Al Jahili Fort
Al Jahili Fort
4.3
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.3
327 reviews
Excellent
126
Very good
162
Average
35
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4
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A gente tá por aí
Sao Paulo, SP238 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
The fort is very beautiful and the reception is very well done with Café dos Emirados and Tâmaras. On the government website vc can already schedule and withdraw your visit ticket (so you do not need to fill in the registration on time) and can also schedule the guided visits. Both options are free. The fort was completely reconstructed the 10-year version using the same techniques and materials used in the past. Worth a visit but try to go at the end of the day if you are in the summer
Automatically translated
Written August 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dirk W
Alexandra Headland, Australia10,151 contributions
Apr 2024 • Solo
From an historical standpoint, Al Jahili Fort is recent, only about 125 years old. But because the indigenous people had a nomadic lifestyle, nothing much residential remains in UAE. The authorities attach great importance to this site and have made extensive renovations and additions, such as a visitor center and exhibitions. At the time of my visit, The Tower was covered in scaffolding and closed.
The young lady at reception is very hospitable and you are offered a cup of Arab coffee (small ceramic cup and very weak).
The young lady at reception is very hospitable and you are offered a cup of Arab coffee (small ceramic cup and very weak).
Written May 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David S
Banbury, UK36 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
This is a splendid historic fort in the heart of Al Ain, with a fascinating permanent exhibition celebrating the travels of Wilfred Thesiger through the Empty Quarter. The fort itself is impressive, dating back over a century, and there is a good video documenting the conversation techniques used in its partial reconstruction. At present there is also a small temporary exhibition showcasing buildings similarly built of rammed earth around the world. A personal highlight though was the permanent collection of photographs and exhibits from the two expeditions undertaken by Thesiger during the late 1940s. Truly a different era.
Written November 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frances W
2 contributions
Mar 2025 • Friends
We went to Al Ain mainly to see the fort and although the entrance is very modern - with various displays and videos explaining various aspects - it is basically en empty shell. There is one room with couches all around which apparently is where meetings used to take place but other than that it is hard to imagine people living there. There is nothing to inform you about the type of life the inhabitants led (unless you watch all the videos at the entrance but still hard to imagine) - it would be a great improvement if there were at least replicas of furniture etc. and explanations in each of the small dark rooms as to what they were used for. Inside the “parade ground” type of space - was nothing - what was stored there or what was it used for? Again, it would benefit from some sort of artifacts you could see other than the few things scattered around = you had to watch all the videos to get an idea as to what went on and who lived there. But that would have taken a long time.
Written March 18, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Iolanda Guerra e Andrade
Lisbon, Portugal3,729 contributions
Oct 2022 • Friends
This late 18th century fort is one of the biggest traditional forts in Al Ain. Initially constructed between 1891 and 1898 to be a Summer residence for the Sheikh Zayed royal family has now been turned into a Museum, which exhibits black and white photos from the British explorer Wilfred Thesiger, a highly respected citizen in the area and beyond for having lived as the locals and later disclosed the cultural aspects of the area. There were also some rather interesting artefats on display.
Written November 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
70ava
Beijing, China1,015 contributions
Feb 2023
The desert earthen architecture at its best. Have a look at the 15 minute restoration movie before you take a walk around the fort and you will appreciate the excellence of the work that was done here much more. Great place for those who admire architecture.
Written February 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
intothefringe
Birmingham, UK176 contributions
Feb 2023
A private tour to see one of the biggest mud structures in the Middle east. The history of the fort and the politics of the city the UAE rulers came from. Inside there was a special exhibition of Bin London or Wilfred Thesiger's journeys in the UAE and Oman. Great pictures and maps of bygone days.
Written February 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ihar Beliauski
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates844 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
Al Jahili Fort stands as a testament to the region's history, offering visitors a glimpse into its storied past. One of the delightful surprises is the captivating landscape surrounding the fort. The views are truly enchanting, providing a picturesque backdrop that adds to the allure of the historical site. Exploring the fort becomes an immersive experience, as the surroundings contribute to the overall charm and make a visit to Al Jahili Fort a rewarding journey through both time and nature.
Written January 12, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lee D
211 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
I was very impressed with Al Jahili Fort - beautifully restored complex, wonderful photographic exhibition and welcoming staff. We spent about an hour walking around the complex and visiting the exhibitions. Free admission, toilet facilities and ample parking.
Written November 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WarrinerGeographer
Bloxham, UK123 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
The fort may stand in the centre of Al Ain but you could be forgiven thinking you had stepped back in time. The Fort houses a fascinating collection of photographs of Wilfred Thesiger. He is was an amazing eccentric character that travelled through The Empty Quarter with Bedu people. Stunning life. We had the fort almost to ourselves. Such a fascinating hour or so.
Written March 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can I arrange a ride from the ferry to the Krisna Bungalows?
Written December 2, 2015
Al Jahli Fort is a museum in the heart of the park in Al Ain. It is a restored military fort not a seaport I hope i have answered your question and I have helped you somehow...Thank you.
Written December 4, 2015
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