By Soren Rivero
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) capital city of Abu Dhabi is an extravagant collection of all things urban and industrial, while not abandoning its roots in culture and heritage. Whether you enjoy massive theme parks, white-sanded beaches, ornate mosques, or even desert excursions, there’s something for everyone in Abu Dhabi.
Want to start planning your itinerary? Here are the 15 best things to do in Abu Dhabi!
Seek an Adrenaline Rush at Ferrari World
One of Abu Dhabi’s most unique attractions is the Ferrari World amusement park. This is the first ever Ferrari-themed amusement park in the world, and is quite different from parks you’ll see anywhere else. The theme park is encased mostly within an indoor spacing and features dozens of rides. If you’re looking for something extra fun to do in Abu Dhabi, hop on the Formula Rossa – a launched roller coaster and one of the park’s only outdoor rides. We warn you to come prepared, however. This is literally the fastest rollercoaster in the world, with speeds going up to 150mph!
Explore Abu Dhabi’s Deserts
One cool thing to do in Abu Dhabi is to journey through the many deserts that surround the city. Quite rarely will you ever get the chance to travel through endless fields of golden sands on foot, so take advantage of it while you’re here. Not sure where to go? Start by exploring your options at the Rub Al Khali (Empty Quarter) that surrounds the Liwa Oasis. It’s the largest uninterrupted sand mass in the world that serves as an excellent spot for dune buggy rides, dune bashing, camel treks, and is a great place to take pictures in Abu Dhabi.
Stroll Through Al Jahili Fort
Looking to learn more about the UAE’s history? Visit Al Jahili Fort, a mud-brick museum built in the 18th century. It stands tall over the city of Al Ain just a few miles east of Abu Dhabi, and is a great free thing to do in Abu Dhabi. Its exploration possibilities and proximity to the city makes for one of the most interesting day trips from Abu Dhabi as well.
Let Your Inner Kid out at Warner Bros. World
Did you know that there's a collection of islands just outside Abu Dhabi's metropolitan area? There are a few best islands in Abu Dhabi, though our pick goes to Yas Island as it's where you’ll find the iconic Warner Bros. World. This theme park is dedicated to all the characters that are a part of the famous franchise and includes dozens of rides. Arguably one of the most attractive things about this theme park is that it's located indoors. The entire park is air-conditioned and well-maintained so it's quite the family-friendly activity in Abu Dhabi.
Relax at Yas Beach
Reserve some time to kick back and relax at one of the beaches in Abu Dhabi while you’re out on Yas Island. Of course, there’s no better place than Yas Beach itself. Glistening with white sands and bountiful access to watersports, this is the perfect beach to spend your evening if you’re looking for relaxing things to do in Abu Dhabi.
Visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Few of the attractions in Abu Dhabi can even come close to reaching the excellence that is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in central Abu Dhabi. This is one of the largest mosques in the world, housing over 80 domes designed in a unique fusion of Ottoman, Fatimid, and Mameluke architecture. It's also one of the only two mosques you can visit in Abu Dhabi that don’t require you to follow the Islamic faith.
Cooldown at the Al Ain Oasis
Looking to cool down? Visit the Al Ain Oasis – a UNESCO heritage site in the UAE. The oasis uses a unique irrigation system called falaj in order to provide water and nutrients to the hundreds of trees throughout the park. You can take shade under the orange, fig, and banana trees while exploring this serene park near Abu Dhabi.
Spend a Day at the Eastern Mangroves
Just along the islands surrounding the city are a few mangroves remaining from when the city was still emerging. Eco tours in Abu Dhabi can take you throughout the mangroves via kayaks. You’ll learn about the importance of mangroves and what they do to help preserve local animal and plant life. Heading towards the mangroves near sunset will also reward you with some beautiful scenery in Abu Dhabi.
Get Up Close and Personal with Falcons
Did you know that Abu Dhabi has an abundant population of falcons? These massive birds surround the city and other parts of the UAE. The Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital provides a place where injured and ill falcons can get the veterinary care they deserve, which also aims to preserve the population. You can visit the hospital for two unique things to do in Abu Dhabi. First, the vets might have falcons in care that you can view from their wards. If you visit at the right time, you might even get to hold one of the falcons! Otherwise, the hospital also houses an on-site museum in Abu Dhabi where you can learn more about the falcons and their importance to Emirati culture.
Walk Around Heritage Village
The historic Heritage Village is located on the eastern edge of the Al Kasi peninsula just across from Corniche Beach. Walking around in the village will teach you about Emirati culture like no other place in the UAE. Previously, the village was a prime fishing spot and important spice-trading center. You’ll get views of wooden huts, tents, and live demonstrations of metalwork all while escaping the noise of central Abu Dhabi. Paying a visit to Heritage Village is a quick and cheap thing to do in Abu Dhabi as admission is free – though you can buy souvenirs or try some of the best food in Abu Dhabi.
Enjoy Views from the Observation Deck at 300
Located on the 74th floor of the Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, this must-visit attraction in Abu Dhabi puts you about 984ft above sea level. Those who aren’t guests at the hotel can purchase entry via a ticket, which can also be used to get food and drink from the bar. So if you’re wondering where are the best picture spots in Abu Dhabi, look no further than the Observation Deck at 300.
Explore the Marina Mall
The Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi is located on the Breakwater in Al Kasir. The mall holds hundreds of stores as well as a movie theater, game center, ice rink, and plenty of eateries. Spend a day here for a day full of fun activities in Abu Dhabi. Shopping is completely optional! Before you leave, visit the observation deck at the top floor for dynamic views of the city (though nothing in comparison to the Observation Deck at 300). Not exactly as big as the Dubai Mall, but still worth visiting!
Gaze at Beautiful Artwork in the Louvre Abu Dhabi
The Louvre Abu Dhabi is a fascinating collection of artwork hailing from all across the world, so you can learn about different cultures visiting this one-of-a-kind museum. Not only that, but the artwork is displayed in a way that chronicles humanity from the Neolithic Era to contemporary times. This attraction in Abu Dhabi has consistently been ranked as the best museum in the Middle East, with some saying the museum is a masterpiece itself.
Hop on a Cruise
This famous city’s proximity to the water means that there are plenty of cruises in Abu Dhabi. Some of them can take you from island to island. In fact, island hopping is a popular activity to do in Abu Dhabi if you enjoy seaside views and being outdoors. Another option includes taking a pearl tour via a boat ride to the mangroves. Abu Dhabi has a rich history with pearl diving – learn all about it by taking one of these boat rides!
Soak in the City
Lastly, it's no secret that among the best things to do in Abu Dhabi is simply just observing the city. The capital of the UAE is gorgeous from nearly every corner. Whether you’re a fan of bar hopping or simply looking for the best places to take pictures in Abu Dhabi, simply walking around the city is something everyone should do. The giant skyscrapers and modern architecture at night are especially beautiful. Though, walking in Abu Dhabi during the daytime is also great for getting views of the city against the backdrop of the Persian Gulf.
Which of these amazing activities will you do when you travel to Abu Dhabi?
