Cloud 7 Residence AlUla
AlUla, sa
8.71,012 reviews
US$150
per night
Destination guide
AlUla
Saudi Arabia · Middle East
Search all hotels in AlUla 2026-08-28 → 2026-08-31 · 2 · 1
About AlUla
AlUla is Saudi Arabia's flagship heritage-and-nature destination — a UNESCO-inscribed Nabataean city (Hegra), sandstone canyons, star-lit desert camps and design-led resorts in the Ashar Valley. It's the country's slowest, most contemplative destination, deliberately capped in visitor numbers and anchored by Banyan Tree, Habitas and Our Habitas Ashar.
At a glance
- Saudi Arabia's flagship heritage destination — Hegra Nabataean tombs and Ashar Valley resorts.
- October–April is peak; May–September very hot with limited outdoor programming.
- Dry destination — no alcohol at any resort; Bedouin coffee and mocktails throughout.
- Deliberately low-density — Hegra access is ranger-guided only; book Experience AlUla weeks ahead.
- Currency SAR; Type G 230V plugs; bottled water throughout; pack layers for cold desert nights.
Featured stays in AlUla — live rates
Prices are live from our licensed booking partner and may change.
Ashar Tented Resort
AlUla, sa
9.4903 reviews
US$185
per night
Our Habitas AlUla
AlUla, sa
9.31,299 reviews
US$353
per night
When to visit
October–April is the main tourist season with 15–28°C days and cool desert nights — ideal for Hegra, Elephant Rock and hot-air balloons. Winter (Dec–Feb) is coolest and hosts AlUla Moments festivals. May–September is very hot (40°C+) with limited outdoor programming.
Getting around
The AlUla Old Town free tram/tuk-tuk hop-on service links main sights; official Experience AlUla shuttles run to Hegra, Elephant Rock and Maraya. Rental cars and hotel 4x4 transfers cover the wider valley and Ashar. Ride-hailing is limited — rely on hotel drivers.
Where to stay
Ashar Valley
Sandstone-cliff resort zone — Banyan Tree, Our Habitas, Chedi Hegra and Maraya mirrored concert hall.
AlUla Old Town
Restored 12th-century mud-brick village with artisan shops and cafés.
Hegra Archaeological Site
UNESCO Nabataean tombs — the sister city of Petra, accessed via ranger-guided tours only.
Dadan & Jabal Ikmah
Dadan ruins and the 'open library' rock inscriptions in a palm oasis.
Your Marhaba Trip Plan
AlUla at a glance
- Recommended trip
- 3–5 days
- Best time to visit
- October–April is the main tourist season with 15–28°C days and cool desert nights — ideal for Hegra, Elephant Rock and hot-air balloons.
- Getting around
- The AlUla Old Town free tram/tuk-tuk hop-on service links main sights; official Experience AlUla shuttles run to Hegra, Elephant Rock and Maraya.
- Recommended areas
- Ashar Valley · AlUla Old Town · Hegra Archaeological Site
Top experiences
- Hegra (Mada'in Salih) — UNESCO Nabataean city — 100+ carved tombs, ranger-guided tours only.
- Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil) — Iconic 52 m sandstone arch with sundowner lounge seating in the sand.
- AlUla Old Town — Restored 12th-century mud-brick village with artisan workshops and cafés.
- Maraya — World's largest mirrored building — hosts concerts by Alicia Keys, Andrea Bocelli and more.
Book your trip
Do I need a visa for AlUla?
- Policy
- Varies by nationality
- Typical stay
- 90 days
The Saudi e-visa (one-year multi-entry, 90-day stays) is accepted for AlUla. No separate permit required.
Official government sourceHow do I get to AlUla?
Airports
- ULH · AlUla International · 30 km
Hotel transfers or Experience AlUla shuttles (~30 min to Ashar Valley); rental cars available at the airport.
- RUH · Riyadh (connection) · 1100 km
1h20 domestic flight on Saudia or flyadeal.
