Location: Al Ain
Top Things to do in Al Ain
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The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Al Ain, Emirate of Abu Dhabi
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. Jebel Hafeet
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,669 reviews
Reviewed By RunningRick76 - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
I’ve camped and hiked into Jebel Hafit many times and truly enjoy the mountain. It’s the only mountain in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and one of the highest in the country. The 12 km road has over 60 turns, very well maintained and has many areas to park which also have playgrounds. There is a lookout and restaurant at the very top along with the palace and the 4 star hotel The Mercure is about 3 kilometers from the top. The Mercure Hotel is a great place to spend the night with a great restaurant next to the pool called the Eden Rock with amazing views. At the base of the northern tip is the Green Mubazarah and oasis type green grassy areas with hot spring for both men and women (currently closed due to COVID-19. From the springs I’ve hike into the interior of the mountain following trekking signs and white dots to find my way. Fossils and quartz seams can be found if paying attention. From the east side I’ve stayed at the Jebel Hafit Desert Park at the “bubble tent” camping grounds. From there the desert park has well marked trails that run the length of the mountain, from Oman to the south to the oasis in the north. We have hiked into the mountain from the camping grounds and found large seashell fossils all over the place. We once spotted a large Arabian fox running up the mountain, it was quite the sight! I look forward to returning time and time again!
2. Al Ain Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,369 reviews
Reviewed By MarwanHadhrami - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
We have decided to give Al Ain Zoo Safari a chance to try and it definitely was an excellent idea! The ticket grants an entry for the Zoo attractions plus the SUV ride into the Safari experience which take around 45-60 mins. The ticket must be bought in advance through their official website and it will cost AED 1050 for 6 people (who can get into the SUV) and this includes Giraffe feeding which the kids loved the most. The experience was fun and we totally enjoyed the day and it was one to remember.
3. Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 117 reviews
Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club has truly excellent facilities and offers equestrian lessons, shooting, rugby and an 18 hole golf course with a 9 hole academy golf course. The club offers many activities to keep the whole family entertained – including outdoor pools, gym, beauty salon, tennis, soccer, basketball and climbing wall. We recently introduced and opened footgolf as a new sport in Al Ain in addition to the new cricket pitches. Our experts will provide you with all necessary supervision and guidance whether you want to practice for fun or aiming for competition. If you got a real taste in any of our sports, join Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club and improve your skills. And if that is not enough, take pleasure in our modern and elegant restaurants that offer the best food quality where a world of choice awaits you with HACCP and ISO certificates. Millennium Al Ain Golf Resort Hotel, the city’s upcoming hotel will have incredible luxury of living in the lap of over 220 rooms and suites and 60 chalets (1 room, 2 rooms, and 3 bedrooms). This hotel edifice will cater to refined taste with a panoramic view of the scintillating resort against the backdrop of the magical Jebel Hafeet and the reality of pristine tranquility. Your satisfaction is our vision and our mission is to provide good service.
Reviewed By mward93 - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Great value golf course that is in very good condition. I just wish it was slightly closer to Abu Dhabi so I could play it more!
4. Sheikh Zayed Palace Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 489 reviews
Reviewed By confuzzled2 - Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
If you appreciate history and culture, plan in spending 1 to 1½ hours exploring this massive palace in its early years of hunting. It feels like going back into the innocent years when money had no meaning or purpose, when life was simple yet accommodated. My husband and I spent 1-1½ hours exploring each room, absorbing the lifestyle in a desert that became an Oasis because of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan. What you see today in the UAE, began with Sheikh Zayed , a very humble man, the one the Emirates greatly admired and finally call "The father of the UAE." Why? Because of his relationship with each tribe and the respect he earned from their tribal leaders, he united these tribes and with their support formed what is now The United Arab Emirates. He believed in the younger generation spending time with the older ones preserves the memories, he believed in Education for his people. I'm not an Emirate, I'm Polynesian, but I so admire the late Sheikh Zayed!
5. Bawadi Mall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 141 reviews
6. Al Ain Mall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 161 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 A7413FIandrewn - Dumfries, United Kingdom
It is a great place for shopping and a variety of good eating places. One can have the usual take ways and sumptuous dining in luxurious restaurants according to one's budget. There is a big supermarket and many places for shopping for clothing and perfumes. A small ice-link for children is also available on the ground floor. The mall is located close to the city center.
7. Qasr al Muwaiji
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 54 reviews
Reviewed By alex198876 - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Recently opened the previous year it gives an interesting insight in His Highness Sheikh Khalifa’s birth place and early years as well as Al Ain history ... good interactive computer displays as well as the residence he grew up in ... great black and white video of Sheikh Zayed with his people at a camel race as well as amazing footage of him driving a large American “ Cadillac” in the dunes as if it was a 4WD !!! Closed Mondays
8. Al Jahili Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By Ehvah
sometime last year after work with my fiance we usually do our workout routine here such as jogging, stretching, relaxing / picnic. It is very accessible place in Al Ain, and if your up to any activities this is the good place, walking distance to Al Falah Mall, and even in choitram where people or most Filipinos do their groceries and there is even starbucks if you needed coffee to add to your relaxing.
9. Camel Souk
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 306 reviews
Reviewed By surpriseibrahim - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Al Ain camel market is a tourist hotspot. Many of them come from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other emirates to see camels. They love to take pictures of them and obtain first-hand information about them.
10. Al Ain National Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 222 reviews
Temporarily close
Reviewed By TiChatte - Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
Visited here many, many times...was my go to place on a Friday, after worship and lunch. Would get there and roam around in the adjoining oasis, then visit the museum. This was a place to bring people visiting me in Al Ain too. Interesting photographs of the royal family and shows the transformation of the UAE from small town oasis to the mega-metropolis it is now. Great place to visit! Beautiful gardens and spaces.
