🗺️ What to do in Al-Ula: tombs, rocks and a mirror hall

Al-Ula appeared on the tourist map only recently. Just a few years ago people mostly came here for work, and today direct flights from Dubai and Riyadh land in the oasis. There is little information about the city: the sites are scattered across the desert, and distances are measured in tens of kilometers.

We put together seven places worth seeing in Al-Ula, and for each one we added tickets, how to get there, and the best time to visit. In winter the daytime temperature is around twenty degrees Celsius, and all the sites fit within an hour's drive by car. Checked on 09/13/2026 on the official Experience AlUla website.

Ad: this article contains affiliate links. We earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.

1. Mada'in Salih (Hegra)

💡 In short:

Mada'in Salih (Hegra) is Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO site.
Tickets are sold only online and for a specific time slot.
In winter, Hegra After Dark is added to the daytime tours.
Tour formats: 09/2026, checked on the official Experience AlUla website

Mada'in Salih was the second most important city of the Nabataean Kingdom after Petra. The sandstone tombs were carved more than two thousand years ago, and most of them have survived almost untouched. Hegra, as the city was called in ancient times, guarded the caravan route between the Red Sea and Mesopotamia.

Don't just look at the facades. Behind the outer wall there is a burial chamber, a well, or an altar. The Nabataeans left names, dates, and even punishments for violators carved in stone. Thousands of such inscriptions are found in Al-Ula.

The tour is led by a local rawi guide who grew up in these parts. During the day there is no shade among the rocks, so morning and evening are the most valued times. In winter, Hegra After Dark is added: a nighttime ride through tombs lit by candles. Children under five are not allowed on it.

Ticket: online only, no slots are sold at the entrance.
How to get there: about half an hour by car from Al-Ula Old Town.
Who it's for: for those willing to get up early and walk a lot.
The catch: in summer there is no shade among the rocks, so move your visit to morning or evening.

2. Elephant rock (Jabal AlFil)

Elephant Rock stands half an hour's drive from the tombs and has long become a symbol of Al-Ula. Jabal AlFil is a sandstone monolith shaped by wind over millions of years. Its form resembles an elephant lowering its trunk to the ground.

There is only one best time here: sunset. Deep seating areas were dug around the rock, loungers were set up, and several cafes were opened. There is no separate ticket, you only pay for food and parking. Visitors write in reviews that the area fills up an hour before sunset (Tripadvisor, 09/2026).

Huge Elephant Rock in AlUla with a caravan

Arrive early. The parking lot by the rock is small, and the spots near the edge are taken before the sun goes down. If you don't want to find your own way, there are group tours of Al-Ula on GetYourGuide.

Cost: free entry.
How to get there: about half an hour from Old Town, paved road.
Best time: an hour before sunset.
The catch: during the day it's hot by the rock and there is almost nothing to do.

3. Old Town market

Al-Ula Old Town looks ancient, but people lived there until the last century. Stone and clay houses were built here as early as the twelfth century, and the last families moved out in the eighties. Today the quarters have been restored and turned over to pedestrians.

Ruins of mudbrick houses in AlUla Old Town

Many shops operate at the market. You'll find ceramics, fabrics, palm baskets, spices, and local art. Bargaining is appropriate, but without pressure: prices are kept within reasonable limits. In the evening the lights come on, and the streets look completely different.

After your walk, stop by Suhail. They cook Saudi classics here but serve them in a modern way. It's better to book a table in advance, especially in December and January.

How to get there: central Al-Ula, a five-minute walk from the parking lot.
Hours: quiet in the morning, more shops open by sunset (according to Experience AlUla).
Who it's for: for those looking for souvenirs and local cuisine.
The catch: at midday some shops are closed due to the heat.

4. Dadan in a vintage Land Rover

Dadan was the capital of the kingdoms of Dadan and Lihyan. The city is carved into red sandstone, and its tombs are guarded by lion sculptures. Inscriptions carved into the walls more than two millennia ago have survived here.

Nearby lies Jabal Ikmah, a library rock. Thousands of texts in ancient languages are carved into its slabs, including one of the earliest variants of written Arabic. These inscriptions are still studied by archaeologists.

The most convenient way to see Dadan is with a guide. The classic route goes in a vintage Land Rover convertible and lasts about two hours. The program includes Jabal Ikmah, so it's hard to do without a car and a guide. It's better to book a guided tour of Dadan and Jabal Ikmah in advance.

