Best tours of Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi can be a fascinating city, but it can also be unmanageable for Western tourists. The Arab customs, the difficulty presented by the language and the omnipresent religious theme can discourage visitors from touring the city on their own, so organized tours can offer an ideal alternative to get to know the capital of the United Arab Emirates in depth.

Some of the best things to do in Abu Dhabi include taking a guided tour to discover the Grand Mosque and the Royal Palace, participating in a desert excursion, seeing the modern Yas Marina circuit, seeing the city's coastline from a speedboat tour and taking a relaxing kayaking excursion through the mangroves.

Abu Dhabi is one of the most important cities in the United Arab Emirates, a country marked by luxurious living and opulence, but it is also a nation that professes the Islamic faith. In that sense, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the epicenter of the Muslim religion in the national capital, in addition to being an architectural masterpiece.

On these tours you will get to know the religious building that stands out for its white dome and the intricate details of its interior. During the visit you will be able to explore the courtyards and be amazed by the more than 1000 decorated columns that surround the temple. You will also learn about the history of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who was the first president of the United Arab Emirates and after whom the mosque is named.

These tours, which include round-trip transportation in comfortable air-conditioned buses, will also allow you to see the Qasr Al Watan Royal Palace, which is located on the island of Al Ras Al Akhdar. In this building, which houses the residence of the country's president, you will see the typical palatial architecture of the Persian Gulf, the lush gardens and the meeting rooms.

These experiences are accompanied by an expert local guide and you can enjoy the scenery on transfers between each attraction.

Details of interest

• Price: Approximately €61 per person.
• Duration: Between 5 and 6 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: You will be able to see two of Abu Dhabi's main buildings in the same excursion.
• Disadvantages of these tours: Although they are half-day excursions, they do not include free time to tour the sites near the buildings on your own.

One of the best activities you can do in Abu Dhabi is to discover the surrounding desert, and one of the alternatives to do so is to participate in an excursion. In these adventurous experiences you can get to know the great dunes that characterize the Emirati desert and join in the adrenaline-filled rides of the off-road vehicles.

Abu Dhabi desert tours usually include camel rides, a classic experience that will take you back to the time of the ancient traders and Bedouins. From these animals you will be able to see the landscape from a different and traditional perspective.

In addition to the safari and the camel ride, the desert excursion also usually includes a stop to enjoy the sunset. The moment of sunset, when the sun tints the sky with warm, golden hues, creates a backdrop for some of the best photos of your trip in the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

Details of interest

• Price: Approximately 48 euros per person.
• Duration: About 4 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: They are the most complete alternatives to live the desert experiences in Abu Dhabi.
• Disadvantages of these tours: They can be suspended due to bad weather or during rainy days, so I advise you to check the weather in advance.

The Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi is one of the most modern and advanced in the world, designed to offer a unique experience for both drivers and spectators, and is a tourist attraction in itself. While the Formula 1 schedule may not coincide with your visit to the city, you can get to know it on a guided tour and even go around it as a passenger in a sports car, allowing you to learn the secrets and difficulty of this iconic track.

At this circuit you can experience the same adrenaline rush as the drivers. Not only will you be able to visit the workshops and the pit stop area, but also join a tour that will take you through the challenging curves, fast straights and key strategic points of the circuit, giving you a unique view of the track from the perspective of an expert.

In addition to the track areas themselves, these tours usually include backstage visits and exclusive areas normally reserved for Formula 1 teams and staff. You can learn about the logistics behind an event of this magnitude and marvel at the cutting-edge technology that powers this circuit.

This guided tour of the Yas Marina Circuit is an exciting opportunity for motorsport fans and those who wish to immerse themselves in the world of speed and competition.

Details of interest

• Price: Approximately 42 euros per person.
• Duration: About 2 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: Not only will you be able to see the circuit, but also to go around the circuit as a companion in a sports car.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: It is a demanding and strenuous excursion, which requires visitors to be in good physical condition.

If you want to take part in an Abu Dhabi desert tour and live a complete experience, you can't miss a night tour with dinner and breakfast, an excursion that will take you to the very heart of the Persian Gulf desert and allow you to experience authentic Bedouin traditions, such as spending the night in a tent.

The excursion will give you the opportunity to explore the golden dunes on a night safari, feeling the thrill of moving through the sand hills under the starry blanket. The tranquility of the night desert will combine with the excitement of the safari, creating a unique experience where you can appreciate the serenity of the environment on one of the best tours in town.

Bedouin dining will become the centerpiece of this experience, offering you authentic local flavors in the middle of the Abu Dhabi desert. Enjoy a feast under the stars, surrounded by warm Bedouin hospitality, as you savor traditional dishes and prepared culinary delights.

The experience will culminate with a night's rest under the stars in a traditional camp. Wake up in the morning to watch the sunrise and enjoy a typical breakfast before heading back home.

