Mud-brick town of about 900 houses on the caravan and pilgrim route, inhabited from the 12th century until the 1980s.
AlUla Old Town is a walled mud-brick settlement in the AlUla oasis, in Saudi Arabia's Al Madinah region, off Highway 375. Its origins are usually placed around the 12th century CE, when the town grew up on the caravan and pilgrim route linking Syria and Damascus with Madinah and Makkah, and it remained inhabited until the 1980s, when residents were moved to new housing in the modern town. At its height it held around 900 houses, packed tightly together in a maze of narrow alleys that offered shade and defence. The town sits below a hilltop fortress, Musa bin Nusayr Castle, which overlooks the settlement.
The architecture is vernacular, using mud brick, palm trunks, stone foundations and wooden doors, with houses often sharing walls so that the outer buildings formed a continuous defensive perimeter. Narrow lanes connect small squares, a market street (souq) and wells, and a number of lintels and doorways carry carved decoration. Reused stones from nearby ancient sites, including inscribed blocks from Dadan, appear in some of the walls, showing how earlier settlements supplied building material.
After abandonment, the old town fell into disrepair, and many houses collapsed. The Royal Commission for AlUla has since carried out restoration and stabilisation, reopening the souq with shops, cafes and galleries, and creating a pedestrian route through the lanes. Restoration is partial, so some areas retain a ruined character while others have been rebuilt for visitors. Walking tours explain the town's layout, trade and social life.
Admission to the town is free and it is open year-round, with cafes and shops generally busiest in the afternoon and evening. A walk through the lanes takes about one hour, longer with a meal or shopping. The site is close to the main AlUla visitor areas and is easily combined with Dadan, Jabal Ikmah and Hegra. The cooler months of October to March are best, and evening lighting adds atmosphere.
| Admission | Free |
|---|---|
| Hours | Open year-round |
| Address | AlUla Old Town, Highway 375, AlUla |
Why it matters
Medieval Islamic oasis town
Location
AlUla Old Town, Highway 375, AlUla
26.6176, 37.9170 View on map
Highlights
- Mud-brick town of about 900 houses, inhabited from the 12th century to the 1980s
- Narrow lanes and a restored souq on the old pilgrim route
- Hilltop Musa bin Nusayr Castle above the town
- Free entry and open year-round
Tips for visiting
- Visit late afternoon so you can walk the lanes and stay for sunset.
- Wear flat, comfortable shoes; the lanes are uneven.
- Allow an hour for the lanes plus extra time for cafes in the souq.
- Combine with Dadan and Jabal Ikmah on the same day.
- Treat the ruined sections with care and do not climb on walls.
When to visit
October to March, in the late afternoon and evening, when temperatures drop and the souq is lively.
Accessibility
The restored main souq route is largely walkable, but the lanes are uneven and cobbled in parts, with some steps. Wheelchair access is limited beyond the main route.
Frequently asked questions
Is AlUla Old Town free to enter?
Yes. Entry is free and the town is open year-round.
How long should I allow?
About one to two hours, longer with a meal in the souq.
Is anyone still living there?
No. The town was abandoned in the 1980s, and today it hosts shops, cafes and heritage activity.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, but the lanes are uneven and some ruined areas are unsafe to climb.