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Abu Dhabi Summer activities

Our most recommended Abu Dhabi Summer activities

Abu Dhabi: Desert Safari with BBQ, Camel Ride & Sandboarding

1. Abu Dhabi: Desert Safari with BBQ, Camel Ride & Sandboarding

Join a small-group or private guided day trip from Abu Dhabi to the desert with hotel transfers included. Enjoy a dune bashing experience, watch the sunset from a Bedouin camp, take part in cultural activities, watch traditional performances, and savor a BBQ buffet dinner while watching the stars. After pickup in an air-conditioned 4WD vehicle, enjoy a comfortable ride to the desert. Once there, visit a camel farm to get up close to these animals who are well-adjusted to desert life. Next, take part in an exhilarating dune bashing experience. Feel your stomach jump as the vehicle heads up and down the steep sand dunes. Then, try your hand at sandboarding by sliding down the dunes on a board. Arrive at the Bedouin desert camp to enjoy a warm welcome of traditional Arabic coffee and dates. Then, walk up a dune to take pictures as the desert changes color as the sun sets on the horizon. At the camp, dive into the local customs and culture of the Arabian peninsula. Enjoy cultural activities such as henna painting, shisha smoking, and camel rides. Then, try on traditional Arabian costumes and take pictures with a falcon. Watch captivating performances of Tanoura dancing and belly dancing, before tucking into a barbecue dinner. Finally, the lights of the camp will be switched off. Sit back and admire the star-lit sky for a peaceful moment of contemplation before returning to the bright city lights of Abu Dhabi.

From Abu Dhabi: Grand Mosque, Royal Palace, and Etihad Tower

2. From Abu Dhabi: Grand Mosque, Royal Palace, and Etihad Tower

Explore Abu Dhabi's top sights on a guided tour of the city. Visit the Etihad Towers, learn about the government of the UAE at the Presidential Palace, and marvel at the beauty of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Get picked up by your driver from your hotel or selected location in Abu Dhabi. Hop into an air-conditioned vehicle and get ready to explore the capital city of UAE. Make your first stop at the beautiful Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Enter this world-famous example of Islamic architecture. See the fabulous craftsmanship of this space which can accommodate around 40,000 worshippers inside its walls.  View the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet, 82 domes, chandeliers, and flower-patterned designs before heading to Marina Mall for a lunch break. Either dine in the mall restaurants or food court, at your own expense. Continue on to the Etihad Towers, a complex of 5 opulent skyscrapers. This entertainment hub offers you the chance for leisure dining and shopping. Enjoy the panoramic views of Abu Dhabi city from the observation deck of the Etihad Towers. Finally, visit Qasr Al Watan, the Presidential Palace, a tribute to Arabic heritage and craftsmanship. Gain an insight into governance, knowledge, and artistry that has shaped the nation of UAE. At the end of the tour, be dropped off back at your hotel or a select location in Abu Dhabi.

From Dubai: Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Mosque Guided Tour

3. From Dubai: Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Mosque Guided Tour

Depart Dubai and journey to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi by modern air-conditioned vehicle. Relax in comfort on the 90-minute drive with your professional guide. On arrival, marvel at the 8th largest mosque in the world. Spread over 30 acres, the magnificent structure took more than a decade to build and now stands as a showcase for the United Arab Emirate’s Islamic cultural heritage. Roam around the site that can accommodate up to 40,000 worshippers at any one time. Marvel at priceless features, such as the huge Swarovski crystal chandeliers, floral mosaics, and artifacts of gold, silver, and marble. Be amazed by the gigantic carpet in the main prayer hall. Measuring 60,570 square feet and weighing 35 tons, the carpet was made in Iran and is the result of the toil of thousands of carpet weavers over 2 years. Take stunning memorable photos of the complex and its awe-inspiring architecture, and get a better appreciation of the vision of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the late president of the UAE and the mastermind behind the mosque. Depart Abu Dhabi and journey back to Dubai for a drop-off at your hotel or designated location.

