OVERVIEW
Al Ain
Al Ain is the UAE's only major inland city and one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the region. Known as the Garden City for its abundant greenery and traditional falaj irrigation channels, Al Ain was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011 for its cultural sites and oasis landscapes. The city's Al Ain Oasis is a living testament to centuries of date palm agriculture, with shaded walkways winding through over 147,000 palm trees cooled by an ancient falaj system. Jebel Hafeet, at 1,249 metres, is the second-highest peak in the UAE, and the winding mountain road to its summit is one of the world's great driving experiences. The city also hosts the Al Ain Zoo (the UAE's largest), a traditional camel market, and several well-preserved forts and palaces that trace the history of the ruling Al Nahyan family.
Al Ain offers the most authentic window into Emirati heritage and oasis culture. The UNESCO-listed oasis, ancient forts, and camel market provide experiences that cannot be replicated in the coastal cities. Jebel Hafeet's mountain road is spectacular, and the city's green, spacious character is a welcome contrast to the urban density of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
THINGS TO DO
Experiences in Al Ain
EXCURSIONS