Al Ain Nature & History Tour
About the Tour
Nestled between the Rub al Khali, the world’s largest continuous sand desert, and the magnificent Jebel Hafit mountain, Al Ain is one of the world’s oldest continually inhabited settlements with archaeological sites dating back about 4,000 years.
On this walking tour, you’ll take in some of its must-see UNESCO World Heritage sites, find out where to see other cultural attractions, and hear the stories behind the landmarks. The tour starts with a walk through one of Al Ain’s most iconic structures, Al Jahili Fort, passes through the vibrant Capital Park and includes a stop amongst the shady palms of the Al Ain Oasis. Here you’ll find out how the early inhabitants of the area ingeniously used the available water to create lush gardens, which are still being cultivated to this day. The tour ends with the opportunity to shop for the large variety of goods in Al Ain Souk.
Along the way, you’ll pass by the fascinating Al Ain Palace Museum, a collection of jewellery stores known as Al Ain’s Gold Souk, and many local eateries. You’ll trace Al Ain’s history from its origins as a remote outpost to the thriving Garden City of today. And by the end of the tour, you’ll see how the fourth biggest city in the UAE has managed to maintain its small-town charm.
Music:
Desert City by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.
Tour Producer
Visit Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi has spent the last two decades quietly building one of the most compelling destination stories in the world, and Visit Abu Dhabi is where that story lives. The official tourism platform of the Department of Culture and Tourism, it covers the full sweep of what the emirate has to offer across three genuinely distinct destinations: a modern, cosmopolitan capital city, a dramatic interior of desert landscapes and oases, and a coastline of beaches, warm clear waters and desert islands that most visitors never expect to find here.
What comes through most consistently is the contrast. Abu Dhabi is a place where respect for the past informs everything being built for the future, where an ancient heritage city sits within reach of headline attractions, world-class cultural venues and a packed events calendar spanning the arts, sport, concerts and trade shows. Traditional Emirati hospitality and genuine architectural ambition occupy the same space without much friction, which is rarer than it sounds.
Visit Abu Dhabi exists to help travellers navigate all of it, with practical trip-planning resources alongside the kind of local insight that makes the difference between a good trip and a memorable one. Their seven audio tours, available in three languages, are a good place to start.
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Preview Location
Location 27
Oasis Entrance
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Major Landmarks
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Bait Mohammed bin Khalifa
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Sultan Fort
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Al Murabba Fort (under renovation)
Getting There
Route Overview
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Total distance4km -
Distance back to start location2km
Directions to Starting Point
The tour starts from Al Jahili Fort. The car park is located opposite the fort’s entrance on Mohammed bin Khalifa Street. Alternatively, if you’re not driving or arriving by taxi, bus number 901 stops at the fort. When ready, walk along the pathway towards Al Jahili Fort. The tour starts at its iconic arch gate.
Tips
Places to stop along the way
Starbucks (Al Jahili Park), Eshat Awoal restaurant, Fish Market, Fruit and Vegetable Market, Al Ain Bus Station, Al Ain Mall
Best time of day
The ideal time is between 10am to 6pm, so that you fully appreciate all the magnificent views. During the summer months, however, we recommend starting closer to sunset.
Precautions
Typically, this region has strong sunlight and hot weather. Therefore, we recommend bringing along a bottle of water, good walking shoes, a hat and sunblock. Also, be careful when you cross the streets and only use the dedicated pedestrian crossings.
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