Souq Al Qattara: Al Ain’s fascinating portal into Arabian heritage

At MyBayut we always strive to inform you about all the amazing venues around the UAE that celebrate local culture. One of these venues that have been getting attention lately, is Souq Al Qattara, a historic attraction located in Al Ain. 

About the Souq Al Qattara Al Ain

A hidden gem in the heart of Al Ain, Souq Al Qattara is a UNESCO world heritage site, where visitors can experience good old fashioned entertainment, in a traditional Arab setting.

The site, which dates back to the mid-20th century was renovated a few years ago under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan. It was done to promote traditional Arabian culture by showcasing the unique handcrafted products of the region.

Since then, this Souq in Al Ain is has become one of the best heritage attractions in Al Ain. Apart from that, it’s a popular spot for other cultural events like exhibitions, folklore shows, music concerts and more. 

Being one of the popular places to visit in Al Ain, there is a lot this heritage site in Al Ain has to offer. Continue reading to find out all the amazing things the Souq Al Qattara heritage site has to offer. 

Things to do in Souq Al Qattara Al Ain

Souq Al Qattara is the perfect place to learn about the various Emirati traditions. They host an array of cultural and heritage activities to showcase the UAE’s heritage while also entertaining visitors. Here are some of the activities in Souq Al Qattara that visitors can enjoy with the whole family. 

Shop for traditional handicrafts 

Souq Al Qattara is an extraordinary shopping centre for traditional Arabic attire and other handicraft items.

In fact, it’s home to 18 different shops with hospitable artisans who show visitors how the things are made and/or used. Items that are available for purchase include women’s and men’s traditional clothing, as well as, utensils, camping tools, falconry equipment and more.

Enjoy the Emirati cuisine

Apart from shopping, there are many shops in the Al Qattara heritage village where visitors can sample traditional Arabic food, coffee, dates, honey, spices, etc. You also get to try Luqaimat, a deliciously sweet and crunchy dumpling, served with date syrup and sesame seed. 

Watch the Traditional UAE folk dance

Watching traditional UAE folk dances is one of the popular activities at Al Qattara Abu Dhabi. Dancers come to the Al Qattara Heritage Souq and perform the Yola or Yowla, which is a traditional dance, performed by Emirati men. Dancers also perform Liwa and Harbiya dances, which are the most recognised traditional dances in the UAE. 

Visit the Al Qattara Arts Centre

Another part of the Souq Al Qattara experience is the purpose-built, Al Qattara Arts Centre. This facility features a traditional Arabic look outside and modern state-of-the-art facilities inside. Here, guests can try their hand at painting and drawing, paper quilling, punch craft, jewellery making, calligraphy, photography or even oud lessons (oud is a pear-shaped string instrument that produces calming, some say even healing sounds).

Souq Al Qattara Al Ain Location

The Souq Al Qattara is located in the city of Al Ain, which is two hours away from Abu Dhabi. It was built on a palm-lined road which linked Al Qattara and Al Jimi oasis in Al Ain. The street is now called Hamooda Bin Ali St, Al Qattara, Al Ain – Abu Dhabi

The best way to get to the Al Ain Qattara Souq is by car. If you are travelling all the way from Dubai, its a one and a half-hour drive via the Dubai – Al Ain Rd/E66. If you don’t have a car you can access this place by bus, however, it would be approximately a three-hour journey. For this trip, you would need to hop on either the E16 or E201 bus from the Al Sabkha Bus Station in Deira and then get down at the ‘Al Qattara Oasis East 1’ stop. 

That concludes this guide of the Souq al Qattara in Abu Dhabi. The major benefit of visiting this traditional souq, in addition to boosting the local economy, is that it helps visitors learn and experience the history of the UAE. It also provides an enlightening insight into the ancient Arabian world and is definitely worth the visit.  

If you’d like to visit more heritage places in Al Ain, check out the Al Ain Palace Museum. Another popular attraction, worth visiting is the Al Ain Zoo, which has been sharing the love of wildlife for over 50 years now.

For the latest updates on attractions, activities and events around the UAE, stay tuned to MyBayut.