Best tours of Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi can be a fascinating city, but it can also be a city that Western tourists can't get to grips with. Arab customs, language difficulties and pervasive religious themes can discourage visitors from touring the city on their own, so organised tours can offer an ideal alternative for getting to know the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

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

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

On these tours you'll get to see the religious building, which is notable for its white dome and intricate interior detailing. During the visit you can explore the courtyards and marvel at the more than 1,000 decorated columns that line the temple. You'll 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 a round-trip transfer in comfortable air-conditioned buses, will also take you to the Qasr Al Watan Royal Palace on Al Ras Al Akhdar Island. This building, which houses the residence of the country's president, features typical Persian Gulf palace architecture, lush gardens and meeting rooms.

These experiences are accompanied by an expert local guide and you can enjoy the scenery on the 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 on the same tour.
• Disadvantages of these tours: Although they are half-day tours, they do not include free time to explore the sites near the buildings on your own.

One of the best things to do in Abu Dhabi is to discover the surrounding desert, and one of the best ways to do this is to join a desert tour. On these adventurous experiences you can experience the great dunes that characterise the Emirati desert and join in the adrenalin-pumping rides of the off-road vehicles.

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

In addition to the safari and camel ride, the desert tour 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 to the UAE's capital.

Useful details

• Price: Approximately 48 euros per person.
• Duration: Around 4 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: They are the most comprehensive alternatives for desert experiences in Abu Dhabi.
• Disadvantages of these tours: They can be cancelled due to bad weather or during rainy days, so check the weather in advance.

The Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi is one of the most modern and advanced circuits in the world, designed to offer a unique experience for drivers and spectators alike, and is a tourist attraction in its own right. While the Formula 1 calendar may not coincide with your visit to the city, you can experience it on a guided tour and even ride along 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 get to see the workshops and pit stop area, but you will also join a tour that will take you through the challenging corners, fast straights and key strategic points of the circuit, giving you a unique insight into the track from an expert's perspective.

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 motor racing 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 you will also be able to tour the circuit as a passenger in a sports car.
• Disadvantages of these tours: It is a demanding and strenuous tour, which requires visitors to be in good physical condition.

If you want to join an Abu Dhabi desert tour and experience the full Abu Dhabi desert experience, you can't miss out on an overnight dinner and breakfast tour, a tour 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 tour will give you the opportunity to explore the golden dunes on a night safari, feeling the thrill of moving over the sand hills under the starry blanket. The tranquillity of the desert at night will combine with the thrill 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 be at the heart of this experience, offering you authentic local flavours in the middle of the Abu Dhabi desert. Enjoy a feast under the stars, surrounded by warm Bedouin hospitality, as you savour 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 return 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 tours: 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 tours you can cruise 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 take part in water activities such as snorkelling 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: Around 1.5 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: You will be able to see various parts of the city from a different perspective and in quick tours.
• Disadvantages of these tours: It does not include stops at the artificial island of Yas, which is one of the most famous in 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 goes beyond even the desert excursions outside the city. 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 found in the vicinity of the city. Aboard a kayak, you will paddle through the serene waters, surrounded by the lush vegetation and rich wildlife that inhabit this special environment that distinguishes this region from the desert.

In addition, these excursions will offer you a unique insight into the nature and biodiversity of Abu Dhabi. As you glide through the waterways, you can spot water birds, crabs and other indigenous animals. Some tours even offer stops for a swim in the calm waters of the surrounding area.

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

Interesting details

• Price: Approximately 56 euros per person.
• Duration: Approximately 2 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: You'll get to see an alternative side of Abu Dhabi, away from the skyscrapers and mosques of the city centre.
• Disadvantages of these tours: Not usually recommended for extremely hot days.

You can either 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 UAE in general and Abu Dhabi in particular are expensive destinations, and tourist fares are often dynamic, so if you book in advance you may be able to get more competitive prices. Some tour providers also combine these experiences with other activities, such as visits to the city's best theme parks.

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

Some of these experiences, such as the overnight desert excursions, will also allow you to get to know the local idiosyncrasies, 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 peak season, it is advisable to book your tours in advance, which will save you time and money, as well as secure your place on each of the experiences you wish to take. Also, to take refuge from the heat, you can avoid public transport and use the city's hop-on-hop-off tourist bus services, which connect the main points of this destination.

Also note that Abu Dhabi, being an Islamic city, is governed by some Muslim rules. While the UAE is a relatively permissive country in this regard, I would advise that if you are visiting religious temples, be mindful of the dress code and avoid taking photographs, as some of the worshippers may be offended by this activity.

Because of the language and the geographical organisation 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 a little uncomfortable without the right equipment and knowledge.

On the other hand, bear in mind that Adu Dhabi is part of an Islamic nation, so, especially at religious temples, there are rules you'll need to be aware of to avoid inconvenience, so the advice of a knowledgeable local guide will ensure more relaxed tours and also help you bypass the limitations of some religious observances, such as Ramadan, which freeze many activities in the city.