Weather in AlUla

About AlUla

Ancient Nabataean rock tombs carve the honey-coloured canyon walls at AlUla, their intricate facades frozen in stone for two millennia. The desert landscape bleeds ochre and amber, with towering sandstone monoliths framing Bedouin trails. This is where Arabia's pre-Islamic kingdoms left their most dramatic architectural signatures, rivalling Petra in beauty but with a fraction of the crowds.

Country

Saudi Arabia

Best months to visit

January, February, March, April, November, December

Currency

SAR

Language

Arabic

Things to do in AlUla

Explore the Hegra archaeological site with 111 monumental tombs Trek through the Old Town's narrow lanes between rock dwellings Hike to natural rock formations with sunset views across canyons Visit the Al-Ula Heritage Museum documenting Arabian kingdoms Ride camels through the desert landscape at dawn Camp under desert stars with Bedouin guides

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

Recommended

January

21C

Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

February

23C

Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

March

28C

Warm and pleasant, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

April

32C

Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.

May

37C

Very hot, and mostly sunny skies.

June

40C

Very hot, and mostly sunny skies.

July

41C

Very hot, and mostly sunny skies.

August

41C

Very hot, and mostly sunny skies.

September

40C

Very hot, and mostly sunny skies.

October

34C

Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

November

27C

Warm and pleasant, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

December

22C

Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.

AlUla is the centrepiece of Saudi Arabia's tourism opening — a vast desert valley of sandstone canyons and monumental tombs carved by the Nabataeans at Hegra, the kingdom's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Beyond the ancient facades, the Maraya mirrored concert hall, the mudbrick ruins of Old Town, and rock art scattered across the landscape make it one of the most striking new destinations to open to international visitors anywhere.

Best areas to stay in AlUla

Hegra (Mada'in Salih)

Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO site, featuring over 100 elaborately carved Nabataean tombs set among desert rock formations.

AlUla Old Town

The ruins of a centuries-old mudbrick settlement, with narrow lanes and the AlUla Fort overlooking the oasis below.

Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil)

A massive natural sandstone formation resembling an elephant, a popular sunset spot with a small market nearby.

Ashar Valley

A canyon dotted with rock art and natural formations, home to the Maraya mirrored concert and event venue.

Getting to AlUla

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Flights

Fly from London to Riyadh or Jeddah with Saudia or British Airways, then connect on a short domestic flight to AlUla's Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport.

⏱

From London

~9-11 hours total from London including the domestic connection

🚕

Getting around

Most sites require a guided tour booked through official AlUla operators; hotels can arrange transfers and tour bookings.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit AlUla?

October to April offers far more comfortable temperatures for exploring Hegra and the canyons on foot; summer daytime heat can be extreme.

Do I need a visa to visit Saudi Arabia for AlUla?

UK citizens can apply for an e-visa online, which is generally straightforward; check current requirements before booking as Saudi tourism visa rules continue to evolve.

How do I get to AlUla?

AlUla has its own airport with domestic connections from Riyadh and Jeddah; it's also reachable by road from Madinah, around 4 hours away.

What is Hegra?

Hegra (Mada'in Salih) is a Nabataean city of more than 100 monumental rock-cut tombs, similar in style to Petra but far less visited, accessible via guided tours bookable through the AlUla authorities.

Is alcohol available in AlUla?

No, alcohol is not available anywhere in Saudi Arabia, including AlUla's hotels and resorts.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

Hegra felt like Petra without the crowds, just our small group and these enormous carved tombs in complete silence. The whole region feels like it's just opening up.

Helen F. · January 2024

★★★★★

Watching a concert at Maraya with the mirrored facade reflecting the canyon walls was surreal. AlUla manages to feel both ancient and very new at the same time.

Khalid M. · November 2023

★★★★☆

Tours need to be booked in advance and timings are quite structured, but the sites themselves are extraordinary and the desert scenery between them is stunning.

Grace T. · February 2024