Details of interest

• Price: Approximately €120 per person, including round-trip transfers with hotel pick-up, dinner and breakfast.
• Duration: Between 10 and 12 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: You will be able to live a Bedouin experience in the heart of the Persian Gulf.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: They are not recommended for people with reduced mobility.

Another adventurous experience in Abu Dhabi is to discover the city's skyline from the shore on a speedboat tour. On these excursions you can sail the waters of the Arabian Gulf and discover the coastal scenery combined with the skyline adorned by the city's iconic buildings.

These tours will take you to explore Abu Dhabi's iconic Corniche, a coastal strip that offers panoramic views of modern skyscrapers and the city's skyline. The speedboat will allow you to appreciate the unique architecture of the UAE's capital from a maritime perspective, giving you a visually stunning experience.

Lulu Island is another highlight of these excursions. This idyllic spot is famous for its white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. There you will have time to enjoy the beach, explore the archipelago or even participate in water activities such as snorkeling or paddleboarding.

In addition, the speedboat can take you to the vicinity of Yas Island, where you can admire the Yas Marina skyline and the Yas Marina Circuit, home of the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix. The speed of the speedboat will allow you to explore these attractions in an efficient and exciting way.

Details of interest

• Price: Approximately 36 euros per person.
• Duration: About 1.5 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: You will be able to see several points of the city from a different perspective and in quick excursions.
• Disadvantages of these tours: It does not include stops at the artificial island of Yas, which is one of the most famous of the city.

Abu Dhabi is a destination famous for its towering skyscrapers and the opulence of its Grand Mosque, but it also offers a varied nature circuit that exceeds even the desert excursions outside the city. Participating in a kayak tour through the mangroves is an experience that will allow you to discover a unique ecosystem that reveals the natural beauty of the region.

These tours will take you through the intricate canals of the mangroves, a natural wonder located near the city. Aboard a kayak, you will paddle through the serene waters, surrounded by the lush vegetation and rich wildlife that inhabits this special environment and distinguishes this region from the desert.

In addition, these excursions will offer you a unique perspective of Abu Dhabi's nature and biodiversity. As you glide through the canals, you will be able to observe waterfowl, crabs and other native animals. Some tours even offer stops to swim in the calm surrounding waters.

This mangrove kayak tour is not only a recreational but also an educational experience, offering a comprehensive view of this unique ecosystem and its crucial role in the ecological balance of Abu Dhabi, a city located in the middle of the Persian Gulf.

Details of interest

• Price: Approximately 56 euros per person.
• Duration: About 2 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: You will get to know an alternative profile of Abu Dhabi, away from the big skyscrapers and mosques of the city center.
• Disadvantages of these tours: They are not usually recommended for extremely hot days.

You can book tours in advance online or book them once you are in the city, although if you plan to visit Abu Dhabi during the summer or seasonal months I suggest you buy in advance to secure your place on the experiences and to save money.

Keep in mind that the United Arab Emirates in general and Abu Dhabi in particular are expensive destinations, and tourist rates tend to be dynamic, so if you book in advance you can get more competitive prices. Some tour providers also combine these experiences with other activities, such as visits to the best theme parks in the city.

Abu Dhabi is a city with many variations, ranging from mosques and royal palaces to skyscrapers that in some cases reach sidereal heights, but it is also a destination that offers a rich natural circuit, with tours of the desert and mangroves. In this way, in these experiences you can get to know the different faces of the Emirate's capital.

Some of these experiences, as is the case of the night excursions in the desert, will also allow you to get to know the local idiosyncrasy, as you can spend a night among the dunes like the ancient Bedouins, who are part of the local folklore and the founding past of the countries of the Persian Gulf.

If you are planning to visit Abu Dhabi during the summer or during the high season I advise you to book tours in advance, which will save you time and money, as well as ensure your place in each of the experiences you wish to do. Also, to take shelter from the heat, you can avoid public transportation and use the hop on-hop off tourist bus services in the city, which connects the main points of this destination.

Also note that Abu Dhabi, being a city that professes Islamic worship, is governed by some Muslim rules. Although the United Arab Emirates is a relatively permissive country in this regard, I advise that if you are going to visit the religious temples you should take into account the dress code and avoid taking pictures, as some of the faithful may be offended by this activity.

Because of the language and the geographical organization of the city, it is much more convenient to visit the main attractions on a guided tour than on your own. In addition, many tours, such as desert experiences, involve interacting with the surrounding nature, which can be somewhat uncomfortable without the proper equipment and knowledge.

On the other hand, keep in mind that Adu Dhabi is part of a nation that professes Islamic worship, so, especially in religious temples, there are rules that you will need to be aware of to save yourself inconvenience, so the advice of an expert local guide will ensure more relaxed tours and also help you skip the limitations of some religious celebrations, such as in Ramadan, which freeze many activities in the city.