Saudi Arabia’s AlUla blends ancient heritage seamlessly with contemporary design

 

Saudi Arabia’s AlUla gives feeling of timelessness and luxury

Few destinations feel as timeless and evocative as AlUla. Hidden deep within Saudi Arabia’s desert heartland, this extraordinary region is a place where layers of history, nature and creativity converge. Shaped by more than 7,000 years of continuous civilisation and over 200,000 years of human presence, AlUla blends ancient heritage seamlessly with contemporary design, luxury hospitality and dramatic natural scenery.

Once a vital stop along the Incense Route, AlUla served as a resting point for traders, pilgrims and travellers moving across the Arabian Peninsula. Over centuries, civilisations such as the Dadanites, Lihyanites and Nabataeans left their mark through monumental architecture, inscriptions and tombs that continue to emerge through archaeological discovery. Today, this historic oasis has re-emerged on the global stage as a destination defined by renewal, creativity and deep cultural resonance.

A landscape of calm and connection

Nature plays a central role in AlUla’s restorative power. Sharaan National Park, spanning 1,500 square kilometres, is dedicated to ecological restoration, with hundreds of thousands of native plants already reintroduced and ambitious conservation goals set for the future. The park is home to Arabian oryx and Nubian ibex, with plans to reintroduce the endangered Arabian leopard. Visitors can explore the park through guided 4WD tours, hiking trails and stargazing experiences that highlight the region’s raw beauty.

 

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Equally grounding is a visit to AlUla Old Town, inhabited continuously from the 12th century until the 1980s. More than 900 traditional structures are now being carefully restored, offering insight into centuries of daily life. Seasonal experiences such as the immersive Incense Road programme bring the past to life through performances, sensory storytelling and cutting-edge technology.

No journey is complete without visiting Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. The southernmost city of the Nabataean Kingdom features more than 110 rock-cut tombs carved into sandstone cliffs. Nearby, the ancient city of Dadan, the Lion Tombs and the inscriptions of Jabal Ikmah further reveal AlUla’s role as a crossroads of culture and trade.

A living centre for art and creativity

Art has long been woven into AlUla’s identity, and today it continues to flourish. The annual AlUla Arts Festival, held each January and February, brings together global and regional creatives through exhibitions and installations. A major highlight is Desert X AlUla, with site-specific artworks responding to the landscape. Looking ahead, Wadi AlFann — the Valley of the Arts — will open as a permanent open-air gallery from 2028, featuring large-scale works by some of the world’s most influential artists.

Architecture also plays a powerful role, most notably Maraya, the world’s largest mirrored building, which reflects the surrounding sandstone cliffs and hosts major cultural events. Meanwhile, AlUla’s craft traditions are being revitalised at Madrasat Addeera, a former girls’ school turned creative hub where artisans reinterpret metalwork, embroidery and palm-frond weaving through a contemporary lens.

 

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An oasis on the plate

AlUla’s food scene is deeply rooted in its oasis environment, celebrating ingredients sourced directly from nearby farms. World-renowned chefs have embraced this philosophy, including Alain Ducasse at Ducasse AlUla, where French technique meets local flavours in an open-air setting framed by palm trees and ancient rock formations. At Maraya Social, Jason Atherton offers refined dishes inspired by Middle Eastern cuisine, paired with sweeping views of the Ashar Valley.

Local restaurants are equally compelling. Somewhere, overlooking one of AlUla’s largest palm groves, delivers relaxed, produce-led dining, while Tofareya offers traditional Saudi dishes that reflect the stories and identity of the region. Across AlUla, the common thread is food shaped by place, history and the land itself.

Renewal of body and spirit

Wellness is integral to the AlUla experience. The AlUla Wellness Festival brings together meditation, yoga and sound healing in natural settings, while Thuraya Wellness at Our Habitas AlUla offers treatments inspired by indigenous botanicals. For a moment of pure perspective, hot-air balloon rides reveal ancient tombs and desert valleys from above, offering a profound sense of scale and stillness.

Accommodation options mirror the destination’s diversity. Banyan Tree AlUla offers secluded villa living amid canyon landscapes, Our Habitas AlUla blends sustainability with community-focused luxury, and The Chedi Hegra delivers a once-in-a-lifetime stay within a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Boutique options such as Dar Tantora The House Hotel add further depth through heritage-led hospitality.

 

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For travellers seeking adventure, reflection and cultural immersion — all within a setting of exceptional beauty — AlUla stands apart as a destination that rejuvenates long after the journey ends.

Source: www.harpersbazaar.com