Question 1

AlUla or Petra — which?

Accepted Answer

Both are extraordinary and they are genuinely different experiences. Hegra (the Nabataean site at AlUla) is older, more spread out, accessed only with a rawi guide on a Royal-Commission-managed tour, and visited by a fraction of the crowds at Petra. Petra is more architecturally dramatic in compressed scale, free to walk independently, and significantly busier. Most editors now recommend AlUla as the headline if you can only do one — but ideally, do both, on separate trips.

Question 2

How long do I need?

Accepted Answer

Three nights minimum for a focused trip — Hegra, Dadan, the Old Town, plus one experience day (balloon, Maraya concert, or Sharaan camel ride). Four nights is the editor's preferred length and lets you add Jabal Ikmah at proper depth, the AlUla Heritage Trail, and a relaxed day at the resort. Beyond five nights you'll be repeating activities; the cultural depth doesn't currently support longer.

Question 3

Is Saudi Arabia open to tourists?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the eVisa launched in 2019 and is now well-established. Cost is around $130 USD, valid for one year, multiple entries, and processed in 24–72 hours via the Visit Saudi portal. There is no religious requirement for visa eligibility, and women travel freely without a male guardian. Hegra and AlUla are explicitly designed for international tourism.

Question 4

What about dress code?

Accepted Answer

Modest dress is required (covered shoulders, knees, and chest) but the abaya is no longer mandatory for women. Inside the resorts, dress codes are fully relaxed (swimwear at the pool is fine). Outside the resorts and at cultural sites, long trousers or maxi skirts plus loose tops cover the requirement; loose linen works well for the desert heat.

Question 5

Banyan Tree or Habitas?

Accepted Answer

Banyan Tree for the polished international-five-star experience, larger rooms, and private pools. Habitas for the more design-led, lower-impact, sociable atmosphere with stronger nightly programming and lower rates. Both sit in the Ashar Valley with comparable scenery; the choice is stylistic.

Month	Avg high	Rain days
Jan	22°C	2 d
Feb	24°C	2 d
Mar	28°C	2 d
Apr	33°C	2 d
May	38°C	1 d
Jun	41°C	0 d
Jul	42°C	0 d
Aug	41°C	0 d
Sep	39°C	0 d
Oct	33°C	1 d
Nov	27°C	2 d
Dec	23°C	2 d

Best time to visit AlUla

When AlUla is at its best

The AlUla calendar