Madinah Province
Historical Site

Discover Jabal Ithlib - Archeological Site - Al Ula

4.7Reviews

Description

Located to the east of Al Ula, in the heart of Hegra, an archaeological site in Hejaz, Jabal Ithlib is a glorious, natural mountain and a cultural site. Historically, it was a place of worship for Nabateans who were ancient Arabian nomads from the Negev Desert.

Main attractions

The biggest attraction of Jabal Ithlib is the ‘Diwan’ which is a large room carved into the rocks of the mountain that looks like a dining area or a triclinium. It is historically believed to have been an important room for gatherings such as royal banquets and political meetings and also has an open front, which was probably designed for outside or public observers. Apart from that, the cultural roots and mind-blowing landscape of the mountains is what attracts tourists from all over the world.

The mountain can be accessed from a passage through the Siq canal which lies to the left of Diwan. Past this canal is the central area of the mountain that has many carvings and inscriptions that may have had something to do with ancient religious practices. There is also a water channel that flows through the center of the mountain range and leads into a natural water basin and eventually  into a cistern. It is another site from which we can learn the lessons of the past.

Destination Type
Area of Natural Beauty
Historical Site
Landmark
Mountain

Location

Jabal Ithlib, Hegra Saudi Arabia

Reviews

Reviews
4.7
Excellent
from 69 reviews
Excellent
53
Very Good
13
Good
2
Average
0
Poor
1
Customer service
0.0
Experience
0.0
Value for money
0.0
Cleanliness
0.0
Safety
0.0
Reviews
Alexandru Barsan

Alexandru Barsan

12/30/2023 14:15

Google review

That place changed my perception about Saudi and about Arabic people. It was one of my nicest experiences abroad. We arrived with 30 min before the last guided tour, and we cannot pay directly at the entrance so we downloaded an app and tried to pay into the app with Visa, Mastercard and other options but it didn't work. We were pretty sad because that was the first and probably last chance to see Hegra, as our next accommodation was at ~700km. The stuff was incredibly nice. They gave us water, juices, and shadow. The best part: they provide us a Jeep and a tour even though we didn't manage to pay inside the app. At the end of the tour, we wanted to pay them directly in EUR, but they did not accept any money even if we insisted on quite a bit. That's tell a lot about Arabic culture and I will always remember about this kind gesture. If they see this review, I want to thank them again and tell them they made our trip much much nicer. This place is called "THE LITTLE SISTER OF PETRA" and it is totally worth that nickname. It was very interesting to find out about the history of this place, and I particularly loved the last point of the tour where we had a moment of peace and silence. I felt totally connected with that old place filled with history. Place: 5/5 Staff: 10/5 Price: ~37EUR / person (includes guide and Jeep)
Jobin George

Jobin George

11/23/2023 17:53

Google review

Really a historical place and must visit spot if you are at tabuk region. amazing place and people are very friendly
Noor Ather

Noor Ather

10/27/2023 20:17

Google review

I love this place. This place is full of historical sites. People there were very friendly. Our guides were very friendly and helpful.

Google review

Al-Farid Palace is a palace located in the Nabataean cemeteries in Mada'in Saleh in Al-Ula Governorate, west of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and it is considered one of the most famous
Vera Pujias

Vera Pujias

10/09/2023 09:10

Google review

The site of al-Hijr was settled by the tribe of Thamud who (took) for (themselves) palaces from its plains and (carved) from the mountains, homes. According to the Quran, the Thamudis were punished by God for their idolatry, struck by an earthquake and lightning blasts. Thus, the site has earned a reputation as a cursed place. This place is summary of history and civilizations.
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