Below are Abu Dhabi’s most beautiful natural attractions you have to put on your list of must-visit places.
Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, is known for its busy business hubs, stunning skyscrapers, and world-famous sports facilities and events.
However, this city isn’t only home to numerous impressive human-made landmarks and structures. Abu Dhabi also has several wonderful, beautiful natural attractions you need to visit and see at least once in your lifetime.
And once you know what these gorgeous natural attractions are, you’ll want to visit Abu Dhabi at the soonest time possible.
Abu Dhabi’s best natural attractions to visit
Below are Abu Dhabi’s most beautiful natural attractions you have to put on your list of must-visit places:
1. Sir Bani Yas Island
Abu Dhabi’s weather makes nearly every day here a perfect beach day. Sir Bani Yas Island is one of the best, most beautiful places to take in the emirate’s scenic coastal views and try various fun activities.
Sir Bani Yas Island boasts several gorgeous beaches and private resorts with amazing facilities, perfect for a lovely beach day.
The Saadiyat Beach Club is home to the island’s most popular beach. It has incredible soft white sands and fantastic clear blue waters.
Although the beach is set in a private resort, there’s a chance you might see dolphins swimming in the nearby waters and hawksbill turtles making their nest on the protected sandy area.
Add snorkelling, scuba diving, pearl diving, and kayaking through a mangrove forest to your to-do list for a more enjoyable and amazing visit to this island.
Aside from the pristine beach, Sir Bani Yas Island is home to the Arabian Wildlife Park, a wildlife sanctuary where you can find rare oryxes, gazelles, cheetahs, ostriches, and giraffes.
You’ll see these animals free-roaming in the dunes or inside the park as you explore the area while horseback riding, mountain biking, or on a guided 4×4 tour.
All these natural attractions make Sir Bani Yas Island a great place for nature lovers.
2. Jubail Mangrove Park
Mangroves are one of the unique, fascinating, and scenic ecosystems you’ll love exploring. Abu Dhabi is home to several of these natural parks, the most popular of which is the Jubail Mangrove Park.
The Jubail Mangrove Park is the first self-contained nature, leisure, and educational destination in Abu Dhabi.
The park is home to a strategically placed winding boardwalk that lets you explore several serene mangrove forests and lagoons full of fascinating native wildlife, such as herons, flamingos, turtles, and various species of fish and crustaceans.
Aside from the mangrove forests, the 2.6km boardwalk takes you through different ecosystems, including salt marshes, intertidal mudflats, and unique sandstone geological formations.
Whether you’re an avid birdwatcher, nature photographer, or nature lover, you’ll love every minute of the time you spend at the Jubail Mangrove Park.
3. Jebel Hafeet
Although Abu Dhabi’s deserts are its most popular natural attraction, the emirate also has a few picturesque mountain ranges worth visiting. One of these is Jebel Hafeet.
Jebel Hafeet is Abu Dhabi’s tallest mountain peak and the UAE’s second highest. It looms over Al Ain and the borders of Oman, giving guests fantastic views of these two places.
The craggy limestone mountain carved and weathered for centuries is a veritable treasure trove of fossil deposits, evidence of the emirate’s ancient history.
The best time to climb Jebel Hafeet is before sunrise and sunset for you to see and capture the many breathtaking views at the perfect moment.
You can reach the summit by car, motorbike or bicycle, if you enjoy cycling on one of the most stunning roads you’ll ever see.
The foot of the mountain is a sight to behold and a great spot for various fun activities. Here you’ll find the Jebel Hafeet Desert Park, a family-friendly park set in scenic natural surroundings.
The park is a crucial part of the World Heritage Site of Al Ain, the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
At Jebel Hafeet Desert Park, you can go hiking, mountain biking, or horse or camel riding to explore various fascinating archaeological and historical remains.
One of the archaeological wonders you’ll see here are the 5,000-year-old Jebel Hafeet tombs and remnants from the Neolithic period.
Jebel Hafeet and the Jebel Hafeet Desert Park are not only beautiful places to see and explore; they are also worth visiting since they are proof of the area’s rich history and exceptional biodiversity.
4. Al Wathba Fossil Dune Protected Area
If you want to see stunning natural features that look out of this world, you’re in for a treat when you visit Al Wathba.
Al Wathba is a suburb of Abu Dhabi that serves as home to several natural attractions, including the Al Wathba Fossil Dune Protected Area. This unique park features around 1,700 rare, artfully moulded fossil dunes and structures.
These spectacular dunes are made of sand, salt crystals, and other desert minerals blown together by strong winds over the years.
The park features three kilometres of trails and an eco-tourism programme that allows you to learn more about the scenic natural landscapes. It also has a visitor centre, viewing area, amphitheatre, and hiking trails.
The Al Wathba Fossil Dune Protected Area has already been featured in various popular movies, making it a must-visit place for everyone.
If you want to see more striking views and get amazing photos, time your visit to the park during sunset. The sand dunes make for an exceptional backdrop for the setting sun, giving you a breathtaking sight you likely won’t see anywhere else.
5. Al Wathba Wetland Reserve
While in Al Wathba, visit the area’s other natural gem: the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve. This area is a popular resting area for flamingos during fall and spring, which is why it is also known as Flamingo City.
Al Wathba Wetland Reserve is home to various natural wildlife habitats, including freshwater and saline lakes and dunes.
The area has over 250 bird species, 37 plant species, and an array of marine life.
The variety of endemic and migratory avian species in the wetland makes it a popular destination among bird lovers anytime of the year.
The Al Wathba Wetland Reserve has two self-guided walking routes you can choose from to explore the area.
There is no lack of beautiful, incredible natural attractions to see and explore in Abu Dhabi.
If you’re planning to visit this Abu Dhabi, stop by these five places first to appreciate and be awed by the diversity and magnificence of the city’s most stunning natural attractions.
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
