Beautiful places to visit in Al Ula

1. Hegra Heritage Site – The tombs in Nabataean architecture

Hegra is the first World Heritage Site of Saudi Arabia, having around 111 tombs uniquely designed in Nabataean architecture. The site preserves many ruins from the ancient and pre-Islamic eras. Numerous remains of agricultural farms and wells can be found on the site showing the architectural prowess of the Nabataeans. The city has fine structure designs and tombs that tourists can explore to understand the past civilizations.

Location: 31 km north of Al Ula city center in the Al Hejaz region

Top attractions: Ancient tombs, and Nabataean structures

Must Read: Al Hijr Archaeological Site, Hegira Madain Saleh: Inside, History, How To Reach, Permit

2. Dadan Historical Site – The capital of Dadan kingdom

Dadan served as the capital of Dadan and Lyhan Kingdom in the 9th and 8th BC. The city showcases ancient rock arts. Most of these inscriptions from the period can be found in a mountain near Dadan, Jabal Ikmah. The mountain is the Saudi Arabia’s largest open library due to the presence of age-old inscriptions and rock art on animals, hunting techniques, livelihood, and more.

Location: Road 375 near Harrat Viewpoint Park

Top attractions: Rock art, and inscriptions from Dadan period

3. Jabal Al-Fil – Famously known as the Elephant Rock

Having been carved from wind and water erosion, Jabal Al-Fil is one of popular Al Ula tourist places which is a sand structure resembling an elephant. The location offers several activities, including trekking, camping, and sightseeing. Tourists can indulge themselves in stargazing in a serene setting with barbeque and campfire. Further, elephant rock is a sight to behold in itself with picturesque surroundings.

Location: 19 km from Al Ula City Center

Timings: 4 pm to 12 am

Ticket: 50 SR

Top attractions: Camping, and watching sunsets

Must Visit: Elephant Rock, Al Ula: Natural Rock Formation For Family Getaways

4. Jabal Khuraibah – The Tomb of the Lion

Jabal Khuraibah is a mountain in Al Ula housing an old fortress and some ancient rock inscriptions. The rock-cut Tomb located at the foot of the peak is the most impressive structure in Jabal Khuraibah. The Tomb of the Lion is named after the two lions carved on either side of the entrance. There is a huge headless sandstone statue in Kurabibi with stone stairs and walls linking all three crags to form a ruined fortress city.

Location: Al-Abwa, Saudi Arabia

Timings: This location is open from 8 am to 5 pm

Top attractions: The Tomb of the Lion, and the fortress

5. Al Ula Heritage Village – With an old mosque and a fort

This offbeat village is among the top places to visit in Al Ula. Visitors can freely wander and stroll among the breathtaking mud ruins or the heritage village. The ancestors of the current residents of Al Ula stayed here for centuries. While visiting Al Ula fort, tourists should visit the tantura (sundial) and the old mosque. The location has several ruins from the old era.

Location: Near road 375, Al Ula

Timings: It opens at 8:30 am and closes at 12 am, everyday

Top attractions: Al Ula fort, old houses, and the mosque

6. Al Ula Old Town – Ancient houses and shops

The Al Ula Old Town has 900 old houses and 400 shops distributed throughout the location. Tourists exploring the town can get an insight into the life of people inhabiting the town in the past. The town is constructed with mud and brick walls giving a hint of the advanced architecture of that era. It served as a settlement for pilgrims traveling from Damascus to Makkah.

Location: Road 375 near King Abdulaziz Park, Al Ula

Top attractions: Mud wall structures, houses, and shops

7. Hejaz Railway Station – The living museum of Hejaz railway

The railway station is built on the old trade routes linking the Levant and Egypt to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. The aim to build the railway lines was to decrease the travel time and enhance the safety of the pilgrims. Though the Hejaz railway project was never completed due to World War 1, the station serves as a great memoir of the 19th and 20th-century railways.

Location: Near Tomb of Lihayn on road 375, Al Ula

8. Al Ula viewpoint – View of Red Mountains

Al Ula’s viewpoint offers a shimmering view of Al Ula tourist spots and city. Tourists can experience a surreal picture surrounded by majestic red mountains disappearing into the horizon. Nabataeans chose this Martian landscape as their settlement. The viewpoint provides exceptional sunrise and sunsets. Tourists can camp on the nearby camping sites to spend a night under the mysterious Al Ula sky.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit Al Ula Viewpoint is either during dusk or at dawn, as the sky looks beautiful and gives a scenic view to the tourist.

Top attractions: Picturesque landscape of Nabataean settlement

Best Time to Visit Al Ula

Al Ula has extreme summers; hence, the best time to visit Al Ula is from October to March. The temperature remains moderate during these months making them best time to explore numerous spots in the city.

How to reach Al Ula

Al Ula is served by Prince Abdul Majeed Bin Abdulaziz Domestic Airport. Tourists can visit Al Ula from Madinah via a road that is 330 km from the Madinah city center. Further, one can board a train to Al Hofuf railway station and reach Al Ula via taxi. Tourists can reach most of the city’s destinations easily by taxi and public transport.

Ideal Trip Duration

Al Ula is a must-visit ancient city, offering some of the most famous tourist spots in Saudi Arabia. Tourists visiting Al Ula should at least plan a trip of 3 to 4 days to explore the mesmerizing destinations of the city fully.

