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
With three diverse destinations in just one Emirate, Abu Dhabi is a truly unique destination, where respect for the past informs the present and shapes the future.
This is a diverse emirate with desertscapes, oases, mountain heights, fabulous beaches, warm, clear waters, desert islands, an ancient heritage city and a modern, cosmopolitan capital city. It’s a destination of historic buildings, thrilling headline attractions, engaging tours and a packed calendar of headline events covering the arts, culture, sports, concerts and trade shows.
Abu Dhabi is a destination that will exceed your expectations!
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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