As the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi is a popular destination for expats and tourists. With Dubai being at the forefront, you’d be surprised to find that Abu Dhabi is quite up to par as well. From visiting world-famous cultural hotspots to relaxing on crystal-clear beaches, this is our selection of how to spend your well-deserved two days of rest. Here are the 10 best things to do in Abu Dhabi this weekend!
Top 10 Best Things to Do in Abu Dhabi this Weekend
- Take a stroll along the Corniche.
- Discover Royal Life at Emirates Palace.
- Shop Your Heart Out at Yas Mall.
- Cool Off at Al Ain Oasis.
- Travel Back in Time at the Heritage Village.
- Have A Picnic at the Umm Al Emarat Park.
- Experience Speed at Ferrari World.
- Find Wonder at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
- Hit the Abu Dhabi Beach.
- Discover Culture at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
- Splash Around at Yas Waterworld.
1. Take a Stroll Along the Corniche
It’s hard to live in Abu Dhabi and not notice the vast stretch of corniche — one of the most popular spots on the island city. A great way to discover it all is by simply walking down the giant walkway. You’ll be surprised to find that it is actually a common practice for people to walk the entirety of this 8km stretch of seaside goodness — even whole families take up this activity.
Starting from the Emirates Palace to the West and ending at Mina Zayed on the East, walking up the corniche is a great way to discover Abu Dhabi as you pass by many of its well-known landmarks.
On the way, you can expect to spot the Youth Hub, a giant equatorial sundial, the Corniche Labyrinth maze, Surfnslide the artificial wave place, cafes, restaurants, waterparks, beachside basketball courts, beach volleyball courts, spas, and enough beaches, parks, and kids play areas to last a lifetime.
The serene cycling and walking tracks that you’ll be strolling on top of, paired with the scenic view of the sea and Lulu Island spread across the horizon are a welcome sight to accompany you along the entire journey.
This activity is at the top of our “best things to do in Abu Dhabi this weekend” list because of how comprehensive the outing is. There’s just so much going on in the Corniche.
Location
The Corniche is stretched across Corniche Rd. found in the northernmost part of Abu Dhabi.
Activities
- Rent a bike or scooter.
- Dine.
- Have a picnic in one of the many parks.
- Watch the sunset or sunrise.
- Swim on the beaches or waterpark.
2. Discover Royal Life at Emirates Palace
The Emirates Palace is to Abu Dhabi what Burj Al Arab is to Dubai —you’ve not officially visited Abu Dhabi until you’ve seen it. The iconic ultra-luxurious hotel has become a must-visit tourist attraction in Abu Dhabi for a good reason.
The Emirates Palace is famed for all things golden. From golden domes, chandeliers, and even edible gold flakes on your coffee. This excursion can serve as a subtle introduction to all things lavish in the UAE.
Visitors of the palace enjoy free access to all of the palace’s main attractions, but will need to pay for a guided tour and will need to have a room booked to gain access to the outdoor amenities. The palace also boasts a large and beautiful garden (which is free to access) and an exclusive beach available to guests only.
If filling up your friends’ Instagram feeds with glamorous shots of some of the world’s finest luxury hotel interiors sounds like something you would do, then this is the excursion for you.
Location
The Emirates Palace is located on the westernmost tip of the Corniche Road in Abu Dhabi.
Hours
The Emirates Palace is open 24/7 for visitors and tourists.
Activities
- Explore the palace’s gardens.
- Take amazing photos.
- Experience world-class dining.
3. Shop Your Heart Out at Yas Mall
Yas Mall is Abu Dhabi’s largest mall. With direct access to top entertainment facilities on the island such as Ferrari World and CLYMB Abu Dhabi (the indoor sky diving place), Yas Mall is an entertainment hotspot. With over 370 brands and 68 F&B outlets, visitors will exhaust themselves before exploring the entirety of this 2.5 million square feet mall.
Besides shopping, visitors can enjoy games at the Fun Works arcade, build something magnificent with Legos at Pop in & Play or enjoy the breathtaking massive indoor fountain.
Location
Yas Mall is located smack dab at the center of Yas Island, on Al Maha Street.
Hours
The mall is open from 10 AM to 10 PM on weekdays and until midnight on Thursdays and Fridays.
Activities
- Shop.
- Bowl.
- Dine.
- Watch a film.
- Ice skate.
- Rock climb.
- Play games at the arcade center.
