Scenic tour of the Garden City, Al Ain’s many cultural wonders

what a wonderful world…

Unraveling Abu Dhabi’s cultural skeleton doesn’t take much digging. The emirate is a fascinating treasure trove of museums, monuments, ruins, archaeological excavations, galleries, religious centers, craft communes, sculptures, art installations and cultural districts.

At the center of it all, is the “Gardens of Abu Dhabi” – Al Ain. In a new video by Abu Dhabi Culture, we get to see some of these wonders from a spectacular new perspective.

Our heritage connects us to our past, and our heritage shapes our present.

Visit the cultural heritage of Al Ain – a city that connects past and present, in harmony with ancient traditions. From oases and falaj to traditional handicrafts. The City of Al Ain embodies our heritage, celebrates the legacy of our ancestors and embraces our future.

— Abu Dhabi Culture (@AbuDhabiCulture) May 5, 2023

If you want to learn more about Al Ain’s cultural background, and in your ‘Gram the what is on The hiking trip is about to start. Please keep your eyes on the edge, turn the noise down to a whisper, let’s go…

Al Ain Camel Market

You’ll find this dromedary fair about 15 minutes from Al Ain city centre. Camels are central to the UAE’s story, and their trade continues to this day in these bustling markets. Lucky guests may have the chance to see camels show off their A-game in the racing pedigree display. You’ll have to brave some intimidating smells, but it’s rare to find such authentic and open-to-the-public examples of traditional Middle Eastern life. It also offers a perhaps unparalleled opportunity to capture candid camel selfies.

Al Ain, every day from 6am to 7pm (although most trades are on the first hour). visitabudhabi.ae

Al Ain Oasis

This 1,200-hectare desert oasis in central Al Ain was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 2011. It has more than 147,000 date palms, as well as trees bearing mangoes, oranges, bananas, figs and dates. Whimsical shaded paths under fractal canopies contrast with the urban jungle of Abu Dhabi’s cityscape. If you want to hike around it, you can also go around the Eastern Fort on the edge of the estate, which was completed around 1910 by the late Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed. There’s also an Ecology Center, which offers insight into the oasis’ conservation efforts and a look back at its history.

Al Ain, open daily from 9am to 5pm. Tel: (03) 711 8251take a virtual tour visitabudhabi.ae

Al Ain Palace Museum

The reconstructed fort was once the home of the UAE founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who lived here before moving to Abu Dhabi in 1966. Bedouin-inspired architecture lets you experience the cultural life of the pre-oil emirate, exhibits provide insight into the origin stories of the founding fathers, and there’s a room dedicated to the Qur’an, including the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) ), with inscriptions on the ceiling.

Al Ain, open daily from 10am to 6pm, free. Tel: (03) 711 8388, visitabudhabi.ae

Jahiri Fort

The Al Ain Fortress, home of the exhibition, is surrounded by lush gardens and represents a captivating architectural aesthetic and won the Terra Award for Interior Design and Layout in 2016. It was originally built in the late 19th century by the Nahan family by order of the ruling Ayr. The fort currently has a permanent exhibition commemorating the adventures of Sir Wilfred Thesig (also known as Mubarak bin Landan, “The Blessed One of London”), who traveled across the void on numerous occasions Strip (Rub Khali), in the 1940s.

Al Ain, free admission daily from 10am to 6pm (Friday 2pm to 6pm). Tel: (03) 711 8311, visitabudhabi.ae

Al Qattara Arts Center

Housed in the traditional mudbrick ‘BinʿAti Al-Darmaki’ tower, Al Ain-baed Arts Center’s mission is to provide a stage for the creative work of local talent and provide a place to create. Inside you’ll find art, archeology and heritage exhibits; music, craft, painting and drawing studios; workshop spaces; a photography digital room; and a calligraphy studio. In addition to the busy class schedule, there are also ongoing cultural exhibitions.

Al Ain, open daily from 8am to 8pm (closed on Fridays), free. Tel: (03) 761 8080, abudhabiculture.ae

Decoy Muhammad bin Khalifa

Once home to the late Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, father-in-law of UAE founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Bait Mohammed bin Khalifa has been renovated and transformed into a cultural and community center in Al Ain. Its new role, and to preserve important artefacts of the heritage, is to provide space for community arts, crafts and creativity. *Curtain falls* The Al Ain Theater is an integral part of the Centre’s identity, establishing a permanent center in Beit Mohammad bin Khalifa, offering authentic arts and cultural events such as festivals, classes and workshops.

Ciri Archaeological Park

The site contains the largest collection of Bronze and Iron Age burials and buildings found in the UAE. Visitors can see buildings from an early agricultural settlement, dating back to 3,000 BC in the area.

Al Ain, 9.30am to 6.30pm daily. Tel: (02) 666 4442, abudhabiculture.ae

Jebel Hafit Tomb

Another important archaeological site in Abu Dhabi, these 5,000-year-old tombs date back to the dawn of the Bronze Age. The necropolis contains around 500 sarcophagi, each made from piles of raw stone. Inside the cemetery, several interesting items were unearthed, including ceramic vessels and copper forgings. One of the best ways to learn about and experience these tombs is to take a guided tour of the nearby Jebel Hafeet Desert Park.

Ain. Tel: (03) 711 8362. www.jebelhafitdesertpark.com,

Qasr Al Muwaiji

Qasr Al Muwaiji is the permanent exhibition at Al Ain Palace, housed in an ornate glass building within the courtyard of the main site. Here, you’ll learn the origin story of the palace and its most famous former resident, HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The visionary Sheikh was born and raised in Qasr Al Muwaiji, making this very special location the perfect setting to illuminate the life of this great man.

Al Ain, Khalifa bin Zayed Street, closed on Mondays and Fridays from 3pm to 7pm and all other times from 9am to 7pm. Tel: (03) 767 4444, @qasralmuwaiji