Al Ula digital nomad guide

Essentials

City

AlUla (Al-'Ula), Medina Province, Saudi Arabia

Population

Approx. 45,000 residents

Internet Speed

35-60 Mbps; 5G coverage is widespread in the Old Town and Al Jadidah zones

Currency & Banking

1 SAR ≈ 0.27 USD. Fixed peg to the US Dollar

Tap Water

Not recommended for drinking; bottled water (e.g., Nova or Berain) is standard (2 SAR per 500ml)

Power

230V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type G (British style) is the standard

SIM Card

STC (Saudi Telecom Company) or Mobily; available at Prince Abdul Majeed bin Abdulaziz International Airport (75-150 SAR for data plans)

Banking for Expats

Al Rajhi Bank, SNB (Al Ahli), and STC Pay (highly recommended digital wallet)

Accommodation

Boutique heritage hotels and farm stays; Airbnb is growing but limited. Booking.com is the primary platform

Cashless Friendly

Yes, MADA (local debit), Visa, and Apple Pay are accepted almost everywhere including small shops

Short Term Rentals

Habitas Resort (Glamping), Sahary Al Ula Resort, or local villas on Airbnb (mostly in AlUla North)

Budget Accommodation

Palm Garden AlUla (approx. 350-500 SAR per night during peak season)

Best Area to Stay for Tourists

Al Jadidah (Art District) for walkable access to restaurants and cultural landmarks

Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads

AlUla South / Al Aziziyah – closer to local markets, better value for longer stays, and more reliable utilities

Working and Networking

Best Coworking Space

Design Gallery (Al Jadidah) – serves as an informal creative hub with workstations and reliable Wi-Fi

Best Cafe for Work

Wacafe (Al Jadidah) – Excellent specialty coffee and laptop-friendly seating; coffee around 25 SAR

Networking Events

Desert X AlUla biennials and AlUla Future Culture Summits (exclusive networking for creative professionals)

Social Events for Expats

Community meetups at 'Somewhere' restaurant in the AlUla Oasis or the 'AlUla Community' WhatsApp groups

Transportation

Best Taxi/Ride App

Kaiian or Careem (Uber operates but has fewer drivers in the remote desert zones)

Bike/Scooter Rental

AlUla Bike Trail (near Hegra) – rentals from 50 SAR for 2 hours

Best Beach Nearby

Al Wajh (Red Sea coast) – approx. 3.5 hours drive westward

Top Regional Airline

Flynas (Low-cost carrier connecting to Riyadh and Jeddah)

Top International Airline

Saudia (Direct flights to Paris, Dubai, and major domestic hubs)

Highway Access

Highway 15 (Medina-AlUla Rd) and Highway 70 connect AlUla to the north and south

Main Train/Transit Hub

Note: No train station yet; AlUla International Airport (ULH) is the primary hub 25km southeast of the city

Public Transport Passes

Hop-on Hop-off Tourist Shuttle (AlUla Bus) – daily passes approx. 60 SAR via ExperienceAlUla.com

Regional Travel

SAPTCO Bus service to Medina (approx. 4-5 hours) for 100-120 SAR

Food and Drink

Popular International Cuisine

Maraya Social by Jason Atherton (located in Maraya Hall) – High-end international/British fusion

Best Food Delivery App

HungerStation and Jahez are the dominant platforms in AlUla

Best Local Dish to Try

Saleeg (creamy rice with meat) or AlUla Dates (especially the Barni variety)

Vegan/Vegetarian Options

Moon Shell (Al Jadidah) – focuses on plant-based smoothie bowls and snacks (approx. 50-70 SAR)

Best Dessert Spots

Pink Camel Pastry Boutique (near the Oasis) – famous for date-flavored macarons

Affordable Shopping Spots

Panda Supermarket or the Fruit & Vegetable Market (Souq Al-Khodariyah) in the city center

E-commerce/Online Store

Amazon.sa and Noon.com ship to AlUla (delivery takes 3-5 days)

Grocery Delivery

Nana or HungerStation Market

Bar/Nightlife Area

None (Alcohol is illegal). Nightlife consists of late-night cafes in Al Jadidah and stargazing at Gharameel

Local Brewery

N/A (Non-alcoholic beers like Barbican and Moussy available in supermarkets)

Wine Bars

N/A (Alcohol is prohibited)

Street Food Stalls

Winter at Tantora food kiosks; Mutabbaq and Samosas available in Al Aziziyah for 5-10 SAR

Culture and Attractions

Must-See Landmarks

Hegra (UNESCO site), Maraya (World's largest mirror building), and Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil)

