Shopping in AlUla 2025 — Old Town Streets, Souvenirs & Local Products in Your Saudi Arabia Itinerary

🔗 Helpful AlUla links before you plan shopping

These pages help you see the full picture before you plan an evening around shopping:

ℹ️ What does shopping in AlUla actually look like?

Unlike big cities such as Riyadh or Jeddah, AlUla is not a “mall city”. It’s more about small local shops, Old Town streets and seasonal markets rather than full days inside huge shopping centres.

• The focus is more on the experience (evening walk, café, dinner) than on “shopping marathons”.
• You’ll find small stores selling handicrafts, art, dates, honey and locally inspired souvenirs.
• During events and festivals you may also find extra stalls and pop-up markets.

Because of that, it’s better to treat shopping in AlUla as part of an evening in Old Town or after a tour — not as a separate “half-day mall activity”.

🏘️ Shopping in Old Town AlUla

If you want to buy something that really feels like it came from AlUla, then Old Town AlUla is your best starting point. Narrow lanes, traditional façades and warm lighting at night make it perfect for relaxed browsing.

What to expect in Old Town (shopping in alula )?

• Small shops selling handicrafts, art pieces and simple souvenirs.
• Local products like dates, honey, spices and a few fragrance products.
• Plenty of cafés and restaurants around, so the shopping is mixed with food and seating.

Best time to shop in Old Town AlUla

• Evenings after sunset usually feel the nicest, especially in warm months.
• You can combine shopping with your Old Town AlUla evening plan after a daytime tour or resort time.

🛍️ Other spots & small markets in AlUla

Depending on the season and what’s running while you visit, you may find small markets or stalls around event areas or near tour meeting points.

• Near some departure points for Hegra tours you might find simple souvenir corners or drink stands.
• Seasonal night markets or artisan stalls may appear during festivals and special events.
• Some AlUla resorts may have a small curated shop for books, local products or branded souvenirs.

Because AlUla’s events are seasonal, it’s always a good idea to ask your hotel about any markets or pop-up events happening during your travel dates.

🎁 What to shopping in alula (souvenir ideas)

The goal is to pick items that are clearly linked to AlUla — not things you could have bought in any other city on your trip.

• Dates & honey from the region — great gifts for family and friends.
• Handicrafts & art — small paintings, decorative pieces, or items inspired by Elephant Rock or the rock tombs of Hegra.
• Simple souvenirs — keychains, mini sculptures or items that actually say “AlUla”.
• Fragrance or incense products — available in some local shops around Old Town.

Try to prioritise items that are light and easy to pack, especially if your itinerary includes several cities (for example Jeddah and Umluj) and multiple flights.

🧩 Fitting AlUla shopping into a Saudi Arabia itinerary

AlUla is usually one part of a bigger Saudi Arabia itinerary (Riyadh + AlUla + Jeddah + Umluj or similar). The easiest way to handle shopping is to connect it to your main AlUla tour days.

• After a daytime tour to Hegra (Mada’in Salih), spend a relaxed evening in Old Town AlUla with light shopping.
• After visiting Elephant Rock or doing a stargazing experience in AlUla, choose another evening to focus more on cafés, dinner and shopping.
• If your trip continues to Jeddah or Umluj, keep “big city shopping” mostly for those stops and let AlUla be about special, place-specific items.

Simple rule: AlUla = unique, local souvenirs, while big cities like Riyadh and Jeddah are better for mainstream brands and full shopping days.

🌙 Sample shopping evening in AlUla (with dinner & a walk)

Here’s a simple evening plan that works well for couples, friends or families:

Late afternoon — back from a tour or relaxing at the resort

• Return from a Hegra tour or enjoy a few quiet hours at your resort in AlUla.
• Shower, rest and get ready for an evening in Old Town.

Early evening — Old Town AlUla + browsing & shopping

• Head to Old Town AlUla and stroll through the narrow streets and local shops.
• Pick up some dates, honey, small art pieces or AlUla-branded souvenirs.

Night — dinner and a relaxed finish

• Choose a restaurant from AlUla restaurants or a café from AlUla cafés for a slow end to the day.
• Head back to the resort, especially if you have an early tour or transfer the next morning.

💡 Tips before you shop in AlUla

• Best time: evenings after sunset, especially in warmer months.
• Ask about seasonal events — some nights may have extra markets or craft stalls.
• Carry a bit of cash; smaller shops may be slower to adopt full electronic payment.
• Focus on local products and handicrafts; these are what will really remind you of AlUla.
• If you have more than one night in AlUla, spread your shopping across two evenings instead of rushing it into one.

❓ FAQ about shopping in AlUla

Is AlUla good for shopping like Riyadh or Jeddah?

Not in the same way. AlUla is not a big-mall destination. It’s much better for local products and place-specific souvenirs, while cities like Riyadh and Jeddah are better for major brands and full-day mall visits.

How much time should I allocate for shopping in AlUla?

In most cases, one evening in Old Town AlUla is enough for basic shopping and a walk with dinner. If there are special events or you simply enjoy the atmosphere, you can stretch it over two evenings.

Are prices in AlUla expensive?

Some artistic or highly curated items can be more expensive than in larger cities, but local products like dates and honey usually offer good value for their quality. Think of AlUla shopping as paying for uniqueness and context rather than discounts.