UNESCO Sites in Al Ain
The sites
| Site | What is there |
|---|---|
| Hafit | Circular stone tombs at Jebel Hafeet, about 5,000 years old |
| Hili | Settlements and one of the oldest examples of the aflaj irrigation system, from the Iron Age |
| Bidaa Bint Saud | Remains of the Bronze and Iron Ages |
| Oases | Al Ain, Mutared, Muwaiji, Hili, Jimi and Qattara, with wells, aflaj and mud-brick buildings |
Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Cultural Sites of Al Ain (Hafit, Hili, Bidaa Bint Saud and Oases Areas); UAE Government Portal: Nature and ecosystems1,2
UNESCO describes the property as evidence of continuous settled life in a desert region since the Neolithic, at a crossroads of land routes between Oman, the Arabian Peninsula, the Gulf and Mesopotamia. It is inscribed under criteria (iii), (iv) and (v), with a buffer zone of 7,605 hectares.1
Living heritage
The aflaj also appear on UNESCO's intangible heritage lists: Al Aflaj, the traditional irrigation network and the skills to build, maintain and share its water fairly, is one of the UAE's inscribed elements.4
Jebel Hafeet rises to 1,240 m south of the city, on fertile land known for its farms.2,3
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the UNESCO sites in Al Ain?
The Cultural Sites of Al Ain, inscribed in 2011: Hafit, Hili, Bidaa Bint Saud and the oases, in 17 components covering 4,945 hectares.
Sources
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Cultural Sites of Al Ain (Hafit, Hili, Bidaa Bint Saud and Oases Areas)
- UAE Government Portal: Nature and ecosystems
- UAE Government Portal: Abu Dhabi
- UNESCO: Intangible cultural heritage of the United Arab Emirates
Figures checked 21 October 2026. Prepared by Invest-Emirates.ae for general information. Figures come from the sources listed.