[PLACEHOLDER: first-hand photo — Tomb of Lihyan son of Kuza (the “lonely castle”).]
Hegra is the single reason many travellers book AlUla, and it deserves the billing. Two thousand years ago the Nabataeans — the traders who carved Petra — cut 111 tombs into these sandstone outcrops. Unlike Petra, Hegra is quiet: you may share a tomb façade with only a handful of other people. Here is exactly how to visit.
You cannot visit Hegra on your own
This is the thing most first-timers get wrong. Hegra is a protected archaeological site and you can only enter on an official Experience AlUla tour. There is no walking in from the road, no private car access to the tombs. You book a guided tour, meet at the Winter Park visitor centre, and travel between the tomb clusters by shuttle.
How to book
- Book online in advance through the official Experience AlUla platform, especially in the busy Oct–Mar season.
- Walk-up tickets are sometimes available at the Winter Park visitor centre, but do not count on it at weekends.
- The standard tour lasts roughly two hours and covers the main clusters, including the famous free-standing Tomb of Lihyan son of Kuza.
[PLACEHOLDER: confirm the current ticket price and tour options on experiencealula.com before publishing — prices change by season.]
What you will see
The tour moves between tomb groups, each with its own character: façades with eagles and sphinxes, Nabataean inscriptions still crisp in the stone, and the standalone Tomb of Lihyan rising alone from the sand — the image you have probably already seen. Your guide fills in the trade-route history that made the Nabataeans rich.
Practical tips
- Go early. The first tours catch soft light and cooler air; midday sun is punishing even in winter.
- Wear closed shoes and bring water and sun cover — there is little shade at the tombs.
- Modest, comfortable clothing is right for the setting and the climate.
- Allow half a day including transfers; pair it with the Old Town in the afternoon.
What next
Slot Hegra into a full plan with our AlUla in 2 days itinerary, or see everything else worth doing in things to do in AlUla.