Al Jahili Fort
A large mudbrick fort in Al Ain of the 1890s, holding a permanent exhibition on Wilfred Thesiger's desert crossings.
Updated 2 September 2026
Al Jahili was built in the 1890s to defend the palm groves of Al Ain and served as a summer residence for the ruling family, later as a base for the Trucial Oman Scouts. Restored in 2008, it is one of the largest mudbrick structures in the country, with a distinctive round tower of four stepped tiers. Its permanent exhibition, Mubarak bin London, covers Wilfred Thesiger's crossings of the Empty Quarter in the 1940s with his own photographs.
What you'll find
- The stepped round tower - the four-tiered tower that is the fort's signature.
- The Thesiger exhibition - photographs and account of the Empty Quarter crossings.
- The mudbrick construction - one of the largest earth-built structures in the country.
- The courtyard and palms - the enclosed court and the surrounding date gardens.
When to go
October to April for comfortable walking; the courtyard is open air. It closes on Mondays and opens in the afternoon on Fridays. Evenings are pleasant in the lit courtyard.
Practical notes
Most of what stands is restoration rather than original fabric. The exhibition is small and an hour covers the visit. Little of the fort's interior is furnished.
Nearby
Al Ain Oasis is east, and Qasr Al Muwaiji is west.
Key facts
Source: Wikidata, item Q20399848, read on 18 October 2026.
What to pack for Al Jahili Fort
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Loose, light, long clothing - Covering up beats bare skin in the desert - and locals dress this way for a reason. Find on Amazon
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- A wide-brim hat + sunglasses - Shade for your face and eyes where there is none overhead. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
