Hili, Al Ain

Hili is one of the oldest civilisations in the UAE. It is particularly loved by tourists and archaeologists for housing the largest Bronze Age site in the country. The village of Al Hili is around 12 km north of the main city of Al Ain. This development has gained international recognition for its archaeological excavations dating back to the late 1960s. Finds from this site are now displayed at the Al Ain Museum.

Hili Oasis is in the north of the Al Ain district. It is a popular oasis in the UAE. Historical structures like two watchtowers, a fortified home built in the early 1800s and a traditional irrigation system are some major highlights of this area. Currently, the residential side includes a range of large villas and apartments. Some newly constructed properties are available for rent.

• An old civilisation in Al Ain
• Neighbours Al Qattarah and Al Foah
• Offers villas and apartments for rent
• Most properties are large and luxurious
• Home to Hili Archaeological Site, Hili Fort and Hili Mall

The very first diggings in the archaeological park started in the 1960s leading to the discovery of the remains of the settlement covering 10 hectares. Most houses, tombs and vertical structures still reflect the history of Hili. Due to this, the community has a traditional vibe to it. Today, there are shops, eateries and residential construction but the old charm is still present.

Properties in the Hili district of Al Ain offer a diverse range of options to suit different needs and preferences. This residential area features a mix of villas and apartments, providing residents with various housing choices.

For those seeking spacious living spaces and privacy, Hili offers a selection of well-designed villas. These villas often come with multiple bedrooms, ample living areas, private gardens, and sometimes even swimming pools. They cater to families and individuals looking for a comfortable lifestyle.

Apartments in Hili, Al Ain vary in size and configuration, ranging from 2 to 3-bedroom units. Many apartment buildings provide amenities like gyms, parking facilities, and 24/7 security.

The community is home to Hili Rayhaan by Rotana, a 5-star resort. The hotel is a popular accommodation option for tourists in the vicinity. It is a short drive away from Al Ain Oasis and Al Ain National Museum. Like other 5-star hotels in the UAE, Hili Rayhaan by Rotana offers world-class amenities including outdoor swimming pools, free parking services, free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and well-furnished guest rooms.

If you’re a resident, you can use the dedicated spaces included in most villas. Apartment complexes also allot spaces based on the covered areas of apartments.

Those with private conveyance need not worry about commuting to other areas. People who want to travel via bus can access several bus stations in Hili located at convenient distances such as Emirates St / Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan St Bus Stop, Emirates St / Wedding Hall Bus Stop and Ardh Al Jaw St / Hili Fun City Bus Stop.

There are many supermarkets in Hili Al Ain Abu Dhabi. Those worth a mention are Baqala Taj Al Ameer, Ramla Baqala and Al Mesbah Baqala. Residents will find many local shops and convenience stores within the community.

Many community mosques in Hili, Al Ain have been built to serve the needs of Muslim residents. Those who want to offer prayers will find a mosque at short intervals including Hili Park Mosque and Saleh Abdullah Badwa Al Darmaki Masjid.

Visiting a church may take around 17 minutes by car. There is St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Al Ain Evangelical Church in the neighbouring community, Al Jimi.

A few nurseries and schools in Hili have also been established in recent years. Taleb Academy is a charter school on Al Athar Street. Hili School and Al Ain School are located right in the heart of Hili. Belvedere International School in Hili offers the National Curriculum for England from the foundation stages to the end of primary school. Moreover, young toddlers can go to Hili Kindergarten.

In case of medical emergencies, you can visit Universal Hospital Hili. It has a 24-hour emergency and pharmacy. Another clinic in Hili is Al Hili Healthcare Center, which is a public facility for primary medical care. Further, Ain Al Khaleej Hospital in Al Jimi is accessible in around 12 minutes by car.

Hili lies close to the border shared with Oman. Al Foah is its immediate neighbour and the Al Qattarah area of Abu Dhabi is a few kilometres away. Those coming from Al Jimi can access Hili Village in around 8 minutes by car. Asharej is also close by.

Hili is home to Hili Mall near Rayhaan by Rotana Hotel and Hili Complex. The mall features a good range of brand outlets, fashion stores, electronic shops and financial services outlets. It also has a separate food court and a family entertainment corner. Many events are organised in Hili Mall throughout the year. Al Waha Mall in Hili is another shopping destination in the area, located on Abu Obaidah Bin Al Jarrah Street.

Local eateries and restaurants in Hili are:

• Suhaib Cafeteria
• The Road Gourmet
• Maraka Restaurant
• Addis Ababa Restaurant
• Indian Curry Restaurant 
• Al Mallah Restaurant & Grill

If you head to Hili Mall, you can find many cafes and restaurants including McDonald’s, La Brioche, Starbucks and Costa Coffee. There are also fine dining and family restaurants like Biryani Pot and Arabica.

The major highlight of this area is Al Hili Fort built in the 20th century to protect Al Hili Oasis, one of the renowned oases in Al Ain. This community is majorly home to many old forts, tombs and towers. The Hili Grand Tomb deserves a special mention. It stands 39 ft. above ground and has been reconstructed.

If you are looking for some adventure and playtime, there is Hili Fun City next to the archaeological site. It has picnic areas, roller coasters and Al Ain Ice Rink. The Olympic-sized Ice Rink was founded in 1987, two years after the launch of the adventure park. This makes it the first ice rink to open in the United Arab Emirates. It is now an ideal venue for skating and ice hockey.

There are many family parks in Al Ain. When speaking of outdoor activities and the environment, Hili Archaeological Park deserves a mention. When the first findings were made in Hili, the government of Abu Dhabi built Hili Archaeological Park to surround the site and make it accessible to the public. Today, international archaeologists and tourists interested in these artefacts come to discover and relax in the rich green atmosphere of this park. It is also a popular destination for families during the weekends. Moreover, Al Ain Oasis and Hili Archaeological Park are two of the most important UNESCO sites in the UAE.

Reaching public transport on foot can be a bit of a struggle for residents here. People with private conveyance will be at much ease as there is a broad street network connecting the district with neighbouring areas as well as with the emirate of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Tombs and towers are of great importance, the construction of which dates back hundreds of years. The Hili Archaeological Park provides the earliest known evidence of agricultural villages in the UAE and features other villages of the Bronze Age and Iron Age as well as burial grounds.

Al Ain is an Arabic term, meaning springtime. The community of Al Ain is to the east of Abu Dhabi.

The road distance between Dubai and Al Ain is 123 kilometres.

If you are fond of historical and cultural artefacts, you can visit Hili. Also, there have been many tourist attractions built in the area. From sightseeing tours to carefree strolls around Hili Forts, the trip is worth trying. Also, Hili Fun City is an ideal spot for adventure seekers.

You can visit Al Ain Zoo or explore the Al Ain Palace Museum and take a stroll in Al Ain Oasis.

The road distance between Al Ain and Abu Dhabi is around 145 kilometres while air travel distance equals 90 miles.

• Direct access to Dubai Al Ain Road (E22)
• A 12-minute short drive away from Al Jimi
• A short drive from Al Foah Mall via Dubai Al Ain Road (E22)
• A 19-minute long drive from the Al Ain International Airport