Al Ain, which is located in the United Arab Emirates among the golden sand dunes, entices visitors with its alluring fusion of history, environment, and culture. As soon as you enter this alluring haven, you’ll find yourself on an exploratory voyage where heritage meets contemporary and peace embraces adventure. Al Ain is a city that narrates historical tales, displays the wonders of nature, and provides a window into the UAE’s soul.
Al Ain provides a wide variety of activities, from the tranquil Al-Ain Oasis, where time stops still amidst 147,000 date palm trees and an antiquated falaj irrigation system, to the magnificent heights of Jebel Hafeet, where you can view the mesmerising dawn and sunset. Discover historical artefacts at Jebel Hafeet’s base, take in the splendour of Al Jahili Fort, learn about Qasr Al Muwaiji’s past, and discover mysteries in the famous Al-Qattara Oasis. These are just a handful of the hidden gems Al Ain has to offer. Al Ain offers everything you’re looking for—adventure, history, or just a little moment of peace—and it’s just waiting for you to discover them.
Timings: Every day, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Location: Al Mutawaa, Al Ain
Tickets: Free to enter
Al Ain Oasis offers a wonderful opportunity to re-establish a connection with nature as you stroll along paths that weave through the tens of thousands of date palm trees that provide a shaded walkway. In reality, the oasis is home to 147,000 date palm trees, more than 100 distinct plant species, and antiquities like the falaj, a long-gone irrigation system. According to Visit Abu Dhabi, the emirate’s official tourism website, the falaj is a significant component of the region’s legacy and one of the numerous reasons that Al Ain is a UNESCO Cultural Site.
Timings: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (timings may vary)
Location: Get to the base of Jebel Hafeet by taking the Hafeet Road exit off of E40 (Malaqit Street), which is where you should be driving.
At Jebel Hafeet, the second-highest peak in the United Arab Emirates after Jebel Jais, you may get the ideal sunrise and sunset photographs from a height of 1,249 metres. There is a refreshment centre at the top of the mountain, and the entire journey up is really lovely. Discover fascinating historical and archaeological artefacts at the foot of Jebel Hafeet, dating from the Neolithic era 8,000 years ago to the 5,000-year-old Jebel Hafeet Tombs that were discovered in 1959.
Ticket: Entrance is free.
As the residence for the members of the ruling Al Nahyan family, Al Jahili is one of the largest forts in the United Arab Emirates. It was constructed in the 1890s by Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan (Zayed the First). Early repair work on the fort, which was constructed of sun-dried mud brick, was done in 1985. This was followed by a significant rehabilitation project between 2007 and 2008. The fort doubles as a cultural hub, with both a permanent exhibition and galleries for temporary exhibits. With your family, you may unwind in the park that surrounds the fort or see the historic Jahili Mosque, which was constructed around the same time as the fort.
Location: You can reach the fort by driving down Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Street and crossing Al Jahili Park immediately afterwards.
Timings: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Location: Khalifa bin Zayed Street, opposite the Ruler’s Representative Court, Al Ain
Ticket: The fort is free to enter. You are welcome to book a free guided tour.
Qasr Al Muwaiji, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has contributed significantly to the history of the UAE for more than 100 years. You can visit the Muwaiji Oasis, which is the smallest oasis in Al Ain and has about 21,000 palm trees, as well as a falaj irrigation system that uses ground-level and underground water canals to bring water from the nearby mountains. An exhibition hall, housed in a glass-walled space within the courtyard of Qasr Al Muwaiji, has been built to tell the story of the fort and its inhabitants.
Location: Take the Al Masoudi Street exit to reach the oasis while travelling along E66 (Dubai-Al Ain Road).
A 4,000-year-old tomb, ancient mosques, fortified homes, and a market can be found in the Al Qattara Oasis, along with hectares of palm and fruit trees. The oasis has been irrigated and farmed for three centuries, but there are indications of earlier human presence, including a 14-metre-long tomb that houses a collection of artefacts that date back 4,000 years.
Timings: Every day from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Location: The zoo is located near the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) Al Ain Women’s College on Al Nahyan, the first street.
Ticket prices: Dh31.50 for adults
Dh10.50: three to 12 years old.
If you book online through alainzoo.ae, you will get a 10 percent discount.
