AlUla — The World's
Largest Open-Air Museum

Living in AlUla as an Expat

AlUla is not a traditional city — it is a small town of around 35,000 people that is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Expats here are overwhelmingly employed by the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) or one of its many contracted companies, operating luxury hotels, running archaeological excavation projects, managing tourism infrastructure, or working in hospitality and entertainment.

If you are in archaeology, heritage conservation, luxury hospitality, event management, construction management, or cultural tourism — AlUla is an extraordinary and unique place to work. The working environment is international, English-speaking, and well-funded.

Life outside work is quiet by Saudi standards. AlUla is small, remote (nearest major city is Medina, ~3 hour drive), and the focus for many expats is the extraordinary natural and historical landscape rather than urban amenities.

What AlUla Offers Expats

• Luxury accommodation — RCU has built or commissioned several world-class hotels (Banyan Tree, Aman, Shaden Resort) which often house their own staff
• Strong community — expat staff at RCU projects tend to form tight-knit communities
• Unique experience — access to sites and experiences unavailable anywhere else on earth
• Desert climate — hot summers (38–42°C), but mild winters (10–22°C)
• Modern facilities — the RCU has built new infrastructure at pace; the quality of facilities at project sites is high

Employment in AlUla

Almost all expat employment in AlUla is through the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) or its contractors and hotel operators. Key hiring areas:

• Archaeology and heritage conservation (formal excavation and site management)
• Luxury hospitality (hotel management, front office, F&B, concierge)
• Event production (Winter at Tantora festival, Hegra Sound & Light shows)
• Construction project management and engineering
• Cultural programming, guiding, and education
• IT, digital, and creative roles for the RCU itself

Most roles come with accommodation included as part of the package — confirm this in your contract negotiation.

What to See & Do in AlUla

For expats working here, the extraordinary landscape is part of daily life:

• Hegra (Mada'in Saleh) — UNESCO Nabataean rock tombs, a 30-minute drive from town
• Dadan — ancient Lihyanite and Dadanite kingdom ruins
• Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil) — iconic 52m natural sandstone elephant formation
• Old Town AlUla — 12th-century mud-brick heritage village, now being restored
• Harrat Uwayrid — volcanic lava fields and dramatic geological formations
• Winter at Tantora Festival — world-class music, arts and culture festival (Nov–March)

Practical Considerations

AlUla is remote. Understanding this before you go is important:

• Nearest supermarket with international goods is in Medina (~3hr drive) or Jeddah (~6hr drive)
• AlUla Airport (ULH) has flights to Riyadh and Jeddah — services have expanded significantly since 2022
• Strong 4G coverage in the town and at major sites; satellite connectivity available at remote locations
• Healthcare: a government hospital in AlUla town; more serious cases medevac to Medina or Riyadh
• Shopping: limited local retail; most expats order online and have deliveries handled through company facilities