Where To Stay, Eat & What To Do In AlUla
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WHAT TO DO
Explore The Tombs At Hegra
When Hegra was named as Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, it put AlUla on the map. Probably the most visited and most photographed site at AlUla, Hegra is an ancient city spread across 52 hectares. In the 1st century BC, Hegra was the second city of the Nabataean Kingdom after Petra in Jordan. Drawing the biggest crowds are the 111 well-preserved burial tombs, many of which have intricately carved facades.
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Read Ancient Messages At Jabal Ikmah
Thanks to its oasis and fertile land, AlUla was once a popular stop for merchants travelling on the Incense Road from southern Arabia to the Mediterranean. During their rest at AlUla, traders would carve blessings, dedications and prayers in a variety of languages into the rocks at Jabal Ikmah, which remain remarkably clear to this day. Nicknamed ‘AlUla’s open air library’ Jabal Ikmah’s inscriptions link ancient pilgrims with today’s modern tourist crowd.
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Climb Up To Harrat Viewpoint
Grab your hiking boots (or hitch a ride in a 4x4) and tackle the ascent of Harrat Uwayrid to enjoy a spectacular view of AlUla. On top of this volcanic mountain, which is set in a lava field, is Harrat Viewpoint, which lies an impressive 1,219m above sea level and offers panoramic views of AlUla Old Town, the neighbouring ancient city of Dadan, and the imposing mountains around AlUla. The viewpoint is open from 5.30pm to midnight so visitors can take in the sunset from the comfort of sofas surrounding cosy firepits. You can also make a night of it and book dinner at Okto, a contemporary Greek restaurant headed up by chef Ntinos Fotinakis.
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Take A Selfie At Elephant Rock
Over millions of years, rain, wind and sand have sculpted the shape of Elephant Rock, one of AlUla’s star attractions. This sandstone rock formation in the shape of an elephant with its trunk resting on the ground reaches 52m into the sky and offers an excellent photographic opportunity. Busy all day, it’s best to visit Elephant Rock at dusk when the fading light creates a beautiful glow of gold, amber and red that can be admired while Arabic music plays in the background.
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View The Mysterious Mustatils
AlUla is full of history and mystery, but the mustatils are one of the more intriguing things to see during your visit. First spotted in the 1920s by pilots flying airmail planes across Saudi Arabia, these stone formations have stirred debate ever since. Translating as ‘rectangles’ in Arabic, mustatils are man-made stone courtyards built in straight lines. There are thought to be more than 1,000 mustatils spread across 200,000 sq km in the desert surrounding AlUla. Archaeologists from Australia were commissioned to investigate the mustatils in the 1970s and deduced they were built some 7,000 years ago by hunters to trap animals or by livestock farmers to contain animals. Others believe they were the site of ritualistic animal sacrifices. Take a helicopter ride to get a bird’s-eye view of these curious stone shapes.
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Try Stargazing at Gharameel
The emptiness of the desert that surrounds AlUla makes it a prime location for stargazing. A popular pastime in the Middle East, astronomy is a memorable activity at Gharameel, a remote spot roughly 90 minutes from AlUla Old Town by car. Starting at 6pm, tours are led by a guide who provides expert commentary on the constellations above. After gazing at the stars through a telescope, guests can enjoy a traditional Arabic dinner around a campfire surrounded by natural rock pillars.
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Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride
Early birds should book a dawn hot air balloon ride over AlUla. Be prepared for a 4.30am pick up in a 4x4 that will transport you into the beautifully tranquil desert before the sunrise balloon flight takes you over Hegra, the desert floor and startling rock formations.
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See Your Reflection at Maraya
This mesmerising structure in the Ashar Valley is an extraordinary juxtaposition. Translating as ‘mirror’ in Arabic, Maraya plays a trick on the eye as its 9,740 reflective glass panels appear to make the building disappear into the desert. Inside, Maraya has a 500-seat auditorium that has witnessed concerts from Usher, Seal, Alicia Keys, Andrea Bocelli and John Legend, among others. Officially the largest mirrored building in the world, Maraya is also an exhibition venue, meeting space and conference centre that recently hosted the inaugural AlUla World Archaeology Summit. On top of this architectural marvel is Maraya Social, an elegant fine dining restaurant from British chef Jason Atherton – just remember to book in advance.
