Al Jahili Fort (Al Ain)

Al Jahili Fort is the largest fort in the UAE and one of the most meticulously preserved examples of traditional Emirati defensive architecture, protecting Al Ain's date palm plantations since 1891. Its round watchtower now houses a permanent exhibition on Wilfred Thesiger's 1940s desert crossings, and 120,000 visitors toured the site last year alone. The fort is cheaper to visit than the average UAE landmark, with an entry fee of only AED 5, and its 32-metre tower is 25% taller than the runner-up fort in Hatta, while its mud-brick walls were restored using 14,000 original materials sourced from the 19th-century construction.