Heritage

Heritage

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The World's Largest Living Museum

AlUla’s magnificent landscape is scattered with traces of those who have occupied the region through the millennia. From the kingdoms of Dadan and Lihyan, to the Nabataean trading hubs and into the Islamic era, AlUla’s heritage is richly woven with many threads of past and present civilisations.

An important crossroads of the incense-trading routes, AlUla has always drawn travellers, too, who come to rest and rejuvenate among its fertile oases and hospitable people. It remains a welcoming place to stop, commune and recharge.

Explore AlUla's Heritage Sites

Where pilgrims, travellers and permanent settlers congregated through the ages. AlUla Old Town

Look up at the fort above while walking through the labyrinth of streets of AlUla Old Town that was occupied from the 900s CE until the 1980s. Nearly 900 two-storey mud brick houses, 400 shops, five squares and a mosque populated the oasis town. It was a key stop along the Islamic pilgrimage route from Damascus to Makkah. Travellers, traders and pilgrims would be met outside the town’s walls.

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Charting AlUla’s Rich History Dadan

Before the Nabataeans, AlUla was the capital of the ancient kingdoms of Dadan and Lihyan, which controlled the caravan trade in the first millennium BCE. Dadan linked southern Arabian kingdoms producing valuable aromatics to the growing markets in the Mediterranean world. See remarkably well-preserved tombs, expertly carved from a towering red-rock mountain face that overlooks the valley oasis. A special highlight is the famed Lion Tombs marked by seated lion sculptures.

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The Awe-Striking Inscriptions of AlUla Jabal Ikmah

What was part of the caravan way station served as a record keeper of sorts with carvings providing information to researchers about the way of life of the Dadanites, Lihyanites and others. Hundreds of inscriptions referring to journeys, pilgrimage, ritual and offerings can be found here. Rock art depicting humans, chariots, harps, camels, bovines, goats, scorpions and ibex can all be spotted.

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Saudi Arabia's First UNESCO World Heritage Site Hegra

The Nabataean site of Hegra, was the southern capital of the Nabataean kingdom, dating back to the first century BCE. Today, visitors will find that more than 100 well-preserved monumental tombs remain, most with elaborate facades carved from rock formations that are scattered throughout this immense desert landscape.

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Jabal Ahmar

Among Hegra’s outcrops is Jabal AlAhmar, a name referring to the red hue of the rock. This location has 18 tombs, of which, a few were recently excavated.

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Jabal Banat

Over 100 monumental tombs are carved into the rocky outcrops surrounding the ancient city of Hegra. Jabal AlBanat has one of the largest clusters of tombs; 29 tombs are carved on all sides of the sandstone rock.

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The Diwan and Jabal Ithlib

Religious or ritual practices at Hegra were concentrated around Jabal Ithlib, a natural mountain outcrop to the east of the city.

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Dadan

Due to the proximity to incense trade routes, Dadan was one of the most developed 1st-millennium BCE cities in northern Arabia.

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Jabal Ikmah

Jabal Ikmah, a mountain near to the ancient city of Dadan, the capital of Dadanite and Lihyanite Kingdoms, has been described as a huge open-air library.

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Old Town

With nearly 900 houses, 400 shops and 5 town squares, the Old Town of AlUla still contains remnants of some of the original stone and mudbrick buildings constructed here.

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Heritage Tours and Experiences

Old Town Tour

Join an expert guide (Rawi) for an hour-long tour and learn more about the fascinating history and daily life inside Old Town.

The tour is currently unavailable due to restoration work but will return in October 2023. Follow @AlUlaMoments on Social to be the first one to know when this tour is back.

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Old Town Market Street

Stroll along Old Town Market Street and follow in the footsteps of the merchants who traced this ancient route for thousands of years. A historic marketplace still thrives here today, offering shoppers everything from local handicrafts to freshly squeezed juice.

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Available All Year Dadan & Jabal Ikmah Tour

Start your journey through time at Dadan, the ancient Kingdom of the Lihyanite and Dadanite civilisations. Next, take a 10-minute drive to Jabal Ikmah situated in a stunning desert canyon.

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Available All Year Hegra Vintage Land Rover Tours

Explore Hegra with our Rawi as you are driven around in a vintage 4x4 Land Rover, each suitable for up to 7 guests.

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Available All Year Dadan Vintage Land Rover Day Tour

Explore the ancient capital city of Dadan and examine tombs, excavation sites and thousands of early Arabic inscriptions on the Vintage Land Rover Dadan Tour.

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Available All Year Hegra Tour

Visit Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the largest preserved site of the Nabataean civilisation south of Petra.

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All-New Experience AlUla App

Check out the new Experience AlUla app to really make the most of your visit to this extraordinary destination. With fast and easy-to-navigate information, interactive features and bookable experiences, you have the best of AlUla at your fingertips. 

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Plan and Book Your Trip

Learn about the different options to make the most of your time at AlUla. You can book your trip through our preferred booking partners or book your trip yourself by exploring AlUla accommodations and thrilling experiences.

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AlUla

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AlUla Old Town and AlJadidah - AR

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AlUla Old Town and AlJadidah - EN

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Jabal AlFil

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Maraya

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Explore The World's Masterpiece

A DESERT OASIS BECKONS NATURAL WONDERS Nature & Outdoors

There’s a sense of openness, vastness and quiet that invites visitors to wander in AlUla – among dramatic rock formations, sand-swept dunes, lush valleys and ancient basalt lava flows.

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Thrilling experiences and outdoor excursions Adventure

By day, tour heritage sites, enjoy mountain hikes and experience thrills on zip line tours and dune buggy rides. By night, relax with stargazing and other activities.

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A Land of Wondrous Inspiration Arts & Culture

From contemporary artists creating pieces made for the stunning desert backdrop to local artisans continuing the tradition of ancient handicrafts, the spirit of creativity and ingenuity can be discovered in every corner of AlUla.

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Plan Your Trip To AlUla

Flying to AlUla

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What to Do

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Where to Eat

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Where to Stay

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