AlUla Wasn’t Just a Destination—It Was a Feeling
There Are No Words for AlUla – But We’ll Try Anyway!
There are places that are beautiful—and then there’s AlUla, where the beauty feels otherworldly. No exaggeration: there were moments where we just stood in silence, soaking it all in, unable to describe what we were feeling. It’s a place that reconnects you to the Earth, to history, and to something deeper than words.
We spent 4 nights and 3 full days exploring this magical part of Saudi Arabia, and it’s easily one of the most emotionally powerful destinations we’ve visited. From ancient tombs to canyon soundbaths, it’s a place where every experience feels sacred.
Where is AlUla and How Do You Get There?
A Desert Wonder in Northwestern Saudi Arabia
AlUla is in the Madinah Province of northwestern Saudi Arabia, surrounded by vast desert, red sandstone canyons, and archaeological wonders that date back thousands of years.
How to Get to AlUla
- Fly into AlUla Airport (ULH) from major cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, or Dammam.
- We highly recommend renting a car for maximum freedom.
We hired a car in advance through Budget at the airport, despite reading online that pickups from town were smoother. In our experience, there were no issues—we waited about 45 minutes, which was totally fine. Having a car gave us the freedom to explore on our own terms and made the whole experience even more immersive.
Where We Stayed: Caravan by Habitas in Ashar Valley
Top Things to Do in AlUla
Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil)
AlUla’s iconic sandstone formation. We went at sunset when the golden hour lit it up like fire. Lounge seating, food trucks, and ambient music made it a vibe.
Hegra (Madain Salih)
Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO site, filled with Nabataean tombs carved directly into rock faces. We did a day tour—100% worth it for the history and scale of it all.
Dadan & Jabal Ikmah
Ancient inscriptions, lion tombs, and the legacy of pre-Nabataean kingdoms. It felt like walking through history—intimate, raw, and incredibly well preserved.
AlUla Old Town
We explored the town twice—by day for the architecture and craft shops, and by night for the lantern-lit alleywaysand cultural charm. It’s where past meets present beautifully.