Explore the tranquil oasis of Al Ain on a day trip from Abu Dhabi, where you can experience a peaceful escape from the city hustle.

For those looking to buy a camel in Abu Dhabi, the unlikeliest place to find one is Ikea.

While Ikea may not be selling camels just yet, it's certainly an interesting spot for a camel purchase if they ever decide to venture into the desert market.

The last traditional camel market in Abu Dhabi, a lively scene of bargaining and camels, is conveniently located next to an Ikea store, draped in its iconic blue and yellow.

The camel souk is a must-see highlight of a day trip to Al Ain, a charming, serene city just outside Abu Dhabi, known for its history, lush landscapes, and a slower pace of life.

A drive from central Abu Dhabi to Al Ain takes about two hours, crossing the vast desert along straight highways. In the future, experimental technology may shorten this journey to just eight minutes.

This journey takes you deeper into the desert, close to the Oman border, and offers a glimpse of the region's rich cultural heritage, a contrast to its usual reputation for towering skyscrapers and lavish lifestyles.

Al Ain Oasis

At the heart of Al Ain, the Al Ain Oasis stands out as one of the region’s most remarkable attractions.

Strolling through the lush date palm trees and listening to the gentle sound of a stream, it’s hard to believe you're in a desert region—Al Ain Oasis feels like an unexpected green haven in the midst of the sands.

This serene woodland, with its towering trees and peaceful, walled lanes crisscrossed by winding waterways, is all the more extraordinary considering that just a few years ago, it was on the brink of disappearing.

In the 1980s and 90s, as Al Ain expanded, there was a real risk that the oasis would be consumed by urban development. However, urban planners took action, integrating the lush greenery into the growing city.

The Al Ain Oasis has since earned the prestigious status of a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Al Ain Oasis, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, stands as a testament to the city's commitment to preserving its natural beauty.

The oasis’s age-old farming methods, which have been used for millennia, are now safeguarded as part of its UNESCO designation, earning Al Ain the title of 'Garden City'.

A visitor center opened here in 2016, and bikes are available for rental to explore the oasis. However, for those seeking relief from Abu Dhabi’s intense heat, it’s far more enjoyable to take a leisurely walk under the cool shade of the palm trees.

Visitors may occasionally spot one of the traditional irrigation channels, or falaj, coming to life as it carries water from nearby cisterns to nourish the thirsty date palms.

“I could easily lose myself staring at these trees for hours,” says Usman Mustafa, an engineer enjoying a break from his work in Dubai. “This place feels like a peaceful retreat.”

Al Ain Oasis, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi; +971 3 712 8523

Al Ain Camel Souk

Young camels typically sell for around $1,000.

Looking to buy a camel?

You might not be in the market, but plenty of people are in Abu Dhabi, which is why the Al Ain souk continues to thrive as the last of its kind in the UAE—a glimpse into ancient traditions in the modern shadow of Ikea.

It’s an experience worth witnessing, especially during peak trading hours shortly after the gates open at 6 a.m., when deals are struck amidst lively negotiations, phone calls, handshakes, and hugs.

Self-assembly camels? You’ll find the camel market just behind Ikea.

Self-assembly camels? You can find the camel market right behind Ikea. Barry Neild/Dinogo

Visitors are encouraged to explore, and most traders—who come from places like Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Somalia—are happy to showcase their camels when asked if it's alright to take photos.

“They’re typically bought for meat by locals,” says Ghulsahib Khan, an experienced salesman from the Afghan city of Khost, who has a lively group of one-year-old camels up for sale.

Camels are often purchased to provide meat for special occasions, such as weddings. After the sale, they’re carefully loaded—sometimes with some reluctance—onto trucks or pickups for transport.

Once bought, the camels are transported away in trucks or pickups.

After purchase, camels are loaded onto trucks or pickups and driven away. Barry Neild/Dinogo

“People in the UAE are good to deal with,” says Khan. “There’s usually some haggling, but prices are settled quickly.”

Negotiations are tougher with buyers from Oman. Omanis have different preferences, Khan notes, as he points to a large, fierce-looking camel at the heart of the tidy market.

“That one’s about 15 years old. No one’s going to eat him… except maybe the Omanis.”

Al Ain Camel Souk, Zayed Bin Sultan St., Al Ain, Abu Dhabi

Jebel Hafeet Mountain

Jebel Hafeet: The road to nowhere. Barry Neild/Dinogo

Rising 1,400 meters above the southern outskirts of Al Ain, Jebel Hafeet offers breathtaking views over the flat landscapes of Abu Dhabi and the neighboring country of Oman.

At the base of the mountain, you’ll find popular hot springs and, nearby, ancient Bronze Age tombs where archaeologists have uncovered 5,000-year-old ceramic and copper artifacts.

The highlight is the 11.7-kilometer mountain road that winds its way to the summit, a thrilling drive often hailed as one of the world’s best.

View from the top: Jebel Hafeet summit. Barry Neild/Dinogo

Once you’re out of the car, the best thing to do is take in the breathtaking view, whether from the sleek hotel near the peak or the modest restaurant that sits at the top.

The road is especially popular with cyclists who enjoy the challenge of endless 8% inclines under the intense Arabian sun—though they’re no doubt looking forward to the effortless coast back into town.

Mercure Grand Jebel Hafeet Al Ain; Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi; +971 3783 8888

Al Jahili Fort

Sunset fortress: Al Jahili Fort. Courtesy TCA Abu Dhabi

The striking presence of Al Jahili Fort is hard to miss. This historic structure, built in 1891 as the headquarters for the local governor, has been a prominent landmark in Al Ain ever since.

Perhaps it’s the way its crenelated mudbrick walls resemble a giant version of the sandcastles many of us have crafted on beaches. It truly embodies the classic image of a fort.

Renovated in 2007, this photogenic fort now serves as a cultural center and features a permanent exhibit dedicated to Wilfred Thesiger, a renowned 20th-century British explorer famous for his daring expeditions across the harsh deserts of the Arabian Peninsula's Empty Quarter.

A visit here doesn’t take long, leaving plenty of time for further historical exploration at the archaeology-packed Al Ain National Museum or the nearby Al Ain Palace Museum, a former royal residence offering a peek into the more recent history of the region’s rulers.