A Traveler’s Guide to AlUla’s Heritage

Alula is the ancient Arabian oasis city. It is located in the province of Medina. It lies in the region of Hijaz and serves as capital of alula province. Hijaz is a region that features prominently the history of ancient Muslims and their religion Islam. It is a rocky area came into existence by the powerful forces of wind and water. These forces shaped this rocky area in to a beautiful elephant shape rock whose trunk is touching the ground.

From archeological aspect, this area shows a unique pattern of well-preserved old stones. It is the first UNESCO World Heritage Site of Saudi Arabia. Hegra, also famous as al-Ḥijr, is located 22 km (14 miles) north of the city, in alula province. You can also book Umrah packages to visit this ancient city and can explore the city after performing Umrah as spiritual activity. It will add Baraka to your journey, and starting the journey with the spiritual act of Umrah will make your visit blissful.

As Saudi government just opened its doors for foreign visitors other than Muslims, so this place is new to the world and still not explored. If you are going to travel this place, all you need is a better guide. Let me share with you a thorough travel guide to alula. After getting your visa, which is an easy procedure, we will show you the best from ancient tombs of alula to visiting historic sites of this city.

Hegra

Here you will explore over 110 million remarkably well preserved tombs of the nebatian kingdom. The site constitutes the kingdom’s southernmost and second largest city of Petra. You can experience the Hegra during the day with a three-hour tour.

 Night experience there is totally different. I cannot give an ideal statement as which one is better. At day time you will see more tombs including their famous standalone tomb and during night time you stay at warm places fully covered in light. The source of transportation there is horse carriage and afterwards you can watch live theatre showing Neptune’s life back then.

The elephant rock

The name already describes what you are going to see here. This place is only open after 4 pm. You can go alone and don’t require any tour guide to explore this place. It is fantastic to enjoy your evening here and relax in the sitting areas. The whole place is lighted in the evening, and they often show and festivities. In Ramadan you will see a lot of festivals and suhoor, iftar parties here.

The best time to visit this place is Ramadans. You can also book Ramadan Umrah packages to visit this place.

Maraya

Maraya means mirror in Arabic. You have probably seen this beautiful place pictures already on Instagram because it is quite unique and world’s largest mirror building. The amazing fact about this glass building is, it is a concert hall and many famous singers like Usher Mariah Carey or one Republic already performed here. The whole building is made up on 9740 square meters or 105000 square feet probably, with mirrored glass, at a location where no one would expect.

The problem is you just can’t visit this place casually. You can only come inside of this glass building if you have tickets to an event or you are a guest at a resort in the Asher valley. The whole valley is close to public and monitored by security with gates.

But the good news is you can visit this place inside if you make restaurant reservations at the habitat or Banyan tree hotel. You can also book Umrah packages with hotel booking and you will get more perks.

Habitat hotel

It is a beautiful hotel at alula. You should add it into your package if you can afford it because it is quite expensive. They have cool playgrounds like swings between the desert rock formation or trampolines and a very impressive pool. It can’t be any more beautiful. You can also cycle along the estate, book yoga or meditate or even join the sound healing class. It is truly majestic place. The food at the restaurant is also traditionally delicious.

Dadan and Jabal Ikmah

Dadan is another heritage site where you can see tombs carved into a giant rock. You can only experience this place with their local tour guide. Because unfortunately you can’t see tombs as you can’t go closer to the tombs. You will look at them from the visitor’s center, that’s it.

On Jabal Ikmah you can see thousands of pre-Arabic inscriptions. Again, you can only go there by tour guide otherwise not allowed. There are a lot of more places around alula with the pre-Arabic inscriptions, so if you are short on budget, you can visit other places on your own.

The AlUla Oasis

The alula oasis stretches from 3 kilo meters from the orange pass to the Dadan visitor center. You can go alone without a tour guide and can walk around the oasis where palm trees and old mud houses surround you.

Pink camel café  

You should definitely visit the pink camel café, they have the best breakfast in town, and it is a beautiful location.

The historical old town and Tantura castle

The old town is divided into two parts: the new old town and the old’ old town. The new old town is completely renovated where you can visit shops and find many restaurants and cafes. There’s also visitor center, where you can book all tours. The old’ old town is closed and can only be visited via a guided tour. On tour you will walk through the maze of houses and climb up the Tantura castle from where you have a fantastic view over the houses and town.

In Ramadan, this old down becomes more fascinating. Don’t forget to book Ramadan Umrah packages to visit this place.

Helicopter ride

If you want the bird’s eye view of alula, you should definitely join a helicopter ride. You are not going to regret it. You will see everything from above within 30 minutes and get an amazing picture of alula.