With the borders closed, we’ve all endured loads of FOMO about the destinations, attractions, feasts, and events we’ve missed out on overseas. For us, AlUla, in the Middle East, has been at the top of our FOMO list. Why? Because it only opened to international tourists for the first time in 2019, just before the world closed. We’ve been left window shopping from afar ever since when all we want to do is GO.
We can now do just that: Go to AlUla. Go experience AlUla’s rich culture, go stand in awe of its spectacular scenery, go meet the locals, go taste the kabsa. We’re so giddy with excitement and had to share why it’s time to plan a visit to Saudi Arabia’s AlUla.
Go Learn What’s Exciting About AlUla
Covering a vast area of Saudi Arabia’s northwest region, AlUla is an expansive desert landscape, where towering sandstone mountains stand formidably above the verdant oasis valley. Ancient heritage sites – some dating back to the 6th-century BCE – attract visitors, but it’s not a destination stuck in its past. As the traditional and the modern emerge, visitors can experience AlUla’s heritage melded with its more modern vibes.
AlUla was once the crossroads of an ancient incense trading route, with thousands of travellers passing its heritage sites and receiving the warm welcome this region is known for. With an open invitation to travellers around the world, you no longer need to trade wares to receive the famed AlUla hospitality; you can now trade stories, life experiences and viewpoints, instead.
Go Explore AlUla’s Ancient Heritage Sites
- Hegra One of the major drawcards to AlUla is its previously closed heritage sites, with Hegra being the most intriguing. Undisturbed for almost 2,000 years, Hegra is Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by the Nabateans (of Petra fame), this ancient city houses over 100 well-preserved tombs with intriguing inscriptions.
- Dadan The mystical city of Dadan has archaeologists (who are still excavating) dating it back to the first millennium, BCE. It’s believed it was the most developed city in Northern Arabia. Slip back 2000+ years as you inspect the meticulously carved stone lions and learn about the Dadanite and Lihyanite civilisations.
- AlUla Old Town Wandering AlUla Old Town’s labyrinth of 900 mud-brick houses, shops, and restaurants is a new offering to visitors in 2021. Book a tour with a rawi (guide) as you’ll also visit Musabin Nusayr Castle, a 10th-century citadel with spectacular views.
Go Outdoors in the World’s Largest Living Museum
AlUla is a living museum. Every street you wander, every monument you see, every oasis you stroll through is an opportunity to peek into the past.
- Sunset at Elephant Rock Looming large from the desert floor, Elephant Rock is majestic at the best of times but head there at sunset to see it at its finest. Sit by the fire pits – with locals and visitors – to witness the AlUla desert landscape shift in hues and atmosphere as the sun falls.
- Bird’s Eye View Getting a top-down perspective of a destination as spectacular as AlUla is as rewarding as any on-the-ground activity. Take a 30-minute helicopter ride over the city.
- Dark Sky Adventures It’s easy to feel far away from the worries of the world as you explore AlUla, and that only magnifies when you include time to enjoy the desert night sky. On a stargazing tour in AlUla’s remote Gharameel area, it’s a star-studded evening in more ways than one. Local storytellers educate on the constellations while you enjoy a traditional dinner.
Where to Stay
As AlUla reopens to the world, so too do the city’s accommodation offerings. Currently, visitors can choose from traditional hotels, semi-tented villas, RV parks, and luxe boutique eco-resorts. By the end of 2022, a variety of new luxury boutique hotels are due to open, too.
The city’s gorgeous sandstone mountain crops surround every property. The landscape seems to naturally invite guests to tune into the vastness of AlUla and the peace that comes with it.
So, You Think You Know Saudi Arabia?
There’s no denying that Saudi Arabia is undergoing change at a rapid pace right now. The 50,000+ residents of AlUla are keen to interact and exchange views as you explore their home surroundings.
You may be expecting a very traditional Saudi experience, but the reality is a stay in AlUla offers a fascinating blend of old and new. Alongside its impressive sites, tasty food trucks, lively concerts, and bustling cafés that vie for your attention. If there’s one thing we know and love about travel, it’s that it challenges assumptions, broadens your mind, and encourages you to share what you’ve learnt when you return home. This is especially true of a visit to AlUla.
Tips for Selling AlUla
- AlUla is well-suited to pioneering travellers looking to expand their travel horizons, who love cultural heritage sites, and who enjoy spending time in nature.
- It’s best to coordinate travel and accommodation bookings prior to arrival. Peak season is from December to March, when the extensive culture and arts program, AlUlaMoments, is on. Book ahead so your clients don’t miss out on the heightened celebratory vibe of this time.
- A minimum stay of three nights is recommended for AlUla. Not just to see the sights, but also for time to connect with locals.
Go Book AlUla Now
Agents: Learn more about alluring AlUla by completing the dedicated training module. You’ll discover the city’s attractions, hotels, sustainable tourism efforts, and more.
Psst: are you curious how to effortlessly book your clients on a stress-free vacation to AlUla? Abercrombie & Kent, Crooked Compass, Arcadia Expeditions, and the Explorer Society offer wholesaler packages.
For destination assistance and trade enquiries, email alula@walshegroup.com. Stay up-to-date with AlUla news by subscribing to the Walshe Group trade newsletter.
Looking for more AlUla inspiration? Head to the content-rich Instagram and Facebook pages for everything you need.
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