An outdoor museum on its own curated by nature, AlUla showcases rock formations, canyons, and cliffs that rival the majestic wonders carved by its ancient settlers.
Here’s a checklist of must-see natural wonders that are bound to make your imagination wander:
Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil)
Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil), is an amazing geomorphological wonder located 11km northeast of AlUla. A spectacular example of natural erosive forces of water and wind over a period of millions of years, this natural wonder rises 171ft into the air with mountains looming in the background.
Raqasat (Dancing Rocks)
Jabal Al Rukkab, located in the Ragasat Valley, features spectacular pieces of natural art including fantastic rock formations, a network of canyons and the labyrinth of valleys running through the massif. Among these, discover a silhouette of three spiraling rock formations that are dubbed as the Raqasat (Dancing Rocks), which are sculpted by sand blown by fierce winds.
If you crave more adventure, discover the 2,000-year-old petroglyphs on the rocks in Jabal Al Rukkab.
Harrat Uwayrid
Towering mesas with wide expanses of igneous basalt columns in the west add to the aesthetics of AlUla. This iconic landscape was formed over the years by a then-active volcano.
The AlUla Oasis
Nestled within the Wadi AlQura (or Valley of Villages) is the heart of the region. The AlUla Oasis is a lush haven that offers cool respite with its famous date palm groves and aromatic citrus trees along with harvests of wheat, barley, olives, figs, and oats. The AlUla Valley thrives due to the drainage basin and the oasis’s natural springs.