Hegra
Take a walk through the 1st century BC at Hegra! Thanks to the climate and lack of resettling in this area, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO Heritage Site has withstood the test of time and is in much the same condition today as the day it was carved. With 111 monumental tombs, Hegra is a unique look into the Nabatean Kingdom.
If you’re into historical mysteries, you may want to do a little research before your visit. Even though there are a few remarkably well-preserved cities from this time in Saudi Arabia, there is a lot we still don’t know about the Nabateans. Who doesn’t love history with a bit of mystery?
See MoreDadan
Settled along the incense route more than 2,000 years ago, this bustling hub was the capital city of the Dadan and Lihyan kingdoms. Today, the ancient red rock city of Dadan is a must-visit for anyone going to Saudi Arabia. Excavations are ongoing so there is always more to discover, but if you’re going for the AlUla Skies Festival, make sure you see the famous Lion Tombs! These tombs are around 160 feet above ground level and are the only ones adorned with ancient symbols of strength and power.
See MoreJabal Ikmah
Are you up to date on your Dadanitic and Lihyanite inscriptions? No? Well, no worries! Jabal Ikmah is the largest collection of such inscriptions, and this “open library” will tell you all about rituals, political relationships, local laws, and even names of people from 644 BC. Well, only if you know how to read them! That's why you’re required to have a guide to visit Jabal Ikmah. Check out one of the many tours and your expert guide can tell you all about what’s written there.
See MoreElephant Rock (Jabal AlFil)
Mother Nature is the sculptor of this work of art. Give her sandstone and thousands of years of wind and sand, and she’ll make you a 170-foot-tall elephant. If you want to make your visit to Elephant Rock in AlUla extra special, head out a little before sunset and grab a seat, a drink, a bite to eat, and a friend! This experience is guaranteed to create a memory that’ll last a lifetime.
See MoreAl Gharameel | أرض الغراميل
Al Gharameel is an official Dark Sky Park and is the perfect place to go stargazing! You really could spend all day here. When the sun is up, take your time to explore the immense sandstone cliffs, sprawling canyons, and volcanic formations either on foot or by 4x4. After dark, kick back and be amazed by a celestial light show that hides just outside your view under city lights. There really isn’t a wrong way to see this incredible landscape.
See MoreAlUla Adventure Hub | مركز المغامرات في العلا
If your trip to AlUla is in the cooler months during the Skies Festival, you’ll want to make sure you plan at least half a day to stop by the AlUla Adventure Hub and do some thrill seeking. Here you can book a Via Ferrata hike and climb along the mountainsides, or you can go ziplining above the desert sands. Our recommendation? Book the Via Ferrata hike for cliffside thrills and a relaxing break in a canyon hammock for a bit of serene downtime among your adrenaline-filled adventure.
See MoreAlUla Stairway
The AlUla Stairway is another attraction that can be booked in the AlUla Adventure Park. The stairway will take you up nearly 150 feet in the air before you glide back to the ground via zipline. Now, this does require advanced booking, so if you’re thinking that it’s a must-do activity (it is), you’ll want to book now.
See MoreAlUla Giant Swing
The AlUla Giant Swing is nearly 280 feet in the air and requires a leap of faith (or rather a quick pull on a release rope) to experience it. It’s exactly what it sounds like, a giant swing over the desert and between mountains. This experience isn’t all about thrills, though. It starts out with about 35 minutes of hiking, so you get to see the beauty of AlUla from the ground as well as the air.
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