TIME, the prestigious global media organization, has announced the winners of its 2024 ‘World’s Greatest Places’ awards, featuring AlUla’s exceptional destinations. TIME’s editors and correspondents from around the world have vetted these remarkable locations, highlighting 100 extraordinary destinations to explore, stay, and visit.
AlUla’s honored destinations include:
Dar Tantora The House Hotel – Opened in May 2024, this is the first hotel established in AlUla’s historic Old Town, a city of ancient mud-brick houses over 800 years old, recognized as one of the Best Tourism Villages in 2022 by UNWTO. Set in AlUla’s desert oasis, Dar Tantora offers sustainable luxury with 30 guest rooms restored from historical buildings, blending traditional Bedouin living with modern comfort.
Sharaan Nature Reserve – Spanning nearly 600 square miles (1500 square kilometers), Sharaan Nature Reserve is a sanctuary of natural beauty. The reserve focuses on restoring AlUla’s ecosystem and protecting endangered species like Arabian wolves, gazelles, and large-eared red foxes. It also serves as a rewilding hub for Arabian Leopards, currently breeding offsite.
TIME’s ‘World’s Greatest Places’ list was compiled through nominations from its global network of correspondents and contributors, showcasing places offering fresh and exciting experiences. TIME’s recognition remains a mark of excellence in travel.
Rami AlMoallim, Vice President of Destination Management and Marketing at the Royal Commission for AlUla, expressed delight at the recognition: “We are thrilled that TIME’s renowned World’s Greatest Places list has spotlighted our destination’s offerings. This acknowledgment reflects our commitment to preserving and promoting AlUla’s unique cultural heritage through sustainable development.”
Located in northwest Saudi Arabia, AlUla is an oasis city renowned for its diverse landscapes, including mountains, desert, and unique rock formations, alongside significant heritage sites. The “Forever Revitalising” global brand campaign highlights AlUla’s transformation into a vibrant hub for ancient heritage, culture, art, adventure, and responsible tourism.
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About AlUla:
Situated 1,100 km from Riyadh in northwestern Saudi Arabia, AlUla is renowned for its extraordinary natural and cultural heritage. Covering 22,561 km², the region features a lush oasis valley, towering sandstone mountains, and ancient sites dating back to the Lihyan and Nabataean kingdoms.
Notable sites include:
- Hegra: Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, this ancient city was the principal southern city of the Nabataean Kingdom, featuring 111 well-preserved tombs with elaborate facades carved from sandstone.
- Dadan: Once the capital of the Dadan and Lihyan Kingdoms, this site is among the most developed cities of the 1st millennium BCE Arabian Peninsula.
- Jabal Ikmah: An open-air library with hundreds of inscriptions in various languages, recently listed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register.
- AlUla Old Town Village: A maze of over 900 mudbrick homes, developed since at least the 12th century, and recognized as one of the World’s Best Tourism Villages in 2022 by UNWTO.
- Old Railway and Hegra Fort: Significant sites in the story of Lawrence of Arabia.
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