The capital of the UAE has a lot to offer, whether you want to learn about the local culture or see the spectacular natural beauty. The capital city is home to a number of popular tourist destinations, including the lavish Sheikh Zayed Mosque and the fastest roller coaster in the world. Apart from the well-known figures, Abu Dhabi has a lot of hidden jewels that should be on your list of places to visit. Let’s look at it.
Natural Wonders in Abu Dhabi
Let’s start with a few undiscovered jewels in Abu Dhabi that provide a peek of the region’s stunning natural setting.
JUBAIL MANGROVE PARK
Numerous birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, and turtles can be found in the Jubail Mangrove Park. Many aquatic species find food and shelter in the dense mangroves. Children, in particular, would adore spending the day in this magnificent mangrove refuge learning about the local biodiversity and flora and wildlife.
Jubail Mangrove Park offers a variety of activities for all ages, including guided tours along a 2.3-kilometer boardwalk, kayaking in the calm waters, canoeing among the mangroves, and much more.
- Timings: 07:00 am – 09:00 am | Last entry 08:00 pm
- Contact: +971-2-546-8341 | +971-56-303-2423
SIR BANI YAS ISLAND
Sir Bani Yas Island is the next place on our list of hidden treasures in Abu Dhabi. Along with ultra-luxurious hotels and resorts, the island is also recognized for its recreational offerings. The island is renowned for its preserved natural regions that are home to a wide variety of species. This area is home to the intriguing Arabian Wildlife Park, which has 17,000 free-roaming animals there, including giraffes, hyenas, and gazelles.
While kayaking or sailing in the tranquil seas surrounding the island, look out for herons, dugongs, and other birds and animals. To participate in a variety of different activities, get in touch with the Desert Islands Watersports Centre.
- Timings: 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
- Contact: +971-2-801-5400
AL WATHBA WETLAND RESERVE
Another undiscovered beauty in Abu Dhabi that you shouldn’t pass up is Al Wathba Wetland Reserve. More than 250 bird species, 37 plant species, and different dragonfly and damselfly species can be found in the reserve.
Discover the natural habitat of the fauna and vegetation present in the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve by taking a walking tour of the area. Due to the flamingo mating season, the center is closed in the summer but is open in the winter. There is no cost to enter.
- Timings: Monday to Saturday 08:00 am – 05:30 pm
- Contact: +971-2-693-4444
GLAMPING AT JEBEL HAFIT DESERT PARK
Jebel Hafit Desert Park is absent from our list of obscure attractions in Abu Dhabi. It is situated nearby a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site in the United Arab Emirates, at the base of Jebel Hafit, the tallest mountain in the emirate. Local and international thrill-seekers looking for the ideal balance of adventure and pleasure are drawn to the desert park.
A glamping excursion would be perfect in the bubble tents at the Jebel Hafit Desert Park campground. Everything you would need for a nice stay in the valleys is provided in the tents. For a truly unique evening, campers can eat traditional Emirati cuisine in the evening over a bonfire.
Explore the ancient ruins in the nearby archaeological sites to give your journey a historical edge. The Jebel Hafit tombs, which were discovered in 1959, are part of this world heritage site and date to the Neolithic era, which began 8,000 years ago.
- Location: Jebel Hafit, Al Ain
- Timings: 08:00 am – 06:00 pm
- Contact: +971-3-711-8362
Also Read: Ras Al Khaimah’s Best Attractions
Cultural Hidden Gems in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi has a vibrant culture, and the city’s heritage sites are some of the country’s best-kept secrets.
HERITAGE VILLAGE
The Heritage Village, where you may experience traditional features of life in a desert, is one of Abu Dhabi’s hidden secrets. Visitors can learn about historical facets of Emirati culture at this well-known cultural site in Abu Dhabi.
There is a souk in the Heritage Village where you can buy clothing, jewelry made of silver, handcrafted soaps, handicrafts, and other artifacts. The village’s historic mosque is like a fascinating time capsule from the period before the oil boom. For the youngsters’ entertainment, there are also goats, camels, and Arabian horses.
- Location: Corniche Area near Marina Mall, on Breakwater Road in Abu Dhabi
- Timings: Saturday to Thursday 09:00 am – 04:00 | Friday 07:30 – 12:00 | 03:30 pm – 09:00 pm
- Contact: +971-2-681-4455
FOUNDER’S MEMORIAL
The Founder’s Memorial is the next location on our list of secret spots in Abu Dhabi. This landmark, also known as the Sheikh Zayed Memorial Abu Dhabi, was created to honor the life and contributions of the late H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. To provide the younger generation a better knowledge of the impact of the great leader and UAE’s founding father, the Founder’s Memorial UAE was created.
The Founder’s Memorial’s primary draw is Constellation. The 30-meter-tall, three-dimensional portrait of the late H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was created by Ralph Helmick, an internationally renowned artist. Every day from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm, free guided tours are offered.
- Location: Intersection of Abu Dhabi Corniche and 18th Street
- Timings: 09:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Contact: +971-2-410-0100
