Ask about Dadan

The stories here are different from Hegra. Ancient inscriptions, rock art and ongoing archaeological discoveries reveal another layer of AlUla’s history. We also tried carving sandstone ourselves using traditional tools, which gave us a new appreciation for the skill behind these remarkable works. The archaeological programme continues today, with discoveries still emerging from beneath the desert.

The Arabian Horse Farm

One of the most memorable afternoons we spent in AlUla was at a private Arabian horse farm. We were welcomed with Arabic coffee, fresh dates and chilled ghee, a traditional pairing that perfectly balances the sweetness of the fruit. From shaded seating overlooking the paddocks, we watched the horses being groomed, exercised and then released together, where they immediately became playful and full of character. As a horse lover, I was eventually invited a little closer. I chose not to ride. Simply spending time with them felt enough. The Arabian horse is one of the great cultural symbols of Saudi Arabia. Their intelligence, sensitivity and beauty explain why.

Hegra

Book the private Land Rover experience if you can. The extra time allows the guides to move beyond dates and dynasties and tell the stories of the people who once lived and traded here. Standing quietly in front of monuments that have survived for more than two thousand years changes your sense of scale. You stop taking photographs for a moment and simply look.

AlUla Public Library

One of my favourite discoveries wasn’t an archaeological site - it was the public library. Spread across several floors, it’s full of quiet reading rooms, thoughtful displays and beautifully chosen books. We lost ourselves in a remarkable book on Arab cosmology before wandering back into the afternoon heat. If you’re looking for an hour of quiet reflection, this is where I’d spend it.

The date palms

They are everywhere. They soften the landscape, bring life to the valley and remind you that AlUla has supported communities for thousands of years. Alongside citrus, herbs and seasonal produce, they tell the story of an oasis that has always depended on careful cultivation and respect for nature.

The Chedi

They are everywhere. They soften the landscape, bring life to the valley and remind you that AlUla has supported communities for thousands of years. Alongside citrus, herbs and seasonal produce, they tell the story of an oasis that has always depended on careful cultivation and respect for nature.

Stay out after dark - Alula’s night sky deserves time

Badriyah Al-Salem, a researcher of ancient Arab astronomy, explains that the sky was once memorised as a matter of survival. Time, weather, navigation, farming and harvest seasons all depended on reading the stars with precision. Knowledge was preserved through poetry, spoken word, stories and myths, then passed from one generation to the next. As Al-Salem says: “The stars carry all our history, and all our values as Arabs.”

Spend an evening with an experienced astronomy guide and listen to the stories of Al-Jady, Suhail, Al-Thoraya and Aldebaran. Looking up offers a glimpse into how generations of Bedouin understood the land, found their way across it and made sense of the world above them.