Uncovering the Enigma of Mada’in Saleh
Mada’in Saleh, also known as al-Hijr and Hegra, is a fascinating archaeological site located in the Arabian Peninsula, halfway between Petra and Mecca. It was once the second city of the Nabateans, an ancient Middle Eastern people who became wealthy through trade between southern Arabia and the Jordan Valley.
Photo by depositphotos.com
The Nabateans are most famous for Petra, their magnificent capital city in modern Jordan and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. However, Mada’in Saleh is also a unique and enigmatic site that offers insight into the Nabateans’ culture and history.
Several large boulders rise abruptly out of the flat desert landscape and most of the structures at the site, including 131 tombs, were used for funerary purposes. The site also features a cult place, the Diwan, and the Siq, a narrow passageway with small altars marking the Nabateans’ pre-Islamic origins. The active excavation site in the center includes some modest adobe houses that were once homes for the city’s residents.
Mada’in Saleh fell into disuse after the Roman occupation of the Nabatean Kingdom in 106 AD, as the Romans favored ports along the Red Sea over the overland trade routes. Although it lacks the grandeur of Petra, Mada’in Saleh is still a remarkable and mysterious site that offers a glimpse into the ancient Middle East.
As of 2022, visits to Mada’in Saleh can only be arranged through the Al-Ula Winter Park information center. This provides an opportunity to explore a fascinating piece of history and gain a deeper appreciation for the Nabateans and their legacy.
In conclusion, Mada’in Saleh is a hidden gem in the Arabian Peninsula that offers a unique perspective on the Nabateans and their civilization. It’s a must-visit destination for anyone interested in archaeology and the history of the ancient world.
Getting there
Getting to Mada’in Saleh, located in the Arabian Peninsula, can be done by a few methods, depending on your starting location and personal preferences.
Fly: The nearest major airport is Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport in Al-Ula, about 60 km from Mada’in Saleh. From there, you can rent a car or take a taxi to the site.
Drive: If you’re driving from a nearby city, you can rent a car and drive to Mada’in Saleh. The drive from Al-Ula takes about 45 minutes, while the drive from Medina takes around 4 hours.
Tour: If you prefer a more structured experience, you can book a tour that includes transportation to and from the site. Many tour companies offer day trips to Mada’in Saleh from Al-Ula or Medina.
Please note that as of 2022, visits to Mada’in Saleh can only be arranged through the Al-Ula Winter Park information center. It is advisable to plan your trip in advance and check for any restrictions or updates before arriving.
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Hegra archaeological-site area (Mada’in Saleh / Al-Hijr), AlUla, Saudi Arabia; map pin is the OpenStreetMap reserve-area centroid, not the South Gate, visitor centre, tour meeting point, or individual tomb
- Coordinates
- 26.7913624, 37.9598891
- Access
- Visit Hegra on an organized, pre-booked tour; self-driving through the archaeological site is not allowed. The current Experience AlUla Day Tour includes a coach transfer from Winter Park and a guide; tickets at a visitor centre are only available if seats remain. Stay on marked routes: entering tombs or touching carvings is prohibited. The operator says the tour is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
- Admission
- The official Experience AlUla Hegra Day Tour starts from SAR 95 per person and includes site entry, a guide, and coach transport from Winter Park. Daily capacity is limited, so advance booking is recommended; fare and availability depend on the selected date. Premium tours are separate products.
- Time needed
- The current official Hegra Day Tour lasts 2–3 hours including transfer time. Other official overview text rounds the visit to about two hours at the site or three hours for the tour; use the duration shown for the booked departure.
- Best season
- Hegra tours are listed year-round. The Royal Commission for AlUla describes October–April as a particularly comfortable period with more events; this is a seasonal preference, not a closure schedule. Tours can be affected by weather and visibility.
- Opening hours
- Hegra is visited in scheduled guided tours listed as open daily and available year-round; book a departure time rather than arriving for self-guided entry. The separate Hegra Visitor Centre is listed as open daily 06:30–18:00. These are visitor-centre hours, not site walk-in hours; tours depend on availability and weather/visibility.
- Location checked
- 2026-11-02
- Facts checked
- 2026-11-02
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I visited Medain Saleh back in the 90s. Is it possible to get copies of the above photos?
How come they called it as “Old jewish grave”? The jews tribe should be born a long long after madain saleh era.
everything is jewish, don’t you get it by now ?