Old Town

Old Town

Stroll among the ruins of mudbrick buildings dating back almost a millennium

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One of Northwest Arabia’s most exceptional heritage sites

The Old Town is part of the AlUla Old Town Village, awarded title of Best Tourism Village by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Explore its labyrinth of tightly packed streets, hundreds of mudbrick houses and mighty fort, and you feel a palpable sense of its history as a once-thriving settlement on ancient incense-trading routes
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One reason the Old Town evokes such a deep sense of emotion is that it was actually inhabited in the not-so-distant past. Built on a slight elevation, the town is also overlooked by a 45-metre-high fort, a defensive lookout dating back to around the 10th century. In the 12th century, AlUla Old Town became an essential settlement along the pilgrimage route from Damascus to Makkah. The city gradually replaced Qurh, to the south of AlUla, and is favourably mentioned by travellers from the 12th to the 20th centuries, when modern AlUla was constructed nearby.

The houses were designed to be attached to one another, providing fortification, which points to defence being a priority for the city's early inhabitants. At one point, the city was accessed by 14 gates, which were opened in the morning to welcome travellers, pilgrims and other visitors, and closed each evening. The ancient city’s recent occupation has enabled researchers to begin to gather oral histories, painting a picture of what life was like inside its walls. These stories will one day be available to visitors who can look forward to tapping into AlUla Old Town Village’s living memory.

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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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Experiences in Old Town

22 Nov 2023 to 28 Feb 2024

In Our Hands

Join in with the In Our Hands project and be part of supporting and celebrating AlUla’s living heritage. Hear and share stories about AlUla’s rich history and add your handprint to the Wall of Legacy to become a participant in its ongoing story.
 

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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.

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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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Dining in Old Town

Dining in Old Town

Restaurants in Old Town

Entrecote

The dining experience at Entrecôte Café de Paris brings a taste of the finest French cuisine to AlUla Old Town. Their world-famous steak frites and secret sauce make this set menu special.

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Origin Cafe

Located in AlUla Old Town, Origin Cafe is brewing some of the best coffee from around the world. It is the perfect place to sit back, take a deep breath and enjoy a cold brew or Chemex. If you want to keep exploring, get your drink to go. Most known for serving speciality coffee, so give their coffee of the day a try.

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Suhail Old Town

A high-end Saudi Arabian dining concept serving dishes inspired by old Arabian Peninsula spices and time-honoured traditions, matched with a modern twist and exemplary service.

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AlNakheel Café

A relaxed and casual dining venue, Palm Garden is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

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Tomoor AlUla

Sample local date varieties, sip speciality coffee and eat authentic desserts in AlUla Old Town at Tomoor AlUla. This high-end cafe honours AlUla's history by serving eight date varieties, all grown locally on lush farms. Look up in awe at the sandstone canyons from outdoor and rooftop seating.

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Wacafe

Mouthwatering croissants and scrumptious cinnamon rolls fill the cases at Wacafe. Grab the perfect cup of coffee and settle in at this great AlUla Old Town café.

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Temporary unavailable SHI Lounge

A new café in AlUla Old Town, SHI Lounge is overflowing with ambience, making it the perfect place to relax and unwind. Chill after a busy day exploring AlUla or keep the night going after dinner with friends.

This dining option is currently unavailable but will return back to AlUla soon. Follow @AlUlaMoments on Social to be the first one to know when this dining option is back.

 

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Experience Dining in Old Town

Popular Spots in AlUla

Hegra

Once the southern capital of the Nabataean kingdom and Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hegra’s stunning collection of over 100 monumental sandstone tombs stands in silent testimony to AlUla’s rich and fascinating heritage.

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Maraya

Meaning ‘mirror’ in Arabic, Maraya is a stunning piece of architecture set in the desert canyon of Ashar Valley. The state-of-the-art structure is officially the world’s largest mirrored building and host to a roster of art exhibitions and star-studded concerts.

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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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AlJadidah Arts District

AlJadidah is a vibrant cultural hub of shops, cafes and public art in AlUla Old Town Village. Beautiful murals add to the colour and creativity of this easily strollable area, which also features the world’s largest hand-painted carpet.

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Old Town

Inhabited until the not-so-distant past, Old Town is a fascinating labyrinth of tightly packed streets lined with mudbrick houses, shops and squares. Above it all, a 10th-century fort still watches over the town and its scenic desert valley.

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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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Dadan

The capital of the Dadan and Lihyan kingdoms, the city of Dadan stands amongst the most significant discoveries in AlUla. Dating back to the late-9th century BCE, the ancient site was meticulously built from stone in the region’s valley oasis.

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Jabal Ikmah

Officially recognised by UNESCO for its historical significance, Jabal Ikmah has been dubbed an ‘open-air library’ due to it featuring the largest concentration of Dadanitic inscriptions carved on rock faces in the world.

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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 – the world’s largest mirrored building.

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UNWTO Best Tourism Award Recipient

AlUla Old Town Village


A crossroads of civilisations and oasis city on incense-trading routes, people have inhabited AlUla for thousands of years. Today AlUla Old Town Village encompasses its fascinating mudbrick Old Town, the lush Oasis and vibrant AlJadidah Arts District.
 

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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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