Al Ain β Abu Dhabiβs inland city, 160 kilometres from the capital β has been named Arab Capital of Tourism for 2026 by the Arab Tourism Organization. The designation makes Al Ain the first city to hold both the GCC Cultural Capital and Arab Tourism Capital titles in back-to-back years, a recognition that reflects the cityβs unusual combination of living heritage, UNESCO-listed landscapes, and year-round accessibility.
Why Al Ain Holds This Designation
Al Ainβs UNESCO World Heritage Site status, granted in 2011, covers several distinct assets within and around the city. Jebel Hafeet, at 1,340 metres the highest peak in Abu Dhabi emirate and one of the most dramatic mountain drives in the Gulf, is the most immediately striking. The oases β particularly Al Ain Oasis, a working agricultural falaj irrigation system dating back thousands of years β provide a quieter, greener counterpoint to the mountain landscape.
Hili Archaeological Park, on the northern edge of the city, contains Bronze Age tombs and settlement remains that place Al Ain within a much longer arc of human history than the Gulfβs modern development might suggest. The city itself is relatively low-density and walkable compared to Dubai or Abu Dhabi β an unusual characteristic in the region that gives visits a different pace.
The 2026 Programme
The Arab Tourism Capital designation comes with a year-long cultural programme that runs through December 2026. Events include heritage festivals at the oasis sites, traditional market activations, and a calendar of Emirati cultural performances tied to significant dates in the Islamic and national calendars.
September and October sit within the most comfortable period for outdoor exploration in Al Ain. The extreme summer heat has eased, temperatures during the day drop to the high 30s rather than the low-to-mid 40s, and sunrise and sunset visits to Jebel Hafeet become viable rather than an endurance exercise.
Practical Information for Visitors
Al Ain is straightforward to reach from Abu Dhabi (about 90 minutes by car) and from Dubai (about 90 minutes). The city has its own airport, Al Ain International, with connections to several regional destinations, though most international visitors arrive via Abu Dhabi or Dubai and drive.
The Mercure Grand Jebel Hafeet and the Al Ain Rotana are the most prominent hotel options. More modest accommodation is clustered around the city centre. A full Al Ain itinerary covering Jebel Hafeet, the oasis, the souk, and the archaeological park takes two days comfortably.
For visitors combining Al Ain with Abu Dhabi, the standard approach is to use the capital as a base and take Al Ain as a full day trip or an overnight excursion. The drive on the E22 is fast and well-maintained.
For more on planning time in Abu Dhabi emirate, see our Al Ain city guide for practical details on what to see and when, or our Abu Dhabi things to do guide for activities across the emirate.