Shaden Resort

Top choice in Al Ula


Although it's more desert glamping than camping, this new resort close to Al Ula and Madain Saleh is all about the location. It's hidden away inside the same tall, dramatic red rocks from which nature has hewn the nearby Elephant Rock – staying here feels like you're getting up close and personal with this dramatic landscape.

The resort has regular traditional entertainment nights and is able to organise tailor-made tours to explore the nearby sights with guides such as Shahad Bdyr, as well as activities that include mountain climbing, hiking, mountain biking and horse riding.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Al Ula attractions

1. Elephant Rock

2.04 MILES

Arabia's only 'elephant' is a huge red rock three storeys in height. The enormous 'body' connects to a slimmer 'trunk' that bulges in just the right areas…

2. Mt Almejder

2.33 MILES

This 300m-high mountain east of Al Ula features stone settlements and caves with pre-Islamic inscriptions and drawings, but there was no access to it at…

3. Jebel Khuraibah

3.23 MILES

The fortress and three peaks of Jebel Khuraibah once formed part of the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Lihyan. Rock-cut tombs squat at the foot of the…

4. Al Ula Fort

4.05 MILES

To protect the ancient village, inhabitants in the 6th century used red-sandstone blocks to build this castle on a promontory that gives a 360-degree view…

5. Al Ula Heritage Village

4.05 MILES

There are plans to make this a formal tourist venue in the near future, but for now you can enjoy freely wandering among the beautiful mud ruins where…

6. Umm Al Daraj

4.23 MILES

A few kilometres north of old Al Ula, Umm Al Daraj (Mother of Steps) is worth a detour. Climbing the hill reveals three red-sandstone religious structures…

7. Al Ula Antiquities & Heritage Museum

4.61 MILES

This small museum is attractively designed, with some intriguing and informative displays on the history, culture, flora and fauna of the area, as well as…

8. Al Ula Viewpoint

4.79 MILES

The views as you wind your way up to this gem of a spot offer glimpses of what's to come. At the top, the road plateaus through a windswept, lunar…