While AlUla is often celebrated for its cooler winter months, Our Habitas AlUlaoffers a different perspective on summer in the desert. Set amongst the dramatic sandstone cliffs of Ashar Valley, the retreat combines immersive wellness at Thuraya Wellness with unforgettable evening experiences, where golden sunsets, open-air dining, cultural discovery and adventures beneath star-filled skies reveal a quieter, more intimate side of the destination.
Together with Caravan AlUla by Our Habitas, guests can experience two distinctive ways to explore AlUla – whether seeking restorative luxury rooted in nature or a playful, design-led glamping escape. Here are ten reasons to discover why summer is one of AlUla’s best-kept secrets with Our Habitas.
1. Watch Ashar Valley transform at golden hour
There are few places more spectacular than Ashar Valley as the sun begins to set. Towering sandstone cliffs glow in shades of amber and gold, casting dramatic shadows across the desert and creating one of AlUla’s most photogenic moments. It’s the perfect time to venture out with a camera in hand or simply pause and appreciate the beauty of one of Saudi Arabia’s most remarkable landscapes.
2. Discover a different side of Thuraya Wellness
During the warmest part of the day, guests are invited to retreat to Thuraya Wellness, the holistic sanctuary at Our Habitas AlUla, inspired by the guiding stars that have led travellers across Arabia for centuries. Designed to nurture both body and mind, the wellness space offers restorative massages, yoga, meditation, breathwork, sound healing and holistic therapies, providing the ideal balance before an evening of exploration.
3. Experience Elephant Rock after dark
As temperatures cool, one of AlUla’s most iconic landmarks takes on an entirely different atmosphere. Naturally sculpted over millions of years, Elephant Rock becomes a vibrant gathering place where visitors can enjoy relaxed evenings beneath the stars, surrounded by dramatic desert scenery.
4. Sleep amongst the sandstone cliffs
Blending seamlessly into the surrounding landscape, Our Habitas AlUla’s private villas offer a peaceful retreat immersed in nature, while Caravan AlUla by Our Habitas reimagines desert exploration through beautifully restored Airstream caravans that combine nostalgic design with contemporary comfort. Each offers its own unique way to experience life in Ashar Valley.
5. Discover 200,000 years of history
AlUla is often described as one of the world’s largest living museums. Home to ancient civilisations for more than 200,000 years, the destination offers visitors the opportunity to explore extraordinary archaeological sites, ancient inscriptions and stories carved into the surrounding sandstone, bringing the region’s rich heritage vividly to life.
6. Visit Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site
Just moments from Ashar Valley lies Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by the Nabataeans more than two millennia ago, its monumental rock-cut tombs remain one of the country’s most significant cultural treasures and offer a fascinating glimpse into one of Arabia’s greatest ancient civilisations.
7. Dine beneath the desert sky
As daylight fades, evenings at Our Habitas AlUla become as much about culinary discovery as they are about the destination itself. Guests can savour locally inspired cuisine at Tama, where fresh seasonal ingredients and regional flavours are enjoyed against the breathtaking backdrop of Ashar Valley, making every meal an experience in itself.
8. Embrace evenings made for adventure
Summer evenings invite guests to experience AlUla from a different perspective. From guided stargazing beneath exceptionally clear skies and sunset hikes through dramatic sandstone canyons to camel rides, cycling and evenings gathered around the firepit or outdoor cinema, the destination offers countless ways to experience the desert after dark.
9. Explore one of the world’s fastest-rising cultural destinations
From the mirrored architectural marvel of Maraya to immersive art installations, cultural programming and beautifully preserved heritage sites, AlUla continues to evolve as one of the Middle East’s most exciting cultural destinations, blending thousands of years of history with contemporary creativity.
10. Discover why summer is AlUla’s best-kept secret
With quieter surroundings, spectacular sunsets, restorative wellness experiences and unforgettable evenings beneath star-filled skies, summer reveals an entirely different side of AlUla. It is a season that encourages travellers to experience the destination at a gentler pace, uncovering moments that are often missed during busier times of the year.
This summer, guests can make the most of A Summer Getaway, available for stays of two nights or more at Our Habitas AlUla. The offer includes daily breakfast, one family lunch or dinner, complimentary wellbeing sessions, family stargazing, movie nights, an extra bed for families, access to the kids’ lounge, biking facilities, trampoline park access, and the flexibility of 24-hour check-in and check-out, creating the perfect opportunity to experience AlUla’s quieter summer season.
For stay and dining enquiries, please contact [email protected] or call +966 14 821 3900.