Visiting Al Ain, the Garden City
A guide to Al Ain — the UAE’s green oasis city inland: the palm oases, Jebel Hafeet’s mountain road, historic forts and the zoo.
Al Ain, inland on the Omani border, is the UAE’s “Garden City” — greener, cooler and more traditional than the coast, and the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site for its oases and ancient irrigation. It makes a rewarding day trip or overnight from Abu Dhabi or Dubai.
The oases and heritage
- Al Ain Oasis — a shaded expanse of date palms threaded by the ancient falaj channels, with walkways and a visitor centre.
- Al Jahili Fort and the Sheikh Zayed Palace Museum, telling the story of the region and its founding family.
- Hili Archaeological Park, with Bronze Age tombs thousands of years old.
Jebel Hafeet and beyond
The switchback road up Jebel Hafeet is one of the great drives in the country, climbing to viewpoints over the city and desert. At its foot, the Green Mubazzarah has warm springs and picnic lawns. Al Ain Zoo, one of the region’s best, is a good stop for families.
When to go & getting there
Al Ain is about 90 minutes by car from both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, easiest with your own vehicle. The winter months (November to March) are the most pleasant. See places to stay in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi.