Saudi Arabia

AI may have contributed to this destination’s text and activity data. Confirm opening days, transport, prices and entry conditions with the relevant operator or authority; automatic live-data updates do not verify these descriptions.

Al-Ula

Ancient Nabataean tombs and desert oases

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Al-Ula Plan a trip around Saudi Arabia

Best time to visit: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Currency: SAR
Time zone: UTC+3
Country: Saudi Arabia

Photo: Pteropus conspicillatus, CC BY-SA 3.0

AlUla is an ancient oasis city in northwest Saudi Arabia, home to the UNESCO-listed Nabataean tombs of Hegra and thousands of years of rock art. Visitors come for the dramatic sandstone landscapes, archaeological sites and a fast-growing cluster of desert resorts.

Largest cities

Riyadh
Jeddah
Mecca
Medina
Dammam

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Saudi Arabia
Capital: Riyadh
City population: 32,413
Population of Saudi Arabia: 33M
Country area: 2,250,000 km²
Official language: Arabic
Currency: Saudi Riyal (SAR) · 1 USD ≈ 3.75 SAR
Time zone: UTC+3
Calling code: +966
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 691 m
Plugs: A / B / C / G · 220V
Emergency numbers: 911
Best time to visit: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	21°	22°	28°	33°	37°	41°	41°	42°	40°	35°	28°	22°
Low	8°	8°	13°	18°	21°	25°	25°	27°	25°	20°	15°	10°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$85
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$240
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$770

Plan a trip to Al-Ula

Top things to do

≈ $25
Hegra (Madain Saleh) guided tour
Tour the 2,000-year-old Nabataean rock-cut tombs of Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, 22 km north of town; access is by guided tour only, so book ahead and bring sun protection.
- Half day
- Hegra (Madain Saleh)
- Good for kids
≈ $16
Dadan and Jabal Ikmah tour
See the Lion Tombs of Dadan through binoculars, a small museum and the ancient petroglyphs of Jabal Ikmah on a two-hour guided tour; the English audio guide is weak, so read up beforehand.
- Half day
- Dadan and Jabal Ikmah
- Good for kids
Free
Dadan Heritage Trail
Walk a free trail from the old town through date plantations, farm ruins and gardens; go early or late in the day as there is little shade.
- Half day
- Dadan and Jabal Ikmah
- Good for kids
Free
Old Town of AlUla walk
Wander the mudbrick lanes of the walled oasis town, restored and partly rebuilt, with a small castle viewpoint; the castle can only be visited on a tour booked through the Incense Road.
- Half day
- Old Town (Al-Dirah) and Market Street
- Good for kids
Free
Market Street shopping
Browse the old town's tourist street for clothes, handicrafts, beauty products and jewellery; it is liveliest in the cooler evening hours.
- Half day
- Old Town (Al-Dirah) and Market Street
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
Free
Restored Hejaz Railway Station
See the restored station of the old Damascus–Medina railway on the north side of town; facilities are not yet open to visitors, so treat it as a short photo stop.
- Half day
- Old Town (Al-Dirah) and Market Street
- Good for kids
Free
Harrat Viewpoint
Drive about 20 minutes west of the old town for sweeping views over the whole valley, with a car park and a restaurant on site; sunset is the best time.
- Half day
- Harrat Viewpoint and western valley
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
Free
Desert rock formations day trip
Spend a day driving between the sandstone canyons, wadis and rock art panels around the AlUla valley, including the Ar-Ruzeiqiah petroglyph mountain to the south; a 4x4 or guided tour is best for the rougher tracks.
- Full day
- Harrat Viewpoint and western valley
- Good for kids

Before you go

Entry and visas

Most visitors need a visa before travel: many nationalities can apply online for a tourist e-visa or an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), and e-visas can also be issued on arrival at Saudi international airports. Passports must be valid for at least six months from arrival, and separate Hajj visas are required for the pilgrimage season. Rules differ by nationality and purpose of travel, so check the official Saudi visa platform before booking.

Official website

From the airport

AlUla International Airport (ULH) has direct flights from Dubai, Doha, Jeddah and Riyadh, and sits about 30 km from the old town. A taxi or pre-booked transfer into town takes roughly 30–40 minutes; ride-hailing is unreliable at the airport, so arrange a transfer in advance.

Getting around

Attractions are spread over tens of kilometres, so most visitors use a rental car, taxi, ride-hailing app or an organised tour; the old town itself is walkable and has park-and-ride lots with free shuttles.

Local tips

Dress modestly in public places; women are not required to wear an abaya but should keep shoulders and knees covered.
Alcohol is not available, and most restaurants and cafés are dry; hotels serve non-alcoholic drinks.
Cards are widely accepted at hotels and major sites, but carry some Saudi riyals in cash for small shops, taxis and the cash-only budget cabins.
October to April is the comfortable season; in summer (June–September) plan outdoor visits for early morning or after sunset and carry plenty of water.

Areas worth knowing

Dadan and Jabal Ikmah
Hegra (Madain Saleh)
Harrat Viewpoint and western valley
New Town
Old Town (Al-Dirah) and Market Street

Official travel advice

The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on October 11, 2026. The advice includes warnings against travel to some areas. Read it before booking.

Read the advice on GOV.UK