Mangrove National Park is one of Abu Dhabi's most notable natural wonders. The mangroves themselves are an attraction of this park: They can grow up to 15 feet high, and their famous long root systems “snorkel” out of the saltwater for air making a great view. This Park is home to more than 60 species of birds, and its scenic waterways are perfect for kayaking. Even though the city of Abu Dhabi is just 30 minutes away from the park, you'll feel like you're in a whole new world. Birdwatchers, nature lovers, and photographers will be in their element here. Moreover, the park is the emirate's first self-contained educational, nature and leisure destination, which is family-friendly and was created to enhance awareness, appreciation, and understanding of the important ecological function of the city's mangrove habitats.

As said above, there are so many things you can do in the Mangrove National Park. These are some of the most loved activities of tourists who visit this park. The park is famous for its boardwalks. Floating just above the water's surface, the mangrove walkways provide the perfect view of the partially submerged mangrove trees and the wildlife living amongst them. However, the most popular activity is kayaking while soaking in the peace of the park. Especially, you can kayak from dusk to dawn and even at night on a special night glow tour.

This is another great place to be in awe of Abu Dhabi's nature. The Al Wathba Fossil Dunes Reserve is located 45 kilometers to the east of Abu Dhabi and comprises more than 1,700 fossil dunes, spread over 7 square kilometers. This is one of the largest numbers of fossil dunes concentrated in one location in the emirate. Geologists estimate the age of fossil formations within the protected location at over four million years. At the reserve, you can enjoy the natural marvels of the area, by walking the well-lit trails, which extend to 3 kilometers both ways and are surrounded by benches and shades for relaxing. There are also light shows sometimes, as well as various food and beverage trucks in dedicated areas for visitors to enjoy. Therefore, this is also a great place for a picnic and to spend a good afternoon with the family.

Abu Dhabi fossil dunes are close to Al Wathba Wetland Reserve, offering visitors the chance to view nature the artist at work. While one should take great care at the dunes in order to neither touch nor disturb their structures, it is equally a place to camp and explores the rest of the surrounding desert environment.

Being a city in the Middle East, many people might think that Abu Dhabi is located far from the ocean. However, this place actually is home to a lot of beautiful and famous beaches. Let's take a look at some of Abu Dhabi's best beaches that you should not miss:

Saadiyat Public Beach
Saadiyat Public Beach is located on Saadiyat Island's northern shore, directly east of the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas. This is one of Abu Dhabi's best public stretches of sand. The sheer beauty of its surroundings easily surpasses that of private beach clubs. It is truly a sight to behold. During peak months, the beach could be a little rowdy with football and volleyball matches.

Corniche Beach
This beach features turquoise water and soft, white sand, a lovely seaside boardwalk with well-kept walkways, manicured gardens, and benches overlooking the Arabian Gulf. It is one of the key tourist destinations in Abu Dhabi. The major part of the beach is free to enter. There are also separate sections for families and female groups with a modest admission cost. The sea is shallow at the water's edge, and lifeguards are on duty until sunset, so it's an excellent, safe option for kids who want to splash about.

With many beautiful beaches, Abu Dhabi is also a great place for experiencing scuba diving and snorkeling, since this place is actually an archipelago made up of hundreds of islands, for those who don't know. As you can imagine, many good dive sites are easily accessible, including wreck dives, deep-water dives, and reef dives. It is possible to dive year-round in the warm seas, and there’s an abundance of marine life, including barracuda, spotted eagle rays, stingrays, and much more for you to explore.

The incredibly rich marine life of the warm sea will surprise you as you dive deep into the blue water alongside hundreds and thousands of sea creatures. A lot of tourists love this experience and say that swimming with sea turtles was one of the best experiences of their life. Just remember to strictly follow all requirements and rules while you're in the water to protect and preserve marine life. If you're new to the game or want to have professionals accompany you along the way, join daily dive packages with local sea knowledge and expertise. Some of the great dive packages are being provided by Lulu Boats (www.luluboats.com), Freediving UAE (www.freedivinguae.com), and Hawk Water Sports and Adventures (www.sea-hawk.ae).

Located on Yas Island occupying an area of 86,000 square meters, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is counted among the most celebrated amusement parks in Abu Dhabi. This is basically the Ferrari version of Disney World, with everything that Disney World has, but in Ferrari style, including the famous world's fastest roller coaster "Flying Aces" and the Ferrari driving experience, which gives visitors the chance to cruise Abu Dhabi's streets in a real Ferrari. This massive amusement park opened in 2010 and is dedicated to all things Ferrari. The park is designed with children in mind, but people of all ages could appreciate the rides and the attention to detail. Therefore, this place is packed with people all year round.

Besides the "Flying Aces" and the Ferrari driving experience, Formula Rossa is also a must-do for thrill-seekers and bucket-listers. Strap in, soar to 170 feet and hold on as you zoom through the atmosphere at nearly 150 miles per hour—just as if you were in a race car. The Karting Academy, a circuit racetrack with electric go-karts is also a standout feature of the massive park. When you need a break, there's a litany of shows, including acrobatic performances, magic, and stunts for you to enjoy. Moreover, the park features shopping and dining experiences. A day at this fun-filled Park is sure to be a treat for you and your whole family.

