Al Ain

Located about a two-hour drive from both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, UNESCO-listed Al Ain ranks among the world’s oldest continually inhabited settlements and one of the most worthwhile side trips in the United Arab Emirates. Nicknamed the ‘Garden City’ of the UAE, Al Ain is most famous for its date palm oasis, made possible by a 3,000-year-old irrigation system that continues to channel water through the plantations.
Outside of the oasis, Al Ain is home to a couple of excellent museums, archeological sites and old forts, including the Al Jahili Fort, built in 1891 to protect the city and its palm plantations. A drive to the top of Jebel Hafeet, the UAE’s second highest peak, offers sweeping views of the city below. Just outside of Al Ain, the desert landscape dominates.

Practical Info

While Al Ain is serviced by flights from both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the easiest way to get there is by bus or minibus from either city.