AlUla also provide vital shade that allows other plants to grow. These cherished fruits have played an important role in the local culture and economy since the first millennium BCE and are the subject of prayers in ancient inscriptions at Jabal Ikmah.
One grateful recipient of the shade provided by verdant date palm trees are the 200,000 citrus trees that yield 29 varieties of fruit such as lemons, oranges, grapefruit, and the torounge, the oldest citrus fruit in AlUla that’s a hybrid of lemon and pomelo, which the Nabataeans used to make jam and perfume. Tangy, zesty and sweet, the citrus fruit at AlUla not only tastes delicious but is also harvested for its valuable medicinal ingredients and essential oils.
The third historically significant crop to be found at AlUla is the Moringa Peregrina tree, of which there are around 90,000 at the oasis. Native to AlUla for thousands of years, the seeds of this white-bloomed tree contain a luxurious oil that’s been used in skincare, perfumes and cosmetics since the time of the Nabataean people.
Date palm trees also provide materials to create shade and windbreaks, build shelter, and make rope, fencing, furniture, baskets and even jewellery.
Explore the textured past of the region’s three great oases of AlUla, Khaybar and Tayma and see ancient burial sites plus desert villages built from mud and stone up close. Be immersed in cultures of yesteryear and learn about the power shifts that shaped the region.
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Get to know the stories behind the experiences and iconic locations in AlUla. A global network of travel writers have scratched beneath the surface to bring to life all aspects of the destination