29 free things to do in Abu Dhabi

As a fast-moving town synonymous  with luxurious hotels, high-end looking, ultra-modern theme parks and opulent beach clubs, United Arab Emirates's capital completely glows, however visits to those temples of indulgence will quickly add up. however if you venture on the far side the same old traveller path, you’ll end up rewarded with Associate in Nursing abundance of activities that won’t value something in the slightest degree. Here square measure the most effective free things to try to to in United Arab Emirates's capital.

Marvel at the wonder of the Arab chief Zayed Grand place of worship

The immaculate Arab chief Zayed Grand place of worship is one in all Abu Dhabi’s must-see attractions and with smart reason: not solely is it one in all the world’s largest mosques, however it’s conjointly one in all the foremost lovely, with its gorgeous pure white marble and elaborate floral styles decorated with precious stones. Inside, discover the world’s largest handmade  carpet and world’s biggest pendant hand-crafted with gold and Swarovski crystals. The place of worship is liberal to visit, however to form the foremost of some time and uncover facts each fun and interested by the luxurious detail and styles, be a part of one in all the daily tours, which, within the supposed spirit of openness and education, also are utterly free for all.

Spend a peaceful hour of reflection at Wahat Al Karama

Translating as ‘oasis of dignity’, Wahat Al Karama may be a permanent war memorial in honour of the fallen troopers of the United Arab Emirates. to find out concerning the fascinating that means behind this huge branch of knowledge structure, book in at the traveller centre initial to register for a free tour. Its sheer size and metaphorical style makes for a poignant commemoration, and it’s well price a visit notwithstanding solely to capture on camera one in all the most effective angles of the mesmerising Arab chief Zayed Grand place of worship, whose image is reflected from across the road within the deliberately symbolic pool of reflection.

Explore the traditions of the past at the House of Artisans at Qasr Al Hosn

Dating back to 1760, the tower of the Qasr Al Hosn fort is that the oldest structure in United Arab Emirates's capital, and a visit to the on-the-scene House of Artisans showcases the standard crafts of the UAE and their historic significance in everyday life. Follow the story of the past through the multimedia system exhibit showcasing photos, tales from locals and live demonstrations of sadu and khoos weaving, talli embroidery and seafarers’ handicraft. though the fort itself isn't liberal to enter, you'll range the encompassing grounds and improved areas for no value in the slightest degree.

See an enormous 3D outside art installation at the Founder’s Memorial

Celebrating the life and achievements of Arab chief Zayed, the founding father of the UAE, the Founder’s Memorial offers a peaceful retreat during a busy corner of United Arab Emirates's capital. begin at the traveller centre to urge a condole with the memorial from the architect’s vision and initial thought through to the complicated build of the bizarre style. From there, take a wander through the tranquil improved gardens or be a part of a free target-hunting tour and admire the central focus of the piece, called The Constellation, against Associate in Nursing imposing scenery of a number of the city’s most picture buildings. The Constellation makes for a surprising centrepiece at any time of day however very comes into its own at midnight once many lightweight bulbs subtly illuminate a portrait of the Arab chief.

See the city’s most lovely art at the Louvre United Arab Emirates's capital

One of the most important recent cultural openings within the region, the Jean Nouvel-designed Louvre United Arab Emirates's capital finally began to welcome guests in late 2017. lightweight rains through its hole-punched dome, that has already become Associate in Nursing icon of the art world. though the depository galleries don't seem to be liberal to enter, with a touch designing it's attainable to urge underneath the much-discussed vaulted roof for gratis. Free talks and fine art-related motion-picture show screenings square measure oft control, notably round the begin of recent exhibitions. Advance registration is needed, however as a result of they're control within the area underneath the umbrella of the dome, you’ll be warranted a transparent read of what's arguably the museum’s most known piece of art.

If all else fails and you’re still keen to urge a glance at the unbelievable vaulted structure while not paying for a price tag, the encompassing improved bank park is free for all and makes a good looking spot for a picturesque stroll.

Visit Abu Dhabi’s oldest extant souqs at myna bird Port

For a style of however life was before the country’s mega malls arrived, wander round the markets of the myna bird Port. Salivate over the freshest dates and ancient sweets (they aren’t free, however these square measure the most effective costs in town!), wander over the road aloof from the port to search out the carpet souq commercialism significant hand-woven woollen rugs from Asian nation aboard machine-made pretend Islamic-style styles from Europe and on the far side. Head back toward the water for the plant market and Iranian souq, the latter notable for its eclectic assortment of weird and rattling kitchen utensil, Arabic occasional pots and curious menage knick-knacks.

