Top Things to Do in Al Ain

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Top Things to Do in Al Ain

Deep in the dessert is the oasis that travelers looked for. In today’s modern world, finding an oasis in the desert might seem more like a myth, ones that you can only read or hear from stories. Wander and travel to the Middle East and there you will see a real oasis, full of green sceneries. In the middle of the wondrous desert is Al Ain, the second largest city in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the fourth largest in the United Arab Emirates.

Al Ain is also known as the Garden City, the oasis town. Reaching this city would be easy as it has its very own international airport. It is also easily accessed from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as these are where the big airports are. Al Ain is truly an oasis; its green sceneries capture the true beauty of a garden in the middle of the desert. Virtually, Al Ain is merged with Omani town of Buraimi as it is the town located next to it.

This oasis town is such a wonderful place to visit. You get to truly experience the Arab culture with the simple lifestyle of the locals and the richness of its history. Visit these ten places and get to know more about the Middle East through Al Ain.

1. Jebel Hafeet

The Jebel Hafeet is a mountainside on the outskirts of Al Ain. This is frequently visited by tourists as it offers a wonderful view of the city of Al Ain. Its view offers the green sceneries and the wonderful mountains on the other sides. One will also find the Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road that extends 11.7 km and rising 1,219 m. According to Edmunds.com this road was called as the greatest driving road in the world. Because of this, it is frequented by the best cyclists in the world. At the bottom of the mountain is the Green Mubazzarrah. A well developed tourist attraction with some hotels and resorts. For the tiring climb to the peak of Jebel Hafeet, the nice hot-water spring that flows from streams in Green Mubazzarrah is perfect for relaxation.

2. Al Ain Camel Souq

Al Ain’s Camel Market is well known in the United Arab Emirates. The market is open daily and entry is free of charge. It attracts many tourists, especially those that haven’t seen a camel. The camel market offers various ages of camel and it attracts various seller, buyers and traders.

3. Al Ain National Museum

This is definitely a must see for everyone. This museum is the oldest in the whole of UAE. The museum is divided into two parts, the ethnographic and the archeological. Some of the exhibits include remains and findings from the tombs at the Hili Archeological Park, these findings are from the Bronze Age.

4. Hili Archaeological Park

This park is famous for its beautiful gardens but more so because of the archeological findings in the area. At the very center of the park lies a tomb dating to the end of the third millennium BC that was excavated some years ago. This park also contains a children’s park.

5. Al Ain Palace Museum

This beauty is the ancestral home of the ruling family. The rooms are beautifully restored and Sheik Zayed resided in this palace as an able Ruler’s Representative.

6. Al Ain Oasis

Of course this should always be in the list for tourists. The Al Ain Oasis is the largest in the city. This oasis is famous for its irrigation system which brings water from boreholes to water farms and palm trees. This irrigation system is history itself as it is an ancient system dating back thousands of years.

7. Al Jahili Fort

This great landmark was built in 1898 by Sheik Zayed the First. It also has an impressive turret which has four levels. At the main entrance, locals and tourists can find a wall surmounted by a poem dedicated to Sheik Zayed the First.

8. Al Ain Zoo

One of the world’s greatest collections of wildlife is found in this zoo. It is a 400 hectare located at the foot of Jebel Hafeet. The zoo is open from 9 in the morning to 7 in the evening.

9. Qattara Oasis

This oasis is home of the Qattarah Tomb. The tomb is long, narrow grave in which many of the rich artifacts displayed in Al Ain Museum were found.

10. Hili Fun City

Lastly, you can’t miss this theme park! It is dubbed as the Disneyland of the city. The City is full of wonderful and exciting rides. This is good from people of all ages.

Enjoy your stay in Al Ain because this is definitely a place worth visiting.