Al Ain

Al Ain

Things to do - general

Amidst the desert, Al Ain presents a dazzling setting of being overlooked by a tremendous mountain Jebel Hafeet along with vigorous greenery and luxuriant oasis. It is situated closely to Abu Dhabi city. Settled since almost 3000 BC, historically Al Ain is one of world’s oldest inhibit civilizations.  The city is abundant in picture perfect forts.

Al Ain is known as the ‘Garden City’ mainly because of its lush greenery. It is famous and known for its beautiful palm groves and soothing natural springs which is why it is also called the ‘Inland Oasis City’. It borders with Oman on the Easters side.

Remains of tombs are present on the old mountain Jebel Hafeet, whose peak towers the city and gives a tremendous overview. Al Hili Archeological Park and the Central Al Ain National Museum display the remains of the old and rich age of Al Ain’s heritage. ‘Jebel Hafeet Desert Park’ or ‘Meyzad Desert Park’ includes Mount Hafeet and the old beehive tombs.

Al Ain as a city experiences a hot desert like climate which features extremely long and hot summers along with warm winters.

Country United Arab Emirates
Visa Requirements

As per UAE Laws

Languages SpokenArabic (official), English, Farsi, Urdu, Malayalam, Hindi
Currency UsedArab Emirate Dirham

Sports & Adventure

Wadi Adventure, an amusement park of its own kind, built at the foothills of Jebel Hafeet gives you a wonderful experience of water sports with the region’s white water rafting, surfing, kayaking, wall climbing and much more.

Al Ain’s Raceway and Burn Rubber is Arabia’s largest fast track which gives you a taste of go-karting track.

Camel Racing is also something not to be missed while staying in Al Ain. Camel riding is a centuries old sports in United Arab Emirates. Regular races are hosted in a 10 kilometer track which provides a rare slice of opportunity of the traditional Emirati culture. Golden or white "Anafi" breed and black or brown "Boushahri" breeds of camels are used for racing due to their slender physique.

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Things to do

Emirate’s highest peak, UAE’s second, is situated in Al Ain. Jebel Hafeet, giving a breathtaking view of the entire city, is a rocky height rising to 1,240 meters which dominates the city.

Al Ain’s cool and shady oasis, something Al Ain is known and famous for, is a must see along with an old Fajal irrigation system which is 3,000 year old and last but not least the camel market which provides a local taste of Al Ain’s local traditional taste – one of the very few of its kind left. Horse and buggy ride tours are offered for the oasis.

Al Ain’s Zoo, opened in 1969, houses over 4,000 animals. The zoo is mainly famous for its research facilities which not only provides rehabilitation but also breeding programs for the endangered species. Al Ain Zoo also provides many activities which include camel riding, ‘Elezba’ petting and feeding the animals. Green spaces are provided for playgrounds and picnics.  The zoo’s latest venture is ‘Al Ain Safari’ which includes a train or truck tour of the entire wildlife area. The zoo accommodates a cafeteria as well.

Gulf’s oldest theme park, Al Hili Fun City (an archeological park as whole) is an easy and cheap way to enjoy your days out to a full extent, with an entry pass as less as AED 40 (US$ 11).

Al Ain’s major shopping malls include Al Ain Mall (town centre), Al-Jimi Mall (Al-Jimi District), Bawadi Mall (Al-Khrair District), Remal Mall (Sanaiya district), and Hili Mall (Hili District). These shopping malls not only provide modern and trendy items but also traditional souvenirs. Coffee shops, restaurants and especially Shisha Cafes are exceptionally popular among the tourists visiting for an all Arab adventure.

Culture and History

Al Jahili Fort, now restored, is one of its most historic buildings, constructed in 1891 in order to defend the city, is also a place of exhibition of the British adventurer Sir Wilfred Thesiger’s work and his crossings of the Rub Al Khali deserts in 1940s. Al Qattara Fort has been redeveloped to home a dazzling arts gallery and offers spaces for variety of art workshops in its walls.

Al Ain’s National Museum consists of three main sections, which are archeology, ethnography and gifts which give an overview of the UAE life. Bedouin jewelry and traditional musical instruments of old times are also exhibited there.

Al Ain Palace Museum, Sultan Bin Zayed Fort, the home of late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan the UAE founder, exhibits collection about the ruling family and their life. Once occupied by the ‘Father of the Nation’ the entire palace has been preserved to be toured extensively. It is also rumored that Al Ain was the birth place of the late founder. The museum does a good job in bringing the history, culture and heritage of the royal family along with that of UAE alive.

Al Ain also accommodates an old mosque, which could be the oldest mosque in the entire country in the premises of ‘Sheikh Khalifa Mosque’ also known as the ‘Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Mosque’ or ‘Al Ain Grand Mosque’. Currently the ‘Sheikha Salama Mosque’ is the largest mosque in the country.

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Ayla Hotel Al Ain

Ayla Hotel Al Ain

, Al Ain
Our Ratings: 4 stars Board Basis: Room only Location: Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Awwal Street, Al Ain, U.A More info

Unfortunately there are no tour offers at this location at the moment.