Al Ula in Saudi Arabia
If you have kept yourself up-to-date with the recent world tourism news, then you probably have heard of the place called AlUla in Saudi Arabia. It rose to fame at a rapid speed and has become one of the most hyped tourism destinations in the present time.
Located within the Medina Region of North-Western Saudi Arabia, the city of AlUla and its surroundings is a place where natural beauty coexists with thousands of years of human heritage. It lies on the Incense Trade Route, which holds major historical significance as it used to work as a link between sea and land trade routes that connected the Mediterranean region with other parts of the continent and the world. AlUla covers a total area of 29,261 square kilometres and is about 300 km north of Medinah. Apart from its majestic natural landscapes and phenomenon, AlUla used to be the capital of Dedan back in ancient times. Various relics of the Lihyan and Nabataean kingdoms still live on to this day, creating an accent of vivid human heritage over the entire region.
When considering a travel destination, you have to check out everything in order to understand whether it will be a good fit for your trip. In terms of AlUla, you can rest assured that you will be getting the brilliance of rich cultural and natural heritage in one package. Make sure to check out the top 15 reasons to visit AlUla in Saudi Arabia from the following:
One of the most notable sites in AlUla is Hegra, which is the first-ever UNESCO World Heritage Site of Saudi Arabia. It is one of the largest conserved sites that hold evidence from the past, belonging to the Nabatean civilisation. In Hegra, you will find over that have been preserved, 94 of which are elaborately carved and decorated, and water wells. This showcases the Nabatean people’s excellence in their architectural skills and understanding of hydraulics. These monumental tombs are said to date between 1st-century B.C.E and 1st-century C.E.
The Old Town of AlUla is yet another fascinating site that you can’t miss out on, especially if you are a history buff. This town is a unique maze-like structure made from 900 mud-brick houses, which are all interconnected with one another to offer fortification. In the past, it used to welcome pilgrims between morning and evening through its 14 gates. The mentions of AlUla Old Town can be found in the accounts of pilgrims that walked the Damascus to Makkah route between the 12th and 20th centuries. Also, the AlUla Old Town market is a great place for visitors who are looking to shop around for works of local artisans and other traditional crafts.
AlUla contains one of the most prominent concentrations of ancient rock art and inscriptions within the Middle East region. One such location in AlUla that features a variety of inscriptions dating back to ancient times, is Jabal Ikmah. The location is close to the ancient city of Dadan and holds hundreds of engravings, with the earliest ones believed to be inscribed around 644 B.C.E. Jabal Ikmah makes up for a remarkable deep-dive into the ancient human heritage of AlUla.
Tayma is located between the western region of the Great Nefud desert and the Hijaz Mountains. This is a location of major historical significance as it used to serve as a centre of power and status, recorded throughout the pages of history. Nabonidus, the last Babylonian king, used to reside in Tayma for over a decade in the middle of the 6th century B.C.E. The place now holds thousands of years of historical artefacts, monuments and remnants of ancient Arabia.
The Elephant Rock is one of the most popular geological formations in all of AlUla and accounts for some of the greatest night-time views in the area. This experience is free and open to all visitors and makes up for a perfect evening time. Also, the natural setting created by Elephant Rock enhances the stargazing experience, while visitors enjoy the sunken seating and have a great time with their fellow tour companions.
There are various charming locations and hiking trails in AlUla, where you can enjoy the natural beauty at a calming pace. One such popular path in AlUla is the Heritage Oasis trail, which is 3 kilometres long, commencing from the Orange Path and concluding at the Dadan Visitor Centre. Throughout the Oasis trail, you will find a series of tall palm trees, lush green local farms and remnants of AlUla’s historic mud-brick houses, on both sides of the road.
Another important reason to visit AlUla in Saudi Arabia is to experience its natural beauty. The astonishing structures spread over the vast landscape can offer a soothing sense of an alternate reality, much different from the usual city life. Some world-renowned natural rock formations that you can see in AlUla include the Elephant Rock, Face Rock, Dancing , Rainbow Rock, Pyramid Mountain, and so on.
AlUla makes up for a great tourist destination if you are in search of wellness experiences. One of AlUla’s most famous tourist attractions is its Wellness Festival, which runs for 17 days straight, usually from September to October. The restorative potential of this festival is the key highlight of the event, where a wide range of wellness practitioners and specialists participate to create healing experiences.
If you like stargazing or the idea of lying amidst enchanting open landscapes and staring at the sky as stars lighten up the universe, then you will love AlUla. You can have this experience on your own or book a stargazing tour, where you will lie down on a carpet, stare at the sky as the bright stars reside, and hear the stories of past civilisations from your tour guide. The Gharameel stargazing experience in AlUla is one of the most popular sites for this.
If you are looking for an adrenaline-pumping experience amidst the naturally formed beautiful landscapes of AlUla, then you can opt for rock climbing. It is a great experience that doesn’t require you to be a professional. You will be placed under a trained instructor and taught all the basics, and with all the safety measures taken, you will work towards rising to the top of the steep rock formation. It is one of the most fascinating experiences that AlUla can offer you.
AlUla offers multiple ways to explore the numerous glorious sites of natural beauty and human heritage, including via Helicopter Tours. The top-view vantage points cultivate some of the greatest visuals of the entire land, making it a must-have experience and adding up as another great reason to visit the mystical land of AlUla. The helicopter-guided tour includes the famous landmarks of the area, including the Elephant Rock, Hijaz Railway, Hegra, Maraya, AlUla Old Town, Jabal Ikmah and many more.
The trails throughout the AlUla are perfect for individuals who are looking for a hiking experience amidst the magnificent desert land. You will be able to witness the scenic visuals and glory of the vast land at your own pace and style. This will let you see the various desert landforms created by the wind and climate, natural phenomena, local wildlife, flora, ancient art and inscriptions, and much more. Some examples of trails where you can go on a hike in AlUla include the Arabian Leopard Trail, Rock Art Trail, and Lost Knight Trail.
Maraya is a remarkable work of art and an astonishing example of human creation. It is located within the deep desert canyon of AlUla’s Ashar Valley. This state-of-the-art structure is a fully functioning multi-purpose venue created with 9,740 mirrored panels that reflect the gorgeousness of the surrounding beauty of AlUla. According to the Guinness World Records, it is the largest mirrored building in the world.
The local arts and craft of AlUla is a major point of interest for tourists across the world. Their intricate craftwork and art of pottery will leave you feeling captivated. The arts hub of Madrasat Aldrirah and the handicraft tent at Hegra can portray more immersive visuals for tourists.
The local cuisines and overall dining experience in AlUla are massive attractions of this tourist destination, which pulls in visitors from across the world. After a heavy day of exploration, you can select from the multiple available options for marvellous fine dining. Munching on delicious delicacies at the restaurants of AlUla while being surrounded by the desert beauty, is a great experience that you can have during your visit. Make sure to taste the dates, citrus fruits and other local delights of AlUla, and check out the popular restaurants, cafes and food truck services.
These are some of the best reasons to visit AlUla in Saudi Arabia for your next big trip. It is a destination of outstanding natural beauty and cultural legacy. It is said to hold major parts of human history that date back more than 200,000 years, which remained unexplored for a long time. AlUla’s modern and contemporary culture at present time is also of great significance. The land creates a timeline where you can seamlessly experience the excellence of both past and present times. Also, to add to fact, the variety of adventure sports, outdoor activities, and local flora and fauna has also made it a major point of interest for tourists. This is why AlUla in Saudi Arabia has become a popular place for global tourist attractions and is perfect as a vacation destination, be that solo, with friends, or with family.
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