This historic oasis has existed for over 4,000 years and has been a working farm for almost as long. Al Ain Oasis is a shining example of why the city of Al Ain, located just 90 minutes from Abu Dhabi, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Al Ain is an ancient oasis city in the middle of the desert – evidence of human habitation has been found dating back over 4000 years, making Al Ain of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited places.
Crisscrossing the oasis are a system of falaj, or underground irrigation canals. These channels can be seen above the ground, looking almost like concrete gutters. Many of these were built centuries ago, but are still operational today. Evidence suggests that some of the falaj existed as early as 1000 BC, making them some of the world’s oldest irrigation systems. Keep your eyes peeled for sections of the falaj where you can climb down a set of stairs to dip your toes in the water below.
Today, the site is both a tourist attraction and is home to over 500 privately-owned working farms. The oasis is lush with over 100 types of vegetation, and almost 150,000 date palms of 120 different varieties. A visit to the Al Ain Oasis is a tranquil respite and a true step into the past.