Capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi is a well-ordered, industrious city with a pretty waterside location. First inhabited by the nomadic Bani Yas tribe in 1760, the settlement remained a small fishing village until oil was discovered. The revenues transformed Abu Dhabi into the modern city of today-a bustling center of government and business. Find the best things to do in Abu Dhabi with our list of the top attractions.
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Best Things To Do In Abu Dhabi
The Corniche, a five-mile stretch of waterfront real estate, is full of small beaches, playgrounds, art installations, and gardens. People flock here at sunset, as the day begins to cool and as the sky turns orange over the emerald waters. Come for a dip at the beach, or just come to stroll along the meandering pathways. Though there are lots of opportunities to stop and enjoy the view, the beaches are the best excuses; namely, Corniche Public Beach and Al Bahar, the newest developed stretch.
There are many points from which to admire Abu Dhabi’s unique skyline and topography—the towering observation decks, the seaside Corniche—but none rival a private jet. As the only seaplane tour operator in Middle-East, Seawings’ aerial tours soar 1,500 feet above the city’s architectural marvels, historical sites, and natural wonders. Tours, offered for small group or private charters, depart from Yas Island. Pilots are professional, friendly, and informed, sharing information about whatever’s below.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the world’s largest, is an Abu Dhabi must-see. Completed in 2007, it can fit 40,000 visitors and worshippers into a space the size of four football fields. But it’s not only the size that’s impressive. The architecture is a shining culmination of cross-cultural influences: The architects were Emirati, Italian, and British, bringing together design elements from Turkey, Morocco, Pakistan, Egypt, and beyond. The details here are grand, from the reflective pools to the 82 white marble domes, 1,096 exterior columns, and 24-carat gold Swarovski crystal chandeliers, all creating a transcendental experience.
Heritage Village
Abu Dhabi’s Heritage Village is an authentic replica of a typical Bedouin village that gives visitors an idea of Emirati life before the oil boom. It’s located in a pretty beach area of the city, which is a pleasant place to wander after a visit. There are exhibits featuring traditional day-to-day objects, workshops where you can watch craftspeople demonstrate Emirati metalwork and weaving skills, and displays introducing visitors to local agriculture and the pearl diving trade-the main economies here before oil was discovered.
Sir Bani Yas Island
One of the best short breaks from Abu Dhabi city is to the wildlife reserve of Sir Bani Yas Island, first established by Sheikh Zayed. Indigenous Arabian wildlife such as gazelles and the endangered Arabian Oryx plus introduced animals, including giraffes and leopards, free roam within the vast reserve, which covers the interior of Sir Bani Yas Island.
Visitors can book 4×4 safaris, walking safaris, and horse-riding tours to view wildlife within the reserve, as well as other activities, including hiking, mountain biking, and kayaking. The island is accessed by boat from Jebel Dhanna, 260 kilometers west of the city.
Desert Safari
The most popular day trip or overnight trip from Abu Dhabi city is a desert safari to the south of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, either to the beautiful Liwa Oasis, which lays right on the edge of the Empty Quarter, or to the Al Khatim Desert near Al Ain.
The Empty Quarter desert contains the largest sand dunes in the world, and the dunes of both areas are a fantastic playground for anyone who wants to ride dune buggies, try sand boarding, go camel trekking, or simply soak up the vast star-strewn desert sky after dark at a desert camp. Most trips include stops to visit a camel farm and offer a taste of traditional desert life, as well as heading into the dunes themselves.
