Hegra

Hegra

Ancient Tombs Carved From Desert Rock

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Saudi Arabia's First UNESCO World Heritage Site

Visit the site of Hegra and explore over 110 astonishingly well-preserved tombs set in stunning desert landscape. You’ll also learn about the fascinating ancient people and culture of AlUla.

Evidence for human presence at the Hegra site dates back to beyond the 1st millennium BCE, and was the location of the Nabataean city from the end of the 1st millennium BCE into the 1st millennium CE. Today, Hegra is best known for having more than 110 monumental tombs carved from rock formations, in which the Nabataean elite were laid to rest.

Inscriptions detailing who was buried within remain above some of these breathtaking burial chambers to this day. As you walk through the site, you’ll find tombs dedicated to healers, military figures, local leaders and others. In addition to the inscriptions, you’ll see repeated stylised stone carvings, or betyls. These stone blocks acted as representations of the gods. Some feature stylised eyes, noses and mouths.

Along with the wondrous tombs, visitors will find wells and stone-lined water channels demonstrating the civilisation's expert craftsmanship. Roman influence is also present in the form of defensive walls, gates and towers that once encircled the city.

Limited-Time Exhibition

Meet ‘Hinat’

For the first time, visitors can come face to face with an over 2,000-year-old Nabataean woman. ‘Hinat’, as she is affectionately known by the archaeologists, was excavated from one of Hegra’s tombs in 2008. A small exhibition at the Hegra Visitor Centre gives an insight into the creation of the world’s first reconstruction of a Nabataean woman and explores her life in this once vibrant city at the heart of the Incense Road. This special exhibition commemorates Hegra’s 15th Anniversary as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Included in your Hegra Tour

 

Explore Hegra Through 360 Tours

Interactive 360 tours provide you with insight into the historical significance of Hegra, the Nabatean culture, their ingenuity and awe-inspiring tombs.

360 Experience

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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360 Experience

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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360 Experience

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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Visitor Information
The best way to visit Hegra is through an organised tour, either in a private vintage Land Rover or on a bus tour.

Hegra Heritage Tours and Experiences

23 Nov 2023 - 27 Jan 2024 | Tue-Sat Hegra After Dark

Inspired by the Incense Road and the ancient Nabataeans who controlled it, this enchanting experience takes you on an unforgettable journey combining captivating flavours and fragrances, fascinating storytelling and illuminated spectacles.

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2 hours 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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Available All Year Hegra Vintage Land Rover Day Tour

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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1 Dec 2023 - 22 Mar 2024 | Daily Hegra Wildlife & Nature Tour

Take a journey through Hegra's wild and natural beauty in the back of an open-top vintage vehicle. You'll explore a surprising wealth of flora and fauna, while also discovering the UNESCO site's iconic tombs, inscriptions and rock art along the way.

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EXPLORE ALULA'S NATURE & OUTDOORS

Visit AlUla's Most Iconic Rock Elephant Rock

Gaze up at the breathtaking geological phenomenon of Elephant Rock. Sunset sees the skies burst into colour and the magnificent rock formation turn red, while night brings stargazing under the landmark’s looming silhouette.

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See Over the City of AlUla and Beyond Harrat Viewpoint

Sat atop an ancient volcanic mountain, Harrat Viewpoint’s elevated setting provides spectacular views over AlUla and the magical surrounding landscape. Arrive at dusk for a magical sunset and watch the skies slowly fill with stars.

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Available All Year Heritage Oasis Trail

Free and open to visitors day and night, this beautiful designated trail meanders through the lush palm groves and scenic farmland of the Oasis. Choose a guided tour with a local Rawi to get a deeper understanding of this magical area.

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Enjoy Art Among Scenic Farmland Daimumah

Combining sustainable farmland, scenic trails, and art installations, Daimumah is a wonderful place to stroll, unwind and appreciate AlUla’s natural beauty – and a collection of outdoor art installations – in the heart of the Oasis.

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Discover the Magic of this Desert Valley Ashar Valley

As well as a natural marvel of majestic rock formations and scenic canyons, Ashar Valley is home to some of AlUla's top accommodation, high-end shopping and the award-winning Maraya – a multi-purpose venue and the world’s largest mirrored building.

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Witness Untouched Wildlife Sharaan Nature Reserve

This reserve’s diverse array of flora and fauna is set among breathtaking wilderness. Between soaring canyons and sprawling desert live all kinds of natural wonders from carpets of flowering grass to eagles, ibex and even the elusive Arabian Leopard.

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Available All Year Stargazing

Far from city lights, wide open spaces in remote desert lands create some of the world’s most enviable dark skies, making AlUla an idyllic region for stargazing. Experience the enchantment of a desert stargazing tour led by local experts.

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Read Stories Written in Stone Rock Art & Inscriptions

For thousands of years, travellers on pilgrimage and trade routes often stopped in and around AlUla. Many left messages, inscriptions or rock art, etched into stone to mark their journey through these extraordinary landscapes.

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Gaze Upon Nature's Artworks Rocks of AlUla

Millions of years in the making, wind and water have sculpted numerous sandstone rocks into many weird and wonderful forms. You’ll find these striking works of natural art scattered throughout AlUla’s stunning desert landscape.

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Be Immersed in AlUla's Agricultural Heart The Oasis

Cultivated for millennia, this spring-fed oasis today remains a lush and fertile plain with sustainable farming at its core. Picturesque trails and a collection of cafes and restaurants also offer a wealth of walking and relaxation opportunities.

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Experience AlUla's Stunning Scenery GEOLOGY OF ALULA

Throughout the region you’ll see sand-drifted canyons, red-rock cliffs, and black basalt atop towering mesas, all surrounded by a dramatic sea of desert. Explore AlUla’s unique geology and lose yourself in its magic and majesty.

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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 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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