Short answer: Hegra — traditionally called Madain Saleh and known in the Quran as Al-Hijr — is Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. It sits about 20 km north of AlUla Old Town, in the northwest of Saudi Arabia, and its 100+ monumental tombs were carved by the Nabataeans around 2,000 years ago (1st century BC – 1st century AD). Entry is by pre-booked guided tour only: SAR 95 per person for the Hegra Day Tour, or SAR 1,000 per vehicle for the private 4×4 Premium Tour. There is no walk-up ticket gate.
What is Hegra?
Hegra was the southern capital of the Nabataean kingdom — the same civilisation that built Petra in Jordan. Unlike Petra’s elaborate façades, Hegra is famous for the sheer number of rock-cut tombs scattered across the desert: more than 100 monumental tombs, each with a carved inscription recording who it was for and who built it.
It is known by three names, which confuses a lot of travellers:
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Hegra | The modern, official tourism name (Royal Commission for AlUla) |
| Madain Saleh | “The cities of Salih” — the traditional Arabic name |
| Al-Hijr | The name used in the Quran (Surah Al-Hijr, 15:80–84) |
They are the same place. If you have read about the “cursed city” of AlUla, that story belongs here — see Is AlUla cursed? for the full explanation.
Where is Hegra located?
- ~20 km north of AlUla Old Town, in the Al Madinah Province of northwest Saudi Arabia.
- ~335–340 km from Madinah (~3.5–4 hours by road, Hwy 15 north).
- Roughly 300 km south of Tabuk.
- The nearest airport is AlUla International Airport (ULH).
The site has its own Hegra Visitor Centre, and all official tours depart from the Winter Park bus stop in AlUla (not from the tombs directly).
How old is Hegra?
Hegra’s tombs were carved during the Nabataean period, roughly the 1st century BC to the 1st century AD — making the site about 2,000 years old. It is younger than Petra (which the Nabataeans built earlier) and was a southern trading hub on the incense and spice routes.
The most photographed monument, Qasr al-Farid (“the lonely castle”), is a single, free-standing tomb, famously unfinished, dated to around the 1st century AD.
What to see at Hegra
- Qasr al-Farid — the iconic isolated tomb, four façades carved but never completed.
- The Diwan — a large rock-cut hall used for gatherings.
- Jabal Ithlib — a sacred natural rock outcrop with a narrow passage (the Siq).
- Tomb of Lihyan son of Kuza — the largest and most famous of the inscribed tombs.
- The Hejaz Railway remnants — a later layer of history, including a derelict station and train.
- Nabataean inscriptions — more than 100, recording the tomb owners and carvers.
Hegra ticket prices (the real numbers)
Hegra is guided entry only — you cannot buy a walk-up ticket at the gate. All tickets are sold by the official platform, Experience AlUla:
| Experience | Price | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hegra Day Tour (shared, guided Rawi, coach) | SAR 95 / person | 2–3 h incl. transfer | Departs Winter Park; coach transport + entry + guide + water included |
| Hegra Premium Tour (private 4×4, up to 7) | SAR 1,000 / vehicle | 2 h | Guide shared across up to 2 cars (max 14); departs Hegra Visitor Centre |
Important: the official ticket includes coach transport from Winter Park, but not transport from your hotel to Winter Park. That leg is yours to arrange — which is why many visitors pre-book a private car for the day.
Nearby, the Dadan + Jabal Ikmah site is also ticketed: SAR 60 per person (guided), SAR 90 per person (audio-guided), or SAR 1,000 per vehicle (private 4×4).
How to visit Hegra: step by step
- Book online first at experiencealula.com (or +966 920 025 003). The Hegra Day Tour is SAR 95 per person; slots sell out in peak season.
- Choose a morning or afternoon slot — tours run daily year-round.
- Get to Winter Park for your departure (arrive early; the coach leaves on schedule).
- Join the guided tour — a licensed Rawi storyteller guides you through the tombs, 2–3 hours including the transfer.
- Bring closed-toe shoes, water, sun protection. Some areas close at short notice for conservation.
If you are coming from outside AlUla, the practical question is the drive. From Madinah, that is ~3.5–4 hours each way — comfortably done as a private day trip with a driver who waits while you tour. See Madinah to AlUla private taxi (coming soon), or AlUla local transport if you are already in town.
Hegra vs Petra: what’s the difference?
| Hegra (Saudi Arabia) | Petra (Jordan) | |
|---|---|---|
| UNESCO listing | 2008 (Saudi’s first) | 1985 |
| Civilisation | Nabataean | Nabataean |
| Signature | 100+ scattered rock-cut tombs | Monumental façades cut into a canyon |
| Crowds | Far fewer | Among the world’s busiest |
| Access | Guided tours only | Open walk-in |
Hegra is often described as “Petra’s twin, without the crowds” — a fair summary, though the two sites feel different: Petra is a city carved into a canyon, while Hegra is a desert of individual tombs.
Best time to visit Hegra
AlUla is a desert destination. The cooler months (roughly October to April) are the most comfortable, with mild days and cold nights. Summer is very hot, and midday sun at the exposed tombs is intense — morning tours are the sensible choice year-round. AlUla also runs seasonal events (Dates Season, AlUla Moments) that add to a winter visit.
FAQs: Hegra and Madain Saleh
How much are Hegra tickets?
SAR 95 per person for the official guided Hegra Day Tour, or SAR 1,000 per vehicle for the private 4×4 Premium Tour. Book on experiencealula.com — there is no walk-up ticket gate.
How old is Hegra?
About 2,000 years old — carved by the Nabataeans between roughly the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD.
Where is Hegra located?
About 20 km north of AlUla Old Town, in northwest Saudi Arabia, and ~335–340 km from Madinah.
Is Hegra the same as Madain Saleh?
Yes. “Madain Saleh” is the traditional name; “Hegra” is the modern official name; “Al-Hijr” is the Quranic name. Same site.
Can you go inside the tombs at Hegra?
The tombs are rock-cut chambers; the guided tour takes you to the monuments and explains them. Some interiors can be viewed from the entrance, but access is controlled to protect the site.
Do I need a guide for Hegra?
Yes — entry is by guided tour only. A licensed Rawi guide leads the official Hegra Day Tour.
Is Hegra worth visiting?
For most travellers, yes — it is the single reason to make the drive to AlUla, and it is a genuine UNESCO World Heritage Site with no crowd problem.
How do I get to Hegra from Madinah?
Private car/taxi, ~3.5–4 hours each way. Pre-booking is essential — there is no Uber in AlUla.
Continue planning
- Full destination guide: AlUla Travel Guide
- The “cursed city” story: Is AlUla cursed?
- Maraya: How to visit Maraya
- Getting around: AlUla taxi & local transport
- From Madinah: Madinah to AlUla private taxi (coming soon)
Sources: Experience AlUla (experiencealula.com), UNESCO World Heritage List (Hegra, 2008), Royal Commission for AlUla (rcu.gov.sa). Ticket prices verified 2026-09-17; confirm on the official platform before booking.