Everything you need to know to plan a day trip to Al Ain from Dubai
- Travelling to Al Ain from Dubai
- What to pack for Al Ain day trip from Dubai
- Historic sites in Al Ain
- Museums in Al Ain
- Restaurants in Al Ain
Looking for the perfect place for a relaxing weekend getaway? Why not plan a trip to Al Ain, the beautiful natural oasis in the UAE? Popular for its scenic wonders like the beautiful Hafeet Mountains, the culturally rich historic sites and many other family-friendly attractions, the charming township is a perfect getaway from bustling city life. So if you want to spend your weekend enjoying your time in the wonderful city of Al Ain, take a look at our helpful guide for planning a day trip to Al Ain from Dubai.
Here is how you can plan an Al Ain city tour from Dubai in a hassle-free manner.
Travelling from Dubai to Al Ain for a day trip
There are three main ways to travel to Al Ain from Dubai. You can drive there yourself in your personal vehicle or take a taxi. If you want to opt for a cheaper option, you can read our guide on how to go to Al Ain from Dubai. The bus fare for the Al Ain trip from Dubai is AED 25. For those travelling to Al Ain in their own vehicle, it takes around 1 and a half hours to reach Al Ain from Dubai via the Al Ain – Dubai (E66) road.
What to pack for a day trip to Al Ain?
Pack the right essentials before you hit the road. Al Ain, like most emirates of the UAE, can be quite warm during the summer months. The city also tends to be cooler during the winter months in comparison to the other emirates. Travellers should keep this in mind while preparing for the trip. Here is a list of things that can make your trip more comfortable:
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Snacks and bottles of water
- Phone charger and a power bank
- Extra money, especially if you plan to visit shopping spots in Al Ain
- A camera to capture the wonderful sights
Apart from packing all the necessities, travellers should also consider wearing light clothing to stay cool in the hot weather. During the latter part of the year, it might be wise to carry light jackets to stay warm, especially in the evenings.
Plan your trip beforehand
Al Ain has an abundance of beautiful destinations and so travellers in Dubai may need more than a day to check out all the places. To make the most of your trip to Al Ain, have an itinerary so you can visit all the places you are most keen on.
Another way to make the most of the day trip is to consult a good travel agency in Dubai that can assign a guide to you, saving you from the hassle of doing the actual planning.
Places to visit in Al Ain
You can visit these popular places during your day trip to Al Ain:
Visit Al Ain Zoo
If you are taking kids on your trip to Al Ain, it might be a good idea to visit the Al Ain Zoo. The zoo houses a wide range of animals including Arabian antelopes, leopards, hyenas, Arabian oryx, African gazelles, giraffes and more.
- Timings: 09:00 am to 08:00 pm (daily)
- Contact: 800-ZOO (966) | +971-3-799-2000
- Location: Nahyan The First St – Shiab Al Ashkhar – Abu Dhabi
Visit the Al Ain Oasis
Al Ain is often referred to as an oasis because it is home to Al Ain Oasis. The Al Ain Oasis is a lush green plain where visitors can enjoy a refreshing overview of more than 150,000 date palm trees as you walk along with the shaded pathways. There are over 100 different varieties of date palm trees. Apart from dates, the oasis also has other regional fruit trees.
Spread across 1,200 hectares of land, this oasis has a lot for visitors to explore. Visitors can also have a look at the traditional irrigation system called ‘Falaj’ that farmers in the UAE region have been using for a long time.
- Timings: 10:00 am to 06:00 pm (Saturday to Thursday) | 02:00 pm to 06:00 (Friday)
- Contact: +971-3-711-8251
- Location: Central District, Near to Al Ain Palace Museum – Abu Dhabi
Watch the sunset from Jebel Hafeet
The Jebel Hafeet mountain is the second highest peak in the UAE. This makes Jebel Hafeet an ideal spot to enjoy the panoramic views of the splendid beauty of Al Ain. Many people who have visited the Jebel Hafeet mountain also recommend that visitors should visit this spot for stunning sights of the sunset. Sunsets at Jebel Hafeet enhance the exquisite beauty of the rocky mountains and the valley below even further.
- Location: Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road, Al Ain
Visit the Camel Souk
Camel markets are a part of UAE’s culture and Al Ain’s camel souk is one of the few remaining symbols of this historic tradition in the region.
- Timings: 06:00 am to 07:00 pm
- Contact: +971-800-555
- Location: Cattle Market, Zayed Bin Sultan Road, Al Ain – Abu Dhabi
Historic sites to visit on your Al Ain day trip from Dubai
Al Ain has an important role in the country’s history. This makes the emirate one of the best attractions in the UAE for tourists and residents interested in the history of the region. Here are a few historic spots that visitors can check out on a day trip to Al Ain.
Al Jahili Fort
Located amidst shaded gardens, the Al Jahili Fort was first constructed in 1891. Like most old forts in the UAE, this fort was also a means of defence against invading forces. Now the building has been turned into a public space where visitors can view photographs of desert explorers, adventurers and more.
- Timings: 10:00 am to 06:00 pm (Saturday to Thursday) | 02:00 pm to 06:00 pm (Friday)
- Contact: +971-3-711-8311
- Location: Sultan Bin Zayed Al Awwal St، Al Mutawaa، Al Ain – Abu Dhabi
Qasr Al Muwaiji
Built in the early 20th century, Qasr Al Muwaiji is a fort that houses exhibits related to Emirati war architecture. His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan lived in the fort for around twenty years (1946 to 1966). It has since then undergone several renovations and is now a well-known museum in the city.
- Timings: 09:00 am to 07:00 pm (Tuesday to Thursday) | 03:00 pm to 07:00 pm (Friday)
- Contact: +971-3-767-4444
- Location: Khalifa bin Zayed Street, opposite Ruler’s Representative Court, Al Ain
Other Museums to visit for an Al Ain day tour from Dubai
Al Ain National Museum
Established in 1971, Al Ain National Museum is another one of the most popular places to visit in Al Ain. The place introduces visitors to the heritage and culture of the UAE. The museum also has an archaeological section with numerous artefacts from the Bronze and Iron Ages on display.
- Contact: +971-3-711-8331
- Location: Central District – Abu Dhabi
Al Ain Palace Museum
The former residence of the first ruler of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan, Al Ain Palace Museum has been preserved to reflect the lifestyle of the respected ruling family. The rooms have descriptions in Arabic, giving an insight about the home of His Highness while the decoration of the palace gives details of many aspects of life for the family that lived here.
- Timings: 10:00 am to 06:00 pm (Saturday to Thursday) | 02:00 pm to 06:00 pm (Friday)
- Contact: +971-3-711-8388
- Location: Hessa bint Mohamed Street, Al Ain
Restaurants in Al Ain
All that sightseeing is enough to make you hungry. Fortunately, Al Ain doesn’t have a shortage of restaurants. Travellers will find some great restaurants in Al Ain — serving a range of mouth-watering regional and international cuisines. Some of the popular restaurants to visit include Al Fanar, La Brioche and more.
That’s everything you need to know about preparing for a trip to Al Ain from Dubai. Those who live in other emirates can also plan their trips by following some simple guidelines for travelling to Al Ain.
