Everything you need to know about Al Ain Oasis
Nestled in the centre of Al Ain is the Al Ain Oasis – a tranquil haven with vast walkways, winding through lush date palm gardens. In this post, we will explore the popular Oasis and its different attractions. Read on to find out more about this astounding place.
ABOUT AL AIN OASIS
The Al Ain Oasis is the UAE’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was listed into the World Heritage Site in 2011. It is located in the centre of the Al Ain city and covers a total area of 3,000-acres. The huge covered area makes it one of the largest oases in the city.
You can find different types of date plantations in this oasis. Currently, there are 147,000 date palms trees and over 100 different varieties of vegetation around it.
The oasis has eight gates, however, visitors usually enter through the West Gate. This gate is the main entrance where visitors can access the information and also hire bikes for sightseeing.
ACTIVITIES AT AL AIN OASIS
A visit to this oasis is worth a trip if you want to learn the different plant species native to the UAE. It’s particularly great for families with kids. Let’s take a look at the different attractions and things to do at Al Ain Oasis.
TAKE A STROLL
One of the attractions at Al Ain Oasis is walking through the serene and wide pathways along the endless row of palm trees. You can spend a good 90 minutes or more walking around the oasis and exploring its different sections.
LEARN ABOUT THE ANCIENT FALAJ IRRIGATION SYSTEM
Even after 3000 years, the ancient falaj irrigation channel is still used to water the trees in this Oasis. Despite being centuries old, the irrigation system is efficient enough to keep the plantation fresh throughout the year.
Visitors can explore the two main falaj systems serving the oasis namely, Al Aini and Dawood. These systems irrigate two separate parts of the oasis. The water for this irrigation system is sourced from the Hajar Mountains and Jebel Hafeet.
VISIT THE ECO-CENTRE
The Eco-Centre offers an immersive experience to its visitors. It provides information about the history of Al Ain Oasis and has educational games to explain how the oasis was created.
The building is eco-friendly and sustainable. It combines both traditional and innovative technology to seamlessly unify its organic form into the landscape.
DISCOVER THE MINIATURE OASIS
The miniature oasis is a small-scale representation of a fertile spot in the desert. It has models and miniature of existing historic buildings as well as showcases how the falaj irrigation system works. Kids can also use the clay from the farms to build their own models using their imagination.
VISIT THE EASTERN FORT
Located on the eastern edge of the oasis, the Eastern Fort is one of the most popular attractions at the Al Ain Oasis.
The Eastern Fort, also called Sultan Fort, was constructed in 1910 by Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed the former ruler of Abu Dhabi. The fort was once the central part of the Hara of Al Ain or the Haret al Hisn City. The historical Eastern Fort is one of the main buildings associated with the ruling Al Nahyan family and their rising influence in the 19th Century.
BE A PART OF THE OASISCAPE TOUR
The Oasiscape tour is an engaging tour of the entire palm grove. The tour is one of the best ways to explore the oasis and learn more about the desert landscape and the importance of an oasis in the desert region.
One of the most distinctive features of the tour is the interactive installations called the “Techno Palm”. These electronic versions of palm trees, which act as an information guide. These are scattered across the tranquil oasis and can be used to find out more information about the different parts of the oasis.
IDENTIFY THE DIFFERENT FRUIT TREES
There are several small gardens with fruit trees and plants. Some of the fruit trees that you can find here are of mangos, figs, pomegranates, bananas, lemons and olives. Crops of sugarcane are also planted at the Al Ain Oasis.
EXPLORE THE OASIS ON A BIKE
One of the best ways to explore the extensive oasis is to rent a bike from the main gate. Different types of bikes and pedal carts are available for rent. You can enquire about the per hour rent at the main gate.
FAQs
WHAT IS THE AL AIN OASIS LOCATION?
The oasis is popular among locals and tourists for its lush green palm trees, broad paths and different species of trees. The oasis is located in Al Mutawa’a District, at the Hessa bint Mohammad Street in Al Ain’s Central District. It’s located close to the Al Ain Palace Museum.
WHAT ARE THE AL AIN OASIS TIMINGS?
The Al Ain Oasis opening hours are 08:00 am to 05:00 pm daily. Whereas, the timing for cafés, restaurants and stores is 12:00 pm to 07:00 pm.
HOW MUCH DOES THE TICKET TO AL AIN OASIS COST?
There is no entry fee to Al Ain Oasis. Visitors can enter the place free of charge.
HOW TO GET TO AL AIN OASIS?
The Al Ain Oasis is almost 159 kilometres away from Abu Dhabi. If you’re driving your own car it will take approximately 1 hour 38 minutes to reach Al Ain Oasis from Abu Dhabi via the Al Ain Road/E22. Alternatively, you can take a taxi, however, the charges are quite high considering its a long journey.
If you’re looking for affordable options to travel to Al Ain Oasis from Dubai. Then the best option is to take your own car or take the RTA bus from Dubai to Al Ain. One of the affordable options is to take the RTA Bus from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Dubai to Al Ain Central Bus Station. A one way trip from Dubai will cost AED 30 and it will take approximately 2 hours and 55 minutes.
This wraps up our review of the Al Ain Oasis. The oasis is one of the best attractions in Al Ain city for locals and tourists. It’s also a fun place for kids, where they can learn more about nature and the local species of palms and other fruits.
If you have already visit Al Ain Oasis, there is another option you can consider. The recently opened Al Hayer Oasis Al Ain has gained tremendous popularity in a short amount of time.
If you plan to visit Al Ain, take a look at MyBayut’s Al Ain travel guide to when planning your next trip. When you visit this oasis in Al Ain, do let us know about your wonderful experience in the comments section. For more adventures in Al Ain, visit the Al Ain Zoo to explore the wildlife from around the world. Another option is to explore the Emirates Park and Zoo in Abu Dhabi.
Follow MyBayut for more updates about parks, resorts and other attractions in Al Ain and the UAE.
