Al Ain Information Page

Al Ain Map

1- Mujirib fort 2-Al Muwaiji fort 3-Hili fort 4-Al Jahili fort 5-Al Rumailah fort 6-Murabba fort 7-Eastern fort 8-Al Ain Museum 9-Al Hili Archaeological park

10-Qattarah Oasis 11-Al Ain Zoo 12- Hili fun city 17- Jabal Hafeet 18- Jabal Hafeet Cairn Tombs 19- Intercontinental hotel Al Ain 20- Al Ain Hilton 21- Rotana hotel

Introducing Al Ain

   The fertile oasis city of Al Ain lies about 160 kilometers from Abu Dhabi
city, with desert on one side and mountains on the other, and is the capital of Abu Dhabi’s Eastern Region.

   Abu Dhabi is one of seven emirates, which make up the United Arab Emirates (The UAE), a federation that was formed in 1971. Al Ain is situated on the border with the Sultanate of Oman and the town of Buraimi.

    As a fertile oasis of date palms, with a natural water supply, Al Ain has long been a city of greenery but extensive planting over the past 40 years has transformed it into a garden city. Apart from roads lined with trees, bushes and flowers, there are more than 70 public parks and gardens in Al Ain. Around the region, the desert has turned green as extensive areas have been devoted to agriculture.

     An Attractive feature of Al Ain is that, with the exception of the hotels, no buildings are than three storeys high, a vivid contrast to other Gulf cities. It means that residents and visitors can enjoy the views of the surrounding mountains, including Jebel Hafeet, which, at 1,340 metres, is the tallest mountain in the UAE and a major tourist attraction.

    Al Ain has a long history and archaeological discoveries indicate a thriving civilization dating back to the Stone and Bronze Ages. Remains from these periods can be seen around the city. In later years Al Ain became important as a crossroads on ancient trading routes with its abundant supplies of water attracting travelers from afar.

    Today, with modern hotels and superb highways connecting to all parts of Arabia, a warm welcome is still extended to visitors who will discover there is much to do and see.

Tourist Attractions 

Ain Al Faydah
Close to Jebel Hafeet is the resort of Ain Al Faydah. Visitors can take a boat
on the lake or a swim in one of the pools while the gardens are the perfect
setting for a picnic. Accommodation includes a rest house and individual
chalets.
Desert trips
Tour companies can organ trips in 4-wheel drive vehicles to the desert and
wadis-the dried-up river beds which burst into life a short period after heavy rain. Healing across the dunes is an exhilarating experience.
Jebel Hafeet
Standing guard over the city is the dramatic Jebel (Mountain) Hafeet, at 1,340 meters the highest mountain in the UAE. A 13 km winding road leads to the top and on a clear day there are splendid views across the desert and the city.
Hot springs
At the foot of Jebel Hafeet are hot springs. The area has been turned green with picnic spots and the springs diverted along shallow channels- ideal for bathing the feet in steaming therapeutic waters.

Al Ain Oases
Al Ain Oasis is in the city center and other fine examples are at Qattarah  and Jimi. It is a peaceful walk through the trees alongside the falaj, the ancient irrigation system.
The Forts
Al Ain has numerous forts and watchtowers. Many have been restored using traditional materials. Dating from the 9th and early 20th century, they were built for defensive purposes but were also centers of government.
 

Useful information

• Visas:  All visitors except nationals of Gulf states require visas to enter the UAE although these are issued on arrival to citizens of many European, Far Eastern and North American countries.  Regulations should be checked before traveling.
• Getting to Al Ain: Al Ain international Airport is situated 23km north west of the city center.  There are scheduled flights to other Gulf and Middle East destinations and to the Sub- Continent.  Al Ain is connected to other cities in the UAE by excellent highways.  The car journey from both Abu Dhabi and Dubai takes around 90 minutes.  There are also regular bus services and taxis from both cities.
• Getting around:  Taxis are plentiful in Al Ain and are metered and cheap by international standards.  Self- drive and chauffeur- driven cars are widely available.
• Language:  Arabic is the official language but English is widely spoken, as are dozens of other languages.
• Climate:  Al Ain has a sub- tropical, arid climate.  Sunny, blue skies can be expected most of the year.  Rainfall is infrequent and irregular, falling mainly in winter.  Temperatures range from a low of about 8C in January to a high of about 43C.
• Clothing: Lightweight summer clothing is suitable for most of the year, but sweaters of jackets may be needed for the winter months.  Ladies should avoid wearing low- cut dresses, very short skirts, shorts or tight jeans while outside your hotel complex.  Gentlemen too should avoid vest style tee shirts, shorts and tight jeans again outside hotels.  Normal swimwear is acceptable around hotel pools.  Lightweight suits are advisable for business meetings. 
• Local time: The UAE is 4 hours ahead of GMT.  Darkness falls from around 5.40pm in winter to 7.30pm in summer. 
• Business Hours:  The weekend in the UAE is Thursday and Friday when all government offices are closed.  The Holy day is Friday.  Banks and most other commercial activities close from Thursday afternoon to Saturday morning.  Shops operate normally on Thursdays and in the evening on Friday. 
• Bargaining:  Expected in the souq and is not unusual elsewhere.  Vendors will usually drop the price particularly for a cash sale.
• Religion:  Islam is the official religion of the UAE and there are a large
  number of mosques throughout the country.  Non- Muslims should not enter mosques.  Other religions are respected and information on places of worship can be obtained from hotels.
• Money:  UAE Dirham. US$= Dh 3.67 (approx).  Currency and travellers’ cheques can be exchanged at hotels, banks and exchange shops.  Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are located throughout the city providing cash advances on credit cards or, in some cases, withdrawals from your home bank account.  Most credit cards
  are accepted.
• Tipping:  Hotels usually include a service charge although small tips are appreciated, as they are in small restaurants.  Taxi drivers don’t expect to be tipped.
• Photography:  Normal photography is acceptable but avoid taking pictures of Arab women who might be offended.  If you wish to take photographs of people, ask their permission.
• Medical Care:  Al Ain has excellent Government hospitals and there are also private facilities.  Visitors can be treated at Government hospitals in emergency cases and there will be only a nominal fee to pay.
• Newspapers:  There are three daily English language newspapers: Khaleej Times, Gulf News and Gulf Today.  All cater for the cosmopolitan population and consequently carry excellent international news and sports.  There are several Arabic language dailies including Al Khaleej, Al Ittihad and Al Bayan.