Al Ain is a beautiful garden city in the Buraimi Oasis. Rising from Abu Dhabi's dry desert sands, it is the greenest city in Arabia and a settlement dating back to the 4th millennium BC. As the birthplace of the current ruler of Abu Dhabi, Shaikh Zayed, the town has enjoyed special treatment in recent years, and has glistening fountains, tree-lined boulevards and low-rise buildings. It is home to the country's largest museum and its biggest zoo. Visit in the milder winter months and explore ancient archaeological sites, or in summer to escape the coastal humidity.