![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/R43BLX2J6BDYHVIBYI3ERKIV2E.jpg?smart=true&auth=427d70ecdc62033e7322c87ebb8d496274918f16e490aeb33a1567abd08a7239&width=400&height=225)
Al Ula, an area north of the Arabian Peninsula, is home to a number of stunning archaeological wonders. Courtesy Winter at Tantora Festival
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YLBHE4F7QXP7K7SPCDFSMYTGJM.jpg?smart=true&auth=52dfbdefbc3007db375a162b726076010ce0eff359dac5ad401534868d0b400c&width=400&height=225)
Nabatean rock-cut tombs at Madain Saleh, near Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia. Amar Grover / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WH7PVNAKDCWBB5Z7EYN2U6PCZU.jpg?smart=true&auth=0771cb0bed6b78ac08b857edf26ef87b8d2e49eb4fad239181906fccbfba0c81&width=400&height=225)
According to UNESCO, the Nabataean archaeological site of al-Hijr (Madain Saleh), near the northwestern town of al-Ula, includes 111 tombs, most of which boast a decorated facade, cave drawings and even some pre-Nabataean inscriptions. Amar Grover / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CGFVSUPHVFC2YPWQIIK5NVQXFA.jpg?smart=true&auth=2305e8b175d30d8bc264fca3ac4fe8b277c915e746e9ec8c7680856970e69d68&width=400&height=225)
Desert scenery near Madain Saleh and Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia. Amar Grover / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WWHPOINROJZUW5BO3AM47WWI6U.jpg?smart=true&auth=f25d6b6b0706446f97a2d745bd661cce27b17af798f6fbc7499490c7779af046&width=400&height=225)
Nabatean rock-cut tombs at Madain Saleh, near Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia. Amar Grover / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IBPVEAS5RR74XAOZDLLHCOG5GM.jpg?smart=true&auth=da1eb956950ef7222917aecc600605fc30162fa8ba23ff6a593b981ffca067aa&width=400&height=225)
View of old Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia. Amar Grover / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/H6YIICYPZSLER5FBWROFB4DBAY.jpg?smart=true&auth=cf78f4185d8a15ee34ebf95b0077defbe29811f36a95222944233821e05e4697&width=400&height=225)
A tourist visits the Abu Lawha, the largest Nabataean tomb at the desert archaeological site of Madain Saleh, in Al Ula city, 648 miles northwest of the Riyadh. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KQRC5M5JALQOTM7FWW57ENIHVQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=e7b19ca247d940f3cd639156e61caae17897b700bf62b30394c460561aba76cd&width=400&height=225)
Carved rose-coloured sandstone mountains in the Nabataean archaeological site of al-Hijr (Madain Saleh) near the northwestern town of al-Ula, Saudi Arabia, which dates back to the first century BC. AFP PHOTO
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/R43BLX2J6BDYHVIBYI3ERKIV2E.jpg?smart=true&auth=427d70ecdc62033e7322c87ebb8d496274918f16e490aeb33a1567abd08a7239&width=400&height=225)
Al Ula, an area north of the Arabian Peninsula, is home to a number of stunning archaeological wonders. Courtesy Winter at Tantora Festival
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YLBHE4F7QXP7K7SPCDFSMYTGJM.jpg?smart=true&auth=52dfbdefbc3007db375a162b726076010ce0eff359dac5ad401534868d0b400c&width=400&height=225)
Nabatean rock-cut tombs at Madain Saleh, near Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia. Amar Grover / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WH7PVNAKDCWBB5Z7EYN2U6PCZU.jpg?smart=true&auth=0771cb0bed6b78ac08b857edf26ef87b8d2e49eb4fad239181906fccbfba0c81&width=400&height=225)
According to UNESCO, the Nabataean archaeological site of al-Hijr (Madain Saleh), near the northwestern town of al-Ula, includes 111 tombs, most of which boast a decorated facade, cave drawings and even some pre-Nabataean inscriptions. Amar Grover / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CGFVSUPHVFC2YPWQIIK5NVQXFA.jpg?smart=true&auth=2305e8b175d30d8bc264fca3ac4fe8b277c915e746e9ec8c7680856970e69d68&width=400&height=225)
Desert scenery near Madain Saleh and Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia. Amar Grover / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WWHPOINROJZUW5BO3AM47WWI6U.jpg?smart=true&auth=f25d6b6b0706446f97a2d745bd661cce27b17af798f6fbc7499490c7779af046&width=400&height=225)
Nabatean rock-cut tombs at Madain Saleh, near Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia. Amar Grover / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IBPVEAS5RR74XAOZDLLHCOG5GM.jpg?smart=true&auth=da1eb956950ef7222917aecc600605fc30162fa8ba23ff6a593b981ffca067aa&width=400&height=225)
View of old Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia. Amar Grover / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/H6YIICYPZSLER5FBWROFB4DBAY.jpg?smart=true&auth=cf78f4185d8a15ee34ebf95b0077defbe29811f36a95222944233821e05e4697&width=400&height=225)
A tourist visits the Abu Lawha, the largest Nabataean tomb at the desert archaeological site of Madain Saleh, in Al Ula city, 648 miles northwest of the Riyadh. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KQRC5M5JALQOTM7FWW57ENIHVQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=e7b19ca247d940f3cd639156e61caae17897b700bf62b30394c460561aba76cd&width=400&height=225)
Carved rose-coloured sandstone mountains in the Nabataean archaeological site of al-Hijr (Madain Saleh) near the northwestern town of al-Ula, Saudi Arabia, which dates back to the first century BC. AFP PHOTO
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/R43BLX2J6BDYHVIBYI3ERKIV2E.jpg?smart=true&auth=427d70ecdc62033e7322c87ebb8d496274918f16e490aeb33a1567abd08a7239&width=400&height=225)
Al Ula, an area north of the Arabian Peninsula, is home to a number of stunning archaeological wonders. Courtesy Winter at Tantora Festival
Al Ula, Saudi Arabia: tourist's alternative to Jordan's Petra – in pictures
As the Winter at Tantora Festival takes place in Al Ula, we take a deeper look at the kingdom's first city to appear on the Unesco World Heritage Site list
![Katy Gillett](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F0d30538e-8093-483b-9671-b522ebeb7695.png?smart=true&auth=8c7547f4ac03274ba8bbce82d6291f909b38c6ccab7737911edec4058f46eea6&width=70&height=70)
Katy Gillett
30 December, 2018
- Listen In English
- Listen In Arabic