What To Buy In AlUla – 8 Best AlUla Souvenirs

Are you traveling to AlUla in Saudi Arabia and wondering what to buy on your trip? Looking for cool AlUla souvenirs? Then, this post is for you.

Located in the northwestern part of Saudi Arabia, AlUla is an ancient city filled with archeological wonders such as the Nabataean tombs of Hegra, prehistoric rock art of Jabal Ikmah, ancient wells, and water channels, and so much more.

Because AlUla has always been at the crossroads of civilizations and ancient trading routes, this region has a long history and a rich culture visible in the eclectic collection of AlUla handicrafts.

From beautiful silver jewelry and decorative pottery to colorful sadu weaves and functional palm baskets, here’s a list of the 8 best things to buy in AlUla, Saudi Arabia. Grab this handy AlUla souvenir guide to help you glide effortlessly through the AlUla shopping business.

Also Read: 10 Best Things to Do in AlUla, Saudi Arabia

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Before we begin with this AlUla souvenir guide

Here are a few quick things that you need to know before we get started with this AlUla Souvenirs Guide.

• AlUla is home to Madrasat Addeera, an old girls’ school that has now been repurposed into an art and design college. At Madrasat Addeera, locals train in all kinds of Saudi arts and crafts. You can also join a workshop here to create your own jewelry, pottery, palm weaves, and tote bags.

• The Old Town of AlUla is the best place to shop for souvenirs. It has got lots of souvenir shops where you can find authentic AlUla souvenirs. Book an AlUla Old Town Guided Tour here.

• There are souvenir stores at every individual attraction in AlUla, such as the Hegra, Dadan, and Jabal Ikmah. Be sure to check them out for keychains, fridge magnets, bottles, and caps.

• Madrasat Addeera has a souvenir shop in AlUla Old Town where you can get your stash of authentic souvenirs to take back home from Saudi Arabia.

• You will find lots of local imagery, such as the rock art of Jabal Ikmah and patterns and carvings from the tombs in Hegra in AlUla’s souvenirs. That makes them special and so uniquely AlUla.

Best AlUla souvenirs to bring home

Pottery

Pottery is one of the best things to bring home from AlUla. Nifty and easy to carry, AlUla pottery is also a beautiful expression of local history and culture.

Crafted by hand, these pieces are unique in design, often incorporating patterns inspired by AlUla’s landscape and history. For example, you’ll see a lot of pottery motifs that depict Jabal Ikmah’s petroglyphs, making them so AlUla.

You can find all kinds of miniature vases, decorative bowls, pen holders, and traditional coffee cups in the AlUla Old Town shops.

Saudi Arabia has a long history of pottery-making. The valleys around Medina produce a special clay for making pots and urns.

★ Related Read: Best Things to See in AlUla Old Town

Silver Jewelry

If you love traditional jewelry, pick a stunning silver bracelet from AlUla.

AlUla’s silver jewelry is nothing short of stunning. Pieces are often adorned with intricate motifs and symbols reflecting AlUla’s rich history and culture. You’ll also find designs featuring Islamic calligraphy, geometric patterns, leaves, and flowers.

Necklaces, bracelets, and earrings make meaningful and wearable souvenirs. They also double as lovely gifts from AlUla for folks back home.

Sadu Weaves

Sadu weaving is a traditional Bedouin craft dating back hundreds of years. The word sadu literally translates to weaving horizontally.

Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, sadu textiles are woven from wool and natural dyes and often feature geometric patterns symbolizing desert life. Weavers are women who use lots of reds and oranges in the sadu weaves to brighten their homes.

When roaming the streets of AlUla Old Town, be sure to look out for sadu rugs and carpets, cushion covers, and wall hangings. They make excellent home décor items and are a meaningful way to support local women artisans who create these masterpieces.

Palm Leaf Baskets and Bowls

Palm weaving is another ancient technique with deep roots in the Arabian Peninsula. It is known as Al Khoos in Saudi Arabia and Al Khous in the UAE (check out my Dubai souvenir post to buy Al Khous in Dubai).

Al Khoos is one of the oldest handicrafts that originated in the Arabian Desert. Palm fronds were plenty; people needed them to make baskets, bowls, mats, bags, and brooms.

Today, you can find lots of Al Khoos souvenirs in the old town market of AlUla where artisans have skillfully crafted baskets, trays, and other items using palm fronds. These eco-friendly products are lightweight and easy to pack. Plus, they add a rustic charm to any space.  

You can join a palm weaving workshop at Madrasat Addeera. They conduct workshops for weaving palm bookmarks and bracelets. Book your workshop here.

Al-Qatt Rugs and Carpets

I am really fond of Saudi Arabia’s Al-Qatt art.

Full of colorful designs and intricate geometric patterns, Al-Qatt originated in the mountainous region of Asir in southwestern Saudi Arabia. Asiri women paint the walls of their homes with vibrant Al-Qatt designs, especially the majlis where they receive guests.

Even though Al-Qatt is not native to AlUla, I recommend buying an Al-Qatt carpet here if you have no plans to travel to Abha and Rijal Almaa in Asir. Some souvenir stalls in AlUla Old Town stock Al-Qatt carpets, which are absolutely beautiful.

★ Related Read: What is the Al-Qatt Al-Asiri Art of Saudi Arabia?

Scarves with AlUla Prints

Soft, vibrant scarves featuring AlUla-inspired designs make excellent gifts or personal souvenirs. Look for prints showcasing desert flowers, iconic rock formations, or local wildlife.  

A friend of mine got this yellow silk scarf filled with Jabal Ikmah motifs. Just look at how beautiful it is.

Al-Ula Books

Are you a bookworm? Or history buff? Then, pick up a book on AlUla’s history that you will love reading when you return home.

I found the AlUla airport shop had the best collection of books. Easy to grab when you’re waiting to board your flight.

Other AlUla Knick-Knacks

Fun and affordable, fridge magnets and keychains bearing AlUla’s iconic landmarks, such as Elephant Rock or Hegra, are perfect souvenirs. These small items are also great for gifting to friends and family.  

For more functional gifts, consider AlUla-branded bottles or pen holders. These items, etched with local symbols, are ideal for practical use while carrying a piece of AlUla’s charm.  

If you want, you can buy a hat too. You totally need one when exploring AlUla.