A perfect trip to Abu Dhabi is not completed without a shopping experience. There're so many great places for you to buy yourself a piece of Abu Dhabi before leaving this city since this place is a brilliant blend of Souks - traditional markets and Shopping malls. These are some of the best places for shopping in Abu Dhabi:

My City Centre Masdar
Located in the heart of Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City, My City Centre Masdar is the community’s location of choice for convenience shopping, dining, and leisure. Encompassing over 18,000 square meters, it brings a variety of the most sought-after international and local retail stores and varied dining options for visitors to enjoy.

Deerfields Mall
A 15-minute drive from Abu Dhabi International Airport and the idyllic coastal Al Muneera and Al Raha Beach communities, this sprawling mall boasts a collection of 200 stores over five floors, al-fresco dining areas showcasing bustling international and regional restaurants and cafés, and upbeat entertainment venues.

Souq Al Qattara
Souq Al Qattara is situated in a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi’s green garden city and heritage heartland about 90 minutes from the capital city. A traditional handicrafts market takes place here every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from October to May, encouraging local families to preserve and promote Abu Dhabi’s heritage through the active production of traditional handicrafts.

Mina Market
This market is located near Abu Dhabi’s main port area and is one of the biggest markets in the city. There's Fish Souk where fishermen here load their catch onto the quayside and prepare for a day of haggling every morning. Across the road from the Fish Souk, the Al Mina Fruit and Vegetable Souk is bursting with color as sellers arrange fresh, gleaming produce outside shop doors. Yemeni mattresses and machine-made carpets dominate Abu Dhabi’s nearby Carpet Souk, located on Mina Road. Some of the sellers will make up Arabic-style cushions that are traditionally housed in a majlis (a sitting place to host guests) for a very reasonable price; the perfect memento from your trip to the city.

Abu Dhabi is home to desert safari - the cultural heritage of the region. Therefore, experiencing this desert is among the best things you could do in Abu Dhabi. Whether you are traveling with family and friends or traveling by yourself, there are a ton of things that this place could offer you, especially now that it has become one of Abu Dhabi's most famous tourist spots. Taking you away from the concrete cityscape of Abu Dhabi, the desert safari will give you a sense of calm and will refresh you thoroughly.

There are plenty of desert activities for guests of all ages, from camel rides to quad biking, safaris to camel trekking, climbing the surrounding towering dunes to sandboarding, dune bashing with qualified drivers, and much more. While the internet is available for emergencies, there are no TVs on-site, offering guests a chance to really unwind and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding desert.

However, the best experience you could have on the safari is experiencing the "Arabian Night". After a long day of doing exciting activities, spend the night at a hotel hidden away among towering dunes. You will be thrilled while witnessing the setting sun creating a magical sight on the golden sands of the desert with multiple shades of red and orange as day becomes night, and eating traditional foods while listening to Arabic music around the campfire will add unforgettable memories to your trip to Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi is the place where your wildest dream can come true, whether it is enjoying cuisine with wild animals! Go to the Emirates Park Zoo - this place is housing a total of more than 1700 animals, and a great variety of experiences including eating with animals. This place is one of the most recommended attractions in Abu Dhabi, so even if you don't want to try out the experience, there are still a ton of interesting things for you to do.

At the Emirates Park Zoo, you can enjoy your meal with pretty much every kind of animal, however, there are special services where you can literally eat with wild animals besides you. Lots of tourists love "Breakfast With Parrots". This experience at Emirates Park Zoo is created to allow the visitors to spend some intimate and interactive moments with the colorful tropical parrots that are beyond exquisite. The package includes a breakfast of your choice that you can share with these parrots, Birds of Prey Encounter, and a chance to feed the resident ducks.

If you want to be more adventurous, try eating "Lunch With Leopard"! This is a one-of-a-kind experience that is only available in Abu Dhabi. You will have an opportunity to share a dining table with a real, unchained leopard. The lunch with Leopard program at Emirates Park Zoo is designed to give adrenaline junkies some moments to remember for the rest of their lives. Feast on the delectable treats in front of you, click selfies with the leopard, and your day will be made!

Last but certainly not least, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a spot that everybody should visit at least once during their stay in Abu Dhabi. This place is in fact one of the world’s largest mosques and the only one that captures the unique interactions between Islam and other world cultures. Its 1,096 amethyst-and-jasper-embedded columns, 82 white marble domes, reflective pools, gold-plated Swarovski chandeliers, iconic prayer hall, and courtyard featuring one of the largest marble mosaic artworks in the world make it a stunning place to explore, and take photographs.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is also a key place of worship for daily prayers. This place can welcome up to 55,000 worshippers and visitors every day. Therefore, by visiting this mosque, you will have a chance to witness its beauty as well as gain a deeper understanding of the emirate's cultural beliefs in a space that encourages open dialogue.

After visiting Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, check out Wahat Al Karama, which is located directly opposite Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. This timeless tribute honors the Emirati martyrs who sacrificed their lives in service of their country and is home to a permanent memorial commemorating the United Arab Emirates heroes, including soldiers, police, diplomats, and civilians, since 1971.