Abu Dhabi is a fascinating place. It is where hauntingly beautiful historic landmarks jostle for a spot amidst tall and modern skyscrapers, conservation parks vie for attention amidst world-class shopping and entertainment hubs, and rocky peaks tower over sandy dunes in the profound emptiness of the desert.
The UAE capital also offers exciting adventures and opportunities for both serious and casual wanderers.
From adrenaline-inducing activities like indoor skydiving to more sedentary pursuits like sightseeing, Abu Dhabi has it all.
Here is a ready list of the things you can do when you visit Abu Dhabi. It is far from exhaustive, but it’s an excellent start.
The activities enumerated below will require you to visit only two places: Yas Island Abu Dhabi and Al Ras Al Akhdar.
Feel free to add to the list and make it your own.
1. Dive Into the World’s Biggest Indoor Flight Chamber
At CLYMB Abu Dhabi on Yas Island, you will find the world’s biggest indoor flight chamber.
This state-of-the-art facility is a record-breaking 104 feet (31.70 meters) high. It is also 32 feet (9.75 meters) wide, twice as wide as a standard indoor flight chamber.
Additionally, the CLYMB wind tunnel is powered by 16 fans, four times the usual number found in indoor flight chambers.
You and the entire family should be able to enjoy indoor skydiving at CLYMB. Children as young as three years old are eligible to try the activity.
2. Scale the Region’s Tallest Climbing Walls
There’s one other must-try activity at CLYMB Abu Dhabi: indoor wall climbing.
It shouldn’t even matter if you’re a complete indoor climbing greenhorn; CLYMB has five walls for different climbing skill levels.
There’s The Boulder, a platform that’s 9.8 feet (3 meters) high and 187 feet (57 meters) wide, for young climbers. Someone as young as four is eligible to try indoor climbing.
Novice climbers can go for the 18-foot (5.5-meter) high wall, The Beginner.
Budding climbing enthusiasts can take on the challenge posed by the 33-foot (10-meter) high wall, The Intermediate.
Professionals, meanwhile, can climb The Advanced, which is 72 feet (22 meters) high, and aim to conquer The Summyt, which is 138 feet (42 meters) and the tallest indoor climbing wall in the region.
3. Ride the World’s Fastest Roller Coaster
A trip to the UAE capital isn’t complete if you don’t ride the record-breaking roller coasters at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi.
One of these rollercoasters is Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest rollercoaster.
Formula Rossa is a sleek and smooth roller coaster with seats that look like Ferrari race cars.
However, what makes it stand out, aside from its racy red color and race car styling, is its extraordinary speed.
Formula Rossa will let you experience 4.8Gs of force as it goes from 0 to the top speed of 240 kilometers per hour (149.13 miles per hour) in just 4.9 seconds.
4. Ride the Rollercoaster With the World’s Tallest Non-Inverted Loop
Flying Aces is one other record-breaking roller coaster ride at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, and it is one of the must-try rides at the Ferrari-branded indoor theme park.
This rollercoaster has a top speed of 120 kilometers per hour (74.56 miles per hour), half that of the Formula Rossa. However, it is undisputedly one of the most exciting rides at Ferrari World.
Flying Aces has the world’s highest roller coaster loop. Feel your blood pump as it takes you up 63 meters (206.69 feet) at a 51-degree incline.
5. Try the Underwater VR Experience
Virtual reality is nothing new. You can even experience VR at home with the commercial proliferation of VR goggles.
Even so, you have probably yet to experience underwater VR.
If you want to know what that feels like, visit Yas Waterworld on Yas Island Abu Dhabi. This full-body sensory treat will let you:
- Drift dive through incredible underwater vistas
- Explore shipwrecks
- Visit coves and submarines
- Glide over mountains
- Soar over waterfalls
- Fly into canyons
- Walk in space
- Explore an abandoned space station
- Make friends with a seal
- Visit the Lost City
6. Surf the World’s Largest Sheet Wave
While you’re at Yas Waterworld, surf at Bubbles Barrel. There’s no need to travel far and waste your time waiting for the right conditions so you can surf gigantic waves.
At the double hump speed slide that is Bubbles Barrel, you have the world’s largest sheet wave on demand.
7. Gape at the 350,000-Crystal Chandelier
On another day, after your Yas Island adventures, you should drive to Al Ras Al Akhdar and visit Qasr Al Watan, the Palace of the Nation.
This is a fully functional palace, a working palace, but it is open to the public.
A visit to the palace will let you learn more about the United Arab Emirates and the Arab people. It should also leave you dazzled by the extraordinary artistry of Arabs.
The palace itself is striking, with its entirely white granite and limestone construction.
The marvelously intricate design on the floors, walls, and ceilings will blow you away, as will the traditional windows, moldings, arches, and gold-leaf patterns everywhere.
There’s a lot to see at the palace, but be sure not to miss the chandelier in the Spirit of Collaboration room.
The Spirit of Collaboration room is where the UAE Federal Supreme Council members meet.
At the center of the room, hanging from the lovely dome, is a massive chandelier with 350,000 pieces of crystal. The chandelier is so big it can fit one person inside, particularly the person responsible for cleaning it.
8. Get Lost in a Palace Library
While you’re in Qasr Al Watan, pop in at the Qasr Al Watan Library for a visit.
This public library in Abu Dhabi is a dream room for anyone who loves to read. Even if books don’t hold as much sway, the impressive proportions of the library — particularly the floor-to-ceiling shelves in the foyer — should tickle anybody’s fancy.
The library has 12 wings, study rooms, 50,000 printed books, and thousands more digital editions.
Anyone can borrow a book from the library if they have an eligible library card — like one issued by the Department of Culture and Tourism.
Complete Your Abu Dhabi Bucket List
Abu Dhabi has much to offer visitors.
You can go to Yas Island to skydive, scale the region’s tallest climbing wall, ride the world’s fastest rollercoaster, experience the world’s highest roller coaster loop, try underwater VR, and surf the world’s largest sheet wave.
You can also visit Qasr Al Watan to gaze at the 350,000-crystal chandelier in wonder and read books at the palace library.
And that’s just eight of the things you can do in Abu Dhabi.
A lot more experiences await, so start planning your Abu Dhabi trip now.