By Mohammed Rashad Hussain, Managing PartnerPublished 3 min read
What are the best places to visit in Al Ain?
Al Ain sits inland, on the border with Oman, and is often called the garden city. Its main sights are spread across the city, so a car saves hours.
| Place | What it is |
|---|---|
| Jebel Hafeet | The mountain on the edge of the city, with a summit road |
| Al Ain Oasis | Palm groves watered by falaj channels, UNESCO-listed |
| Al Jahili Fort | A fort in the city centre |
| Hili Archaeological Park | Ancient tombs, part of the UNESCO listing |
| Al Ain Zoo | A zoo set up in 1968 by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan |
Our Al Ain city tour covers the main stops with a driver, and a custom day is possible through our private tours.
Al Ain Oasis and the falaj irrigation channels
The oasis is a working palm garden. A falaj is a channel that carries water from underground sources to the trees. UNESCO lists the oasis areas within the Cultural Sites of Al Ain. We have not confirmed current opening hours or entry fees, so check them for your date. Wear flat shoes for the shaded paths between the palms.
Forts and museums: Al Jahili Fort, Qasr Al Muwaiji and Al Ain Museum
Al Jahili Fort, Qasr Al Muwaiji and the Al Ain Museum are the three history stops. Hours and fees for each are published by Abu Dhabi’s tourism authority at visitabudhabi.ae, and we have not been able to confirm them for this guide. Plan about one hour for each. The fort and the museum are close enough to walk between if you park once.
Hili Archaeological Park and the UNESCO sites
The UNESCO listing covers Hafit, Hili, Bidaa Bint Saud and the oasis areas. Hili Archaeological Park is the easiest of these to visit on a day trip, with tombs you can walk around. Check opening hours first.
Al Ain Zoo and family stops
Al Ain Zoo was established in 1968 by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Its phone number is 800 966 inside the UAE. Hours and tickets change by season, so check the zoo site before you plan. For a family with young children, the zoo may take most of an afternoon. Our Dubai with kids guide has other family ideas.
Jebel Hafeet at the end of the day
Drive up Jebel Hafeet late in the afternoon, when the air is cooler. Our Jebel Hafeet guide covers the road and the viewpoints.
A one-day Al Ain plan from Dubai or Abu Dhabi
Al Ain is about 90 minutes from Abu Dhabi and around two hours from Dubai by car. These are typical times, so confirm the live time on the day.
- Leave Dubai early, about 7:00.
- Al Ain Oasis in the morning, before the heat.
- Al Jahili Fort and lunch in the centre.
- Hili Archaeological Park or the zoo in the afternoon.
- Jebel Hafeet for sunset, then the drive back.
Our Dubai to Al Ain guide explains the route, and our intercity transfers page covers one-way trips. From Abu Dhabi, see places to visit in Abu Dhabi, and for the neighbouring emirate read places to visit in Sharjah.
Other full days out of the city are in our day trips from Dubai guide. A pickup in Dubai runs in Assure’s own cars under our RTA licence.
Photos in this guide
Date palms and green ground cover beside a path in Al Ain OasisRankin73 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
A falaj channel running between date palms in Al Ain OasisFlounder Lee / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
The mountain road winding up Jebel Hafeet, with Al Ain spread across the plain belowZainmaniyar / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