Al Ula is a city ruled by many leaders in the past, imparting a vibrant culture to the region. Places to visit in Al Ula offer a hint of past civilizations and their life. Tourists can experience the heritage of Al Ula by visiting these mystical locations.

Places To Visit In Al Ula FAQs

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Popular trip duration

Though one can spend hours near the structure watching the beautiful views, tourists should visit other nearby places in Al Ula to make the most out of the day. Hence, they can opt for full-day guided tours offered by numerous travel agencies. On the itinerary, one can add several tourist spots worth visiting in the city, such as Al Ula old town, Hegra Heritage Site, Al Joud Farm, and more.

About Al Ula

Located in the Madinah region, Al Ula is a city based on the north-western side of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Well-known for stunning rock outcroppings, Al Ula is nothing short of a natural museum. A fine specimen of nature’s architectural brilliance, these beautiful spots result from the erosion process, which went on for millions of years. The formations have unique colors, shapes, and structures. The city provides several adventure and biking trails such as Heritage Oasis Trail, Al Ula Hidden valley hike, the Ridge walk hike, Rock Art Hike, Twisted Maze hike, etc. Adventure lovers can head on to the 4×4 safari, buggy tours, camel riding, and rock climbing offered in various areas of the city. Tourists also visit the city for the historical heritage site of Hegra (UNESCO World Heritage Site).

Elephant Rock Al Ula location and structure

Located nearly 11 km on the northern side of Al Ula, the Elephant Rock is a 52 meters high rock structure. It has a huge gap in the center, which is how the whole rock is segregated into two parts. One part (the backside) looks similar to the elephant’s body, while the other part (i.e., the front side) resembles the ground-bound trunk and face of the animal. The details of the rock look as if it was carved manually, but in reality, the credit for this refined structural masterpiece goes to the natural forces.

The fine sandy landscape and a beautiful blend of orange and blue-hued horizon make the rock formation more mesmerizing and captivating. To add to it, the picturesque and intricate mix of brown and orange shades of Jabal Al-Fil tends to blend perfectly with the scenic backdrop. This offers a perfect opportunity for photography enthusiasts to click stunning pictures. Furthermore, one can take amazing shots of the Elephant Rock during sunsets or under the moonlight. All this combined, the rock attracts tourists, including history buffs, nature lovers, geologists, and even art connoisseurs.

How to reach Elephant Rock: One can drive to the Elephant Rock and park at the designated area. Another way to reach is to hire a cab or hitchhike. The rock is at a distance of 19.1 km from Al Ula’s city Center.

Timings: The area remains open from 4 pm to 12 am. The best time to visit Jabal Al-Fil is sunset or at night. During this time of the day, the place is well-lit and bustling with crowds.

Ticket: Elephant Rock Saudi Arabia price for a ticket is 50 SAR. Visitors are required to reach on time as the entry is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Things to do at Elephant Rock

1. Hike to the Elephant Rock, Al Ula

The surrounding area is ideal for hiking activities attracting adventure seekers throughout the year. The hiking trails are nearly 4 km long, and it may take almost 1.5 to 2 hours to complete the trail. After a hiking session, one can also enjoy a picnic with friends or family. In addition, travelers can relax near the rock formation and enjoy the wonderful view of this stunning geological art.

Suggested Read: 5 Most Popular And Beautiful Trekking Trails In Saudi Arabia

2. Dine at the nearby restaurants

Tourists visiting the Elephant rock can eat at an onsite Salt Al Ula restaurant. The restaurant also provides elephant rock Saudi Arabia seating and bonfire facilities for guests to enjoy and spend a memorable time. Tourists can choose from various food options to experience the food truck-styled menus at the restaurant. The restaurant also provides kid-friendly dishes to welcome adults and children alike. Several other nearby eating joints include Annabel’s Cafe, Alfa’s Retreat, Burger Chefs, Heritage Garden, and more.

3. Enjoy the sunset & click some Insta-worthy pictures

At the time of sunset, the whole area takes on the cover of pleasing orange and red. Tourists can click amazing pictures of the view or can simply sit back and praise the beauty spread all over the region. There are many lounging spaces in the natural surroundings for people to eat their meal close to nature.

4. Camp or have a picnic under the stars

To feel the calmness and the charm of the mystical Arabian desert, tourists can camp under the stars near the structure. Tourists also get the option to eat at the onsite restaurant while watching the constellation and having a memorable time with friends and family. The natural moonlight significantly adds to the magnificence of Elephant Rock.

Suggested Read: Camping In Saudi Arabia: Top Sites For Adventure Amidst Rustic Nature

Things to remember

Here are some of the important points to keep in mind while visiting this beautiful structure:

• One should dress modestly and avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes
• Visitors should cooperate with staff
• Travelers should keep their passports and/or visa with themselves if they need to show them at entry points
• One shouldn’t litter around so as to ensure cleanliness
• It is advised to carry sunscreen, sanitizer, and an umbrella
• One should purchase tickets in advance in order to avoid the last-minute rush

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has been going all-in when it comes to worldwide tourism. From the development of cities to restoring the glory of the past, Saudi Arabia is adhering to the Vision 2030 of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al Soud. With Al Ula entering the international tourism scene, Jabal Al-Fil has become quite significant in the global arena as one of the most popular rock structures globally. Additionally, the location has a restaurant and hiking trail to keep the tourists occupied and pleased at all times. Therefore, this amazing geomorphological wonder is a must-visit and an important element of Al Ula’s heritage and history.

Elephant Rock FAQs

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