Museums & Art Venues

Madrasat Addeera (Arts and crafts school) and the outdoor galleries of Al Jadidah

Historical Sites

Dadan (Ancient capital of the Lihyanite Kingdom) and Jabal Ikmah (the 'Open Library' of inscriptions)

Religious Sites

Al-Zawiya Mosque in the Old Town

Annual Events

Winter at Tantora Festival (December to March) featuring live concerts and hot air balloons

Cultural Districts

AlUla Old Town (Heritage village) and Al Jadidah (Arts district)

Theater Venues

Maraya Concert Hall – hosts world-class musical performances

Local Markets

Old Town Souq – artisanal crafts, citrus perfumes, and locally made textiles

Music Scene

Desert symphony sessions and live acoustic sets at Elephant Rock

Street Art

Murals by local artists throughout the Al Jadidah 'Arty District'

Cooking Classes

Dates and Citrus culinary workshops offered during the AlUla Citrus Festival (Jan-Feb)

Art Galleries

Athr Gallery (seasonal pop-ups) and the Design Space AlUla

Historic Buildings

AlUla Old Town Castle (Musa bin Nusayr Castle)

Local Heritage

The 'Tantora' sundial used by locals to track the seasons and water distribution

Nature and Outdoor Activities

Nearby Nature Escapes

Sharaan Nature Reserve – home to Arabian leopards and gazelles

National Parks Nearby

Harrat Uwayrid – volcanic plateau with stunning panoramic views of the valley

Cycling/Walking Paths

The AlUla Oasis Heritage Trail (3km walk through palm groves and ancient farms)

Scenic Viewpoints

Harrat Viewpoint – best at sunset with a view of the entire valley

Birdwatching Locations

AlUla Oasis – home to migratory birds and local species in the date palms

Bonfire-Friendly Spots

Many desert camps allow fires; Elephant Rock has designated seating areas with small fire pits during winter

Other Services and Amenities

Parcel Delivery Service

Aramex and SMSA Express (located in the commercial center)

Tech Repair Services

Small mobile shops in the Al Aziziyah district (limited high-end laptop repair available)

Table Tennis Spots

Local youth clubs in the city center

Language Classes

General English/Arabic classes via AlUla Language Center

Libraries & Study Spots

Design Space AlUla library and research center in Al Jadidah

Community Centers

Madrasat Addeera – focus on community craft and heritage preservation

Gaming Lounges

High-tech gaming cafes near the main highway (PC gaming focused)

Casino & Gaming Halls

None (Gambling is illegal in Saudi Arabia)

Business

Studio Purchase Price (City Center)

Approx. 4,500 SAR per m². (e.g., 40 m² = 180,000 SAR) – Limited to Saudi/GCC nationals for ownership

Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)

Approx. 3,200 SAR per m². (e.g., 40 m² = 128,000 SAR)

1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)

Approx. 4,200 SAR per m². (e.g., 60 m² = 252,000 SAR)

1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)

Approx. 3,000 SAR per m². (e.g., 60 m² = 180,000 SAR)

2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)

Approx. 4,000 SAR per m². (e.g., 80 m² = 320,000 SAR)

2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)

Approx. 2,800 SAR per m². (e.g., 80 m² = 224,000 SAR)

Corporate Tax

20% (for foreign-owned companies); 2.5% Zakat for Saudi/GCC entities

Dividend Withholding Tax

5% on dividends paid to non-residents

Tax System

Territorial for resident expatriates (Personal income tax is 0% for employees)

Highest Income Tax Bracket

0% (There is currently no personal income tax in Saudi Arabia)

VAT

15% (Standard rate)

Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules

No specific CFC rules, but Transfer Pricing regulations apply

Property Tax

2.5% Real Estate Transaction Tax (RETT) on transfer; no annual municipal property tax for residential

Property Transaction Tax

5% (Real Estate Transaction Tax)

Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads

Highly attractive: 0% income tax and simple e-visa process for many nationalities

Health and Wellness

Best Hospital

AlUla General Hospital (AlUla-Khaybar Rd) for emergencies; specialized clinics available in Medina

Yoga & Wellness Centers

Thuraya Wellness at Habitas AlUla – luxury desert yoga and meditation (classes start at 150 SAR)

Gyms & Fitness Centers

Al-Ula Club (Local sports club with fitness facilities for men)

Laundry Services

Local small-scale laundries (Laundry/Masbagha) in Al Aziziyah; washing and pressing a shirt for 5-10 SAR