Al UIa Old Town

Some places carry their history lightly, wearing it like a casual coat. AlUla Old Town carries its history in its very bones — pressed into the mud-brick walls, whispered through its narrow alleyways, and etched into the sandstone that has outlasted empires. AlUla Old Town is one of those special places where the walls seem to speak: the presence of past peoples is so deeply embedded into the fabric of this ancient settlement that its history feels palpable to any who explore its maze of winding mudbrick alleys.

Things to See / Key Attractions Near AlUla Old Town

• AlUla Castle, which sits at a high point of the Old Town, can be visited with a Rawi on the Old Town tour — from the top of its fortifications you will see the breadth of the oasis valley as well as the tightly-packed houses which made up the Old Town below.
• The Masjid Al-Itham, or Mosque of Bones, is one of Old Town's unique historical treasures — built to commemorate the spot where the Prophet Muhammad stopped to pray, using bones to mark the qibla when no suitable stones were available.
• The Tantora Sundial — an obelisk atop an otherwise unremarkable wall — is another of Old Town's fascinating relics, used to mark time and signal the first day of the winter planting season.
• With 900 houses, 500 shops, and 5 town squares, visitors can explore a maze of remnants of original stone and mudbrick buildings each alley revealing a new layer of life and history.

Best Time to Visit AlUla Old Town

• The ideal time to visit is between October and April, when temperatures are comfortable for walking and exploring the outdoor alleys and squares.
• Summer months (June–August) bring extreme heat, with daytime temperatures reaching nearly 50°C (122°F) — if you visit in summer, plan your exploration for evenings when locals emerge and the town comes alive.
• Locals start coming outside from the evening during summer, making evening visits the most atmospheric option year-round, not just in peak season.
• The golden hour just before sunset transforms the mud-brick facades into warm amber and copper tones — ideal for photography and leisurely strolling.
• AlUla Old Town hosts the Winter at Tantora festival
• (typically December to March), bringing concerts, cultural performances, and a vibrant community energy to the entire AlUla region.
• Winter evenings (December–February) are particularly magical — crisp desert air, glowing lantern-lit alleys, and a steady but not overwhelming stream of fellow visitors.

Tickets Information for AlUla Old Town

• Self-guided exploration of AlUla Old Town is generally free of charge — visitors can wander the alleys, market squares, and open areas without a ticket.
• Visitors who want to find out more about the Old Town can book a storytelling tour with a local 'Rawi' guide. Tours last approximately one hour and cost SAR 70 per adult.
• Guided tour packages combining Old Town with other AlUla landmarks such as Hegra and Dadan are available through Experience AlUla (experiencealula.com) and local tour operators — prices vary by itinerary.
• Some specific experiences within Old Town, such as the AlUla Fort visit, are included in the guided Rawi tour.
• No age, height, or weight restrictions apply for visiting. The site is open to all, though some areas involve uneven terrain and steps.
• Always verify current pricing at experiencealula.com or visitsaudi.com before your visit, as fees and experiences may be updated seasonally.

Opening Hours for AlUla Old Town

• AlUla Old Town is generally accessible to visitors daily, with shops, cafés, and restaurants in the area typically operating from late afternoon into the evening.
• During the day, the area is very quiet with most stores closed — daytime visits offer a serene, crowd-free experience but limited facilities.
• Evening hours (from around 4:00 PM onwards) are when the Old Town is most lively, with vendors, eateries, and visitors all present.
• Hours may vary during Ramadan and public holidays — always check with the Experience AlUla website or local tourism offices before planning your visit.
• Guided Rawi tours can be booked in advance through experiencealula.com. Advance booking is strongly recommended during the Winter at Tantora festival season (December–March).

How to Reach AlUla Old Town

• The nearest airport is Prince Abdul Majeed bin Abdulaziz Domestic Airport (ULH), located approximately 20 km from AlUla city centre, with regular flights from Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.
• From the airport, a taxi or rental car will reach Old Town in approximately 15–20 minutes.
• AlUla is located 300 km north of Medina a drive of approximately 3 hours via the main highway.
• From Riyadh, the drive is approximately 10–12 hours (around 1,100 km); from Jeddah, roughly 7 hours (around 700 km).

Nearby Attractions & Where to Eat Near AlUla Old Town

Nearby Attractions:

Hegra (Madain Saleh), Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located approximately 22 km from AlUla Old Town — a remarkable collection of Nabataean tombs carved directly into sandstone mountains that rivals Petra in its grandeur and scale.

Dadan and Jabal Ikmah are two of AlUla's five major heritage districts featuring ancient rock tombs, Lihyanite inscriptions, and open-air libraries of stone carvings that trace the development of early Arabian written language.

Maraya, AlUla's record-breaking mirrored concert hall, is just a short drive away — a stunning architectural landmark that hosts world-class performances and cultural events, particularly during the Winter at Tantora festival season.

Where to Eat:

Café de Paris, which began in Geneva in 1930, continues its culinary legacy in AlUla — its signature Single Menu Formula of green salad, Entrecôte steak, and the acclaimed Café de Paris sauce served with homemade French fries can be enjoyed within the magical setting of Old Town.