Hegra was the southern city of the Nabataean kingdom, the same people who built Petra in Jordan. UNESCO calls it the largest conserved Nabataean site south of Petra. Its monumental tombs, cut straight into sandstone outcrops, date mainly from the 1st century BC to the 1st century AD. In 2008 it became the first site in Saudi Arabia on the World Heritage List, two years before At-Turaif in Diriyah and six before Historic Jeddah.
What makes it matter, according to UNESCO:
- 111 monumental tombs, 94 of them with decorated facades;
- some 50 pre-Nabataean inscriptions and cave drawings;
- water wells sunk into the rock, which show the Nabataeans’ hydraulic skill;
- a mix of Assyrian, Egyptian, Phoenician and Hellenistic decorative influences, with inscriptions in Lihyanite, Thamudic, Nabataean, Greek and Latin.
The city sat on the caravan route between Arabia, the Mediterranean and Asia. The route later carried pilgrims to Makkah, and in the early 20th century the Hejaz Railway passed close by. Its former station north of the site is now The Chedi Hegra hotel, opened in 2024.
Nearest airport to Hegra and how to get there
The nearest airport is AlUla International Airport (ULH), about 50 km from Hegra according to Saudipedia. Hegra itself is about 20 km north of AlUla town.
| Step | How | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fly in | AlUla (ULH) | Winter 2026-27: Saudia daily from Jeddah; Qatar Airways three times a week from Doha |
| Alternative | Madinah airport or Tabuk | About three hours by road to AlUla, per Experience AlUla |
| Airport to town | Hire car, taxi, hotel transfer | No train or airport bus |
| Town to Hegra (Day Tour) | Coach from Winter Park Bus Stop | Included in the ticket; free parking at Winter Park |
| Town to Hegra (Premium Tour) | Own car to the Hegra Visitor Centre | Free parking at Hegra South Gate |
You cannot drive yourself around the site. Once inside, all movement is by tour coach or tour vehicle.
Visiting Hegra: tickets, opening times and best season
Tickets are sold by Experience AlUla, the Royal Commission for AlUla’s booking site, at experiencealula.com. Tours are limited each day, so book before you travel. Same-day tickets are sold at the visitor centres only if places remain.
| Tour | Price (Nov 2026) | Duration | Meeting point | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hegra Day Tour | From SAR 95 per person | 2-3 hours including transfer | Winter Park Bus Stop | Up to 45 per coach, shared guide |
| Hegra Premium Tour | From SAR 1,000 per vehicle | About 2 hours | Hegra Visitor Centre | Private 4x4 for up to 7; guide shared by two cars (max 14) |
Both tours are guided in English or Arabic by AlUla’s Rawis, the storyteller guides of the Royal Commission’s tours. The premium tour also has a ranger. Both are listed as open daily and available year-round. Children aged 4 and under are free.
Cancellations: full refund up to three days before (bank card charges are not refunded). Within one to three days you can only rebook, if slots are available. No refunds or changes on the day. If you bought through a third-party agent, its own terms apply.
Visitor centre: when open, the Hegra Visitor Centre has an exhibition space and a gift shop, and serves seasonal hospitality such as dates, dried fruit, fresh juice and Saudi coffee. A La Romana dal 1947 gelateria is listed there too.
Good to know: in November 2026 Experience AlUla’s visitor centre page showed the Hegra Visitor Centre as “temporarily closed”, while the Premium Tour still lists it as the meeting point. Check the instructions on your e-ticket, or ask at the Winter Park Visitor Centre (open daily 07:00 to 23:00).
Best season: tours run all year. AlUla’s flight schedule is fullest in the winter season, which runs from 25 October 2026 to 27 March 2027 this year. Special formats appear seasonally on the AlUla calendar, such as the Hegra Geology Hike and the Hegra Children’s Tour. A horse-carriage tour was listed as “coming back soon”.
What to see at Hegra
Standard tours stop at a set of sites rather than every tomb. Experience AlUla lists these stops, and warns that some may close for maintenance or excavation:
- Qasr al-Farid, the Tomb of Lihyan son of Kuza: the site’s best-known tomb, standing alone on its own rock in the south-east of the site. Its facade was never finished at the bottom.
- Jabal Ithlib: a religious area reached through a narrow corridor of about 40 m that recalls the Siq at Petra. It leads to the Diwan, a rock-cut hall thought to have been used for gatherings.
- Jabal Banat, Jabal Ahmar and Jabal Khuraymat: sandstone outcrops lined with groups of carved tomb facades.
- Handcraft Pavilion: a stop on the tour route.
Away from the tombs, the official site points out betyls (carved stone blocks that represented gods), wells, stone-lined water channels and the remains of walls, gates and towers.
Practical tips for Hegra
- Stay on the paths: entering the tombs, touching carvings or taking anything from the ground is prohibited. Visitors who mistreat the monuments are asked to leave.
- Photography: allowed. Drones are not: Experience AlUla says tourists may not fly drones in Saudi Arabia.
- Smoking: only in designated areas along the tour route.
- What to wear: closed-toe walking shoes, comfortable outdoor clothes, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Women do not need an abaya or head cover.
- Water: bottled water is provided on tours, but bring your own as well.
- Accessibility: both tours are listed as not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers. Contact Experience AlUla before booking if you need help.
- Plan the day: allow half a day for Hegra. Elephant Rock opens in the late afternoon and pairs well with a morning tour.
- Visa: citizens of eligible countries can visit on the tourist eVisa.
Questions travellers ask
Is Hegra the same as Mada'in Salih?
Yes. UNESCO lists the site as Hegra Archaeological Site (al-Hijr / Mada'in Salih). Hegra is the ancient Nabataean name; Al-Hijr and Mada'in Salih are Arabic names for the same place, and all three appear on signs and maps.
Can you visit Hegra without a tour?
No. Experience AlUla, the Royal Commission for AlUla's official site, says the best way to explore is an organised tour and that self-driving is not allowed. Every visit uses a guided coach or a premium 4x4 tour with site transport.
How much does it cost to visit Hegra?
In November 2026 Experience AlUla lists the Hegra Day Tour from SAR 95 per person and the Hegra Premium Tour from SAR 1,000 per vehicle for up to seven guests. Children aged 4 and under go free. Prices can change, so check the total before paying.
How far is Hegra from AlUla?
Hegra lies about 20 km north of AlUla town. The Day Tour coach leaves from Winter Park in AlUla, and the whole tour, including transfer time, takes two to three hours.
Can you go inside the tombs at Hegra?
No. Visitors must stay on the marked paths, and entering the tombs or touching the carvings is prohibited because it can cause irreparable damage. You may take photographs, but nothing may be removed from the site.
Is Hegra open in summer?
Experience AlUla lists both main tours as open daily and available year-round. Summer days are hot, so follow the operator's advice to bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and water.
