Al Ain is Abu Dhabi Emirate's second city and one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in Arabia — a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its oasis landscapes, falaj irrigation systems, and Bronze Age archaeological sites. A full day allows visits to the extraordinary Al Ain Oasis (147,000 date palms irrigated by ancient falaj channels), the Al Ain National Museum, the Hafit period Bronze Age tombs at Jebel Hafeet, and the famous Al Ain Camel Market. The city is dramatically greener and cooler than Abu Dhabi, set in the desert at the foot of the Hajar Mountains.
| Travel time | Full day |
|---|---|
| Getting there | Car via E22 motorway (most efficient); coach tours available from Abu Dhabi |
Suggested itinerary
- 07:30 — Depart Abu Dhabi by car (E22 highway)
- 09:00 — Al Ain Oasis — walk the falaj irrigation channels (1.5 hours, free)
- 10:30 — Drive to Jebel Hafeet base — Hafit Bronze Age tombs walk (45 min)
- 11:30 — Green Mubazzarah hot springs — coffee stop at the park
- 12:30 — Al Ain National Museum (1 hour, AED 3)
- 13:30 — Lunch in Al Ain — Emirati restaurant near the oasis
- 15:00 — Al Ain Camel Market (free — extraordinary cultural experience)
- 16:30 — Depart Al Ain
- 18:00 — Return to Abu Dhabi
Highlights
- Al Ain Oasis — UNESCO site with 147,000 date palms
- Jebel Hafeet mountain and Bronze Age Hafit tombs
- Al Ain Camel Market — the largest camel market in the UAE
- Al Ain National Museum
- Qasr Al Muwaiji — Sheikh Zayed's childhood home
- Green Mubazzarah hot springs at Jebel Hafeet base
Tips for visiting
- Al Ain is 3°C cooler than Abu Dhabi on average — still hot in summer
- The Camel Market is busiest in the morning — arrive by 15:30
- Wadi Adventure (white water rafting) near Jebel Hafeet can be added if energy allows
- Al Ain is significantly cheaper for dining than Abu Dhabi city