Top 7 amazing things to do in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is starting to become a destination in its own right. It may not have the glitz and glamour that tourists seek out in Dubai, but the UAE capital has many things to offer. For many years, we’ve been taking visitors on day trips to see the Grand Mosque and a drive along the corniche with a photo stop at Emirates Palace. However, in recent years, Abu Dhabi has opened a host of landmarks and attractions that are worth a staycation or vacation. We’ve visited many of them and below are our top picks

Visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

You cannot miss the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture. It remains our favourite landmark and we’ve probably visited it 10 times already. It’s not only an architectural masterpiece, but an immersion in Islamic culture.

The best time to visit it in our opinion is in the late afternoon, so you can see its white marble and colourful mosaics shimmer in the day light. Then, wait till evening to see it light up under the night sky.

You can visit the mosque for free and there are also free guided tours you can join or get an audio guide. Just remember to dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered. Women should also cover their hair. If you don’t have the appropriate attire, you will be provided with an abaya to cover up.

Louvre Abu Dhabi

Even if you are not an art lover or a museum buff, the Louvre Abu Dhabi is a worth a visit. It offers a unique path through human history and achievements, blending the local history with some of the best pieces of Louvre Paris, including masterpieces from Leonardo da Vinci, Picasso and others. We loved the modern architecture of the museum with its silver dome and the open sea access.   

There is also a space for temporary exhibitions, workshops for kids, a restaurant and library onsite. You can even rent kayaks to go around the building nowadays.  

The best time to visit is around mid-day, when the rays of sun shine through the intricate roof structure. Be prepared for a lot of walking, as once you are inside the exhibition halls you will need to follow the path through all the rooms to the exit. You can buy your entry ticket at the museum or in advance online.

Kayak in the Eastern Mangroves

If you want to explore some of the natural landscapes Abu Dhabi has to offer, take a kayak tour through the Eastern Mangroves. Kayaking in the mangroves is a great opportunity to understand the vital role these trees play in the environment. They protect the shoreline, they are essential for the local biodiversity and they help against climate changes.

We loved this activity since it’s not too demanding and the water is calm, so it was ok even for Andrea who is usually sea sick. We saw the intricate roots many fish and crabs hide under, while birds nestle on their branches. The most rewarding experience is to see a red fox, which burrows in the mangroves created islands.

The best time to go is early morning or late afternoon, when the tide is low and you can go through the many small canals. There are quite a few companies that offer tours, we booked with Sea Hawk which is just outside Anantara.

Try the fastest rollercoaster in the world at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

If you are into speed, Ferrari World is the right theme park for you. It features Formula Rossa, a Ferrari inspired rollercoaster that simulate the acceleration of a real F1. Not for the faint hearted! There are many other rides that will take you on a journey to Italy, and of course a lot of souvenir shops with memorabilia to take home.

Try to avoid going during the weekends when it can get crowded and queues for rides can take longer.

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Meet your favorite cartoons at Warner Bros World

Cartoons and DC Comics enthusiasts of all ages will love this theme park! You can easily spend an entire day there trying out all the rides, from 4D immersive experiences to high-speed and high-adrenaline rollercoasters. We loved  the meticulously detailed Metropolis and Gotham City that look like real streets. Just as we loved exploring Tom & Jerry’s house or the town of Bedrock with the Flintstones. . The amount of care given to the details made us feel like we were really part of the story. One of our favorite rides were Joker’s Fun House, with a mirror maze we barely escaped, before exiting down slides.

You can also meet & greet your favourite superheroes or watch live shows with cartoon characters, like Buggs Bunny, Tweety and Daffy Duck.

We can buy your ticket at the park or online. We got ours on headout.com, which offered a good discount.

If you want to explore beyond the city, here are our top recommendations that are just a few hours’ drive from Abu Dhabi.

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Discover the Nature Reserve at Sir Bani Yas Island Abu Dhabi

Sir Bani Yas Island Abu Dhabi is far from the city, around 3 hours’ drive (plus a boat ride) but it is worth the journey. The island is a protected area with wild animals from across the Arabian peninsula and further afield.

You can spend a night at one of the Anantara villas or hotel, and include in your package a safari tour. The expert guides will explain the natural conservation project and the habits of the animals present on the island. We saw many gazelles, oryx, giraffes and even two cheetahs. The oryx and gazelles are regularly reintroduced in the mainland wilderness when ready.

Desert Safari at Liwa Oasis

Liwa is a natural oasis, nested within red dunes of sand. You will see freshwater pools, palm groves and the beauty of the endless empty quarter desert. There are many options to enjoy Liwa, from a guided day-trip, overnight trekking and/or a stay at one of the hotels in the area. Watch out for the camels on the side of the road as you drive through the desert. You can also visit the old Mezairaa Fort in Liwa, though there is not much to see inside.

We stayed at the Talal Liwa hotel which has a huge infinity pool overlooking the desert. It usually has good package offers, even in high season. We also had an amazing experience at the luxurious Qasr Al Sarab hotel as we just stopped at their bar for some refreshments on our way back home and to watch the sunset. If you can afford an upgrade, go for the private pool villas which look very luxurious.  

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