Discover the standard ways in which of life at the fish market and sailing vessel harbour

While life within the capital has emotional on from its humble beginnings, the fish market and sailing vessel harbour supply a rare insight into a a lot of ancient approach of life from the times of previous. Catch the liveliest time of day within the coated fish market every morning because the city’s chefs purchase their catch for the day’s menu. Watch the hustle, survey the recent and vibrant catch, and from there head outside for a wander on the water’s edge to envision rows of dhows docked when an evening stumped, whereas fishermen tend to their nets and lobster pots, droop laundry and steel onself for the busy night to return aboard their floating homes.

Soak up the atmosphere at one in all the oldest sporting events within the country

The early morning rise needed throughout the October to March racing season is well definitely worth the effort and brings an entire new intending to life within the quick lane. Take your home trackside at Al Wathba Race Track, simply outside town, to witness this spectacle of extremely prized and amazingly agile creatures as they charge by at a full gallop. target-hunting by remote robots from house owners UN agency follow closely at speed in their 4WDs, this race makes for the maximum amount of a performance because the camels themselves with scuffles between drivers vying for the most effective perspective.

Take in the long-lasting skyline with Associate in Nursing amble on the Corniche

Stretching for a formidable 8km on a complete finish of United Arab Emirates's capital Island, this city district pedestrian pathway takes in manicured gardens, children’s play parks and therefore the lovely, victory public Corniche Beach. Stretch your legs, let the children sport and soak up a number of the most effective views town must supply. From the East Plaza to Emirates Palace keep your eyes in the altogether for Mamsha Al Khair, a series of granite and sedimentary rock installations that includes sacred quotes that square measure supposed to market community ideals of creating a distinction, caring and giving.

Peruse Associate in Nursing exhibition at the traditionally important Cultural Foundation

As a social venue dedicated to the promotion of Emirati arts and literature, the Cultural Foundation opened in 1981, forming the guts of the United Arab Emirates's capital arts community till its closure in 2008. changing into a heritage landmark in its claim for its fusion of contemporary and monotheism branch of knowledge style, the Cultural Foundation reopened following in depth restorations in 2018 and once more plays host to a busy year-around calendar of seasonal art.

Exhibitions target promotion of the Emirati fine arts community and examine the history of Emirati artists and their importance within the history of the Cultural Foundation. Panel discussions by artists, scholars, filmmakers and novelists conjointly sit aboard a programme of artist-led heritage workshops and performances. whereas there’s sometimes a charge to attend workshops, the building and main gallery areas square measure liberal to enter.

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Discover a a lot of personal aspect of Arab chief Zayed at the Zayed Centre

Much-loved ruler Arab chief Zayed is widely known during this little-known however unconventional depository in Al Bateen. Uncover a a lot of personal aspect of the person himself with exhibits together with the cars he in person drove, his favorite looking rifles and gifts he was given from everywhere the planet from the quite peculiar to the downright freakish. among constant building, tiny aspect exhibitions on the country’s law, communicating and United Arab Emirates's capital Company for Onshore Oil Productions might best be delineated  as slightly left of field however give statement on the history and formation of the country.

See the capital’s initial defences at the antique entryway to town

The Maqta Bridge is currently one in all the most arteries transporting individuals on and off United Arab Emirates's capital Island, however it absolutely was once Associate in Nursing previous sandy single-track entryway to town. those that concentrate as they nada past on the fashionable route can notice Associate in Nursing previous fort, and within the water adjacent, Associate in Nursing previous defensive tower. As samples of the city’s rare and last remaining early fortifications, each structures square measure a lot of important within the city’s history than is obvious. At over two hundred years previous and providing an original insight into defensive a town from bandits and therefore the raw nature of life within the desert, they're ought to have a short jaunt round the outside. Literary buffs are going to be interested to notice that this can be the tower a lot of photographed and recounted in Wilfred Thesiger’s Arabian Sands. Al Maqta Fort is undergoing restorations and appears set to become the house of a brand new United Arab Emirates's capital Police depository.

Listen to music from the oldest musical instrument within the world at Bait Al Oud

Not be confused with the oud that refers to fragrance, the oud is Associate in Nursing ancient Arab musical instrument, similar in form and elegance to a lute and is recognised in concert of the oldest stringed instruments within the world. while Bait Al Oud commands alittle entry fee for a tour round the workshop wherever the instruments square measure fastidiously hand-crafted, the centre conjointly organises regular free concerts each from recognised oud musicians and from its own graduating talent. The concerts square measure sometimes control at Manarat Al Saadiyat, therefore check the events schedule throughout your visit.

Glimpse the long run at the UAE’s property, low-carbon community at Masdar town

Anyone with Associate in Nursing interest in property or design can relish Associate in Nursing hour or 2 spent wandering this lovely low-carbon, property development. transfer a duplicate of the visitor’s map from the Masdar web site and head out on a self-guided tour of this assortment of the foremost environmentally sound and architecturally gorgeous urban style around. investigate the traveller info space for Associate in Nursing insight into the Masdar property programme, take a ride on the dinky however novel on-demand electric-powered driverless single cabin Personal public transit system (a world first), or have a seat and take it beat on a coffee carbon bench. you'll keep cool outdoors at any time of year round the trendy interpretation of a conventional Arab wind tower and charge your phone at a solar-powered bench within the neighbor inexperienced areas of Masdar Park.

