Ashar & the resort valleys

AlUla, Saudi Arabia

The dramatic canyon valleys, like Ashar, where the luxury desert resorts and the Maraya concert hall sit amid towering rock. The design-and-nature stay zo…

Explore AlUla

AlUla — current status

Open. (Status checked 2026-08-30.)

AlUla — TL;DR

AlUla is Saudi Arabia's most spectacular destination, a vast desert valley of dramatic sandstone canyons and oasis palm groves that shelters Hegra — the kingdom's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, a Nabataean city of monumental rock-cut tombs that is the sister to Jordan's Petra.

AlUla at a glance

What are the best things to do in AlUla? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a AlUla trip feel like more than a checklist.
How many days do you need in AlUla? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to AlUla — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby…
When is the best time to visit AlUla? October to March for cool, comfortable days and clear desert nights; the AlUla winter festival season brings concerts and events.
Where should I stay in AlUla for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport.
How do you get around AlUla? Most travel is by resort shuttle, taxi or guided tour; distances between sites are large, so a car or organised transport is essential.

AlUla overview

October to March for cool, comfortable days and clear desert nights; the AlUla winter festival season brings concerts and events. Summer is intensely hot. Sunrise and sunset are magical year-round for the rock formations.
Most travel is by resort shuttle, taxi or guided tour; distances between sites are large, so a car or organised transport is essential. Hegra is visited only on official rawi-guided tours. AlUla has its own airport with links to Riyadh, Jeddah and beyond.
Saudi Riyal (﷼)
Arabic. English is spoken across tourism sites.
AST (UTC+3)
A fast-growing collection of luxury and design desert resorts; celebrity-chef and modern-Saudi restaurants arriving; the Old Town revived with cafés and craft; and a bold contemporary-art programme (Desert X AlUla) set among the canyons.

Where to eat, drink & do in AlUla

AlUla neighborhoods

AlUla Old Town A restored labyrinth of mud-brick houses, now home to cafés, craft shops and restaurants, glowing beautifully in the evening. The living heart of the valley.
Hegra & the tombs The archaeological heart, where the Nabataean tombs of Hegra stand carved into desert outcrops. The reason the world is coming to AlUla.
AlUla Oasis (the palm groves) The green ribbon of date palms and citrus running through the valley, threaded with walking and cycling paths. A cool, fragrant contrast to the sands.
Ashar & the resort valleys The dramatic canyon valleys, like Ashar, where the luxury desert resorts and the Maraya concert hall sit amid towering rock. The design-and-nature stay zone.

Practical info for AlUla

Getting around in AlUla? Most travel is by resort shuttle, taxi or guided tour; distances between sites are large, so a car or organised transport is essential. Hegra is visited only on official rawi-guided tours.
When to go in AlUla? October to March for cool, comfortable days and clear desert nights; the AlUla winter festival season brings concerts and events. Summer is intensely hot. Sunrise and sunset are magical year-round for the rock formations.
What's changing now in AlUla? A fast-growing collection of luxury and design desert resorts; celebrity-chef and modern-Saudi restaurants arriving; the Old Town revived with cafés and craft; and a bold contemporary-art programme (Desert X AlUla) set among the canyons.
Seek out Stargazing in the Gharameel in AlUla? The dark-sky desert around the Gharameel rock pinnacles offers some of the clearest stargazing on earth, with Bedouin astronomy experiences. Unforgettable after dark.
Base yourself in AlUla Old Town in AlUla? A restored labyrinth of mud-brick houses, now home to cafés, craft shops and restaurants, glowing beautifully in the evening. The living heart of the valley. Known for heritage, cafés, crafts.

Frequently asked questions about AlUla

What are the best things to do in AlUla? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a AlUla trip feel like more than a checklist. Book any high-demand entries in advance, keep evenings loose for a proper dinner, and leave at least one afternoon completely unplanned for the small discoveries AlUla tends to reward.
How many days do you need in AlUla? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to AlUla — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby day-trip or a slow morning. Extend to five or six days if you plan to combine the city with the surrounding region.
When is the best time to visit AlUla? October to March for cool, comfortable days and clear desert nights; the AlUla winter festival season brings concerts and events. Summer is intensely hot. Sunrise and sunset are magical year-round for the rock formations.
Where should I stay in AlUla for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport. Avoid staying next to the main transit hubs unless convenience trumps atmosphere for your trip.
How do you get around AlUla? Most travel is by resort shuttle, taxi or guided tour; distances between sites are large, so a car or organised transport is essential. Hegra is visited only on official rawi-guided tours. AlUla has its own airport with links to Riyadh, Jeddah and beyond.

Practical notes for AlUla

Best time to visit: October to March for cool, comfortable days and clear desert nights; the AlUla winter festival season brings concerts and events. Summer is intensely hot. Sunrise and sunset are magical year-round for the rock formations.
Getting around: Most travel is by resort shuttle, taxi or guided tour; distances between sites are large, so a car or organised transport is essential. Hegra is visited only on official rawi-guided tours. AlUla has its own airport with links to Riyadh, Jeddah and beyond.
Currency: Saudi Riyal (﷼)
Language: Arabic. English is spoken across tourism sites.
Timezone: AST (UTC+3)
Current trends: A fast-growing collection of luxury and design desert resorts; celebrity-chef and modern-Saudi restaurants arriving; the Old Town revived with cafés and craft; and a bold contemporary-art programme (Desert X AlUla) set among the canyons.

Other neighborhoods in AlUla

AlUla Old Town — A restored labyrinth of mud-brick houses, now home to cafés, craft shops and restaurants, glowing beautifully in the evening. The living heart of the valley.
Hegra & the tombs — The archaeological heart, where the Nabataean tombs of Hegra stand carved into desert outcrops. The reason the world is coming to AlUla.
AlUla Oasis (the palm groves) — The green ribbon of date palms and citrus running through the valley, threaded with walking and cycling paths. A cool, fragrant contrast to the sands.

Read the full AlUla guide