Dadan was the capital of two successive ancient kingdoms: the Dadanite Kingdom (roughly 9th–5th century BCE) and the Lihyanite Kingdom (approximately 5th–2nd century BCE). Before the Nabataeans built Hegra a few kilometres to the north, Dadan was the dominant power controlling the incense and spice trade routes of northwest Arabia. The site today preserves the ruins of that urban centre together with a remarkable series of rock-cut lion tombs carved directly into the sandstone cliffs above the ancient city — among the most distinctive funerary monuments in the Arabian Peninsula.
Visiting Dadan requires a pre-booked guided tour. The site sits within the broader AlUla UNESCO buffer zone, and access to the cliff tombs and the lower ruins is managed by the Royal Commission for AlUla.
Entry Fees and What’s Included
There is no standalone ticket sold at the Dadan gate. Access is managed on a guided-tour basis through the Royal Commission for AlUla.
Standard Dadan guided tour: approximately SAR 150–220 per person (as of 2026). This covers transport from the AlUla Welcome Centre, a 2-hour site visit with a licensed guide, access to the lower ruins and the cliff-face lion tombs, and a stop at the Jabal Ikmah open-air inscription library (see below).
Combined Hegra + Dadan + Jabal Ikmah full-day package: approximately SAR 350–450 per person. This is the most popular format for first-time visitors, combining all three of AlUla’s principal archaeological sites into a single guided day. Departure is typically early morning from the AlUla Welcome Centre.
Private guided Dadan tour: approximately SAR 700–1,000 for up to 4 people. Private tours allow extended time at the lion tombs and a more detailed discussion of the Lihyanite inscriptions at Jabal Ikmah.
Children under 12 enter free when accompanied by a ticketed adult.
How to Book
Book through experiencealula.com — the official Royal Commission platform. Select “Dadan” or the combined Dadan and Hegra package under the Cultural Heritage section. Availability is better than Hegra in most months; during peak winter season (November to February), book at least 1 week ahead.
Multiple licensed operators on GetYourGuide also sell Dadan visits as part of wider AlUla archaeological tours, typically with hotel pickup included. Prices via GetYourGuide tend to run approximately SAR 20–50 per person higher than booking direct through experiencealula.com, but hotel pickup adds significant convenience.
Opening Hours
The Dadan site operates seasonally, consistent with AlUla’s wider archaeological programme:
- October to April: 08:00–17:00, with guided tours typically departing at 08:30 and 11:00
- May to September: Limited visits; some summer slots operate at 07:00–09:00 before heat makes outdoor conditions difficult
- Closed: During Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha; check experiencealula.com for specific dates
What to See at Dadan
The Lower Ruins
The ground-level ruins of ancient Dadan include the foundations of residential and commercial structures from the Dadanite and Lihyanite periods. Archaeological excavations — ongoing as of 2026, led by a joint Saudi-international team — have uncovered stone column bases, water channels, and domestic pottery. Guides explain the urban layout and the city’s function as a trading hub controlling routes between Yemen, the Hejaz, and the Levant.
The Lihyanite Lion Tombs
The most visually striking feature of Dadan: four lion figures carved in relief into the sandstone cliff face, flanking the entrances to burial chambers cut into the rock approximately 30 metres above the valley floor. The lions are depicted in profile, appearing to guard the tomb entrances. Dating to approximately the 4th–2nd century BCE, these are among the finest examples of Lihyanite funerary art in existence.
Reaching the tombs involves a moderately steep climb of approximately 100 steps cut into the rock face. The route is manageable for most visitors but not suitable for those with significant mobility limitations. The climb takes approximately 10 minutes and rewards with a view across the AlUla valley as well as close inspection of the carved relief detail.
Jabal Ikmah (Open-Air Inscription Library)
Most Dadan tours include Jabal Ikmah, a dramatic sandstone gorge approximately 5km from the main Dadan ruins. The walls of the gorge are covered with more than 500 carved inscriptions in at least four ancient scripts: Dedanite, Minaic, Nabataean, and early Arabic. Some inscriptions include names of deities, accounts of trade journeys, and dedications — a remarkable direct record of the civilisations that passed through AlUla over several centuries.
The gorge is flat-floored and easy to walk. Allow 45–60 minutes to read through the interpretive panels and inspect the inscriptions at close range.
Getting to Dadan from Nearest Cities
From AlUla city centre (~5km, 8 minutes by road)
The Dadan site is closer to AlUla city than Hegra, making it convenient for visitors staying in town. Tours depart from the AlUla Welcome Centre on Al Hijaz Road. Taxi from AlUla centre to the welcome centre: approximately SAR 20–30.
From Medina (~380km, approximately 3.5–4 hours by road)
Drive north on Highway 15 (Al Hijaz Road) toward Tabuk. AlUla city and the Royal Commission Welcome Centre are clearly signposted. Most visitors flying in via AlUla Regional Airport (ULH) land within 10 minutes of the tour departure point.
Fly from Medina (MED) to AlUla (ULH): Flynas and Saudi Airlines operate direct routes; flight time approximately 1 hour. Return fares from approximately SAR 250–400 as of 2026.
From Riyadh (~1,100km)
Fly Riyadh (RUH) to AlUla (ULH). Flynas, flyadeal, and Saudi Airlines operate daily direct flights; flight time approximately 1 hour 45 minutes. Return fares from approximately SAR 300–600.
From Jeddah (~700km)
Fly Jeddah (JED) to AlUla (ULH). Direct daily flights; approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. Return fares from approximately SAR 280–500.
Tour Operators and Packages
- AlUla Experiences (Royal Commission): Standard Dadan tours from approximately SAR 150/person; combined Hegra + Dadan from SAR 350/person. Book at experiencealula.com.
- Desert Rose Arabia: Private full-day archaeological tours including Dadan, Hegra, and Jabal Ikmah from approximately SAR 900 for up to 4 people.
- GetYourGuide operators: Licensed guides offering Dadan tours from approximately SAR 180–240/person with AlUla hotel pickup; combined full-day packages from approximately SAR 380–450/person.
Practical Information
Difficulty: The approach to the Lihyanite lion tombs requires climbing approximately 100 steps carved into the cliff face. This is a moderate ascent with some uneven terrain; standard walking shoes are fine but avoid sandals. The lower ruins and Jabal Ikmah gorge are fully flat and accessible.
Photography: Permitted throughout the site. The lion tombs are best photographed in morning light (08:30–10:00) when direct sun illuminates the carved relief. Afternoon shadows fall over the cliff face from around 14:00 onward.
What to bring: 1.5 litres of water minimum, sunscreen, hat, and closed walking shoes. No food vendors operate inside the site; the AlUla Welcome Centre has a café and small shop.
Dress code: Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is appropriate. The site is managed as a cultural heritage area, and guides request that visitors dress respectfully.
Best Time to Visit
October to February is strongly recommended. Morning temperatures of 12–18°C make the cliff-face climb comfortable, and midday heat (reaching 22–26°C in peak season) is manageable with water and sun protection.
The combined visit to Hegra, Dadan, and Elephant Rock in a single day is the most efficient use of time in AlUla and the format used by most international visitors. Dadan in the morning is ideal, as the lion tombs catch direct light and the gorge at Jabal Ikmah is shaded until mid-morning.