Things to do in Liwa

Liwa desert

Liwa desert is located in the Al Dhafra region in the south of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and is one of the largest and most spectacular continuous deserts in the world. It not only boasts breathtaking golden sand dunes but also carries the deep historical and cultural heritage of the United Arab Emirates. This desert stretches 100 km across and features vast, endless golden sand dunes. Among them, the Moreeb Dune stands 300 m high, making it one of the tallest dunes in the world and a challenging destination for desert off-roading and dune bashing enthusiasts. Liwa desert not only has charming natural scenery but also contains a rich cultural history. It is one of the ancient human settlements in the United Arab Emirates and the home of the Bedouin people, who have lived here for thousands of years, preserving their unique traditional culture and way of life. In addition, there are exquisite desert resorts in the desert, such as Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort, offering visitors a comfortable stay and high-quality service.

Moreeb Dune

Tal Moreeb Liwa is a massive sand dune located in the southern part of the area. Standing over 300 m high with a very steep slope, it is a highly challenging climb. Besides climbing and sandboarding, Tal Moreeb Liwa is also an ideal spot for camping. You can pitch a tent here and spend an unforgettable night in the desert. The desert is very quiet at night, allowing you to enjoy the magnificent starry sky and the tranquility of the desert.

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Louvre Abu Dhabi

Louvre Abu Dhabi is located in the cultural district of Saadiyat Island. As an art museum jointly established by the UAE and France, it opened to the public in November 2017. The building was designed by French architect Jean Nouvel. The entire museum consists of dozens of small white structures, with seawater channeled between them, creating the distant appearance of a "museum city" floating on the sea. Above it spans a giant perforated dome approx. 180 m in diameter, composed of over 7,000 layered star-shaped components. Sunlight filters through the gaps, casting dappled patterns on walls and water surfaces. Inspired by sunlight filtering through palm trees in an oasis, this effect is called the "rain of light" and has become the museum's signature visual. •Visit the honeycomb "floating" dome and cuboid architecture of the museum •Admire the amazing artworks and artifacts on loan from the Louvre and other French museums •Learn and witness how art connects past civilizations through the passage of time △Louvre Abu Dhabi is a new cultural beacon that brings different cultures together and sheds new light on the shared story of humanity. △Louvre Abu Dhabi combines the bold vision of the UAE's cultural progress and openness with France's expertise in art and museums. It explores common themes that reveal and connect humanity. △It represents the vitality of the contemporary Arab world while celebrating the region's vibrant multicultural heritage.

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Burj Khalifa

•Burj Khalifa is a world-famous landmark and engineering feat. It is also the conceptual “heart” and soul of the city of Dubai. •Burj Khalifa stands at 828 metres. You can enjoy unparalleled views from the two observation decks. The highest point in the city is on the 124th and 125th floors and the highest observation deck in the world is on the 148th floor. •Burj Khalifa is like a steel flower blooming in the desert. No matter how bad the weather is in spring, summer, autumn and winter, the tower remains like spring all year round. △Levels 124 | 125 Take the double-decker elevator straight to the 124th floor at an astonishing speed of 10 metres per second! In less than 60 seconds, the elevator reaches the observation deck, one of the highest public observation decks in the world with an outdoor terrace. Enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding emirate with breathtaking 360-degree panoramas at your disposal. Learn all there is to know about the design and technology behind this architectural marvel while feasting your eyes on modern and historical views of the city using one of the telescopes located on the deck. △Levels 148 | 125 | 124 Standing 555 metres tall, Burj Khalifa SKY is one of Dubai's most iconic destinations. Your journey begins when you enter the Burj Khalifa SKY lounge, where you will be personally escorted to a dedicated elevator. Inside, watch specially designed shows as you ascend to Level 125. Get ready to enjoy exclusive access to the world's highest outdoor observatory, redefined and spread across Levels 148, 125 and 124 of Burj Khalifa. △Levels 154| 153| 152 Explore the world's highest lounge at 585 metres, with a delightful outdoor terrace as you enjoy afternoon tea in the clouds or an intimate evening of cocktails and canapés.

Tal Mor'eb

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The View Palm Jumeirah

At The View at Palm Island, you can enjoy the ultimate beauty of Dubai's popular landmarks. This observation deck is 240 meters high and presents a beautiful picture of Palm Jumeirah, the Arabian Gulf and the Dubai skyline in the distance. Located on the 52nd floor of the Palm Tower, The View at Palm Island also features a cafe, a creative exhibition interactive aquarium theme channel showing the changes of Palm Island, and a gift shop.

