Driving EASY 4WD
Best for STEPPING BACK IN TIME
Recommended for A CULTURAL DAY OUT
Approximately a 280km drive from Tabuk, AlUla is an up-and-coming destination for tourists, boasting a wide range of geological and historical sites. Said to be the world’s largest outdoor museum, this route will bring you to the northern region of AlUla.
MOST OF THE NORTH ALULA AREA IS INACCESSIBLE FOR OFF-ROADING. PLEASE CHECK THE CONDITIONS SET BY THE ROYAL COMMISSION FOR ALULA WHEN VISITING THESE ATTRACTIONS.
As there is a lot to see and do in the area, we recommend buying your tickets for the various experiences at AlUla in advance. This will ensure you avoid disappointment as tickets may be sold out.
For more information, visit www.experiencealula.com
Ticketed Tour - Jabal Ikmah is commonly known as the ‘open library’ due to the many treasures hidden within this rocky valley. Numerous inscriptions in languages including Aramaic, Dadanitic, Nabataean, Minaic and Thamudic cover the cliff faces and rocks of the area. This area can only be accessed by guided tour as research and preservation work is ongoing.
Ticketed Tour - Ticketed Tour Maraya, which means ‘reflection’ in Arabic, is the world’s largest mirrored building. This state-of-the-art structure is made up of over 9,000 mirrored panels that reflect the surrounding desert canyon’s natural beauty. From a certain perspective, the mirror seems to disappear into the surrounding landscape, making it a great place for photographs.
Ticketed Tour - It is not often that we get the chance to get so close to history. The largest preserved site of Nabataen civilisation south of Petra, Saudi Arabia has opened Hegra to tourists for the first time. With roots tracing back to the 1st century BCE, this area offers some fascinating insights into Nabataean culture. The well-preserved monumental tombs and the carved facades of sandstone outcrops share similarities with their sister site in Petra, Jordan. Keep a lookout for another interesting rock formation in this area known as Face Rock, which closely resembles a human face.
AlUla is a fertile oasis that produces all kinds of crops. Citrus crops, in particular, thrive in this area, with 80% of the nation’s harvest being produced here. A total of 29 varieties of citrus fruits and 200,000 trees are grown in AlUla, including oranges, kumquats, pomelos and torounge (a hybrid of lemon and pomelo).
Off-road - Only 45 minutes from the city centre, this route will require an appropriately fitted 4WD vehicle. If you have a dune buggy of your own, bring it along for further exploration. Located in Raggasat Valley, these rock formations have been weathered by the elements and now appear to be dancing together.
Ticketed Tour - The Sharann Nature Reserve is currently closed due to restoration work, but once opened will offer guided tours. The reserve protects 1,500km2 of abundant flora and fauna including wildflowers, Nubian ibex, gazelles and birds.
Off-road - About a 90-minute drive from AlUla, this off-road destination is a definite must! Be sure to have a terrain-appropriate vehicle as the sand banks near the foothills can be tricky. This breathtakingly beautiful rainbow-shaped rock is a short and easy climb and one of the most stunning sunset viewpoints in AlUla. Stay a little longer to watch the stars fill the clear night sky.
Ticketed Tour - These thin pillars of stone are the remnants of a huge mountain that once dominated the area. Best appreciated at night, we highly recommend booking the stargazing tour ahead of time. Try to identify and navigate the stars above, just like the Nabataeans who once occupied this land.