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See Yayoi Kusama’s New Installation
Wander through the pedestrianised AlJadidah Arts District and stop off at The Brilliance of the Souls, a mind-shifting new installation from Yayoi Kusama that’s part of this year’s AlUla Wellness Festival. The Japanese artist, who collaborated with Louis Vuitton on a range of accessories earlier this year, has installed a dizzying, multi-sensory room filled with colourful spheres, water features and reflective surfaces that will transport your mind to another dimension. Until 31st December 2023.
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Watch the Desert Polo
Next January (17th-24th, 2024), the world’s top polo players will swap the familiar greens of other tournaments for the sands of AlUla. With the desert canyons as their backdrop, the players will battle it out at the Richard Mille Desert Polo, watched by a Saudi Arabian society crowd.
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WHERE TO STAY
Habitas AlUla
Creating a hotel with an ‘eco-luxury’ ethos can be challenging, but Habitas AlUla has pulled it off. Secluded and peaceful, this magnificent canyon resort is built from ethically sourced organic materials and places a strong focus on health and wellness. Whether you fancy a few laps in the infinity pool, a session on the yoga deck or a breathing workshop, Habitas AlUla is the place to relax and rejuvenate.
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Banyan Tree AlUla
Retreat to this desert haven and immerse yourself in the serenity of the Ashar Valley. Banyan Tree AlUla is located in the middle of the canyons, undulating dunes and striking rock formations, to create a hotel that connects you to the surrounding desert environment.
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Caravan by Habitas
For the more adventurous traveller, an overnight stay inside an Airstream trailer offers a memorable experience. Immerse yourself in the great outdoors by booking one of these luxurious caravans that come with air conditioning, an outdoor deck featuring Bedouin style seating and wifi. Open air movie nights and food trucks complete the glamping vibe.
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Ashar Tented Resort
Don’t be put off by the idea of a tent – your stay at Ashar Tented Resort is a few notches above any camping you may have done as a child. This stylish desert resort borrows design themes from ancient Bedouin culture to take guests on a nomadic journey. Hop in a buggy to enjoy all the luxe facilities at the nearby Banyan Tree AlUla resort, too.
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WHERE TO EAT
Maraya Social
British chef Jason Atherton has chosen a unique location for his restaurant Maraya Social. Perched on top of the famous mirrored concert and conference venue Maraya, the eatery serves a blend of fine Mediterranean, Arabic and British dishes.
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Myazu
The Riyadh outpost of Myazu recently made the Middle East’s prestigious 50 Best Restaurants list and ranked as one of the highest-placed entries in Saudi Arabia. Its AlUla branch matches the quality of the restaurant in the Saudi capital, with a range of intricate Japanese dishes on its menu.
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Tama
Middle East and international cuisine marry beautifully at Tama, the headline restaurant within the Habitas AlUla hotel. Relax on the outdoor terrace as you enjoy healthy dishes made with locally sourced ingredients and exotic spices.
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Tawlat Fayza
Local flavours from fresh produce grown on farms nearby create a homely atmosphere at Tawlat Fayza, an Arabic restaurant that prides itself on heart-warming recipes served family style. Enjoy the rooftop views while you’re there.
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Harrat at Banyan Tree
This relaxed and rustic restaurant at the Banyan Tree resort is ideal for a lazy lunch after a busy morning of sightseeing at AlUla. There are plenty of Middle Eastern mezze dishes on the menu – many of which are great for sharing.
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FINAL NEED-TO-KNOWS
AlUla International Airport is a 30-minute drive from the centre of the main tourist village. FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai International Airport to AlUla twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays. You can book tickets and packages for your visit at the AlUla official website. To get around AlUla, you can hire a car, join a guided tour or call a taxi. Don’t forget to obtain an e-visa before arriving in Saudi Arabia.
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