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Culture, landscape & architecture

Choose what to see — don’t try to see everything

Do not overpack museum days: fewer stops and more outdoor breaks.

Ancient kingdoms

The Nabataean city of more than 110 rock-cut tombs. Visits are guided only, by bus, hop-on hop-off or private 4x4, from the visitor centre.

The lone, unfinished tomb carved from a single outcrop; the image everyone knows. Seen on most Hegra tours.

A narrow siq and the Diwan, a carved meeting hall, on the eastern side of Hegra.

Capital of the Dadanite and Lihyanite kingdoms, with the Lion Tombs cut high into the cliff. Guided tours combine it with Jabal Ikmah.

An open-air library of more than 300 ancient inscriptions in a quiet canyon.

Hegra Hijaz Railway station

Ottoman-era station buildings from the line to Madinah, now part of The Chedi Hegra.

Old Town & oasis

More than 900 mud-brick houses on a rocky spur, lived in until the 1980s. Walk the restored lanes in the late afternoon.

The hilltop fort above the Old Town, with the best view across roofs and palms. Busy with telescopes during the Skies Festival.

Oasis Heritage Trail

A 3 km guided walk through palm and citrus farms, about 90 minutes; good in the cool of the day.

AlManshiyah Plaza

The open square below the Old Town, used for markets, family events and festival activities.

Art & design

The mirrored concert hall in the Ashar Valley. Take the guided tour, or come for a concert or a sunset dinner on the roof.

AlJadidah Arts District

Murals, galleries, a giant hand-painted carpet underfoot, cafés and pop-up shows in the newer town.

Madrasat Addeera

A former girls’ school turned arts and design centre, with pottery, embroidery and craft workshops.

AlUla Public Library

A library, café and community space in a renovated traditional house; a calm stop between sites.

Landscape

Jabal AlFil, a sandstone elephant 50 metres high. Free to visit from 4pm, with cafés and fire pits; best at sunset.

Harrat Viewpoint

Harrat Viewpoint

A lava plateau above the oasis, with long views over AlUla at sunrise and sunset.

Wind-carved canyons around Maraya and the resorts; good for short walks and guided hikes.

Architecture walk

Old Town to the fort

Mud-brick lanes, the old mosques and the Tantora sundial, then the climb to AlUla Fort.

Oasis edge

From AlManshiyah Plaza along farm walls and palm groves to the oasis cafés.

AlJadidah loop

Murals, Madrasat Addeera and the library in a lived-in modern quarter.

Maraya at sunset

Watch the mirror panels take on the colour of the cliffs as the light drops.

Evenings

Elephant Rock fire pits

Old Town lanes

Maraya Social

Stargazing

AlJadidah cafés

Harrat sunset

Book Hegra, Dadan, Jabal Ikmah and the Maraya tour on experiencealula.com. Children aged four and under enter Hegra free; wear closed shoes for the sand and rock.

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