Al Ain Zoo, the largest zoo in the Middle East and home to more than 4,000 animals from 200 different species, was founded in 1968. View the Rothschild’s Giraffe and African Lion, or take pictures while feeding the penguins. A fantastic educational experience for kids is to visit the Sheikh Zayed desert learning centre, which offers details on Abu Dhabi’s ecosystem and the types of animals that live there.
Timings: Saturday – Thursday : 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Friday: 3 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Monday: Closed.
Ticket prices: Adults: AED 3
Child under 10: AED 1
This museum, which is situated within Sultan Bin Zayed Fort, does an excellent job of preserving UAE culture, tradition, and history. The ethnographic section of the museum, among its other sections, aids in recognising the daily activities of UAE residents, as well as their traditional attire, majlis, and use of Bedouin jewellery by locals. Visitors to this museum can see items and discoveries from the Bronze and Iron Ages, including pendants and coins.
Timing: 10 a.m. – 6 p..m.
Location: Ain Al Fayda, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Ticket prices: Adults: AED
One of the most popular attractions in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, is Wadi Adventure Park. Watersport enthusiasts should immediately visit the adventure park because it is well recognised for its rafting and waves. This park is the biggest water park in the world, and it offers activities like surfing, kayaking, white water rafting, artificial surfing waves, an airpark with zip lines, balance beams, a huge swing, a climbing wall, and wakeboarding equipment, as well as a family pool area. Adventure seekers consider this location to be one of Al-Ain’s hidden jewels; even rafting newbies may have fun here because there are beginner levels available.
Timing: 07. a.m. – 07 p..m.
Ticket prices: Admission is free.
Location: 5R67+R4V, Cattle Market, Zayed Bin Sultan Road, Al Ain – Al Noud – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
Every tourist should visit Al Ain’s camel market. Here, tourists will be able to experience the local culture. It offers you an amazing experience and is one of the most distinctive locations in Al Ain. Al Ain’s camel market is the final camel market in the United Arab Emirates, and people from all walks of life come here to buy and sell camels. Although it is free to enter and exit this market, you will be accosted by vendors as soon as you do.
Timing: 04:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Ticket prices: 10 AED
Location: Ardh Al Jaw St., Near Hili Wedding Hall – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
One of the most well-known tourist attractions in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, is Hili Fun City, a theme park. Some of the attractions at this theme park include roller coaster rides, an elevated sky-flyer, and more than 40 rides. This entertaining city also hosts an annual festival honouring UAE culture and heritage. Families must visit this location. The Al Ain Ice Rink, another well-liked attraction in Al Ain, is located immediately next to Hili Fun City. It is the size of an Olympic rink and provides several amenities, including skating and a wide variety of kid-friendly games.
Timing: 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Ticket prices: Adult (12+ years): 25.26 USD
Child (4-11 years): 12.63 USD
Location: Dubai Royal Camel Racing Club, Al Ain Road,
One of the oldest traditions in the UAE is camel racing, which has endured over the years. Al Ain is a frequent gathering place for camel races, which are regularly held on a 10 km circuit. Even though Al Ain’s racetracks are a popular tourist destination, seeing a race live is a treat because it is a staple of Emirati culture. Different camel breeds, such as the golden and white Anafi breed and the black or brown Boushahri breed, are used in this event.
Timing: 24 hours open.
Ticket prices: Admission is free.
The Mubazzarah Park, an isolated park with vegetation, rocks, and a scenery, is located as you descend the Jebel Mountain. It is a location with a beautiful natural oasis that is especially beautiful at dusk. It also has natural mineral hot springs that flow in the shape of pools throughout the park. It is one of the most enticing spots to visit in Al Ain and the finest location for self-renewal and relief from any pains or aches, especially those brought on by travel. On weekends, local families are the ones who frequent the park the most.
Timing: 4:00 PM – 11:00 Pm. Friday: 1:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Ticket prices: Entry to the park is free
Al-Ain is renowned for being called the Garden City, and its lush green vegetation is evidence that it is the ideal location for leisure travellers. In addition to the early morning joggers, locals, and tourists, families can enjoy some downtime here after seeing the city.
Timing: 9.30 a.m. to 9.30 p. m.
Ticket prices: Admission is free.
Timing: 4:00 PM – 11:00 Pm. Friday: 1:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Ticket prices: Entry to the park is free
The Hili Archeological Park is a well-known archaeological site as well as a popular tourist destination, making it a significant symbol for local culture. The first signs that agricultural villages existed in the UAE may be found here, including graveyards, palaces, and agricultural structures dating back to the Bronze and Iron Ages.