AlUla is one of Saudi Arabia’s most captivating destinations. Inhabited for thousands of years, this desert region in the northwest of the country is known for its fascinating history and incredible archaeological sites set amid spectacular sandstone cliffs and canyons. It is also gaining recognition as a center for contemporary art and design.

Artisans of Leisure arranges private Saudi Arabia tours that include the cultural and scenic highlights of AlUla and accommodation at the top desert resorts.

AlUla’s breathtaking archaeological sites reflect its historical importance as a prosperous trading hub and oasis stop along the ancient Incense Route, which facilitated the transport of luxury goods such as frankincense, myrrh, spices, gold and silk from southern Arabia to the Mediterranean.

The crown jewel of AlUla is Hegra, the second-largest Nabataean city after Petra in Jordan and Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also known as Madain Saleh or Hijra, Hegra flourished from the first century B.C. to the first century A.D., when it was annexed by the Roman Empire.

Much of what remains today is a vast necropolis of rock-cut tombs carved into sandstone outcrops. Their elaborate facades and inscriptions reflect Nabataean craftsmanship and the cultural exchange between the Arabian Peninsula and the ancient Mediterranean world.

We arrange for travelers to explore the highlights of Hegra with a private expert guide, including the iconic Qasr al-Farid (Tomb of Lihyan Son of Kuza). This towering, solitary monument stands more than 70 feet tall and is one of the most visually striking tombs rising out of the windswept desert landscape.

The Siq, a striking narrow passageway reminiscent of Petra in Jordan, opens onto what is believed to have been a religious and ceremonial site.

The visitor center at Hegra welcomes travelers with traditional Arabic coffee in addition to Western coffees and gelato.

We also take travelers to the site of Dadan, an ancient oasis city that served as the capital of the successive Dadanite and Lihyanite kingdoms, which predate the Nabataeans and established AlUla as an important center of trade by the first millennium B.C.

The active archaeological site includes the remains of the ancient city as well as well-preserved rock-cut tombs, most notably the Lion Tombs, which date to around the fifth century B.C. and feature carved lions standing guard at their entrances.

A local expert guide brings the history of the site to life. 

A short drive away, within the dramatic rock formations of Jabal Ikmah, a narrow sandstone ravine forms what is often described as an open-air library. Along this rock-cut corridor, hundreds of inscriptions and carvings are etched into cliffs and boulders by locals, travelers and traders who once passed through the area.

Most of the inscriptions are in ancient Dadanitic and date back more than 2,000 years. They range from prayers to local deities and records of trade transactions to agricultural notes and legal texts, offering rare insight into daily life, belief systems and the early development of the Arabic language.

Nearby, travelers can try their hand at carving Dadanitic letters at an ancient inscriptions workshop inspired by the site.

Another highlight of the area is AlUla Old Town. Dating primarily from the 12th century, it was founded as a key stop on the pilgrimage route between Damascus and Makkah (Mecca). The town remained inhabited until the 1980s, when residents were relocated to the modern outskirts to preserve the historic settlement as an open-air museum.

Today, AlUla Old Town is a vibrant cultural hub with hundreds of well-preserved mudbrick homes and narrow lanes with artisan workshops, market stalls, cafes and restaurants. 

The adjacent AlJadidah Arts District is the town’s creative hub, with galleries, design spaces, artisanal cafes and murals, including pedestrian streets decorated with painted carpet motifs.

We also recommend having us arrange lunch at one of the restaurants in the nearby AlUla Oasis, followed by a guided walk along the Oasis Heritage Trail through date palm groves and traditional farms. The lush oasis valley offers a striking contrast to the surrounding rocky terrain.

While touring in the region, travelers are immersed in spectacular desert scenery.

Comparable to Wadi Rum in Jordan, AlUla’s desert scenery includes wind-sculpted rock formations, sandstone cliffs and canyons in warm red and golden hues that shift with the changing light.

We take travelers to panoramic viewpoints and iconic landmarks such as Elephant Rock, a massive sandstone formation shaped like an elephant with its trunk touching the ground. In the evenings, Elephant Rock turns into a social gathering place with sunken seating areas and fire pits where locals and visitors enjoy coffee and a bite to eat.

In addition to its rich heritage, AlUla is gaining recognition as a destination for contemporary art and design. In collaboration with international institutions such as the Centre Pompidou in Paris, it is establishing itself as a cultural powerhouse, with landmark architecture, public art commissions and arts festivals that create a compelling counterpoint to the region’s ancient history.

A striking example of contemporary design in AlUla is Maraya, a mirror-clad concert hall and cultural venue in the Ashar Valley that is one of the largest mirrored buildings in the world. The exterior reflects the surrounding landscape, creating a fantastical interplay of architecture and nature as the structure seems to disappear like a desert mirage.

Complementing the visual arts and rich heritage, there are a growing number of luxury resorts in the desert that combine modern architecture and design with local touches, traditional crafts and regional cuisine.

We arrange for our travelers to stay at the finest resorts that offer luxury, style and hospitality in the heart of the desert, including The Banyan Tree AlUla and The Chedi Hegra. 

Time in AlUla combines well with private city touring in Riyadh and Jeddah.

Contact Artisans of Leisure to begin planning a private luxury Saudi Arabia tour featuring the incredible history, landscapes, contemporary culture and desert luxury of AlUla.