AlUla
An ancient oasis city in northwest Saudi Arabia home to Hegra, the Kingdom's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, now being developed as a global heritage tourism destination.
Definition
AlUla is an ancient oasis city and governorate in Madinah Province, northwest Saudi Arabia, containing 200,000 years of human heritage including Hegra (Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site), now being developed as one of the world’s largest cultural and heritage tourism destinations.
Overview
AlUla occupies a dramatic desert valley flanked by sandstone outcrops and has been a crossroads of civilisation for millennia. Its archaeological sites include Hegra (ancient Mada’in Saleh), built by the Nabataean civilisation that also constructed Petra in Jordan; Dadan, the capital of the ancient Lihyanite and Dadanite kingdoms; Jabal Ikmah, an open-air library of thousands of rock inscriptions; and the Old Town of AlUla, a centuries-old labyrinth of stone and mud-brick dwellings.
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCAlUla), established by royal decree in 2017, oversees the destination’s development and preservation. RCAlUla has partnered with the French government through a landmark intergovernmental agreement (AFALULA) that brings French expertise in archaeology, museum curation, hospitality design, and cultural programming to the project. Jean Nouvel’s design for the Sharaan Resort, carved into the region’s sandstone, is among the most anticipated architectural projects globally.
AlUla’s development strategy balances cultural heritage preservation with sustainable tourism growth. The masterplan includes luxury resorts, an arts district, cultural institutions, nature reserves, and a regional airport capable of handling international flights. The AlUla oasis itself is being rehabilitated through an ambitious agricultural and ecological restoration programme.
Key Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Madinah Province, northwest Saudi Arabia |
| Key Archaeological Site | Hegra (UNESCO World Heritage, inscribed 2008) |
| Governing Body | Royal Commission for AlUla (RCAlUla) |
| International Partner | France (AFALULA agreement) |
| Heritage Span | 200,000+ years of human history |
| Landmark Hotel | Sharaan Resort (designed by Jean Nouvel) |
| Ancient Civilisations | Nabataean, Dadanite, Lihyanite, Roman |
| Airport | AlUla International Airport |
Role in Vision 2030
AlUla is central to Vision 2030’s strategy of developing Saudi Arabia as a global tourism and culture destination. The project demonstrates the Kingdom’s commitment to preserving and celebrating its pre-Islamic and multi-civilisational heritage — a significant departure from earlier cultural policies. AlUla targets 2 million visitors annually and aims to contribute SAR 120 billion to the economy by 2035.
The destination also serves as a model for sustainable heritage tourism development in arid environments, with lessons applicable to other historical sites across the Kingdom. The Franco-Saudi partnership underpinning AlUla’s development reflects Vision 2030’s emphasis on international collaboration and knowledge transfer.