Follow the legendary Hejaz Railway corridor on a 4-day slow journey from Riyadh to AlUla and onward to Madinah. Two-night stopovers let you sink into each city instead of rushing past it — just as the "slow rail" trend intends.
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Day 1
Morning
Fly Riyadh → AlUla (ULH, ~1.5 h via Saudia/flynas). Transfer to Shaden Resort in Hegra Valley (15 min). Self-guided walk through Old Town AlUla mud-brick lanes and the 14th-century Al-Mustashfah fort perched above the valley.
Afternoon
Privately guided tour of Hegra (Madâin Sâlih) — Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your guide walks you through Tomb of Lihyan (the largest at 22 m tall), Qasr Al-Bint, and the ancient Nabataean waterworks carved into pink sandstone cliffs.
Evening
Dinner at Ayala Restaurant inside Old Town AlUla — open-air terrace, Nabataean-influenced mezze (hummus with truffle oil, lamb kofta pastilla). Order the slow-braised lamb shank. Finish with fresh dates and cardamom qahwa. Stargaze from the resort roof — AlUla sits in one of Arabia's darkest skies.
Day 2
Morning
Dadan Archaeological Site (9 AM open) — ruins of the Lihyanite and Dadanite kingdoms, reached by a cliff-side glass lift. The inscribed rock faces and lion tombs are less visited than Hegra but equally striking. Explore for 90 minutes.
Afternoon
Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil) at 2 PM — shadows sculpt the 52-metre natural arch most dramatically in late afternoon. Take the 15-minute walk around its base. Walk the narrow Siq canyon (Al-Khurayba area) — carved walls create an orange glow. Browse Souq Al-Ula for locally smithed silver Bedouin jewellery and Hejazi spice blends.
Evening
Dinner reservation at Maraya Social — the world's largest mirrored building, designed by Asif Khan. The tasting menu (approx. 350 SAR pp) features Saudi-international fusion. If unavailable, dine at Harrat Uwayrid Restaurant (AlUla downtown) — outdoor terrace, grilled meats, spectacular valley views at dusk.
Day 3
Morning
Early departure to Tayma Oasis (2.5h drive) — a lush oasis city with an imposing mud-brick city wall, the Haj al-Hidr dolmen field, and the Tayma Stone (a replica of the cuneiform-inscribed basalt slab now in the Louvre). Grab breakfast at local Al-Baik style cafeteria inside Tayma town.
Afternoon
Continue by private car (4.5 h) or the SAR tourist heritage bus to Madinah Al-Munawwara. Check in at Anwar Al Madinah Mövenpick Hotel — a 5-star property 2 minutes' walk from Al-Masjid an-Nabawi's north gate.
Evening
Visit Al-Masjid an-Nabawi at Maghrib prayer. Walk the illuminated plazas and the covered souqs adjacent to the mosque — Al-Noor Mall dates shop sells Ajwa, Medjool, and Safawi varieties directly from Madinah palm farmers. Light dinner from an Arabic sweets stall: qatayef, basbousa, and fresh juice.
Day 4
Morning
Quba Mosque at 7 AM (the first mosque in Islam, rebuilt in white marble). Then Al-Baqi Cemetery, one of Islam's most significant historic burial grounds, open briefly each morning. Breakfast at Al Nakheel Restaurant (Madinah old city) — full Saudi breakfast: ful medames, scrambled eggs with tomato, fresh flatbread, and Madinah Ajwa date jam.
Afternoon
Haramain High Speed Train from Madinah Station to Jeddah King Abdulaziz Airport (1 h 30 min, up to 300 km/h). Connect to home city. Arrive refreshed.
Evening
Home.
Ayala Restaurant
﹩﹩Nabataean-inspired mezze & grills
Must try: Slow-braised lamb shank with saffron rice and toasted pine nuts
Maraya Social
﹩﹩﹩Saudi-international fusion fine dining
Must try: Heritage grain risotto with dried desert truffles and black garlic
Al Nakheel Restaurant
﹩Traditional Saudi breakfast & Hejazi cuisine
Must try: Ful medames with Madinah Ajwa date jam and fresh stone-baked khubz
Shaden Resort AlUla
★★★★★1,200 SAR / night
The only luxury resort built inside the heritage valley itself, with unobstructed views of the rose-red cliffs from every villa terrace. Managed by the Royal Commission for AlUla — sustainability certified.
Habitas AlUla
★★★★★1,800 SAR / night
Eco-tented glamping resort set within the Hegra viewshed — 5-minute walk from the ancient Nabataean sites. Known for its rooftop stargazing deck and zero single-use plastic commitment.
Anwar Al Madinah Mövenpick
★★★★★700 SAR / night
The closest 5-star hotel to Al-Masjid an-Nabawi — under 2 minutes on foot to the north gate. Rooftop pool with direct Nabawi views. Breakfast buffet includes Madinah date varieties.
Cost appears after you customize your trip details.
Getting there
Fly Riyadh (RUH) → AlUla (ULH, ~1.5 h). At the end of the trip take the Haramain High Speed Rail from Madinah to Jeddah (King Abdulaziz Intl), then a connecting flight home.Your AI plan will be tailored to your dates, budget & group