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Maraya, the mirrored concert hall in AlUla, reflecting the sandstone cliffs

Home›Tomorrow›Vision 2030: The New Saudi Arabia›AlUla Projects

Saudi Arabia · Vision 2030

Hegra and AlUla: The Journey Through Time

Hegra, in AlUla, was Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is the centerpiece of a long-term plan to make AlUla a living museum of art, archaeology and nature. Resorts, Maraya and the heritage sites are open now, with Wadi AlFann and new cultural districts on the way.

Updated

At a glance

AlUla Projects at a glance

Where
Medina Province, northwest Saudi Arabia
Steward
Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), founded 2017
UNESCO
Hegra, inscribed 2008
Airport
AlUla International Airport, flights from Riyadh, Jeddah and Dubai
Masterplan
Journey Through Time, a 20 km cultural corridor
Best months
October to April

What the AlUla project is

AlUla is a desert valley of sandstone cliffs and palm oases that held the kingdoms of Dadan and Lihyan and, later, the Nabataean city of Hegra, with more than 100 monumental tombs cut into rock. The Royal Commission for AlUla was created to protect this landscape and open it carefully to the world.

Its Journey Through Time masterplan links five districts along a 20 km corridor, from AlUla Old Town to Hegra, with a light tramway, museums, hotels and green space, while most of the wider area stays protected. It is a cultural pillar of Saudi Vision 2030.

Qasr al-Farid, the lone Nabataean tomb carved into a sandstone boulder at Hegra, under a clear blue sky.
Photo: Following Hadrian · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Open now

Hotel reviews are on our AlUla luxury resorts guide.

Hegra

AlUla

The Nabataean city of rock-cut tombs, visited on guided tours by vintage Land Rover, horseback or on foot.

Official site ↗

Maraya

Ashar Valley

The mirrored concert hall in the desert, recognized as the world's largest mirrored building, with concerts and a rooftop restaurant.

Official site ↗

AlUla Old Town and Dadan

AlUla

A restored mud-brick town with shops and cafes, and the ancient capital of Dadan nearby.

Official site ↗

Banyan Tree AlUla

★★★★★ Ashar Valley

Tented villas among sandstone cliffs, with a spa and private pools.

Official site ↗

Our Habitas AlUla

★★★★★ Ashar Valley

Low-impact villas in a canyon, focused on wellness and the outdoors.

Official site ↗

Dar Tantora The House Hotel

★★★★★ AlUla Old Town

A restored heritage village lit by candlelight, a soulful stay in the old town.

Coming next

To be confirmed

Wadi AlFann

Valley of the Arts, AlUla

A 65 sq km valley for monumental land art by Saudi and international artists. Opening: To be confirmed.

Official site ↗
To be confirmed

Sharaan resort

Sharaan Nature Reserve

A resort designed by Jean Nouvel and carved into the rock. Opening: To be confirmed.

To be confirmed

AlUla tramway and Journey Through Time districts

AlUla corridor

New museums, cultural venues, hotels and a light tramway along the corridor. Dates: To be confirmed.

Official site ↗

Events and the season

AlUla Moments, the winter calendar of festivals, concerts, hot-air ballooning and sports, runs through the cooler months. See UNESCO World Heritage in the Middle East and the Saudi Arabia travel guide.

For investors

AlUla is managed for conservation, so development is deliberately limited and led by hospitality partners invited by the Royal Commission. Investors interested in the Kingdom's property market will find the options in our Saudi Arabia Luxury Real Estate and Premium Residency guide.

Questions about AlUla

How do I get to AlUla?

Fly to AlUla International Airport from Riyadh, Jeddah or Dubai, or drive from Madinah in about four hours.

Can I visit Hegra on my own?

Hegra is visited on official guided tours booked through Experience AlUla.

When is Wadi AlFann opening?

Its opening date is To be confirmed.

Ultra-Luxury Real Estate · Own Here

Own a home in Madinah

The places you discover as a guest are the places to own. Ownership in Madinah is limited to Muslim individuals and Saudi companies; ask a licensed agency what applies elsewhere in the province.

Ultra-Luxury Tourism & Ultra-Luxury Real Estate

Checked October 2026. Prices and dates are approximate and can change. See our standard.