Eastern Region: Oases, World Heritage and History
Accommodation in Eastern Region
Al Ain, the Eastern Region of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, brings together a long history of settlement, oases and archaeological sites. Historically, Al Ain lay at the crossroads of ancient overland routes between Oman, the Arabian Peninsula, the Persian Gulf and Mesopotamia. The UNESCO World Heritage site Cultural Sites of Al Ain bears witness to settled life in a desert region since the Neolithic period. When planning your trip, you can explore Al Ain’s cultural heritage as well as activities across the wider destination of Abu Dhabi.
World Heritage across several sites
The Cultural Sites of Al Ain are a serial World Heritage site, not a single attraction. They include the Hafit and Hili assemblages, the site of Bidaa Bint Saud, and the oases of Al Ain Oasis, Mutared, Muwaiji, Hili, Jimi and Qattara, spread across the inner city. Together, they preserve remains of numerous prehistoric cultures. The World Heritage site therefore encompasses archaeological sites and oases distributed across different parts of the inner city.
One notable historic building is Qasr Al Muwaiji. It was built during the time of Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa the First (1855–1909) and his son Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The museum has a modern exhibition hall in its courtyard. Its exhibition presents members of Abu Dhabi’s ruling family in chronological order.
Oasis history and historic homes
Al Ain Oasis also combines a distinctive landscape with a long history of irrigation. The excavated channels are believed to be 3,000 years old and carry water from the mountains and more distant areas. Shaded paths invite you to take a walk. The oasis thus highlights water management and pathways, while Qasr Al Muwaiji presents the history of the ruling family.
Bait Mohammed bin Khalifa, a historic house in Al Ain, offers another perspective on architectural history. It was restored and repurposed as a community centre. These different themes complement one another: irrigation in the oasis, the chronological exhibition at Qasr Al Muwaiji, and the history of a house that has been given a new use.
Abu Dhabi as a wider travel horizon
Abu Dhabi comprises three main regions: the capital of the United Arab Emirates and its surroundings, Al Ain as the Eastern Region, and Al Dhafra as the Western Region. This distinction helps you separate the attractions in Al Ain from experiences elsewhere in the emirate. The Jebel Hafit Desert Park is part of the wider destination of Abu Dhabi. Stretching for nine kilometres along the foot of Jebel Hafit, it is considered family-friendly. Visitors can hike, mountain bike, go horse riding or take camel rides, and discover archaeological and historical remains that tell the story of early settlement in the area. In 2011, UNESCO recognised the park area as an important part of the Al Ain World Heritage site, the first World Heritage site in the United Arab Emirates.
The Jebel Hafit hiking trail is approximately 8.4 kilometres long and takes an estimated three to four hours. If you plan to hike it, check the current route conditions in advance; the distance and time are estimates.
Find a holiday rental to suit your travel interests
When looking for a holiday rental in the Eastern Region, it helps to set a clear priority: would you mainly like to explore the oases and historic sites in Al Ain, or would you also like to include hiking and cycling activities in the wider Abu Dhabi area in your travel plans? Choose your destination based on these interests and check the specific locations of the experiences that matter to you. This will help you decide which type of trip best suits your stay.
Discover more destinations: Al Gharbia.
Back to the main travel overview: Abu Dhabi.
