Al Ain, the emirate’s second city, lies about 160 km east of Abu Dhabi on the border with Oman. It grew around a chain of oases, and the largest of them, Al Ain Oasis, still fills the centre of town with around 1,200 hectares of date palms — well over a hundred thousand trees, by the official count.
The oasis is watered by falaj, a system of channels that brings groundwater from the mountains and has been used here for some three thousand years. Together with nearby archaeological sites it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2011, the first site in the UAE to be listed.
What to see and do: Al Ain Oasis
Walk or cycle the shaded lanes
Paved paths run between low mud walls under the palm canopy, several degrees cooler than the streets outside. Bicycles and small buggies can usually be hired at the main gate.
Find the falaj
Look for the open water channels and the stone sluices used to share water between plots — the working heart of the UNESCO listing. A small eco-centre near the west gate explains the system.
Add the forts and museums
Al Jahili Fort, Qasr Al Muwaiji and the Al Ain Palace Museum are all a short drive away and give the oasis its historical frame.
See the camel market
On the edge of town, a working livestock market trades camels daily — interesting, free and entirely un-touristy.
How to get there: Al Ain Oasis
- By tour: the easy way from Abu Dhabi is a guided full-day tour that combines the oasis with forts and usually Jebel Hafeet.
- By car: about 1.5 to 2 hours on a fast motorway.
- By bus: intercity buses run from Abu Dhabi’s central bus station to Al Ain in roughly two and a half hours; you will then need taxis between the sights.
Insider tips
- Entry to the oasis was free when we checked. It is open in daylight hours.
- Al Ain is usually a little hotter than the coast by day but less humid.
- Pair it with Jebel Hafeet for sunset.
- A good alternative day out for anyone who cannot do dune bashing.
Tours & tickets that fit: Al Ain Oasis
These well-rated experiences pair best with Al Ain Oasis:
Day trip from €103 From Abu Dhabi: Full-Day Al Ain Tour with Entry Tickets and Meal
A guided day in the “Garden City” — the date-palm oasis, the old forts and, on most departures, the road up Jebel Hafeet. The gentle, cultural counterpart to a safari, and suitable for people who cannot do dune bashing.
- The UNESCO-listed oasis city
- Forts, museum stops and the oasis
- Entry tickets and a meal included
Evening safari from €62 Abu Dhabi: Desert Safari with Quad Bike, Camel Ride, Sandboarding & BBQ
The most-reviewed Abu Dhabi safari on GetYourGuide and the obvious first choice. An afternoon pickup, a dune drive in a 4x4, sunset on the sand, then a camp evening with camel rides, sandboarding, henna and a barbecue buffet. Check the listing for which shows run on your date.
- Hotel pickup, dune bashing and sunset photo stop
- Camel ride, sandboarding and a short quad bike ride
- BBQ buffet dinner at a desert camp
