Enchanting AlUla
For the active and adventurous visitors, there is everything from ziplining to hiking, for the arts and culture visitors there is the modern marvel, Maraya, meaning mirror in Arabic, hosting art exhibitions, music and fashion shows. For historians, there are the ancient sites of Hegra, the Old Town and many more. John and I went in March for a long weekend.
We started our adventure with a short 3-hour flight to AlUla International Airport, located a short 30-minute journey from the modern town of AlUla itself and its historic Old Town. Shaden Resort was our home for the 3 nights we were there. Surrounded by breathtaking rock formations, the resort has been built to accommodate its natural surroundings and as a result, is tranquil and beautiful.
Due to the flight timings, we only had two full days to experience and explore some of what AlUla has to offer. We were busy!
The first day comprised of Al Jadidah Art District, a tour of the ancient site of Hegra and AlUla Old Town, the second Elephant Rock, Maraya and an evening of Star Gazing; guided by an astronomer teaching us the stars, demonstrating how the Bedouin people navigated their way and could predict the changing seasons. Hegra itself dates back over 2,000 years and is a living museum of the history and influences of the Arabian Peninsula. With over 130 tombs, the site of Hegra has given valuable insight into religious, social and economic practices over the centuries.
Rawiya (meaning storyteller in Arabic) meets you at different points in Hegra to share these with you. Maraya is a wonder in itself, a fully mirrored building that takes nothing away from the beautiful scenery surrounding it. The ancient and the modern really are in true harmony here. It isn’t possible to pinpoint a favourite during our short visit, we thoroughly enjoyed every moment and every experience. The Saudis themselves, are incredibly warm, friendly, welcoming and hospitable.
As part of its focus on modernising and diversifying its economy, Saudi Arabia has put into place a number of changes and initiatives to make tourism more accessible, for example, for most nationalities tourist visas are available online and there are no longer dress restrictions for women. AlUla has a unique charm and Saudi, as a destination, is well worth discovering. We will return!