The desert is one of the major parts of Abu Dhabi, including desert safari - the cultural heritage of the region. 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. Therefore, experiencing this desert is among the best things you could do in Abu Dhabi, and also a big reason why you should visit Abu Dhabi.

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. While the internet is available for emergencies, there are no TVs on-site, offering guests a chance to unwind and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding desert. 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. However, if you want to spice things up, 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.

The city of Abu Dhabi is filled with beautiful hotels that display extravagant features, are dripping with glitz and glamour, and make it appear as though you are living in a fairytale. You'll have an amazing experience if you visit or stay there. From magnificent hotels floating on the artificial Yas Island to opulent beachfront resorts to the Palatial Emirates palace providing a supreme royal experience, Abu Dhabi is a perfect city for luxurious experiences. This is one of the reasons that make this city really stands out and attracts many tourists of the upper class. Even if you can't afford to spend a night in one of those hotels, there are still a ton of services for you to experience in them, making those hotels another reason why going to Abu Dhabi is a great choice.

These are some of the best-rated hotels of Abu Dhabi that deserve to be put on your list when you visit this city: Emirates Palace Hotel, Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi, Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Zaya Nurai Island Hotel and Villas, The St. Regis Abu Dhabi, W Abu Dhabi, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Shangri-La Hotel Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, InterContinental Abu Dhabi, etc.

If you are a beach lover, Abu Dabhi might just be the right place for you! With its many pristine beaches, crystal clear waters, and silver-white sand stretches, Abu Dhabi will give you the best beach experience you could ask for! 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.

It doesn't matter if you want to look for some souvenirs, or just wander around trying to find something for yourself, a tour won't be completed without a little bit of shopping! In Abu Dhabi, not only you can buy whatever you want, but the whole shopping experience is also comfortable and convenient, allowing you to enjoy every moment of it. 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.

Visit any one of Abu Dhabi’s high-tech, supremely deluxe malls and you can shop whatever you want! My City Centre Masdar is the community’s location of choice for convenience shopping, dining, and leisure. This place is located in the heart of Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City, encompassing over 18,000 square meters, and brings a variety of the most sought-after international and local retail stores and varied dining options. The Deerfields Mall is another great spot. This place is just a 15-minute drive from Abu Dhabi International Airport and the idyllic coastal Al Muneera and Al Raha Beach communities. This 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.

If you want to experience Abu Dhabi's rich culture while shopping, go to the city's most famous market - The 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.

It wouldn’t be worth visiting Abu Dhabi without trying some of the delicious Emirati cuisines here. A reflection of the UAE’s trading heritage, Emirati food is infused with spices and ingredients from throughout Asia and the Middle East. Think cinnamon, saffron, turmeric, nuts, limes, and dried fruit. Moreover, hospitality and generosity are two key ingredients when it comes to cooking in Abu Dhabi, since dining has been seen as a communal celebration for generations in this land. Therefore, enjoying the city's cuisine is a great reason to visit Abu Dhabi.

Emirati dishes are flavourful and aromatic, with some of the most popular dishes including Al Harees, showcasing meat and wheat slow-cooked in a clay oven or pot and served with ghee (clarified butter), and Al Majboos, made by boiling meat in spiced water with dried limes. Fish is the star of many local dishes, with Al Madrooba, a mix of salted fish, spices, and thick sauce, being one of the most popular. Rice is ever-present and most often served with saffron, nuts and spices. You can find the best Emirati cuisine in Abu Dhabi at: Al Arish, Al Dhafra Dinner Cruise, Al Fanar Restaurant and Café, Al Maqam, Al Mrzab, Seven Spices, Yadoo’s House, Meylas, etc.

The last reason to visit Abu Dhabi on this list is the land's rich cultural heritage. The Emiratis take great pride in their long history and deeply ingrained Arabic culture. The local Souks, vibrant marketplaces where cultures old and modern meet to create a singular sensory shopping experience, are busy locations where you can observe these traditions in all their genuine splendor.

The Louvre Abu Dhabi, part of Saadiyat Island's cultural area is the emirate's focal point for modern cultural goals. The Louvre Abu Dhabi will serve as a model for the Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi's future constructions, resulting in the city's highest concentration of internationally renowned cultural institutions and enhancing the region's rich cultural heritage.

Another sight that showcases Abu Dhabi's rich cultural heritage is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Covering almost 30 acres and able to hold over 40,000 people, this is one of the world’s largest places of worship. It was built over 10 years, and the world's largest hand-knotted carpet, or the Swarovski crystal chandeliers are just a few of the beautiful traditional and modern design elements that give it uniqueness and timeless beauty.

Moreover, the Bani Yas tribe is also an important spot, as this UNESCO Heritage site is known as Abu Dhabi’s birthplace. The place's lush greenery beautifully contrasts with the nearby desert, where you can visit an authentic Bedouin camp to learn about the Emirate’s humble beginnings.