This Luxury Sandy Paradise is the Perfect Blend of Art & Culture

Magnificent landscapes meet the choicest urban exploits in the desert destination of AlUla, Saudi Arabia. This ochre-tinged city is a cultural oasis from civilizations past – think age-old crafts, music filling the streets, food that’ll leave you licking your fingers, and new-age events held against stunning monuments that have stood the test of time. With an airport to fly into and two luxe properties offering the best of Arabian hospitality, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t already be here.

Heading there, yet? #DuetDifferently by exploring all the urban gems and cultural experiences amid jaw-dropping natural landscapes in the desert city.

Art and Retail Therapy

The Old Town Market Street, once thronged by merchants of trade, now hosts tourists looking for local crafts and souvenirs from the land. For more shopping, the stone-and-brick landscape of AlJadidah Arts District features everything, from boutique stores for local designer wear to jewelry that’ll make for precious keepsakes. There’s ample to sample if you’re an art lover too. Design Space AlUla offers a deep dive into the works of artists and architects behind AlUla, while live installations from past editions of Desert X AlUla add bold touches of colour to the sandy canvas of the town. When witnessed in this natural setting, the artworks are sure to leave your blood pumping and heart soaring!

Music and Merry

The vast swathes of sand in Ashar Valley are broken by an anachronistic glass marvel. This is Maraya, said to be the world’s largest mirror building, which creates an illusion of an endless oasis. And that’s not it! Though built as a purposeful venue to savour experiences inside, the larger-than-life glass facade makes the perfect backdrop for larger-than-life experiences outside as well, like music concerts by the likes of Alicia Keys, James Blunt, and Andrea Bocelli. And can you imagine getting that pre-wedding shoot with endless skies and sands mirroring behind you?

Dining Redefined

No vacation is complete without food, of course. But what makes it even more special is the food with a stunning view of AlUla sands! Finer restaurants like Ashar Deck at Our Habitas and Harrat at Banyan Tree offer alfresco dining options for a romantic evening, while a host of cafes from Starbucks to Tomoor AlUla offer the vital caffeine kick with a treat for the senses in the stone-and-sand streets of Old Town and AlJadidah. What’s better than watching the sun dip into a sand horizon with a cup of coffee warming your palms?

You’ll be spoilt for choice in AlUla, Saudi Arabia but with each experience better than the next, that’s probably a good problem to have!