Direct seasonal flights from Paris (CDG) and London on Saudia; year-round from Dubai (DXB).
How do I get around AlUla?
- Experience AlUla shuttles — Official tram/tuk-tuk hop-on service in the Old Town; scheduled shuttles to Hegra, Elephant Rock and Maraya.
- Hotel 4x4 transfers — The standard way to move between Ashar Valley and heritage sites.
- Rental car — Useful for Sharaan Nature Reserve, Gharameel star-gazing and self-drive sundowners.
Ride-hailing (Careem/Uber) is limited — rely on hotel drivers and Experience AlUla booking.
What should I eat and know about food culture in AlUla?
Signature dishes
- Madfoun — Underground-roasted lamb, a Bedouin celebration dish served at desert camps.
- Mandi — Aromatic rice and clay-oven meat — try at Somewhere Restaurant or Suhail.
- Dates and Arabic coffee — Welcome ritual across every resort — sample Sukkari and Ajwa varieties.
Etiquette
- Modest dress across AlUla — swimwear at hotel pools only.
- Photography of local residents (especially women) requires permission.
- Respect Hegra's ranger rules — no climbing, touching or straying from marked paths.
Dry destination — hotels serve mocktails, specialty coffee and non-alcoholic wine at fine-dining venues.
Is AlUla safe for travelers?
Overall risk: LowEmergency: 911 / 997 (ambulance)
- AlUla is a safe, low-density destination — resort-managed transport keeps risk minimal.
- Desert temperatures swing 25°C+ between day and night in winter — pack accordingly.
- Hydration matters — carry water on every Hegra and Old Town walk.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for AlUla?
The Saudi e-visa (one-year multi-entry, 90-day stays) is accepted for AlUla. Apply online via visa.visitsaudi.com or through an authorised tour operator.
How do I get to AlUla?
Fly to AlUla International Airport (ULH) — daily domestic flights from Riyadh (RUH), Jeddah (JED) and Dubai (DXB), plus seasonal direct routes from Paris and London on Saudia and flyadeal.
Do I need a guide for Hegra?
Yes — Hegra is only accessible with a Rawi (ranger-guide) tour booked via Experience AlUla. Vintage Land Rover and walking tours run daily; book weeks ahead in high season.
What are the best experiences in AlUla?
Hegra ranger tour, hot-air balloon at sunrise, Elephant Rock sundowners, Maraya concerts, Jabal Ikmah rock inscriptions and a Bedouin dinner in Sharaan Nature Reserve.
What's the best area for a luxury stay?
Ashar Valley — Banyan Tree AlUla, Our Habitas AlUla, Habitas Caravan, Dar Tantora The House Hotel in the Old Town and Chedi Hegra inside the archaeological site.
Is AlUla family-friendly?
Yes — Elephant Rock, hot-air balloons, e-bike Old Town tours and star-gazing in Gharameel work for older kids and teens. Very young children may find Hegra's heat and walking tiring.
Is alcohol available in AlUla?
No — Saudi Arabia is a dry country. Resorts serve mocktails and specialty coffee; some Ashar Valley venues have dedicated no-alcohol wine lists.
How many days do I need in AlUla?
Three nights is the minimum for Hegra, Old Town and Elephant Rock. Four to five let you add hot-air ballooning, Sharaan Nature Reserve and a Maraya show.
You may also like
More ways to extend or combine your AlUla trip.
Saudi grand tour
Three-city Saudi loop — capital, heritage and Red Sea.
Nabataean twin — AlUla ↔ Petra
The two Nabataean UNESCO cities — same civilization, sister capitals; connect via Amman or Riyadh.
AlUla ↔ Dubai premium
flynas + Emirates via RUH 3h — desert heritage + Gulf modern.
AlUla ↔ Morocco heritage arc
Two ancient trans-desert trading heritages — Saudia via Riyadh + CMN + Marrakech.
