Where to?

Featured Search

Hegra

Experiences and tours

Whats on

Accommodation

- Sign in / Register
- Trips and bookings
- Wishlist ( 0 )
- Manage my account

Explore Explore

What grows in AlUla

Learn how, nourished by the natural waters underground, three important crops thrive at AlUla, each with their own unique story.

Beneath the golden sands of AlUla, ancient aquifers continue to nourish the Oasis - a fertile ribbon of life that has sustained civilisations for thousands of years. Here, water flowing quietly underground feeds a rich agricultural heritage, where date palms soar skyward, citrus groves burst with colour and scent, and moringa trees offer prized healing properties. Each crop tells a story of resilience, ritual, and deep-rooted connection to the land.

Dates - Fruit of Civilisations

As well as producing more than 90,000 tonnes of prized varieties such as Barni, Mabroom, Mashrook, Halwa, Anbara and Majhool every year, the more than two million date palm trees of AlUla Oasis create a flourishing landscape where culture, community, and nature thrive together. For generations, these palms have sustained life in the Oasis, offering shade, nourishment, and a deep connection to the land. Revered since the first millennium BCE, dates remain woven into AlUla’s identity, even appearing in ancient prayers inscribed at Jabal Ikmah.

Step into the living heritage of the Oasis during the AlUla Dates Farmers Market, open to guests of all ages from 17:00-23:00 every Friday and Saturday between 10 September and 24 October 2026. Set among heritage palm groves, this vibrant gathering celebrates the farmers and families who have nurtured the land for centuries. Wander through bustling market stalls, discover the celebrated 'Black Gold' of AlUla, and taste exclusive varieties including the honey-sweet Barni date, renowned as the signature fruit of the region.

Meet local growers, hear the stories behind each harvest, and explore a rich collection of date-inspired products, from traditional delicacies to modern culinary creations. With live demonstrations of farming crafts, cultural activities, family-friendly entertainment, and immersive sensory experiences, the market offers a meaningful connection to the traditions of the Oasis and reflects a shared commitment to preserving heritage and supporting a sustainable local economy for generations to come.

Date palm trees also provide materials to create shade and windbreaks, build shelter, and make rope, fencing, furniture, baskets and even jewellery.'

Dates Auction

Each weekend during Dates Season, AlUla’s Dates Auction offers the opportunity to experience a vibrant hub of tradition and trade. From 05:00 - 08:00 every Friday and Saturday, farmers from across the region gather to showcase the best of their harvest. Guests can attend to watch and experience AlUla’s living agricultural legacy.

Dates On The Menu

From sweet treats to inventive savoury dishes, AlUla’s chefs celebrate the region’s signature fruit in creative ways. At Joontos at Dar Tantora, dates shine in a rich dates shakshuka and an orange-cheese-and-dates dip, while Tama at Our Habitas AlUla serves a decadent sticky date cake. Over at Somewhere, a delicate mehlabiya date pudding blends local flavour with modern flair - proof that dates remain at the heart of AlUla’s evolving culinary story.

Citrus - Flavour in Full Bloom

Sheltered by AlUla’s towering date palms, more than 200,000 citrus trees flourish across the Oasis. These groves yield 29 fruit varieties - from lemons and oranges to grapefruit and the rare torounge, a lemon-pomelo hybrid believed to be the oldest citrus fruit in AlUla. Once prized by the Nabataeans for jam and perfume, today these tangy, aromatic fruits are celebrated for their medicinal properties and essential oils.

From 1 January to 15 January, 2027, the Citrus Season at AlManshiyah Farmers Market invites visitors to explore this vibrant part of AlUla’s heritage. Sample fresh varieties at tasting stations, enjoy live recipe demonstrations, and browse unique citrus products. With children’s play zones and hands-on farming fun, it’s a refreshing celebration for all ages.

Peregrina - Enduring Oil

With delicate white blossoms and deep desert roots, the Moringa Peregrina tree is AlUla’s third great crop. Around 90,000 of these ancient trees grow in the region, their potent seeds producing a luxurious oil cherished since Nabataean times. From traditional medicine to high-end skincare, Peregrina is known for its healing properties and enduring place in local life.

Celebrate this remarkable tree during Peregrina Season - from 3 December to 6 December, 2026 - at AlManshiyah Agricultural Market. Discover its diverse uses, explore stalls stocked with natural products, and enjoy family-friendly experiences that blend learning, play, and tradition.

Summer Fruits - Bounty of the Sun

As the summer sun ripens the fields, AlUla’s farms yield a colourful bounty of fruit - from juicy mangoes to plump grapes and fragrant figs. These seasonal delights flourish in the Oasis thanks to time-honoured farming practices and the nourishing water beneath AlUla’s ancient sands.

Celebrate the richness of the summer harvest at AlManshiyah Farmers Market from 22 July to 2 August, 2026. Visitors can explore the sweeter side of AlUla’s agricultural heritage by sampling freshly picked fruit, browsing market stalls showcasing seasonal produce, and enjoying family-friendly entertainment that honours the traditions of local farming communities. With every bite, taste the history of a land shaped by nature, nurture, and generations of growers.

Honey - The Golden Harvest

Nourished by the wild blooms of AlUla’s valleys, the region’s honey has long been prized for its purity, flavour, and healing qualities. Generations of beekeepers have perfected the art of collecting this golden nectar, preserving methods that trace back through centuries of Oasis life. From desert blossoms to mountain flora, each variety captures the unique taste of AlUla’s landscapes.

From 20 May to 22 May 2027, the Honey Season at AlManshiyah Farmers Market celebrates this cherished craft, bringing together local beekeepers and producers to share their knowledge and products. Visitors can sample distinctive honeys, watch live demonstrations of honey-based recipes, and learn how this natural treasure continues to play a vital role in AlUla’s culture, cuisine, and community.

Article Hub

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

Read all articles

Overview

About AlUla

Features

Itineraries

Featured

Iconic Sites

Areas To Explore

Featured

Featured

Festivals

Events

Exhibitions

Seasons & Holidays

Featured

Featured

Hotel Offers

Overview

{{title}}

What grows in AlUla