A maze of houses
Narrow winding lanes.
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The historic town of AlUla, known locally as al-Dirah, with houses, mosques and markets dating back about seven centuries. From above it looks like a single building, because its 870 homes, more than 400 shops and five squares are packed tightly together along narrow, winding lanes. The town has two quarters, al-Shqiq in the north and al-Hilf in the south. The Musa bin Nusayr fort watches over it from a nearby hill, and in the town stands the Tantora, an old sundial that told the locals when the farming season began and when water should be shared out, and which gave the Winter at Tantora festival its name. Parts of the town have been restored: its market street now has shops, cafés and restaurants in stone and mud-brick houses, with squares strung with lanterns, while other parts remain as roofless ruins that show how the old houses were laid out. Entry is free and open to all, according to the official site. Most places open between 8 and 9 am, but the town comes alive after 3 pm, with shops open until 11 pm and most restaurants until 1 am. Parking is free, with shuttles to the entrance.
Narrow winding lanes.
A view over the town.
Cafés and shops at night.
Central AlUla, by the palm oasis
Yes, it is free and open to all, according to the official site; it comes alive after 3 pm.