Hotels in Al Ain

Al Ain: Garden City at the Foot of Jebel Hafeet

Al Ain sits 160 km east of Abu Dhabi, at the base of Jebel Hafeet — a 1,240-metre limestone peak that marks the Omani border. Unlike the coastal Emirates, Al Ain is an inland oasis city whose falaj irrigation channels date back 3,000 years. In 2011, UNESCO inscribed the Al Ain Oasis and its surroundings as a World Heritage Site, recognising one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the Arabian Peninsula.

Where to Stay

Most hotels cluster along Khalifa Street and around the Al Ain Oasis district, placing guests within walking distance of the date-palm groves. The Al Ain Zoo — home to over 4,000 animals and the largest zoo in the UAE — draws family visitors, while the Al Ain Palace Museum documents the Al Nahyan family's 19th-century residences. Weekend visitors from Abu Dhabi and Dubai fill properties near Hili Archaeological Park, which contains Bronze Age tombs from 2500 BCE.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Regular buses run from Abu Dhabi's central station to Al Ain in roughly 90 minutes.
• Climate: Summer temperatures exceed 45 °C; October through March offers comfortable conditions for outdoor sites.
• Jebel Hafeet: The summit road is 11.7 km; allow 30 minutes to drive to the top viewpoint.
• Currency: UAE dirham (AED); international cards accepted at all major hotels.