The oasis of Al Ain is on the border with Oman 150 kilometers from Dubai. It is a perfect day trip from Dubai renting a car or a stopover on a trip in the UAE.
If you prefer an organized tour, you have one from Dubai at this link.
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The Emirates border: Al Ain
Al Ain (العين) is a city in the United Arab Emirates belonging to the emirate of Abu Dhabi, about two hours from Dubai. It shares an extensive oasis with the city of Buraimi in Oman. I got to know the city on a day trip while at the Dubai 2020 Expo.
The truth is that leaving Dubai is a pleasure because you are immediately in the middle of the mythical dunes of the Arabian Peninsula. When you get to Al Ain, you notice that there is a lot more greenery and palm trees emerge everywhere, which is why it is a weekend destination for many Emiratis.
How to get to Al Ain
The best way to get to Al Ain is by road. If you can, it is worth renting a car because there are usually offers and gasoline is so cheap that you save headaches. There are not many public transport combinations.
With the offers of cars at €20 per day there may be a daily limit of kilometers. Keep this in mind because the round trip to Al Ain is 300 kilometers and that means you will have to pay for the extra kilometers. In my case, I rented a Kia Picanto for two days from Kayak which cost €45. Counting gas, tolls and extra kilometers, the total for the two-day trip came to almost €100. The other day I went to Sharjah.
What to do in Al Ain
The must-see in Al Ain is the oasis, but you can also tour some of its four restored fortresses and climb the second-largest mountain in the Emirates. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Let’s go by parts:
Al Ain oasis
The main oasis of Al Ain is the first stop on the route. It is a large park full of palm groves that are actually date cultivation lands. Access is free and can be done walking quietly along the marked paths, as much of it is in the shade.
Along the way, you will see gates that provide access to the palm plantations, and it is not uncommon to be able to pick some dates directly from the tree and eat them on the spot. However, if you access the cultivated areas, you have to be careful because they are owned.
The oasis has an irrigation system that distributes water proportionally to the needs of each owner. This system is called shari’a and has partially open-air, but also subway, canalization that are several centuries old.
Palm grove by bike
A fun way to visit the oasis in a group is with the four-seater family bicycles. As the route is fairly flat, there is not much difficulty in using them, even with children. Rental costs 50 dirhams per hour. If the person in charge is not on-site, you have to call him at the number on the post and he comes right away.
Another way to tour the oasis is by electric cart. It is a vehicle that fits eight people and is ideal on very hot days or for people with reduced mobility.
Local craftsmanship
Before starting the walk, be sure to visit the handicraft area where older women weave in the traditional way with their traditional costumes that in the area bordering Oman wear special face masks that are only found in this part of the Islamic world.
The oasis has free parking for visitors. It also has a store and restaurant, although later I recommend a traditional place to eat. It is a good idea to take a lunch break after the visit to save yourself the hottest hours of the day.
Nine kilometers to the north is the oasis of Al Hili along with a historic fort that is also worth a visit.
Forts and palaces
After lunch, I would visit one of the four fortresses that protected the oasis and are now fully restored. Access to the fortresses is free. I recommend that you see at least one of them, as they have been faithfully restored both in the use of materials and in the original form. The forts are one of the reasons why Al Ain is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Al Jahili Fort. It is in the west surrounded by a park where it is easy to park. The outer wall protects the old fort which is more than 130 years old. It was the summer residence of the emir of Abu Dhabi. It highlights the circular tower of floors that almost looks like a ziggurat. Inside there is a store and they serve Arabic coffee.
- Al Ain Palace Museum. This building is closer to the oasis and is perhaps a more comfortable visit. Inside the rooms there are some historical pieces that belonged to the emirs.
- Sultan Bin Zayed or Eastern Fort (Al Ain National Museum) contains an audiovisual display about life in Al Ain in the time of the sultan.
- Qasr Al Muwaiji is the birthplace of the emir of Abu Dhabi. It has square turrets and a more robust appearance. Inside, glazed galleries form the exhibition area.
- Al Hili Fort north of the city that protects the homonymous oasis. The construction is of the early twentieth century and has a remarkable circular tower.
Ascent of Jebel Hafeet
After visiting the city, you have to climb the second-highest mountain in the United Arab Emirates. They say that this route is one of the most beautiful mountain roads in the world. The views are spectacular, and the road is in excellent condition. It can be climbed by any car.
As you head south out of Al Ain you will already see some mountains running parallel to the road. Suddenly, the great Jebel Hafeet of 1300 meters is in front of you.
There are four viewpoints on the ascent and two cafeterias. I recommend you stop at the first viewpoint because you can see impressive rock formations and also the city of Al Ain. The higher you climb, the dust of the desert makes the view less clear, although at each of the viewpoints you have exceptional views of the plain, the desert, Al Ain and Oman.
Beneath the mountain is a hot springs park (Green Mubazzarah Hotsprings). You will find it by following the signs to Green Mubazzarah. According to what I was told, when it is open you can bathe in pools separated by sex.
The summit of Jebel Hafeet
At the top you will find a large parking lot and a cafeteria. Many people come to watch the sunset from here. The view is breathtaking and if there is not too much desert dust, you can see the sunset over the almost uninhabited desert region of Oman.
It’s a good idea to arrive a little early because if the sky is a little cloudy, the sun will set behind the dust cloud a little before the official sunset time.
OtrAnother option almost at the top is the Cafeteria Le Belvedere which has views in another direction. At the top of Jebel Hafeet there is a Mercure Grand hotel if you want a room with a view.
Where to eat in Al Ain
I have already mentioned that in the oasis itself, there is a simple restaurant that can serve you for lunch. However, if you have a car, I recommend that you go a little out of town and go to Al Fanar, a traditional Emirati restaurant. It is in a sort of shopping mall, but both the building and the interior evoke the most typical Emirati hospitality.
The menu has a careful selection of local dishes with barbecued meats, Arabic rice dishes, soups and salads. An excellent opportunity to try Arab food that is not Syrian or Lebanese. It costs between 80 and 100 dirhams per person.
Recommended hotels in Al Ain
- Mid-range – Gran Mercure Jebel Hafeet. Waking up to the view from the top of Jebel Hafeet is priceless and, in fact, this Mercure hotel is not that expensive either (around €80 per night). Of course, it is a bit far from the city, so it is for those who once they enter their room do not leave the hotel.
- Mid-range – Ayla Grand Hotel. Almost on the border with Oman, it is one of the best hotels in a central position, although you do not expect to walk to the main attractions of Al Ain. In season, expect about €100 per night.
Al Ain in one day
- Start the journey at 9 am from Dubai or Abu Dhabi (approx. 2 hours). You can take the opportunity to stop in a dune area.
- Between 11 am and 1 pm you can visit the artisan workshops (do it first because they close at 12 pm) and the oasis.
- Have lunch at the oasis restaurant or at Al Fanar (recommended).
- At 3 pm, you can continue the visit to one of the forts.
- At 4 pm, start the ascent by car to Jebel Hafeet. Stop at the viewpoints on the way up. You should arrive before sunset.
Al Ain in two days
On the second day in Al Ain you can visit the Palace Museum to learn more about the sultan’s lifestyle.
After lunch, you can go to the oasis of Al Hili north of the city where there is an archaeological site, the fort of Al Hili and the palm grove of the same name.
Do you want to plan a trip on your own?
These are some tools to help you prepare for your travel from home. Leave your questions in the comment section below and I will get back to you. It’s just about time to start planning your next holidays!
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS. This post contains some affiliate links.
These links allow you to follow my recommendations and book them, and provide a little commission. Thus, you help keep this travel blog ad-free at no extra cost to you.