4. Cool Off At Al Ain Oasis
Al Ain Oasis is one of the most refreshing outings one can embark on in Abu Dhabi. Here you can explore a beautiful and massive date palm grove in traditional Arab fashion. Enjoy views of the towering date palms and the sounds of the chirping birds as you take in a deep breath and enjoy the earthy scents of the grove.
The oasis is home to more than 150,000 palm trees and is a well-known source of traditional dates in the UAE. Learn more about the impressive irrigation system (Falaj) used to make this place the gem that it is. Falaj is a technique used for watering various types of trees utilizing the pull of gravity, channels, and burrows.
Have your camera on standby as the breathtaking views of the oasis, greenery, and vast deserts beyond are memories you will want to keep with you forever.
The Al Ain Oasis is free to access for everyone.
Location
The oasis is located in the centre of Al Ain just about an hour and a half drive from Downtown Abu Dhabi.
Hours
Al Ain Oasis is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm.
5. Travel Back In Time at the Heritage Village
If you’re interested in the history and beginnings of the Emirati capital, there’s no better place to start your journey than the Heritage Village. Originally the fishing village of the city, the area is now a village stuck in time.
Explore the souk (or market), the famous mosque, and observe how pottery is made, glass is blown, and the fabric is woven. There are also workshops available in this area that teach visitors the aforementioned crafts.
Discover how the local Bedouins go about their daily lives while you enjoy a deep black cup of concentrated Arab coffee.
Location
The village is located on the eastern tip of the Marina Mall Island, only a 15-minute ride from Downtown Abu Dhabi.
Hours
Heritage Village is open every day from 11 am to 11 pm.
Activities
- Learn about pre-modern Abu Dhabi.
- Sample local delicacies.
- Shop for antiques and memorabilia.
- Engage in:
- Metalwork workshops.
- Pottery workshops.
- Weaving and spinning workshops.
6. Have A Picnic at the Umm Al Emarat Park
Are you the outdoorsy type? There’s no shortage of great parks in Abu Dhabi, but if you had to choose just one, then it would have to be Umm Al Emarat. Meaning “Mother of the Emirates” in Arabic, it’s among the largest and most extravagant parks in the city.
Filled with unique structures (such as the Shadow House), fountains, streams, and lakes, a lot of effort and planning went into creating this gem of a park. With an endless number of palm trees beautifully dotted all across the park, the circle is completed by virtue of Umm Al Emarat having its own dedicated dates vendor. Speaking of food, there are a number of cafes, restaurants, and even a supermarket in Umm Al Emarat Park.
The little ones will absolutely love this place. With splash pads, a massive and unique landscape to explore, and even an animal barn complete with rabbits, emus, and turtles, your kids will have their hands full.
But that’s not all, a children’s garden area where structured play programs can be found is another great attraction of the park. An amphitheater, a botanical garden, and a promenade also exist within this great park. We could go on forever about this one, but it will better suffice if you visit it. We really cannot recommend it enough.
Location
Umm Al Emarat is located on 15 St. in the Mushrif area of Abu Dhabi, which is around 15 minutes from Downtown Abu Dhabi.
Hours
The park is open every day from 8 AM to 12 AM.
Activities
- Enjoy the play areas.
- Interact with animals at the animal barn.
- Enjoy a show at the amphitheater.
- Dine in the amazing food court.
- Meditate on the open and tranquil green spaces.
- Play at the kid’s splash pad.
7. Experience Speed at Ferrari World
This one’s for the adrenaline junkees. The Formula Rossa, which goes from a speed of zero to 240 km/h in only 5 seconds was the world’s fastest rollercoaster for a long while, and it calls Ferrari World its home.
The massive Ferrari-themed park hosts everything from high-tech Formula 1 race car simulators to actual Ferrari cars that can be driven, and a long list of rides that will leave your head buzzing.
Complete with an Italian town-themed area that includes eateries, the Ferrari World Abu Dhabi engages all your senses.
Go-karting and mini race tracks are other fun attractions in this amusement park. Finally, an interactive “How Ferraris are Made” exhibition will leave all car enthusiasts fully satisfied.
Location
Ferrari World is located at Yas Leisure Drive on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, right next to Yas Mall.
Hours
Generally, the park is open every day from 11 AM to 8 PM.
Activities
- Sample different rides.
- Learn about Ferarris.
- Hop on some state-of-the-art race simulators.
- Buy souvenirs.
8. Find Wonder at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Among the most popular attractions in Abu Dhabi is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque — a modern wonder of Arabian architecture that will leave you speechless.
