History of Hegra
Hegra (also known as Mada'in Salih or Al-Hijr) was the second city of the Nabataean Empire, which ruled spice trade routes across the Middle East from its capital Petra in Jordan. Dating from the 1st century BCE, the Nabataeans carved massive, highly detailed monumental tombs into sandstone rocks. While Petra was built in a narrow canyon, Hegra is set in an open desert valley, making it visually distinct and dramatic.
In 2008, Hegra was officially declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, the first in Saudi Arabia, recognizing its outstanding historical significance and preservation quality.
Most Famous Tombs & Sites to See
⭐ Tomb of Lihyan Son of Kuza (Qasr al-Farid)
The most famous, majestic tomb in AlUla. Standing 4 stories tall, this monolithic structure was carved out of a single rock and left unfinished, showing Nabataean carving techniques.
⭐ Jabal Ithlib
A dramatic natural slit in the rock resembling Petra's Siq, serving as a sacred site with a large dining hall (Diwan) used for ancient religious assemblies.
⭐ Jabal al-Banat
One of the largest tomb clusters in Hegra, featuring nearly 30 tombs with elaborate facade carvings dedicated to Nabataean women.
⭐ Jabal al-Ahmar
A red sandstone outcrop housing 18 tombs, named after its distinct reddish hue that glows intensely at sunrise and sunset.
Ticket Booking & Tour Types
Entrance tickets must be booked online at experiencealula.com. General entry starts at **SAR 95** per person. You can choose from these tour methods:
- Standard Tour Bus: Air-conditioned bus stopping at key tomb clusters with an official guide (Rawi) at each stop. (Included in basic ticket)
- Vintage Land Rover Tour: Explore the tombs in an open-top retro 4x4 Land Rover with a private driver-guide. (Premium price)
- Horse-Carriage Tour: Take a traditional carriage ride through the desert valleys of Hegra.
Book Your Private Taxi to Hegra Entrance
Need a lift to the Hegra Winter Park visitor center? We provide direct private transfers from your resort to the site entrance.