With a name translating to ‘the spring’, the sprawling desert oasis of Al Ain is just a 90-minute drive east from Abu Dhabi City, but it offers a lot more than abundant date palms.
The UAE’s only Unesco-designated heritage sites are found here, meaning cultural tourists can explore the remains of Neolithic, Iron and Bronze Age civilizations uncovered in archaeological digs.
This garden city has family-friendly attractions besides, including an adrenalin-inducing adventure park at the foot of a desert mountain. By contrast, Al Ain’s shady greenery, hot springs and salt cave invite wellbeing seekers to enjoy rejuvenation in nature.
