Our program allows you plenty of time to discover your new country, culture and customs. Below are some of our recommended highlights. Some tours and packages can be organized when booking your program, please see the program price page for more information.

city tour
Al Ain is an oasis city and one of the greenest in Arabia, so why not start in the parks. Planned as a garden city, you will see a multitude of roundabouts, each offering a unique display of water, landscaping and sculpture. Boulevards are tree lined and there are no high rise buildings. Al Ain is the home of the UAE University, the country's largest museum and the biggest zoo. Its sister town, Buraimi, is on the Omani side of the border, but visitors can move freely between the two, making this a fine way to get a taste of Oman without the hassle of obtaining a visa. Note: Women should dress modestly in public.

archaeological excavations
You can spend time exploring the ancient archaeological sites in and around the city, some dating back to the 4th millennium BC.

the al-ain museum and eastern fort
They share the same compound in south-east Al-Ain. The museum contains exhibits on life in pre oil days, Bedouin jewelry, weaponry, musical instruments and the interior of a Bedouin tent. An eclectic display of the decorations received by Shaikh Zayed includes the Order of Isabel the Catholic and a bullet from a Palestinian commando leader who hijacked three aircraft to Jordan in 1970.

local markets
You must visit the nearby livestock souk, which attracts Bedouin and townspeople from all over southern UAE and northern Oman. It's an interesting place to wander around, especially early in the morning when trading is heaviest. There's also a small camel market in the morning close to the center of town. North across the border is the Buraimi Souk, which is full of fruit and vegetable stalls and is backed by the Al-Hilla Fort. Nearby is the impressively restored, 400 year old Al-Khandaq Fort; it's well worth visiting.

camel racing
Camel racing takes place about 20 km (12mi) from Al-Ain, on the road to Abu Dhabi, on Friday mornings during the winter months. You can also arrange camel safaris, ranging from one hour jaunts to overnight treks that include a night in a Bedouin tent.

the al-ain zoo
Houses one of the largest animal collections in the world.

the al-ain museum
Contains old and new artifacts as well as Mesopotamian pottery.

jabel hafit mountain
Just 15 minutes' drive from the the city and surrounded by beautiful landscaped oases.

festivals
Al Ain Classical Music Festival: A yearly event featuring three days of classical music concerts of a high artistic standards. Normally held during the first quarter of the year. Al Ain Flower Festival: Usually follows after the Classical Music Festival, this event held annually showcases the 'floral oasis' of Al Ain following a major award in the International 'Nations in Bloom' competition. A 10 day festival commencing with a grand street parade. The 'flower show', which is the focal activity of the event, features beautiful display of gardens specially designed by local and international landscape architects and horticulturists.

excursions
Al-Ain is a two hour drive east from Abu Dhabi and its only a short trip into Oman.