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Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

•The exterior of Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi resembles an alien flying saucer, with a massive Ferrari logo printed on its red canopy. •Here is the Ferrari racing exhibition hall where visitors can enjoy viewing numerous classic and contemporary Ferrari racing series. •The roller coaster can reach speeds of 240 km, making riders scream with excitement. △Visit the pre-race parking lot of Ferrari to experience the tools used in racing and training firsthand, and change tires for an F1 car. Speed of magic: Follow a young boy on a magical 4D journey through a fantastical, ever-changing wonderland where Ferrari sports cars have never ventured in reality. △Made in Maranello: A virtual journey where visitors can peek behind the walls of the renowned Ferrari Maranello factory to witness the making of Ferrari sports cars. Scuderia challenge: A racing simulator comparable to those used by Ferrari drivers in training. Visitors with valid admission tickets for Yas Island theme parks can enjoy free Yas express service. The Yas express primarily provides shuttle services between attractions on Yas Island, as well as round-trip transportation services to Dubai, Saadiyat Island and surrounding hotels. The bus offers convenient island tours along designated routes with designated stops, making it easy for visitors to explore various attractions on Yas Island. For specific routes and schedules, please refer to the attached image.

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Palm Jumeirah

Whether viewed from a plane while skydiving or researching your dream trip online, Dubai, the renowned palm-shaped island, is truly unique. This engineering marvel symbolizes Dubai's continuous development and the realization of dreams. The area boasts a range of island residences, luxurious five-star resorts, trendy restaurants, and stylish beach clubs, exuding a sophisticated and glamorous urban charm. The best first stop on Palm Jumeirah is the Atlantis, The Palm, located in the outer crescent-shaped area, one of the island's landmarks. Even if you're not a guest, you can admire its stunning architecture and enjoy world-class dining. Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark, the resort's water park, is one of the most popular attractions on Palm Jumeirah. With dozens of thrilling rides and slides, a private and beautiful beach, and access to the Lost Chambers Aquarium, it's a great destination for the whole family. At Atlantis Waterworld Adventure, you can also take a ride on the Dubai Balloon, a tethered helium balloon, and ascend 300 meters into the air for breathtaking views of Palm Jumeirah and the entire city of Dubai. For an even more luxurious experience, book a sunbed at the AURA Sky Pool and relax by the pool in the clouds. Another excellent viewpoint is The View observation deck on Palm Jumeirah, 240 meters high, located in the "trunk" area. After your aerial tour, you can explore the shops and restaurants at Nakheel Mall in the Palm. You can also charter a luxury yacht and cruise along the expansive coastline, or experience thrilling speedboat and wakeboarding trips. The calmer waters between the "leaves" and along the "trunk" of Palm Jumeirah are popular spots for kayaking and paddleboarding.

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Qasr Al Watan

The visitor experience at Qasr Al Watan is an inspiring and educational tour of Emirati and Arabian excellence. Here, visitors will learn about the principles that have propelled traditional Arabian design to remarkable status. Visitors will also gain a rare insight into Emirati governance and culture through the Palace's exhibits. Most notably, visitors will enjoy exploring the expansive selection of timeless books and manuscripts at House of Knowledge and Qasr Al Watan Library.

2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

SeaWorld® Yas Island

SeaWorld® Yas Island is located on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE, and opened to the public in May 2023. It is the first marine life theme park under the SeaWorld brand to land in the Middle East after expanding beyond the United States. The entire park is built within a five-story indoor space with a total area of approx. 180,000 square meters. Centered around the "One Ocean" storyline, eight themed zones connect the marine ecosystems from the Arabian Gulf to the polar regions into a complete touring route. The park holds approx. 58 million liters of water and is home to over 150 species and more than 100,000 marine animals. The core "Endless Ocean" aquarium holds approx. 25 million liters of water, where sharks, rays, and schools of fish swim through the massive tank. The vertical viewing window "Endless Vista," spanning multiple floors, is a popular photo spot in the park, and the spectacular "vortex" formed by tens of thousands of sardines is truly awe-inspiring. The "Abu Dhabi Ocean" area showcases the ecology of the Arabian Gulf and the history of local Bedouin pearl diving, where you can see gentle dugongs and even touch rays and starfish in the touch pool; the "Arctic" and "Antarctic" polar zones are home to polar animals such as walruses, sea otters, puffins, king penguins, and gentoo penguins; "Rocky Point" houses California sea lions and harbor seals, with a dedicated theater hosting sea lion behavior presentations; "Tropical Ocean" features bottlenose dolphins and flamingos, and the launch roller coaster "Manta" is also located here; "Micro Ocean" is like an underwater playground built for children, where indoor family coasters and other rides are concentrated. The hub area "One Ocean" presents the "One Epic Ocean" themed show on a 360-degree surround screen, and the pearl diving-themed performance is also a long-running resident show in the park—it's worth planning your schedule ahead to catch it. Because the park is entirely indoors, it is unaffected by outdoor heat and weather, making it comfortable even at midday in midsummer and suitable for a leisurely visit of half a day to a full day; staff are stationed in each themed area to give talks on animal knowledge, so you can ask questions directly when you encounter them; families with children are advised to allow plenty of time for the "mini ocean" and the touch pool. The aquarium is designed around the "One Ocean" thematic storyline, featuring multiple immersive experience zones that connect different marine ecosystems. It mainly includes eight themed areas such as "Abu Dhabi Ocean" (showcasing the Arabian Gulf ecosystem and local pearl diving culture), "Endless Ocean," "Tropical Ocean," "Arctic Ocean," "Southern Ocean," "Sea Lion Bay," and "Micro Ocean."