AlUla Fort
On the rock above the Old Town
Climb the stairs for the best view of the old roofs, the palm oasis and the cliffs.
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AlUla, Saudi Arabia
AlUla Old Town
A walled maze of hundreds of mud-brick and stone houses built along the valley, lived in for centuries and now partly restored, with a fort on the hill above and a lane of cafés and shops below.
Favourite places
The covered lanes
Inside the Old Town
Narrow shaded alleys between the houses, showing how the town kept cool.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Old Town lane (market street)
At the foot of the walls
Restored shopfronts with cafés, crafts, dates and local products.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)AlJadidah
Next to the Old Town
An arts district of murals, galleries and creative spaces.
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Local food
AlUla dates
AlUla, Saudi Arabia
AlUla's oasis has been farmed for thousands of years and is still full of date palms. Local varieties are sold fresh in season and packed all year — a good gift from the trip.
Oasis citrus
AlUla, Saudi Arabia
Oranges, lemons and other citrus grow under the palms of the AlUla oasis, and local farms sell fresh juice and produce in season.
Mutabbaq
AlUla, Saudi Arabia
A thin, crisp folded pastry stuffed with minced meat, egg and leek (or sweet banana and cheese), cooked on a hot griddle. A favourite street snack in the Hejaz, especially in the evenings.
Where to eat
Old Town lane cafés
Below the walls
Coffee, juice and meals on terraces facing the old houses.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)AlJadidah
Next to the Old Town
Casual cafés and restaurants among the galleries.
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Where to stay
AlUla town and the oasis
AlUla, Saudi Arabia
Hotels, guest houses and farm stays in and around the town and its palm oasis, close to the Old Town, cafés and the road north to Hegra.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Ashar Valley
AlUla, Saudi Arabia
Resorts and tented villas set among sandstone cliffs south of AlUla town, near Maraya and the airport. Quiet, scenic and best with a car.
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Culture
AlUla is a conservative oasis community. Dress modestly in town (shoulders and knees covered), ask before photographing people, and never climb on, touch or scratch rock carvings and tombs — the inscriptions are thousands of years old and fragile. Take all litter with you.
History
The Old Town (AlDeerah) grew up from around the 12th century on the site of earlier settlements, using stone and mud brick taken partly from older ruins. Its houses were built wall to wall, so the outer walls formed a defence, and narrow covered lanes kept the streets shaded and cool. It was home to farming families of the oasis and a stop for pilgrims and traders.
In the late 20th century residents moved to modern houses nearby and the town was left empty. Restoration has since reopened lanes and buildings, with the AlUla Fort (also called Musa bin Nusayr castle) on the rock above giving views over the roofs, the oasis and the cliffs.
Tour plans
Old Town evening
3 hoursStep 1: Walk the lanes
Wander the covered alleys of the mud-brick town.
Step 2: Climb to the fort
Watch the light fade over the oasis.
Step 3: Dinner on the lane
Eat at a terrace below the walls.
Step 4: AlJadidah
Finish among the murals and galleries.
Travel information
Best time to visit
Late afternoon into the evening, October to March, when the lane comes alive.
How to get there
In AlUla town; drive or take a ride-hailing car, or walk from central hotels.
Getting around
On foot. The lanes are uneven and the climb to the fort has steps — wear good shoes.
Travel tips
- Some parts may be closed for restoration; follow marked paths.
- Guided walks run in some seasons — check Experience AlUla.
- Shops, cafés and many services close briefly for each of the five daily prayers — usually for 20–30 minutes. Plan errands around them, and check the day's prayer times on a phone app.