Getting there: only by car or as part of a tour.
Tour: about two hours, with a little walking.
Who it's for: those who love rock inscriptions and history.
The catch: without a guide, you'll miss half the inscriptions.

5. Maraya

Maraya is the largest mirrored building on the planet. The facade is made of 9,740 mirror panels, and the Guinness record was set on December 26, 2019 (as of SPA, 11/2025). The building stands in the Ashar Valley and almost dissolves into the rocks during the day.

Mirrored Maraya building in the desert among rocks

Inside, concerts, film screenings, and conferences take place. The hall is designed for large stages, so tickets for top evenings sell out first. Grab them as soon as the program is announced.

Maraya Social operates on the rooftop. The kitchen is run by British chef Jason Atherton, whose restaurant earned a Michelin star. Arabic classics are served here with a modern twist. It's better to book a table in advance. For tickets to events in AlUla, check Tiqets.

Tours and tickets in AlUla

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

See offers on Tiqets

The widget loads once you give your consent.

Ticket: depends on the event, sold online.
Getting there: by car from the Old Town.
Who it's for: those who came for architecture and music.
The catch: there's no free entry; you can only get inside for an event or dinner.

6. Festival and art

In winter, AlUla turns into an open-air exhibition hall. Contemporary art exhibitions run at Maraya and in the Old Town, with film screenings and performances added to the mix. Some works are deliberately placed in the desert so they contrast with the rocks.

The main event of the season is the Winter at Tantora festival. The last season ran from December 18, 2025 to January 10, 2026 (according to Experience AlUla). Traditional dances, concerts, and crafts fill three weeks.

Straw art installation in the AlUla desert

Plan your trip in advance. Dates for the new season are announced closer to autumn, and hotels sell out first during these weeks.

When: December to January, when the weather is mildest.
Where: Maraya, the Old Town, and desert venues.
Who it's for: those ready to book a hotel as soon as dates are announced.
The catch: tickets for popular concerts go fast.

7. Sleeping in the oasis

After a long day, you'll need rest. The oasis offers standalone bungalows: you live among palm groves, between rocks and water. Mornings here begin with silence.

Palm grove and sand desert in the AlUla oasis

If your budget is tighter, there's a campsite and an RV area nearby. In the evenings, people dance to DJ sets and watch open-air movies. You can end your evening by the fire.

Hotels and bungalows sell out quickly in season. Check rooms in AlUla on Trip.com in advance, especially if you're going for the festival.

Where: the oasis and Ashar Valley, a drive from the center.
Budget: from a tent camp to a villa with a pool.
Who it's for: those who want quiet after excursions.
The catch: in high season there are almost no vacancies.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need for AlUla?

Two full days are enough to cover all seven spots on this list. The first day goes to Hegra and Dadan, the second to Elephant Rock, the Old Town, and Maraya. If you want to catch the festival, add a third day and book everything in advance.

How do you get around AlUla without your own car?

There is almost no public transport between the sites. Workable options: taxis, a pre-booked transfer, or group tours from your hotel. The Old Town, Maraya, and Dadan are about half an hour apart, and Hegra is a bit further. Having your own car still gives you more freedom.

When is the best time to visit AlUla?

The comfortable season runs from October to March. In summer, temperatures climb well above thirty, and some tours are moved to early morning. In winter, evenings are cool, so bring a jacket. For holidays and festival weeks, book several months ahead.

How much does a trip to AlUla cost?

The main expenses are slot tickets, the hotel, and getting there. A day tour to Hegra is sold online only, and the price depends on the format. Staying overnight at a campsite is several times cheaper than a bungalow in the oasis. Check the exact rates on the official website before buying.

Can you see AlUla in one day?

Not properly. Hegra takes half a day, and Dadan and Jabal Ikmah take about the same. In one day you can manage either the tombs or the Old Town with Maraya. If time is short, pick one main site and don't spread yourself thin.

In short: what's worth booking

If you have two days, put Hegra in the morning and Elephant Rock at sunset. If you're going in winter, add the Winter at Tantora festival and book your hotel months ahead. For history, take Dadan with a guide; for the evening, Maraya and a rooftop dinner.

If you want everything at once and without the hassle, book AlUla tours and tickets on GetYourGuide. If you're driving yourself, check rates on Trip.com in advance.

Al-Ula: 7 places where tombs neighbor a mirror hall