Location: Al Ain
Top Things to do in Al Ain
10 Things to Do in Al Ain That You Shouldn't Miss
Al Ain is the Garden city of this Arab nation, an oasis town located next to the Omani town of Buraimi. Al Ain is famous for its lively, bustling Camel Souk, attracting breeders and buyers from all over the UAE, including merchants and shepherds from the Al Rashaidah tribes. Other worthwhile sites are Jebel Hafeet, the second tallest mountain in the UAE; the Al Ain Museum and Fort, built to protect the oasis from the raiders when Sheikh Zayed ruled the Eastern Region; and the Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort. The Al Ain Oasis is the biggest in the region with thousands of date plams.
Restaurants in Al Ain
1. Jabal Hafeet
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By CJW913 - De Pere, Wisconsin
This jagged 4,000+ foot high limestone mountain rears out of the plain south of Al Ain, and is the second highest in the UAE. Stark, sere, its monochromatically grey/beige crags are home to animals such as the rock hyrax, red foxes and feral cats. But there is not much to see as the road twists and turns its way to the top.
Our tour bus was unable to manage the road, so our group had to transfer to 4WD vehicles in order to reach our overnight destination, the Mercure Hotel. The hotel was very nice, the drive only so-so.
2. Al Ain Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By TheNoelbaba - Ajman, United Arab Emirates
The only regret we needed to reach when the park opens,to carry loads of snacks and a map.
This fun outing is etched in my mind .The Animals and birds were going on and on.at many enclosures we could go inside and be close to the birds and animals.white lions white tigers and penguins were a treat.
I need another trip as i missed the education centers.
3. Sheikh Zayed Palace Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 390 reviews
Reviewed By mushundra - Prague, Czech Republic
You should better visit Al-Ain in winter. So many old streets, buildings and of course palms)) We find this tour on Must2go. What can I add: you should visit this place for once, if you are lucky to be in OAE. I loved it!
4. Mubazzara Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 302 reviews
Reviewed By Gaurang K - Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India
It's a popular picnic spot for families and children.Lots of greenery. A small trek can be done on the hills. The park is green with many Palm trees and lawns.Children's play things like sea-saw, swings,slides etc. are aplenty. Park is spread over a good area. Some eateries are present. Toilets are available. Access is thru good motor able paved roads. A green lung in the desert.
5. Al Jahili Fort
Overall Ratings
4 based on 238 reviews
Reviewed By Whonose - Al Ain
The fort is fairly basic, in that there aren't furnished rooms to visit, and information in English is lacking. But the exhibition about Wilfred Thesiger, known locally as Mubarak bin London, is worth a visit on its own. When I was there the upper rooms around the small courtyard were closed but the round tower was open. If you are a keen photographer it's a wonderful place to get some interesting shots.
There are no refreshment outlets, as other posters have pointed out, but they are available in the surrounding Al Jahili Park. If there were a cafe it would spoil the atmosphere - and create litter!
6. Al Ain National Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 207 reviews
Reviewed By Ramadama - New Providence, New Jersey
It costs about 80 cents to go into this museum and it will take about 45 minutes to view all of the exhibits. They have a nice collection of artifacts collected from the area. It's nice to see some of these ancient pieces.
7. Bawadi Mall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 109 reviews
Reviewed By QueenofCarlisle - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
The five main malls in Al Ain in no particular order are:
Bawadi Mall
Al Ain Mall
Al Jimi Mall
Barari Outlet Mall
Al Foah Mall
Although Al Ain itself isn't a huge city (pop 650,000 as of 2013) it is spread out. So getting from one side to the other can take 30 minutes or more. The five Malls mentioned are scattered throughout in various areas of Al Ain and each offers a different variety of brands with varying selection.
My favourite is Bawadi Mall.That's due to Marks & Spencer being there and Boots the chemist!! I'm an expat...what can I say!!
As with all Malls here, it's deliberately set up to encourage families to come and spend time not only shopping and eating but also enjoying the entertainment options e.g. cinema, shows for children and various childrens' amusement rides.
There's a large well stocked Carrefour supermarket which is gradually increasing its selection of fresh organic food items. Along with ACE hardware and Daiso.
The Souk area has more traditional UAE shops for souvenirs, material, abayas and lots of jewelry stores. There are a couple of restaurants I would recommend. Corriander which is an Indian restaurant and Zaytinya a restaurant specializing if food from the Levant.
There is the high end Paris Galleries store for perfumes, cosmetics, sunglasses, handbags and watches.
For a quick snack or meal La Brioche offers a varied menu along with many well know coffee shops.
There are plenty of clothes and shoe shops. Along with ample home decor & furniture shops.
You could spend hours in the Mall if that's to your liking...especially when it's so hot outside.
8. Al Ain Oasis
Overall Ratings
4 based on 384 reviews
Reviewed By GoAmeteur W - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Worth dropping by for a quick photo among the palm trees. Entrance is free.
But not much to do once you are there other than stroll past endless plots of palm trees.
I went on a Friday when it was crowded. On a quieter day it might be possible to do a bit of bird watching.
Plan to spent about 15 to 20 min here at most.
The Al Ain National museum is right opposite if you would want to visit that.
9. Camel Souk
Overall Ratings
4 based on 231 reviews
Reviewed By Edelweiss_9 - Buderim, Queensland
The camels are tame and beautiful, but do not give money to the herders, they can be cheeky! It is not allowed to beg in Abu Dhabi!
10. Al Ain Mall
Overall Ratings
4 based on 128 reviews
Al Ain Mall is Al Ain’s premier shopping and leisure destination opened as early as 2001. Soon, it became an integral part of Al Ain’s identity and daily life. The Mall has got a decade-long success story as it enviably upholds supremacy in both retail and entertainment. Built over an area exceeding 2,500,000 Sq.ft. Al Ain Mall is home to 350 world-renowned shops and 60 restaurants and cafes unique only to Al Ain Mall. The city’s top entertainment facilities can be found in the mall including the first full-sized ice rink made of real ice; bowling and billiard center & Grand Cineplex. The glamorous mall hosts more than 12 million visitors a year, 55% of which are UAE nationals. In addition to the wide-ranging choices in fashion offered by celebrated regional-international brands, delectable selection of restaurants & Cafes the Mall also offers soothing comforts and outstanding convenience by providing more than 3,000 covered parking spread over 3 basement levels.Al Ain Mall also enjoys unique privileges like “the only mall named after the City-Al Ain” “the only mall located in the downtown and closest to the Omani border”. Also with its expansive architecture, striking angular façade reflecting the historical significance and heritage of Al Ain, the Mall is one of the favorite tourist destination in Al Ain.Known as the “ever-active mall” Al Ain Mall runs year-round promotions and campaigns offering luxurious grand prizes that make the shopping a truly rewarding experience.
Reviewed By SN S - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Good location and good for outing with family and friends. Al Ain mall quite big and it has inside hypermarket. Good food court. Comparing to other malls it has more outlets and entertainment area. You can find inside shops like Home center, smoking center, cinema with limited movie edition. Fashion stores are as well available. I like it not bad. Ice rink as well inside of mall
