Jabal Ikmah

Jabal Ikmah

Millennia Etched in Stone

Watch The Video

AlUla's Open-Air Library of Ancient Inscriptions

While there are thousands of pre-Arabic inscriptions across numerous sites in the Valley of AlUla, Jabal Ikmah stands out by far as the most important. Etched and carved into its golden stone, its hundreds of centuries-old inscriptions have even earned the site official UNESCO recognition for historical significance with its induction into their Memory of the World Register.

Surrounded by dramatic desert landscape, the largest ‘open-air library’ in Saudi Arabia sits tucked away in a remote canyon valley. One piece of evidence that shows AlUla was truly a crossroads of civilisations is Jabal Ikmah – a sacred place visited by those wishing to leave their inscriptions and offerings en route through AlUla. Records kept here are in the form of hundreds of inscriptions and carvings that line the cliff faces and rocks, ensuring that Jabal Ikmah would be remembered throughout the ages.

Thought to date as far back as the 1st millennium BCE, a visit to this magnificent site offers a fascinating glimpse into the past. Gazing at its rock art of humans, musical instruments and animals, you can discover what was important in the daily lives of people in the Dadanite, Lihyanite and other civilisations of AlUla. Long after AlUla’s ancient people walked this site, researchers and historians visited Jabal Ikmah to study its ancient inscriptions and carvings. Now you can visit too, imagine Jabal Ikmah’s status as a place of ritual and spiritual significance, and feel the power of this magical place still resonating today.

360 Experience

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.

View 360 Experience

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

Experiences at Dadan & Jabal Ikmah

2 hours 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.

Learn More

Book Now

2 hours Dadan & Jabal Ikmah 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.

Learn More

Book Now

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.

Learn More

Book Now

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.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

Book Now

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.

Learn More

Book Now

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.

Learn More

Book Now

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.

 Learn More

Book Now

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.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

Plan Your Trip To AlUla

Flying to AlUla

Learn More

What to Do

Learn More

Where to Eat

Learn More

Where to Stay

Learn More