When I spent around a week in Abu Dhabi, I explored a lot of the city, its many islands and the oasis city of Al Ain.
At one and a half hour’s drive from Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain is one of the world’s oldest permanently inhabited settlements, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Al Ain is the second largest city in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and has the country’s highest number of Emirati nationals. The freeways connecting Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai form a geographic triangle in the country, each city being roughly 130 kilometers from the other two.
Al Ain was a beauty by which I was truly smitten. Literal meaning is “The Spring” and so it is also known as the Garden City due to its greenery. The temperature, they say, is 2-3 degrees less compared to Abu Dhabi which I could also feel. The oasis, the palace museum, Al Jahili Fort … it was difficult for me to move away from the history.
The city thrives in picturesque forts. One of the UAE’s most historic buildings, Al Jahili Fort was erected in 1891 to defend the city and protect precious palm groves and is home to a permanent exhibition of the work of British adventurer Sir Wilfred Thesiger and his 1940s crossings of Rub Al Khali a.k.a. The Empty Quarter desert.
Al Qattara Fort is redeveloped and now is home to a brilliant arts centre and gallery, offering hundreds of modern exhibits and has space for a variety of workshops … from pottery to painting to music to calligraphy.
Besides the forts Al Ain is famous for its markets, museums, archaeological park, zoo and date-palm oasis. Al Ain is a breath of fresh air. With three main sections, namely, archaeology, ethnography and gifts, Al Ain National Museum lets you explore various aspects of UAE life, including Bedouin jewelry and traditional musical instrument collections.
Al Ain Palace Museum, the former home of the late UAE founder, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, houses a large collection of artefacts about the ruling family. You can peep into the private rooms and gardens once occupied by the ‘Father of the Nation’ and his family.
We should not miss Al Ain oasis with its cool, shady walkways and a 3,000 year old falaj irrigation system. This date palm oasis has been recognized by the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for its importance as a repository of genetic resources, biodiversity and cultural heritage.
There is also Al Ain Zoo, which houses over 4,000 animals. You can enjoy giraffe feeding, camel riding and ‘Elezba’ petting too. Unfortunately we could not visit it due to lack of time.
I was told there are plenty of green public spaces for picnics and playgrounds, a cafeteria and a train tour of the wildlife area.
Given the chance, would you go to Al Ain? 🙂
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Thanks for sharing. BTW your were the part of PM delegation. Post immediate after the visit of PM to Abu Dhabi 🙂
Mahesh,
Ha Ha I better be away from politics. 😉
Nice to read, Beautiful photos
Rupam,
Thank you.
Yes.. I would very much like to visit Al Ain.. Looks like a very nice place.. Great post and beautiful pictures ..
Arun,
Thank you.
If you are visiting Abu Dhabi or Dubai, do include it in your itinerary. 🙂
I have been living in the Uae for two years now and I must admit never got to visit Al Ain till now. I have heard it’s beautiful. It sure is! 🙂
Shruti,
I think it happens with all of us. We tend to ignore the places nearby, always looking at far away places. Now you should go.
I have few more posts up for Al Ain.
Glad to know more about Al- Ain. Such a lovely place.
Niranjan,
Thank you.
This is nostalgia for me….grew up here 🙂 Thanks for bringing back those memories
Ami@ http://www.thrillingtravel.in
Ami,
Thank you. I am glad I could rekindle some of your memories. 🙂
More to come. 🙂
Nice…just like the kind of places I love! The fort especially…was it possible/ allowed to climb up? It would be fantastic to get the views from top…
p.s. I would love to go to Al Ain…par chance faun dega?
Siddhartha,
Thank you.
Climbing up was not for general public but I am sure they had a way to it since this fort was made to guard. On the other hand the fort is made of mud, leaves, stones and other natural stuff.
Hmm… do you really want to go there? 🙂
Looks like a great place to explore… particularly the fort! I would love to go here someday especially because I have never been to the Middle East… might be a good place to start off with the region given its history.
Chaitali,
Yes Al Ain has some great attractions. 🙂
Is it in one complex? The fort, museum, and zoo?
Velysia,
No, Al Ain is a small city with all these attractions. 🙂
Very interesting. Thanks!
Thanks Stephen.
Thank you for dropping by.