Al Ain City Tour

It is the oldest museum in the UAE, established in 1969 by thefounder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed bin. The museum records the history of the city of Al AIn through a number of tools, artefacts and arrowheads preserved here whichdate back to the sixth millennium BCE. The Museum area has been divided into three main sections – Archaeology, Ethnography and Gifts. In the Archaeological section of the museum is located Al- Ain’s incredible Hili Archaeological Park where one would see a number of stone constructed stones. The Ethnographic section offers insights into the local traditions and culture that have defined the region. The gifts section has all the gifts late Sheikh Zayed received from presidents and ambassadors from around the world. A popular item in this section is a moon rock given by NASA following the historic Apollo 17 trip to the surface of the moon. Visitors can get a break from the museum in the picturesque Sultan Fort which lies within the grounds of Al Ain Museum and forms one of its major attractions.

The cultural site of Al Ain Oasis is the largest oasis in the city and the only UNESCO World Heritage site in the UAE. It is a 1,200-hectare area home to hundreds of date farms and used to be irrigated by a technique of falaj that began 3,000 years ago. The oasis is a perfect place for those looking to immerse themselves in nature and wander the leafy roads and paths past farms of trees blooming with the fruits like mangoes, oranges and bananas . The best time to visit the oasis is on the weekends, when events are often staged and the . It is located in the centre of Al Ain and the oasis is a 90-minute drive away from the capital and free to enter.

The fort was built in 1891 around Al-Jahili Oasis on the southern part of the city of Al Ain close to Al Ain Castle Museum. Its purpose was the protection of palm farmers but later it was seized by a coastal scout who used it for its operation to protect the mountain lanes and to preserve the inter-tribal peace. It is on the strategic location near water sources and agricultural land helped the natives develop an extensive irrigation technology called the falaj which helped the city flourish. Because of this technology many mudbrick buildings were constructed and Jahili Fort was built as one of the largest castles in the city.

The Hili Archaeological park is at a distance of 10 kilometres outside of Abu Dhabi’s lush garden city of Al Ain, about an hour and a half away from the capital. The park comprises a public garden and an impressive archaeological site and has been an attractive place for visitors. Hili has the largest collection of stone constructed tombs and buildings from 2500 BCE and 2000 BCE period. A number of these Bronze Age structures, located within the Hili Archaeological Park, are open to the public. The park’s centrepiece is the Hili Grand Tomb, built in 2000 BCE in a circular form and approximately 4 metres high with two entrances decorated with beautifully engraved reliefs portraying human and animal figurines. It would be used to bury people from surrounding settlements.

Rise up to a height of 1,249 metres to witness the skyline-dominating peak which is Abu Dhabi’s highest, and the UAE’s second tallest to marvel over the beauty of the Al-Ain city. Head to the top of Jebel Hafit mountain for incredibly majestic views of sunrise and sunset photos driving through “one of the world’s greatest driving roads” as described by edmunds (the automotive information online source). After enjoying the breathtaking views at the hilltop, visitors can head over to the nearby Mercure Grand Jebel Hafeet Al Ain Hotel for a meal.

Abu Dhabi has a number of water springs, one of the renowned water springs is located at the base of Jebel Hafeet in the park area called Green Mubazzarah. It is at a distance of 10 minutes drive from Al Ain Zoo in the premises of Al ain city. The hot springs gushing straight from the Jebel Hafeet are known for their therapeutic qualities. Spending some time in these hot springs is refreshing and energising, especially within the natural outdoor environment. Visiting the park in the evening is a wholehearted experience to enjoy a hot water spring in the soothing contrast between the warmth of the water and coolness in the mountain air.

The Mall is a modern attraction added to the charm of the city of Al- Ain which has a decade-long success story of upholding supremacy in both retail and entertainment. It’s an all time stop for shopping, playing games and entertainment for people from all age-groups. The city’s top entertainment facilities include the first full-sized ice rink made of real ice; a bowling and billiard centre and a huge Grand Cineplex to enjoy movies. Explore a wide-range of choices in fashion put on display by the renowned regional-international brands. Sit down at restaurants & cafes of the mall to savour a variety of food options. The angular façade architecture of the building of the mall reflects the historical significance and heritage of Al Ain while giving it a strikingly aesthetic outlook.