When I initially planned to write about AlUla, or rather the Nabataean city of Hegra, I wasn't fully aware of just how much more extensive and interesting the entire city of AlUla actually is. Therefore, before delving into the details, I've decided to provide an overview. AlUla has a settlement history that stretches back to the Bronze Age, meaning we're talking about the last 7,000 years. For some time, the city belonged to the Nabataean Kingdom [1]. It lies on the Incense Route. It remained an important stopover for pilgrims traveling to Medina and Mecca, besides it is part of the Medina Province. Medina itself is located about 400 km to the southeast.
The official spelling is AlUla, but al 'Ula or al-'Ula (العلا) would be more accurate. Hegra is a World Heritage Site and testimony of Nabataean history [2], but there are also other interesting natural monuments, more tombs, and the old railway line. I'm only providing an overview of the places I visited and the railway line, as it might be easier to plan a visit on your trip here. Further information can be found at [3] (German) and [4] (English).
The official spelling is AlUla, but al 'Ula or al-'Ula (العلا) would be more accurate. Hegra is a World Heritage Site and testimony of Nabataean history [2], but there are also other interesting natural monuments, more tombs, and the old railway line. I'm only providing an overview of the places I visited and the railway line, as it might be easier to plan a visit on your trip here. Further information can be found at [3] (German) and [4] (English).
Inscriptions
Carved into sandstone is the Library for Eternity at Jabal Ikmah, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023. Similar inscriptions can be found at other sites of the Nabataean Kingdom, such as in Jordan [5]. However, the inscriptions in Jordan were just as easy to visit as those in Saudi Arabia; Petra was overcrowded. Jabal Ikmah displays inscriptions and drawings, as well as reliefs. Nabataean and Aramaic are represented.
Rock Tombs
Over 100 Nabataean tombs (Mada'in Salih) carved into the sandstone cliffs have been counted. These tombs were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. Among them are the Lion Tombs, as well as others, including those where additional graves have been exposed by the wind in front of them. Inscriptions tell the stories of those buried there.
Earthen Buildings
The earthen buildings of the Old City were inhabited until 1980. They are now protected and have been/are being restored. This also means that there is no longer any heavy traffic in the area, so tourist buses and cars park in a designated parking lot, and visitors are transported to the Old City in electric vehicles. In total, there are 900 earthen buildings, shops, galleries, other exhibitions, and even live music.
Elephant Rock
The rock rises 52 meters high and is visited by locals and tourists alike. Pilgrims also stop there. Unfortunately, there were also scantily clad influencers, whom I will discuss elsewhere. The rock itself is particularly beautiful at sunset.
Hejaz Railway Station
I have already written about the Hejaz Railway [6]. Here, a station of the Hejaz Railway can still be seen, along with remnants of the railway infrastructure. It didn't fit into our itinerary, even though it is very close to Hegra. However, other routes might pass by here.
I will report on various parts of AlUla separately. I definitely recommend visiting the city, and I also recommend doing so soon, as it is likely to become as crowded as Petra.
Carved into sandstone is the Library for Eternity at Jabal Ikmah, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023. Similar inscriptions can be found at other sites of the Nabataean Kingdom, such as in Jordan [5]. However, the inscriptions in Jordan were just as easy to visit as those in Saudi Arabia; Petra was overcrowded. Jabal Ikmah displays inscriptions and drawings, as well as reliefs. Nabataean and Aramaic are represented.
Rock Tombs
Over 100 Nabataean tombs (Mada'in Salih) carved into the sandstone cliffs have been counted. These tombs were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. Among them are the Lion Tombs, as well as others, including those where additional graves have been exposed by the wind in front of them. Inscriptions tell the stories of those buried there.
Earthen Buildings
The earthen buildings of the Old City were inhabited until 1980. They are now protected and have been/are being restored. This also means that there is no longer any heavy traffic in the area, so tourist buses and cars park in a designated parking lot, and visitors are transported to the Old City in electric vehicles. In total, there are 900 earthen buildings, shops, galleries, other exhibitions, and even live music.
Elephant Rock
The rock rises 52 meters high and is visited by locals and tourists alike. Pilgrims also stop there. Unfortunately, there were also scantily clad influencers, whom I will discuss elsewhere. The rock itself is particularly beautiful at sunset.
Hejaz Railway Station
I have already written about the Hejaz Railway [6]. Here, a station of the Hejaz Railway can still be seen, along with remnants of the railway infrastructure. It didn't fit into our itinerary, even though it is very close to Hegra. However, other routes might pass by here.
I will report on various parts of AlUla separately. I definitely recommend visiting the city, and I also recommend doing so soon, as it is likely to become as crowded as Petra.
Links and Annotations:
[1] For the overview, I have relied more on the German Wikipedia article [1a], but the English article is more comprehensive [1b] and also lists the other kingdoms. 7000 years of history have a lot to offer.
[1a] https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-%CA%BFUla
[1b] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Ula
[2] https://integration.dumontreise.de/magazin/reportagen/partner/story/alula-schatzkammer-unter-palmen
[3a] "Find out what else Al-Ula's nature has to offer at": www.experiencealula.com/nature-outdoors
[3b] "Everything about art and culture in Al-Ula can be found at": www.experiencealula.com/arts-culture
[4] https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/alula
[5] Oops, this is one of the blog posts I didn't write back then, but still plan to write.
[6] The Hejaz Railway in Saudi Arabia
https://rheumatologe.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-hejaz-railway-in-saudi-arabia.html
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