Trip highlights
- 1Hegra (Mada'in Salih) Nabataean tombs
- 2Elephant Rock
- 3Maraya concert hall
- 4AlUla Old Town
- 5Desert stargazing
Daily spend
Where you're going
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In pictures
Photos: Unsplash
Language preparation
15 min/day for 8 weeks ≈ 672 useful words and phrases
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Day-by-day plan
Arrival & AlUla Old Town
Monday, January 18
Est. spend
$220
per person
🌅 Morning
Arrive at AlUla International Airport (ULH)
AlUla International Airport
A short drive from the small AlUla Airport connects to resorts and hotels scattered across the valley, generally 15-30 minutes depending on location.
Most hotels offer pre-arranged airport transfers — book in advance since taxi availability at this small airport is limited.
☀️ Afternoon
AlUla Old Town
AlUla Old Town, AlUla
A maze of abandoned mudbrick and stone houses dating back centuries, once the valley's main settlement until residents relocated to modern AlUla in the 1980s.
Hire a local guide to bring the empty alleyways to life with stories of the old market days and pilgrim caravan routes.
🌙 Evening
Dinner under the stars
Desert resort dining, AlUla
AlUla's resorts often offer open-air desert dining with views of some of the clearest, darkest night skies in the region.
Ask about a stargazing add-on — AlUla's dark-sky status makes for exceptional visibility of the Milky Way.
🍽️ Meals
Hotel breakfast
Saudi/International · $15
Old Town café lunch
Saudi · $18
Desert dinner experience
Saudi/International · $45
Hegra: Arabia's First UNESCO Site
Tuesday, January 19
Est. spend
$260
per person
🌅 Morning
Hegra (Mada'in Salih)
Hegra Archaeological Site, AlUla
Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to over 100 monumental Nabataean tombs carved directly into sandstone outcrops, sister city to Jordan's Petra and far less visited.
Book the official Royal Commission for AlUla guided tour in advance — independent access to Hegra is restricted and tours fill up, especially in peak winter months.
☀️ Afternoon
Jabal Ithlib and the Diwan
Jabal Ithlib, Hegra
A narrow sandstone passage within Hegra leading to the Diwan, a chamber believed used for religious or communal gatherings by the ancient Nabataeans.
This is included in the Hegra tour — wear good walking shoes for the uneven rock passage.
🌙 Evening
Dinner at a valley-view restaurant
AlUla valley restaurant
A relaxed dinner overlooking the dramatic red rock formations that define the AlUla valley as the sun sets.
🍽️ Meals
Early hotel breakfast
Saudi/International · $15
Hegra visitor centre lunch
Saudi · $20
Valley-view dinner
Saudi/International · $40
Elephant Rock & Maraya Concert Hall
Wednesday, January 20
Est. spend
$240
per person
🌅 Morning
Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil)
Elephant Rock, AlUla
A massive natural sandstone formation eroded into the unmistakable shape of an elephant, one of AlUla's most photographed natural landmarks, especially striking at sunrise or sunset.
Early morning light gives the best photos and avoids the midday heat — food trucks and seating are set up nearby for a relaxed visit.
☀️ Afternoon
Maraya concert hall and Sharaan Nature Reserve viewpoint
Maraya, Ashar Valley, AlUla
Maraya, the world's largest mirrored building, reflects the surrounding desert and hosts concerts and events; nearby Sharaan Nature Reserve offers scenic overlooks of protected desert terrain.
Check the events calendar in advance — Maraya occasionally hosts world-class concerts that may require separate ticketing.
🌙 Evening
Ashar Valley dinner and desert lounge
Ashar Valley, AlUla
A relaxed evening at a valley-floor restaurant with views toward the mirrored Maraya structure lit up against the dark desert sky.
🍽️ Meals
Hotel breakfast
Saudi/International · $15
Elephant Rock food truck lunch
Saudi street food · $12
Ashar Valley dinner
Saudi/International · $40
AlUla Museum & Departure
Thursday, January 21
Est. spend
$145
per person
🌅 Morning
AlUla World Heritage Interpretive Centre
AlUla World Heritage Interpretive Centre
A modern museum contextualising AlUla's 200,000 years of human history across the Lihyanite, Nabataean, and Islamic periods, with artifacts and detailed exhibits.
Visit before Hegra if possible on future trips — the historical context greatly enriches the archaeological sites.
☀️ Afternoon
Final souvenir shopping at AlUla Old Town souk
AlUla Old Town souk
A last visit to pick up local dates, Arabic perfumes (oud), and handcrafted desert-themed souvenirs before departure.
🌙 Evening
Transfer to AlUla International Airport
AlUla International Airport
Allow at least 2 hours before domestic departures given the airport's small but efficient processing.
🍽️ Meals
Hotel breakfast
Saudi/International · $15
Souk area lunch
Saudi · $18
Airport food
Saudi/International · $20
Before you go
📅 Best time to visit
November–March offers cool, pleasant desert temperatures (10-25°C) ideal for outdoor exploration. Summer months exceed 40°C and are best avoided.
🛂 Visas
Most nationalities can obtain a Saudi e-visa online before travel (visa.visitsaudi.com), typically valid for 90 days with multiple entry — processing is usually fast, within a few business days.
💱 Currency
Saudi Riyal (SAR), pegged to the US Dollar. Cards are widely accepted at hotels and resorts; smaller souk vendors may prefer cash.
🆘 Emergency numbers
police: 999
ambulance: 997
💬 Things you won't find in a guidebook
- Hegra access is managed by the Royal Commission for AlUla — book guided tour slots well in advance, especially during the busy winter season.
- Dress modestly in public areas — loose, covering clothing is recommended for both men and women, though dress codes have relaxed significantly in tourist zones.
- AlUla's dark-sky status makes for outstanding stargazing — many resorts offer dedicated astronomy experiences worth booking.
- Alcohol is not available anywhere in Saudi Arabia, including AlUla's international resorts.
- Distances between sites in AlUla are significant — a private car or organised tour is far more practical than attempting to walk between attractions.
One thing worth not skipping
A 4-day trip to AlUla, Saudi Arabia without insurance is a gamble. Medical emergencies, cancelled flights, lost luggage — cover yourself before you leave.
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