AlUla's Old Town has been awarded the title of Best Tourism Village by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) with the city effortlessly maintaining its charm. In this city you will find a delightful mix of weathered buildings and quirky stores and galleries curated by modern Saudi artists. Against the backdrop of original mud houses, this place serves as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of traditional and contemporary Saudi culture.
In AlUla, time seems to have stood still. Here you can wander delightfully through the maze of historic alleys and hundreds of houses built of mud brick. AlUla is characterized by winding paths steeped in memories dating back almost a century. Be enchanted by the town's authentic charm as the sun slowly sets.
For dinner, we recommend a visit to Suhail. This restaurant is named after the most famous bright star Arabs traditionally used when navigating the desert. Suhail serves traditional Saudi dishes such as Kbeibat Hail, a vegetarian dish of stuffed grape leaves with Hail spices, and Riyadh Jareesh, a famous dish of broken wheat cooked with Laban, garnished with caramelized onions and gold leaf.
Hegra, the Daimumah Oasis and the Maraya Concert Hall
The next day is dedicated to archaeological treasures and breathtaking landscapes. With an old Landrover you will visit Hegra, the ancient Nabatean city that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you will be immersed in the rich history of the region as you explore the ancient ruins, admire the beautiful inscriptions and feel the magic of the past come alive.
Next, you will make your way to the enchanting Daimumah Oasis. Picturesque paths wind through shade-covered palm groves, fragrant botanical gardens and open fields. Admire ancient mud dwellings and ancient qanats (irrigation canals), along with the crops that local farmers sustainably grow here.
For lunch, slide into the best restaurant in the oasis. Overlooking the lush fields of the oasis, the menu is inspired by the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. Enjoy a light, lemony pasta, or a delicious lamb sandwich. Add the perfectly poached egg to your avocado toast, or try one of their fresh-baked croissants.
The day concludes with a visit and dinner at the Maraya Concert Hall, a symbol of modernity, cultural evolution and Saudi Arabia's growing ambitions as a travel destination. The building's most striking feature is its gigantic mirrored exterior, which reflects the surrounding natural beauty and creates the illusion that the building almost completely blends into its surroundings.
Renowned British chef and owner of Michelin-starred restaurants worldwide, Jason Atherton, launched Maraya Social atop the award-winning Maraya building. The menu features a carefully selected range of dishes meant to be shared, with a focus on seasonal ingredients and a blend of Mediterranean, Arabic and British culinary traditions - all presented in Atherton's signature style.
Balloon ride over AlUla
Experience the enchanting canyons, lush blankets of green oases and carved tombs of AlUla, stretching from the air as far as the eye can see. From 1,200-meter heights, enjoy panoramic views of historic sites that have fascinated travelers for millennia and will continue to do so for a long time to come. AlUla offers an abundance of ancient and traditional charm with over 200,000 years of history. There is no better way to truly take in all its glory than with a balloon ride during sunrise.
Dadan and Jabal Ikmah
A visit to Dadan and Jabal Ikmah, the ancient kingdom of the Lihyanite and Dadanite civilizations, really should not be missing from the program. This highlight is located in a breathtaking desert gorge and it has an "open-air library" with the most impressive collection of inscriptions, petroglyphs and petroglyphs in AlUla and it is also the largest of its kind in Saudi Arabia.