AlUla, located 1,100 km from Riyadh in North-West Saudi Arabia, offers a lush oasis valley and towering sandstone mountains.
It has ancient cultural heritage sites dating back thousands of years to when the Lihyan and Nabataean kingdoms reigned.
Hegra, which is Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a 52-hectare ancient city, that was the principal southern city of the Nabataean Kingdom.
It has more than 100 well preserved tombs with elaborate facades cut out of the sandstone outcrops surrounding the walled uban settlement.
New hotel openings
Dar Tantora
Dar Tantora, opening in Q2 2024, will be an upscale eco-lodge launched by The House Hotel in historic AlUla Old Town, dating back to the 12th century.
The hotel has 30 guest rooms created by restoring and repurposing historical mud-brick buildings using modern engineering in tandem with traditional materials and techniques for a truly authentic Old AlUla experience.
www.experiencealula.com/en/plan-your-trip/accommodation/dar-tantora-the-house-hotel
Hegra Boutique Hotel
The Hegra Boutique Hotel, opening in late 2024, will be the first hotel located at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hegra.
The 35 room property will occupy several existing structures, including an old railway station, Hegra Fort, and other surrounding buildings.
Each of the hotel's three restaurants will offer a unique dining experience.
www.experiencealula.com/en/plan-your-trip/accommodation/the-chedi-hegra
The Bethesda
The Bethesda, an Autograph Collection Hotel, will open in central AlUla in 2025 adjacent to the AlUla Museum and opposite the AlUla Farmer's Market.
Also due to open in in not-too-distant future are the AZULIK AlUla Resort, Sharaan Resort & International Summit Centre; an Autograph Collection Hotel, along with three Aman Resorts and a Six Senses.
Opened recently
Habitas AlUla
Set in the ancient oasis of the Ashar Valley, and surrounded by canyon views and palm groves Habitas is an eco-conscious resort made up of 96 villas, designed with ethically sourced organic materials that complement the natural scenery.
Caravan by Habitas
Caravan by Habitas offers an immersive, off the beaten path experience, with 34 one-bedroom twin caravans and 11 one-bedroom queen caravans.
Guests have access to Habitas' facilities, including food trucks, dining and lounge tent, outdoor cinema and a yoga deck.
www.ourhabitas.com/caravan-agafay/
Arabian Leopard Day
The annual Arabian Leopard Day each February combines with Arabian Leopard Week.
Introduced by Saudi Arabia in 2022, Arabian Leopard Day has now been officially recognised by the United Nations.
The Royal Commission for AlUla uses the events to raise awareness and build public support for the Arabian Leopard, a critically endangered animal that once thrived in the Hijaz Mountains area of AlUla.
There are less than 200 Arabian leopards in the wild globally.
www.experiencealula.com/en/about/features/the-return-of-the-arabian-leopard
AlUla Moments
AlUla Moments presents major festivals and a number of key events, including :
www.experiencealula.com/en/whats-on/alula-moments
Outdoor activities in AlUla
AlUla is one of the leading adventure destinations in the region with temperate weather all year round offering walking, hiking, soft and extreme adventure experiences including :
www.experiencealula.com/en/whats-on/alula-moments
New cultural attractions
Wadi AlFann (Valley of the Arts)
Wadi AlFann (translated from Arabic: Valley of the Arts) is an upcoming large-scale outdoor sculpture park set against of AlUla's sandstone cliffs and canyons.
It will be showcase for esteemed local and international artists, when it opens in 2026.
www.experiencealula.com/en/places-to-go/wadi-alfann
The Museum of the Incense Road
The Museum of the Incense Road, opening in 2027, will take visitors on a journey through time, back to when the oasis city served as a crucial crossroad of civilisations.
It will be the world's first museum that will present a network of ancient trading routes through land and sea.
The museum will also showcase the archaeological excavations in the region and highlight the Incense Road's enriching impact on AlUla's cultural heritage.
Contemporary Art Museum
The Contemporary Art Museum, also opening in 2027, will represent the work of artists from the Red Sea, Arabian Sea and Eastern Mediterranean regions in its Three Seas Collection.
It will also offer a worldwide cross-section of immersive installations in its Continents Collection and work that relates to the unique environment of AlUla and Wadi AlFann in its Desert Collection.
The AlMuatadil Equestrian Village
The Royal Commission for AlUla plans to launch a new global equestrian hub in AlUla.
The AlMuatadil Equestrian Village will have two arenas for events: grass polo, endurance venues, sand polo, dressage and concerts.
The hub will also have visitor amenities, accommodation and retail stores for event participants and employers, and stables for 740 horses.
www.rcu.gov.sa/en/media-gallery/news/saudi-arabian-equestrian-federation-partners-with-the-royal-commission-for-alula-to-unlock-potential-equestrianism-for-tourism-economic-growth-and-investors/
