The Old Town of AlUla, locally known as Ad-Darah Al-Qadimah, is one of the most significant heritage landmarks in Saudi Arabia and a must-visit for anyone exploring AlUla. Located in the heart of the governorate, just a few kilometers from the airport and Hegra (Madain Salih) — Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site — this ancient town dates back to the 7th century AH and once served as a vital center for trade caravans crossing the Arabian Peninsula.
The Old Town features more than 900 tightly clustered mudbrick and stone houses, interconnected by narrow alleys and shaded passageways. These traditional homes vary in height and style, some with intricate decorative details and others with simple façades that reflect the social and architectural diversity of its inhabitants. Surrounding the town is a historic wall with four main gates, a testament to its strategic and defensive importance.
After extensive restoration efforts led by locals and supported by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, AlUla Municipality, and the Royal Commission for AlUla, the town has been transformed into a vibrant open-air museum. Visitors can now explore key landmarks such as Musa bin Nusayr Fort, the Old Mosque, and numerous cultural exhibitions, art galleries, and heritage cafés that revive the town’s traditional charm.
With Wadi Trip, you can visit AlUla Old Town as part of your heritage journey, immersing yourself in centuries of Arabian history while strolling through stone pathways and mudbrick houses that tell stories of trade, community, and cultural legacy — a living testament to the enduring soul of AlUla.