Mangrove National Park: Self-Drive Speedboat Tour

4. Mangrove National Park: Self-Drive Speedboat Tour

Meet your friendly guide at Anantara Eastern Mangroves, who will show you how to operate your own Rhino Rider speedboat. After a quick safety and operational briefing, hop onto your boat and slowly cruise through the marina towards the exit to the lagoon. Test the maximum speed of your Rhino Rider as you zoom through the lagoon passing the royal palace. Encounter flamingos on your way and observe them from a distance. Continue into the mangrove forest where you will maneuver through the canals. See fish, herons, crabs, or sometimes even dolphins along the way. Take a brief stop at an uninhabited island for a quick swim or to do some exploring. At the end of the tour, return to the departure point at Anantara Eastern Mangroves.

Abu Dhabi: Morning Desert Tour, Camel Ride, & Sandboarding

5. Abu Dhabi: Morning Desert Tour, Camel Ride, & Sandboarding

Embark on an exciting morning desert safari in the desert surrounding Abu Dhabi. Ride over the vast dunes in a 4x4 Land Cruiser, glide down the dunes on a sandboard, and enjoy a relaxing camel ride with scenic views. Get ready for a desert safari starting with an early morning pickup at your hotel. A 45-minute drive takes you to the heart of the desert outside Abu Dhabi. Explore the desert in a 4x4 Land Cruiser, bashing the huge dunes. The fun continues with a chance to try out sandboarding. Follow the instructions and glide over the dunes effortlessly. During the safari, there will be plenty of opportunities to pose for some photos in the desert. This special morning safari concludes with a short camel ride before the transfer back to the pick-up point.

Abu Dhabi: Formula Yas 3000 Driving Experience

6. Abu Dhabi: Formula Yas 3000 Driving Experience

Before getting into the driver’s seat you’ll be suited up in full race gear and helmet, and receive a technical briefing from your racing coach. Next, you’ll take familiarization laps around the circuit in a Renault vehicle. During these slow laps, your coach will explain the racing line and how to approach each corner. At this point in your activity you should be ready for the real action. You’ll head back to the pits, where you’ll be further briefed on your car before being tightly strapped in. Prepare to feel every bump, ripple and sensation of the drive. You can be sure that you've never been this connected to a driving machine! Get a grasp of the inner workings of this racing car and experience truly sensational performance first-hand. For 20 minutes For 20 minutes, you’ll be in charge of the paddle shifters, which help shift the gearbox up and down. Two on-board video cameras will capture your drive and allow you to re-live the action later on.

Abu Dhabi: Yas Marina Circuit Guided Tour

7. Abu Dhabi: Yas Marina Circuit Guided Tour

Go behind the scenes of the glamorous Formula 1 motor racing world on a guided tour (90 - 120 minute duration) of the state-of-the-art Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island Abu Dhabi. Now open to the general public for escorted track tours, the Yas Marina Circuit tour is a must for all visitors to Abu Dhabi along with all motorsports fans. Travel to key points by air-conditioned bus. Start at Yas Central where the racing activities of the Yas Racing School are showcased. Learn about the different race cars of Yas Marina Circuit, including the latest F1 model. Next, go to the North Grandstand to see what the spectators see from the Du Arena View. If there are no events happening, you will continue through the race track by bus, passing areas like the Drag Strip, Kartzone, Shams Tower and Yas Marina View. See the F1 team pits and garages for a closer understanding of what is required to host a successful F1 race. Then, have your photo taken on the podium holding a race trophy!

From Abu Dhabi: Dune Bashing Desert Safari

8. From Abu Dhabi: Dune Bashing Desert Safari

Take part in a desert adventure and embark on a dune bashing safari by 4WD. Visit a camel farm, see a traditional camp, and enjoy some famous Arabic hospitality. Depart from Abu Dhabi and journey to the desert on the outskirts of the city for an arrival at a desert camp in Al Khathim in around 45 to 60 minutes. Take an exciting drive across the sand dunes by 4WD Toyota Land Cruiser with a multilingual driver, and stop at a camel farm to catch your breath. Continue to the camp to take advantage of a host of thrilling activities, including the chance to cross the desert sands by Quad Bike (own expense), glide down the dunes on a sand board, or put on some traditional Arabic costume for a photo shoot. Try riding a camel and experience the desert's original mode of transportation. See an original Arabic camp, and enjoy some famous Arab hospitality. Choose the evening desert safari option to watch a magnificent sunset from the desert and sample Arabic sweets and Bedouin coffee. A BBQ dinner and live entertainment are included with the evening tour, and you can even have your picture taken with a falcon. Whichever option you choose, benefit from a package specially timed for guests arriving on one of the following cruise ships: • AIDAstella • Azamara Journey • Celebrity Constellation • Costa Fortuna • Costa neoRiviera • Crystal Esprit • NCL Norwegian Star • Oceana Nautica • Royal Caribbean Vision of the Seas • Seabourn Encore • Silversea Silver Cloud • Mein Schiff 3 TUI Cruises