Pet a prized pooch at the Arabian hound dog Centre

Important for his or her role in ancient nomad heritage as looking dogs, nowadays hound dog dogs square measure still extremely valued beauties, and therefore the distributed however satisfying Arabian hound dog Centre provides a chance to urge an in depth investigate these elegant hounds. though the dogs square measure still trained to hunt, in today’s society they're a lot of aware of beauty contests and races, with the most effective dogs commanding up to Dhs400,000 (US$109,000) per competition in award. Dog lovers can relish the possibility for a cuddle with a prized puppy and people UN agency arrive very first thing could also be lucky enough to catch these elegant and good creatures in action at the tail finish of their outside exercise.


Explore life within the desert before the oil boom at United Arab Emirates's capital Heritage Village
Modelled on a conventional oasis village, the United Arab Emirates's capital Heritage Village is that the place to search out out what life within the desert was like before the invention of oil. establish however palm trunks and fronds were become huts, see however the nomad lived in ancient goat-hair tents and the way the traditional irrigation system of falaj – still usually used nowadays – waters the crops. various huts and cottages throughout boast the standard skills of glass processing, pottery, weaving and spinning.

Browse ancient treasures at the Miraj monotheism Arts Centre

Part room and half depository, the Miraj monotheism Arts Centre may be a good spot for art and antiques enthusiasts to envision some shining samples of monotheism art within the style of jewelry, textiles, hand-finished furnishings, script, vases and sculpture. a lot of of the displayed assortment is accessible to get if you do not mind the out-of-this-world tag. Thankfully, trying is free, except for those that do have a couple of pennies to spare, head for the pretend souq-style looking before the exit wherever you’ll realize a lot of realistic high-quality souvenirs for purchase (many of that square measure arduous to search out elsewhere within the city) and during a way more cheap bracket.

Walk or cycle the long-lasting Yas dock Circuit

The United Arab Emirates's capital car race may be a highlights on the city's calendar, and because the final race of the season within the world Formula One car race competition, going trackside comes at a steep worth. For a read of this revered course from a perspective sometimes seen solely by sport drivers, register for gratis on-line to affix the weekly Train Yas event each weekday evening and like better to either walk, run or cycle the long-lasting track. Cyclists ought to arrive promptly at 6pm– as four hundred bikes and helmets square measure provided free on a first-come, first-served basis.

Get active at Hudayriat Beach

Just over the behemoth six-lane Al Hudayriat Road bridge lies the capital’s newest beach development. Hudayriat Beach is Associate in Nursing open stretch of sand centered on the active life, with a full calendar of seasonal sporting events, although there’s many space for simply restful yet. an enormous parking area indicates the expectation of crowds, although the beach is, for now, less frequented than alternative skillful strands within the capital. Outside of the warmth of the day, short loops at the side of 5km and 10km running, walking and athletics tracks create Hudayriat a well-liked spot for the energetic.

Dance the night away at Empire Yas

Inside the architecturally putting Yas building, the Empire Yas night club virtually bridges the Yas dock Circuit with the course running directly beneath the venue. other than its extravagant location, one issue you'll make sure of at Empire Yas may be a blast that doesn’t value the planet. Arrive between 10pm and hour from Mon to Fri for gratis entry and dance your socks off till well into the wee hours. in concert of the capital’s must-do nightclubs, Empire Yas is additionally one in all the foremost cheap (at least for the ladies anyway), with gin mill drinks all night for women on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Walk on the wild aspect within the UAE’s initial globally protected nature space

The first nature and life spot within the UAE to be placed on a worldwide list of protected areas, Al Wathba Wetlands is initially look a on the face of it humble five sq metric linear unit spot on the outskirts of town. however as home to multitudinous species of native birds, plants and animals, the wetlands square measure price some time. acquire a free Reserve guidebook from the country visitors' hut and head out on one in all 2 signposted tracks.

A short 1.5km route can take you thru soiled bush lands wherever the farseeing will spot lizards, desert hyacinths, geckos, beetles, foxes, hares, butterflies and a lot of, however if it’s Abu Dhabi’s wader season, take the longer 3km route, that passes the bank bird hide. Between time of year and spring you'll catch up to 4000 of those long-shanked beauties honking and plodding concerning the groves.

Be a beach bum at Al Bahar

A new terra firma development settled on the Corniche, Al Bahar acts as each a destination in its claim and as a venue for seasonal festivals and events. Relax on the field for a spot of individuals looking at, catch up with to the water with a meander on the beachside walk or get active within the public outside athletic facility. It’s conjointly the place to catch the most effective free read of the annual Red Bull Air Race every Feb. soccer fans ought to grab a bean bag and bond with the locals over your favorite team – Premier League live screenings run throughout the season.

