Shaqra

Shaqra is a small town with 35000 inhabitants, located 180km northwest of Riyadh in the Saudi Arabian desert. The main reason to visit Shaqra is its well preserved historical centre with many restored buildings in traditional style. This features traditional buildings made of mud and clay, many of them dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. The historic center is known for its distinctive architectural style, which includes narrow alleys, high walls, and ornate wooden doors and windows.
Large sections of the old town of Shaqra consist of destroyed dried mud houses, but some traditional houses such as the Al Jomaih, Al-Efan and Subaie house have been restored and are open for tourists. Shaqra is one of the nicer heritage villages north of Riyadh.
The modern part of Shaqra extends south of the historic centre.
How to get to Shaqra
The simplest way to reach Shaqra is to drive by car from Riyadh (about a two hours drive). Shaqra lies conveniently along the route leading from Riyadh to Ha'il and Al Ula.
Accommodation
In Shaqra there is a limited number of hotels and other accomodation options bookable via the international booking portals.