HERITAGE, HISTORY
AND HEART
The heart of Dar Tantora The House Hotel lies in the labyrinthine streets of AlUla’s Old Town – an architectural marvel showcasing centuries-old mudbrick buildings and a towering watchtower fort. These structures, silent yet eloquent, narrate stories of a vibrant past where community and culture thrived under the desert sun.
In restoring the traditional mudbrick ‘Door’ of the village, Dar Tantora The House Hotel honors the timeless architectural techniques of our ancestors. Local artisans, armed with skills passed down through generations, have breathed new life into these walls, ensuring that the essence of AlUla’s history is preserved.
Our journey through history also uncovers the unique summer residences across the oasis, ingeniously crafted with mud and straw for natural cooling. These dwellings, alongside the winter Door, stand as a tribute to a lifestyle perfectly attuned to the land’s rhythm.
Central to our story is also the Tantora sundial – an ancient timekeeper that once guided farmers through the seasons. More than a mere marker of time, this sundial symbolizes the harmony between nature and the ingenuity of those who first called AlUla home.
At Dar Tantora The House Hotel, we’re bringing our heritage to life with experiences that honors tradition in the modern world. Whether that’s taking the tales of poets and travelers passing through the Old Town as inspiration, using the scent of frankincense – one of the main trading products of the area, or embracing wellness with traditional rituals and experiences in our spa.
Experience highlights
The first of its kind in the Kingdom, this unique running challenge will take place over the hottest time of the year. Runners from all over the world will participate in this sweltering desert race, across distances ranging from five kilometres to a full marathon.
Immerse yourself in nature with this 4km hike through the Hidden Valley within the Sharaan Nature Reserve.
Take your adventure to the next level with rock climbing on the spectacular rocks of AlUla.
Take a leap on the Giant Swing in AlUla swinging over 85 metres above the ground into a 70-metre arc in a stunning canyon.
The first of its kind in the region, the AlUla Stairway takes you up a 45-metre ladder with a zipline back down.
‘The Pinnacle of Camel Racing’, the AlUla Camel Cup brings together some of the world’s finest racing camels to compete in one of the region’s oldest sports. Each day features a different kind of race, testing the speed, strength and endurance of these remarkable ‘ships of the desert’.
The first Infinity race to ever take place outside of North America, this epic eight-hour competition challenges athletes to accomplish the largest number of laps around an obstacle course. The winner of this incredible event will be awarded one of the largest financial prizes in obstacle-course racing history.
Returning in its fifth edition, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup will welcome riders to compete on the desert track with the finest horses from around the world. Equestrian enthusiasts and spectators will have an opportunity to experience AlUla’s ancient Arabian horse heritage culture.
In partnership with a top fashion house, this landmark event will feature a couture collection inspired by AlUla. The mirrored Mayara building and surrounding scenery will also provide stunning backdrops for the fashion show, cocktail reception and showroom.
Returning for a third edition, the Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo promises four days of high-energy tournament action. The prestigious equestrian event will attract top players from the region and beyond to compete among AlUla’s spectacular scenery.
This epic event takes runners through stunning desert landscapes and past some of AlUla’s most iconic landmarks. From an ultramarathon to a run for kids, there are also routes for participants of all ages and levels.
A dynamic centre of all things music, the AlUla Music Hub is located in the bustling arts and culture district of AlJadidah. Children and adults are invited to take lessons for instruments such as the oud, guitar, qanoon and piano. All group courses at the AlUla Music Hub are designed
From enjoying AlUla’s stunning landscape from the air to gazing up at galaxies of stars, the annual AlUla Skies Festival is a celebration of all things sky.