It won’t be wrong to say that one of the most amazing things about AlUla is its historic attractions. AlUla stands as a perfect testament to the mesmerising beauty of Saudi Arabia and it has been inspiring visitors from across the globe. If you are looking for a place that can offer a unique and unforgettable experience in the Middle East, then AlUla can be your next destination. The beauty of AlUla, Saudi Arabia offers a perfect blend between the archaeological marvels, desert landscapes, and some of the country’s best coastal serenity. This city has been one of the most important places from the very beginning. It is located almost 710 km north of Jeddah, 1432 km from Dammam, and approximately 1035 km Northwest of the capital city of Saudi Arabia- Riyadh. Where is AlUla?ĪlUla is a magnificent city in Saudi Arabia which is located in the Northwestern Region of the country. An expansive stretch of golden sand creates a breathtaking panorama for the eyes of the travellers, something that people really like while visiting a “desert destination” like AlUla. Located on the Northwestern side of Saudi Arabia, one of the most striking features of AlUla is its awe-inspiring desert scenery. This city is also a treasure trove for travellers who want to explore the unexplored or walk the less-walked path in the Middle East. It is not only home to “Hegra” also known as “Mada’in Salih” which was the first UNESCO World Heritage Site of Saudi Arabia but also a unique outdoor museum. It is one of those places in the Middle East where you not only get to treat your eyes with some amazing natural beauty but also indulge in some outdoor activities. Definitely a place to visit if you are in Al Ula.AlUla is one of the cities in Saudi Arabia that offers a plethora of historical wonders, captivating sights, and breathtaking beauty. Even the surrounding rocks, especially on the side from which the road arrives, offer excellent photographic opportunities, If you want to use the cafe, circular seats have been created where you sit on sofas in almost one meter deep holes that allow an excellent view of the rock without blocking the view from those in other positions. We then went to the cafe side to photograph the rock whose colors intensified at sunset. We arrived at the car parking almost an hour before sunset and, staying on the side of the parking lot, we took a good number of photos of Elephant Rock with the sun on the opposite side and which could be seen under the elephant's trunk. In fact, after about 1.5 km you reach a large car parking from which a wood path starts, Going around the rock, it allows you to reach the cafe on the opposite side. Well marked with road signs on road 70, elephant rock can be reached by a short umpaved road in excellent condition, suitable for all types of cars. I love traveling to off the beaten track places and Saudi has plenty of these so I am sure I will visit again. I would highly recommend visiting Saudi and especially Al Ula, it's more open and accommodating than most people think. I am sure there are more reasonably priced options and if you are visiting by car you can stay outside Al Ula. Hotel accommodation in Al Ula was pricey, however I did not book ahead as I want sure if I would make the drive in one day. I was annoyed with myself for not realising this and planning it but I will visit Al Ula again with family in April 2023 and spend a few days there to see everything. I went to the visitor's centre at Hegra but I had not booked a tour in advance so couldn't get to see the archaeological site. The Old Town is small but comes to life in the evenings, Harrat viewpoint is worth the drive too and Hegra is a must see. I didn't pass through many big towns though so hotel options were limited until I got to Hail.Īl Ula is a great are to visit, I am glad I had the car as most places you need to drive too. I drove from Kuwait to Al Ula which is a long long 13-hour drive, but the roads are good with plenty of places to stop for a rest and food. I travelled back via Riyadh and crossed back into Kuwait at Nuwaisib which again was really straighforward. I crossed the land border from Kuwait into Saudi at Salmi and was straightforward, I had to get Saudi Car insurance for a week which was a simple process done at a kiosk at the border and cost around $40. I am a GCC resident based in Kuwait and it was easy to get a Saudi Visa online. You can have food, drink and Shisha there also. Took some great pictures, chilled out in the seating areas they have. I loved Al Ula in general and Elephant Rock is a great place.
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