alUla

Al-Ula is an oasis town and archaeological region in northwestern Saudi Arabia, located in the Madinah Province near the edge of the Arabian Desert. The area is renowned for its dramatic sandstone outcrops, rugged canyons, and ancient archaeological sites. It serves as the gateway to Mada'in Saleh, the Nabataean tombs cluster that is Saudi Arabia's most prominent UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Mada'in Saleh (also known as Al-Hijr) contains hundreds of rock-cut tombs with elaborately carved facades dating to the Nabataean period (roughly the 1st century BCE to the 1st century CE). The broader Al-Ula region preserves evidence of earlier settlements and later kingdoms, including Dadan and Lihyan, with inscriptions and ruins spanning several centuries.

Modern development in Al-Ula is shaped by government-led efforts to promote heritage and tourism. The Royal Commission for AlUla oversees conservation and infrastructure, including the Sharaan Nature Reserve and the Sharaan by Jean Nouvel resort project. The region hosts cultural programs such as the Winter at Tantora festival, drawing visitors for concerts, hot air ballooning, and historical tours.

Al-Ula has a desert climate with hot summers and cooler winters. Rainfall is limited, and temperatures can vary greatly between seasons. The area contains a substantial oasis and date palm groves supported by traditional irrigation.

Access is via Al-Ula Airport and road connections to major Saudi cities. The site’s ongoing preservation and development aim to balance tourism with conservation of its archaeological and geological resources.