Things to do in Al Ain

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Al Ain (dxbluey)

What can you do in Al Ain

Apart from soaking in the relaxed feel of the area, there are few must dos in Al Ain. Things to do in Al Ain that we believe you should consider are

• A must-visit is the famous landmark of Jebel Hafeet, the second tallest mountain in the UAE standing high up at 1350 metres. While the summit of this limestone monolith has been made accessible by a three-lane highway which snakes all the way to the top with three resting points for viewing, the face of the mountain is honeycombed with coves and thus ideal for pot holers. The zenith provides a panoramic view extending all the way beyond the borders to Oman



A day in Al Ain - May 2011 from John Sammon on Vimeo.



• The Al Ain Museum and Fort had been constructed to serve as a safety haven from raiders and served as headquarters of the erstwhile ruler of Abu Dhabi as well. Exhibits at the museum showcase the way people lived prior to the formation of the UAE.
• Something which must never be passed over during a trip to the region is the Al Ain Oasis, its rustic atmosphere and the shade of the date palm trees.
• Located close to the Oman border is the Camel Souk in which hundreds of camels are traded everyday and some could even be used for providing children with rides in return for a small fee.

The three five-star hotels in the city are The Hilton, The Rotana and the Intercontinental with innumerable options for budget travellers looking for a roof over their heads. If you are staying at Jebel Hafeet, you should stay at the Mercure Grand Hotel.

Normally a day or two would be enough for the city, but added attractions like a hassle-free trip to Oman and a healthy dose of relaxation may tempt one to stay longer than usual. After having covered all the tourist spots, sampling the ethnic Arabic cuisine is an ideal way to end the day. Al Ain is a great visit away from the fast life of the city – and while many Emirati live there, many locals from Abu Dhabi have their country home there – it’s an Arabian equivalent of a place in the Hamptons.