Abu Dhabi: Yas Marina Circuit Kartzone

9. Abu Dhabi: Yas Marina Circuit Kartzone

Revel in the excitement of a karting session at the Yas Kart Zone, Yas Marina Circuit Abu Dhabi. Once you have registered, change into the provided full gear, and enjoy a mandatory safety briefing. Then, you are set to go for a 10-15 minutes driving session around the track. You don’t have to be a professional racer to get a feel for the sport. Beginners are welcome. Before you know it, you will get the hang of the 800-meter track as you reach speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour. The lap tracking system will chart your performance, helping you to improve your karting skills for next time.

Dubai: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Tour with Photographer

10. Dubai: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Tour with Photographer

Snap pictures with the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque as the backdrop on this tour from Dubai. Relax with round-trip transfer and the photography charge covered. Be accompanied by a professional photographer to capture the best moments of your journey. Depart from Dubai for the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque located in Abu Dhabi. Enter the interior of the mosque as it welcomes you with floral patterns and indigenous calligraphies. See how the contemporary Islamic structure accommodates thousands of visitors at a time. Be mesmerized by the exterior surfaces, composed of Sivec marble from Greece and Macedonia making the mosque as grand as its name suggests. The main dome of the mosque persists as one of the largest mosque domes in the world. Your photographer will get some amazing shots of these architectural wonders and you are free to pose in front of these structures to have your picture taken. Wander past the world’s largest hand-woven carpet, marble mosaic floral design, stunning chandelier, and glass panels studded with Swarovski crystals. See the reflective pools surrounding the mosque adding to its glory. Explore this beautiful piece of architecture with photo sessions at each and every angle of the Grand Mosque to make this trip even more memorable.

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Frequently asked questions about Abu Dhabi Summer activities

What are other things to do than Summer activities that are worth visiting in Abu Dhabi?

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Other Sightseeing Options in Abu Dhabi

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What people are saying about Abu Dhabi

Fabulous tour in a small-ish group of 16 people - the guide David was excellent and engaging The mosque is just so impressive and we had plenty of time to view it all. The entrance is strict and many people got caught out with incorrect dress and turned away but out tour provided abayas if needed . It is a very busy place and you need to be prepared to queue and walk in lines to get round - lots of photo opportunities and David was very informative and super helpful all the way through. We were picked up in the morning and taken to a rendezvous point where we joined the bus and dropped back after our return to Dubai We highly recommend this tour - very reasonably priced and enjoyable

Our tour guide was Ahmed. Sweet, funny, and very helpful guide who’s driving skills through the dunes were excellent. If you remember to, ask him where in Tokyo he is from and perhaps he will get the joke. We stayed overnight for the open camping and it’s worth it to see the sunrise over those sand dunes. The bathrooms DO have water (not mentioned above in guide information) and they provide a metal frame cot bed with small mattress to sleep with blankets. We went in early March so the weather was not too extreme either way. Picky eaters should bring some snacks just in case. Great experience and there is a lot of entertainment before bed time.

Perfect, Ahmed was great, funny and friendly, we had a great time. He really went out of his way to help us and even acted as a photographer. We were picked up at our apartment, easy communication via Whatsapp, heading to the desert, dune bashing, sandboarding, camel rides, quad rides, well-stocked buffet meals. Belly dance show and more. Water and soft at will. We slept on the spot it was very pleasant, the accommodation is minimalist but sufficient for one night.

What a magnificent experience. The tour was enlightening and included both the mosque and history of Abu Dhabi. Our guide, Shaun, was knowledgeable and professional taking the time to take pictures for us. I would recommend this tour to anyone. If I hadn't been flying home. I would have taken the full day tour

It was well organised. The tour guide Hsssan was really nice and helpful. His knowledge and skills are great. The place amazing. Worth visiting. I highly recommend it to everybody