No photo, no Instagram story, no filter can truly do justice to AlUla. I return from it filled with that unique energy only places rooted in memory, raw beauty, and human presence can offer. It’s a land of silence and echoes, a dialogue between stone and centuries.
Situated on the ancient Incense Route, AlUla was a crossroads of the Dadanite and Nabataean civilizations. This region, in the northwest of Saudi Arabia, is now a heritage and landscape miracle undergoing a cultural renaissance.
Dadan, Cradle of Forgotten Kings
Perhaps the most powerful moment for me was visiting Dadan, the cradle of a long-forgotten kingdom. Carved cliffside tombs, austere yet powerful, speak of a civilization with silent strength. The site isn’t immediately dramatic, but its power lies in its majestic sobriety and the deep feeling that you’re walking upon history.
Jabal Ikmah, the Open-Air Library
A little farther on, Jabal Ikmah left me speechless. Hundreds of inscriptions carved into the rock—in Dadanite, Thamudic, and other ancient scripts—read like suspended prayers. It feels like reading messages left by desert travelers, somewhere between spiritual testimony and ancient graffiti.
Sharaan Reserve: Sovereign Nature
Sharaan, a protected natural reserve, reminded me that Arabia is more than just sand and heat. Here, wind-sculpted sandstone mountains, surprising biodiversity, and the rare feeling of peaceful solitude show nature reclaiming its place.
Hegra, Monumental Silence
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hegra (or Mada’in Salih) is an exceptional Nabataean location. Dozens of monumental tombs carved in pink rock remain remarkably intact. The architectural precision, ornate facades, and profound silence of the place are striking. The archaeology is alive and deeply moving.
Elephant Rock and Geological Poetry
More popular but no less poetic, Elephant Rock is a natural formation shaped by erosion into the likeness of a giant elephant emerging from the sands. A favorite at sunset, the site becomes a natural theatre of shadow and light.
Maraya, the Mirror in the Desert
Maraya, the mirrored cube in the middle of the desert, is a cultural UFO. It reflects the surrounding beauty and hosts concerts, talks, and exhibitions. This dialogue between ultra-modernity and millennia-old heritage makes AlUla a land of paradox and conversation across time.
Where to Stay? My Favorite: Dar Tantora
For those wishing to sleep in AlUla’s old town, I warmly recommend Dar Tantora by The House Hotel. This boutique hotel, restored in traditional spirit, offers authentic charm far from standardized hotels. Every detail carries the soul of the place.
A Journey to Follow
I share some photos and reflections on my Instagram, but I sincerely mean this: no image can ever match the emotion of a sunrise at Hegra or a solitary walk through Sharaan. For more glimpses:
I’m a cultural guide, not an influencer. I speak as a 54-year-old woman, passionate about storytelling, beauty, and authenticity. AlUla spoke to me—not in slogans or hashtags—but in stone and unparalleled energy.