Al-Ula (AlUla) - A magical desert town for wealthy tourists

 


The Al-Ula (AlUla) area is home to the truly unique and magnificent Madain Saleh (Hegra) archaeological site, but the town itself is magical too and so are the surroundings. The landscape is mindblowing, and there is plenty of water in this desert oasis, evident from the large palm plantations. The town has nicely been prepared for tourists; but it's the wealthy tourists who are targeted. There are posh cafés and restaurants, and accommodation is far more expensive than anywhere else in Saudi Arabia. Nevertheless, it is very much worth a visit, even if you have to dig a bit deeper in your pocket.

There is no bus station it town, the long distance buses just drop you off at one point in the centre. In this same area you find shared taxis connecting to different citites. 




There is one private tourist office that offers bus journeys, among other destinations, to Tabuk. It is right opposite the central market area on the main road. 




The cheapest accommodation I found was a bit over GBP 50 per night, and it was right on the edge of the furthest cluster of settlements. (Al-Ula consists of four separate settlements located along 15 kms.) But what I got for this money was more than what I have ever expected. 












The centre of the central settlement is where the main market is, and here you find many shops, banks, and a few cheap Bangladeshi and kebab restaurants. 






The official tourist centre is way out of town, set in a beautiful area. This is where the buses to Madain Saleh and other destinations depart from. There is also a Hop-On-Hop-Off bus service from this point. 











The Dadan archaeological site is in town, but it wasn't yet open for the public when I visited. I accidentally walked in as I was coming from a hike, but I got kicked out quickly, although very politely. I was offered cold water, sandwiches, fruit juice, and told that I shouldn't be here. The site, from what I saw, looks nice, but nothing compared to Madain Saleh. 







The Old Town is one of the settlements, and it consists of two parts. One with old but not very old buildings where people live, and the ancient mudbrick village where the fort stands. Both areas have been nicely restored and are full of cafés, restaurants, galleries, and other places for tourists, and there are free shuttle buses from both ends of Old Town to the centre. The fort is one of the great viewpoints in Al-Ula, but during my visit it was raining a lot; a blessing for the desert, but not too convenient for a visitor and photographer. 







































































In the centre of the central settlement, right opposite the market area, there is another viewpoint: a little hill that offers great views of this part of Al-Ula. 













Most tourists visit Harrat Viewpoint that stands high above Old Town, but you need your own transport to do so. (Or get a lift from a friendly tourist like I did.) 











The amazing desert landscape around Al-Ula stretches for hundreds of kilometres. When I was leaving to Tabuk, we saw many ponds and even running streams caused by the recent rains. 








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