Al Ain Oasis

The oasis has been maintained in a way that highlights the country's Bedouin culture and traditions. Many old style houses, mainly used as storage and accommodation for farm workers, plus mosques, restaurants, rest areas and narrow pathways are present-day features.



The oasis is divided into numerous sections for date farming and they are owned by various departments, sheikhs and other nationals. All the plantations in the oasis are walled off and irrigated by falaj, an ancient irrigation system of narrow waterways that was first used as early as 1000BC. The water comes from the mountains about 30 kilometres away.



The city, due to its fertility and date palms, was an important crossroads on ancient trading routes. The rulers of the area built two majestic forts at the eastern and western edges of Al Ain Oasis for defence purposes.



Both forts now house museums. The fort on the western edge was used by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan when he was the Ruler's representative in the Eastern Region. Many of his personal belongings such as a vintage Land Rover are on display here.

Al Ain Oasis, one of the city's seven oases, is attracting tourists from all over the country. A big date palm oasis located in the heart of the city has been emerging as a new attraction in Al Ain, luring tourists and young adventurers from all over the country Al Ain Oasis, one of the city's seven oases, has been protected and developed for its tourism potential. It has eight entrances, some of which have arched gates.