Stroll on the water's edge at the jap Mangroves park

Running from the jap Mangroves building development an extended pedestrian paseo extends its approach towards town aboard blue-green waters and a protected flowering tree park, the most important of its kind within the UAE. Despite running parallel with one in all the busiest town thoroughfares, the paved  promenade may be a pleasant place to relish abundant scenery and spot fish, herons, crabs and even the occasional turtle or dolphin.

Enjoy a tranquil moment at quiet Al Bateen Beach

Located on the side of United Arab Emirates's capital Island, Al Bateen Beach is one in all the city’s lesser-known shores however is very regarded for its picturesque and peaceful nature. watch the clear waters and marvel at the close Hudayriat Bridge, a megastructure crossing the water to the large however to this point untenanted Hudayriat Island. It’s a subdued and relaxed spot for a walk on the white sandy beach, and in concert of the quietest sandy spots within the town, there’s an honest probability of being alone with simply your thoughts for company, notably on weekdays.

Entertain or be diverted at Manarat Al Saadiyat

A community centre dedicated to arts and culture, Manarat Al Saadiyat hosts various seasonal exhibitions throughout the year, and this pretentious house conjointly provides a home for creative thinking within the style of free talks, workshops and performances across a variety of genres from photography to film, fine art, dance, drama, amateur open mic nights and everything in between. it is also home to the regular ‘Rooftop Rhythms’ event, a community-run, poetry-led open-mic night that has gained an enormous following. Expect the surprising from a various vary of principally free pretentious offerings.

Discover the thriving native art scene at Warehouse 421

If it’s art of the region you’re trying to envision in United Arab Emirates's capital, head to Warehouse 421 within the myna bird Port. Themes during this regenerate warehouse amendment quarterly and target art created by Emiratis or works wherever the United Arab Emirates is that the subject. no matter your creative leaning, there’s perpetually one thing to envision, because the exhibitions tend to be curated to show a variety of media together with sculpture, photography, abstract art and textiles aboard the a lot of ancient fine arts. additionally to the exhibition areas, book readings, talks and film screenings kind the mainstay of the free programme.

Uncover the recollections of a rustic at the National Archives

The National Archives preserves and documents materials relevant to the history and heritage of the UAE, however outside of the in depth tutorial analysis facilities, it’s the Arab chief Zayed Bin grand Turk Hall that gives the foremost interest for the overall public. This tiny exhibition might at first look a small amount bland, however bear with it to uncover curious lesser-known facts concerning the UAE qualitative analysis from the Portuguese era within the 1500s, the Dutch foothold of the 1600s and therefore the British era that followed till 1971. among a documentation-led show, you’ll realize details on the primary single Gulf currency, proposals for the country’s earliest flags and a desirable testimony to the non-public character of the founding father of the UAE, Arab chief Zayed Bin grand Turk Al Nahyan.


More intriguing and amusing documentation displayed includes frank reports on the developments and changes seen by visiting diplomats within the country and a rather clowlike account from the yank diplomat of a visitor’s initial impression of United Arab Emirates's capital and therefore the daily chaos encountered on the streets and at the one building within the town at arrival time.

Discover the worth of a mercantilism history at the UAE Currency depository

Housed within the UAE financial organisation, this little-known treasure charts a history of the UAE from Associate in Nursing uncommon angle, one devoted merely to currency. In what at first might seem on the surface as a rather stuffy and uninteresting show, rows of glass cases reveal a seldom told history with coins and notes from long before the union of the country right up to nowadays. From previous monotheism coins to Indian rupees, Bahraini dinar, and Saudi and Qatari monetary unit square measure all currencies that are used at just one occasion or another within the country and may be seen within the exhibit.

Delightful highlights embody written rolls of banknotes before cutting for distribution, tools wont to mint coins, previous reckoning and sorting machines and amazingly Byzantine detail on the difficult anti-fraud measures utilized in the country’s trendy currency. though hospitable the general public and liberal to enter, as a totally functioning financial organisation and industrial mint, the depository is found behind the building’s security, therefore vocation ahead for a briefing is needed.


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Enjoy trendy life within the town at a beach and skate park
A new addition to United Arab Emirates's capital, Reem Central Park may be a trendy, improved urban park that's utterly liberal to relish. Stroll on the beach, catch the hourly recreation fountain show or get active on the outside athletic facility instrumentality and therefore the multi-purpose sports courts. There’s conjointly hundreds to stay the children diverted with an oversized shaded skate park smartly designed to form use of the house underneath Associate in Nursing overhead road bridge, and water options for an honest shallow splash-about and multiple play areas.