This relatively new attraction is considered among the largest ever built, featuring 82 domes, the world’s largest handwoven carpet, chandeliers made of 24-karat gold, and rare crystals. This one takes our breaths away every time.
The journey to the mosque starts at the underground mall where tickets can be purchased and the appropriate attire can be acquired. From there, visitors take escalators to the magnificent mosque reminiscent of Disney’s Aladdin Palace.
Guided tours are available to help visitors comprehend the beauty behind the contemporary Islamic architecture of the mosque as well as its history. Furthermore, Muslims are allowed to enter the praying area to carry out their five daily prayers.
Location
The mosque is located on Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed St. in Abu Dhabi, around 20 minutes from Downtown Abu Dhabi.
Hours
The mosque is open every day from 9 am to 10 pm except on Fridays, where it opens from 9 AM to 12 PM, closes for Friday prayers, and then opens back up again from 3 pm to 10 pm, for tourists.
Activities
- Explore the mosque.
- Unwind in the gardens of the mosque.
- Shop and dine at the underground mall.
9. Hit the Abu Dhabi Beach
Being an island, Abu Dhabi has its fair share of some of the most amazing beaches you can find in the country. One of the best options is the Abu Dhabi Beach located on the corniche. This free-access beach enjoys great views of Lulu Island and boasts a dock where people can embark on great water activities from.
If you’re lucky you’ll experience one of the local residents air feeding the seagulls on the shore. Food is thrown into the air for a swarm of seemingly levitating seagulls that glide in place only an arm’s length away from their feeder as they scramble for food.
The Abu Dhabi beach is also home to a mechanical wave generator where kids and adults can both enjoy surfing over artificial waves.
Location
The Abu Dhabi Beach is located on the northernmost tip of the subdistrict of Al Hisn, on the Corniche St.
Hours
Although visitors can be found on the shore in the late evening, the official beach hours are from 8 am to 6 pm every day.
Activities
- Surfing.
- Kayaking.
- Boat cruises.
- Swimming.
10. Discover Culture at the Louvre Abu Dhabi
The Louvre Abu Dhabi is Saadiyat Island’s leading attraction. The world-class museum is modeled after its predecessor the Louvre in France, with world-class paintings and art pieces from prominent artists such as Van Gogh and Leonardo da Vinci.
The giant museum is located on a waterfront with a lavish garden and open green spaces that are perfect for picnics. The museum itself is a piece of art, architected by Jean Nouvel, and reminiscent of a dome with geometric gaps that are beautiful to look at both from the outside and inside.
Visitors will make their way through the different exhibitions in the museum and eventually arrive at the center of the museum’s outdoor area, where an artistic tree structure stands along with many stunning glass exhibitions, great waterfront views, and sitting areas where projections of motivational and thought-provoking texts are projected on walls over the water.
The museum has its very own children’s museum where kids can engage in interactive and inspiring sessions with trained professionals. Grab a bite or a drink of coffee at the neo-modern restaurant and cafe that exists in close proximity to the children’s museum, and enjoy rooftop views at the building’s peak.
The museum is known to switch things up every so often so expect a different experience every time. For example, an indoor closed glass platform where a cloud was held was something that the museum housed not too long ago.
End your visit to the Louvre by stopping at the souvenir shop and perhaps purchasing a few items to show and tell your friends and family about.
Location
The Louvre Abu Dhabi is located in the Cultural District on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi.
Hours
The museum opens every day from 10 AM to midnight, closes at 8:30 pm from Friday to Sunday, and does not open on Mondays.
11. Splash Around at Yas Waterworld (Bonus)
Yas Waterworld is Abu Dhabi’s largest waterpark. With over 40 slides and 8 distinct zones, this fun-packed park has something to offer every member of the family.
From 3D cinemas to a dedicated kid’s play area, speedy rollercoasters, high drop slides, floating tube rides, surfing areas, and an artificial wave-generating beach, you can spend a full day in this park and still not cover everything.
End the day with a hot meal at the food court and drop by the souvenir shops to see if anything catches your eye.
Location
The massive water park is located on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, and is accessed through Yas Drive.
Hours
The water park opens on a daily basis from 10 AM to 8 PM, except for Fridays where it opens from 1 PM to 10 PM.
Activities
- Enjoy waterpark rides
- Dine
- Shop for souvenirs
- Watch a 3D film
That’s it! Our pick of the best things to do in Abu Dhabi this weekend. If you enjoyed this one then browse through our blog to discover other similar pieces.
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