Drive 90-minutes inland from downtown Abu Dhabi and you’ll discover Al Ain, one of the world’s oldest permanently inhabited settlements and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Don’t forget your phone when visiting this green region because it’s filled with visual gems and characterful sights perfect for photos.
The Pride of the Nation
The beautiful Qasr Al Muwaiji fort has been carefully preserved and masterfully restored into a state-of-the-art museum and exhibition that brings to life the story of Abu Dhabi’s ruling family.
Explore Natural History
Take in the stunning environment of Al Ain Oasis, a beautiful green haven nourished by an ancient irrigation system. Surround yourself with thousands of tall, lush palm trees and learn about the history of this place.
Welcome to the Great Outdoors
Set at the foot of a craggy mountain range, Jebel Hafit Desert Park lets you ride a camel, bike up a mountain, take a buggy for a spin and glamp under the stars in an air-conditioned bubble tent, all in the same day.
Al Ain Zoo
Al Ain Zoo is home to over 4,000 animals, an up-close giraffe feeding experience, camel riding and the inviting Elezba petting zoo. The spacious and well-kept zoo is the largest and most acclaimed in the region. Transparent enclosures are home to indigenous and exotic species, including the Arabian oryx, the big-horned Barbary sheep, rhinos, hippos, tigers, lions and more.
The zoo’s well-respected conservation and breeding programme protects and preserves rare fauna from extinction, which includes a fascinating walk-through lemur experience. There are plenty of green public spaces for picnics, as well as playgrounds, cafés and restaurants to pick up a bite. There’s also a train tour of the wildlife area. Entry to Al Ain Zoo costs AED 30 entry fee for adults and AED 10 for children.
Al Jahili Fort
Since opening its gates in 2008, Al Jahili Fort – set about an hour and a half away from Abu Dhabi in the lush garden city of Al Ain – has been a focal point of activities associated with the philosophy, culture and heritage of Abu Dhabi. Al Jahili is one of the largest forts in the UAE, built in the 1890s on the orders of Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, also known as Zayed the First, as the home to members of the ruling Al Nahyan family.
Built of sun-dried mud brick, early restoration work was done on the fort in 1985, followed by a major rehabilitation project by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi between 2007 and 2008. Surrounded by a lush park, the enchanting fort has received the prestigious Terra Award for Internal Design and Layout in 2016.
Transformed into a cultural centre and tourist attraction, it now houses a temporary exhibition gallery as well as a permanent exhibition devoted to Sir Wilfred Thesiger. He was an intrepid explorer, travel writer and photographer who, with his Emirati and Omani companions, crossed the world’s largest sand mass, the Empty Quarter (Rub’ al Khali), twice in the 1940s.
Nearby must-visit attractions include the historical Jahili Mosque, built around the same time as the fort.
Jebel Hafit Mountain
For incredible sunrise and sunset photos, as well as majestic views of Abu Dhabi’s lush garden city of Al Ain, head to the top of Jebel Hafit mountain (also known as Jebel Hafeet). Rising to a height of 1,249 metres, this skyline-dominating peak is Abu Dhabi’s highest, and the UAE’s second tallest. Reach the summit of this rocky mountain by car, motorbike or, if you have the stamina, bicycle.
Standing guard on the borders of Oman, this Al Ain mountain has been weathered over millennia, with significant fossil discoveries made in the area being vital pieces in the jigsaw that makes up the city’s ancient history.
Once described by edmunds.com (the automotive information online source) as being “among the world’s greatest driving roads”, once you’ve reached the top and soaked up the breathtaking views, you can head over to the nearby Mercure Grand Jebel Hafeet Hotel for a meal.
Al Ain Raceaway
Al Ain Sportplex is home to the 1.6km Al Ain Raceway, Arabia’s largest go-karting track. This fully floodlit circuit features three distinctive configurations, offering drivers of all skill levels an exhilarating challenge in top-of-the-line Intrepid-branded rental karts. It’s an amazing place for team building and other corporate events.
