Nestled in the center of Al Ain lies an oasis.
A haven of peace with wide avenues winding through lush date palm gardens.
In this article, I invite you to explore the popular oasis and its various attractions.
Follow the guide!
Al Ain oasis: article summary
About the Al Ain oasis
The oasis is the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in the United Arab Emirates. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 2011. It is located in the center of the city of Al Ain and covers a total area of 1,200 hectares. The immense area covered makes it one of the city's largest oases.
You can find different types of date plantations in this oasis. At present, there are 147,000 date palms and more than 100 different varieties of vegetation all around.
The oasis has eight gates, however, visitors generally enter through the west gate. This gate is the main entrance where visitors can access information and also rent bicycles for sightseeing.
Activities at the Al Ain oasis
A visit to this oasis is well worth the detour if you want to discover the different plant species native to the United Arab Emirates. It is particularly suitable for families with children. Let's take a look at the various attractions and things to do at the oasis.
Take a walk
One of the attractions of the oasis is to stroll along the serene, wide avenues along the endless row of palm trees. You can pass A good 90 minutes or more to wander around the oasis and explore its various sections.
Learn more about the ancient Falaj irrigation system
Even after 3,000 years, the ancient Falaj irrigation canal is still used to water the trees in this oasis. Despite being centuries old, the irrigation system is efficient enough to keep the plantation fresh all year round.
Visitors can explore the two main Falaj systems serving the oasis, namely Al Aini and Dawood. These systems irrigate two distinct parts of the oasis. Water for this irrigation system comes from the Hajar Mountains and Jebel Hafeet.
Visit the Ecocentre
The Eco-Center offers visitors an immersive experience. It provides information on the history of the site and offers educational games for visitors. explain how the oasis was created.
The building is ecological and sustainable. It combines both traditional and innovative technology to seamlessly blend its organic form into the landscape.
Discover the miniature oasis
The miniature oasis is a small-scale representation of a fertile area in the desert. It has models and miniatures of existing historic buildings, as well as showcases on the workings of the Falaj irrigation system. Children can also use the clay from the farms to build their own models using their imagination.
Visit Fort de l'Est
Located at the eastern end of the oasis, the eastern fort is one of our most popular attractions.
The East Fort, also known as the Sultan's Fort, was built in 1910 by Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed, the former ruler of Abu Dhabi. The fort was once the central part of the city of Haret al Hisn. The historic East Fort is one of the most important buildings in Abu Dhabi. associated with the ruling Al Nahyan family and their growing influence in the XIXᵉ century.
Identify the different fruit trees
There are several small gardens with fruit trees and plants. Some of the fruit trees you can find here are mango, fig, pomegranate, banana, lemon and olive trees. Sugar cane is also grown at the oasis.
Explore the oasis by bike
One of the best ways to explore the vast oasis is to rent a bike at the main gate. Various types of bike are available for hire. You can inquire about rent directly on site.
Where is the Al Ain oasis?
The oasis is located in the Al Mutawa'a district, on Hessa bint Mohammad street, in the central district, near the Al Ain Palace Museum.
What are the opening hours of the al ain oasis?
The oasis opens :
- from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
How much does a ticket to the Al Ain oasis cost?
There is no entrance fee to the oasis. Visitors can enter the premises free of charge.
How do I get there?
The oasis is some 159 kilometers away Abu Dhabi. If you drive your own car, it will take you around 1 hour 40 minutes to reach the site. You can also take a cab, but expect to pay a fairly high fare for the long journey.
The Al Ain oasis is well worth a visit. A vast green space in the middle of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It's a place appreciated by locals for its calm and tranquillity. I'm sure you'll enjoy your visit!
What to do in Dubai in 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, a week?
Whatever the length of your stay, I invite you to download my special Dubai guide.
It's free and in PDF format.
All you have to do is tell me below which e-mail address you'd like to receive it at.
EDIT: you can't enter your email?
Take the quiz at the top of this article and you'll be able to register your email address to receive the special Dubai guide!
Leave a Reply