Budgeting is definitely a very dramatic truth this January unless you’re sitting on Crypto thousands or packaging that Jeff Bezos income. In light of this, these are some of our favorite free ( or almost completely ) activities to do in Abu Dhabi if you have customers coming in or are simply looking to make the most of your free time. Visit the geological dunesLocated in Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba area, you’ll find a collection of really natural beauties. The bizarre Fossil Dunes ( geo location linked ) are gnarled time-forged skeletons that require an SUV to enter, but there is a campsite nearby if you want to take your time gazing in awe. Although, and we cannot stress this enough, you must not reach them. Despite being thousands of years old, the website is in real danger of irreparable harm from careless customers. Catch a movie in the park ( Dhs10 ) Umm Al Emarat Park’s well-known alfresco cinema is currently showing its lineup of family-friendly film classics. Whilst it’s not quite complimentary, at Dhs10 ( for the park entrance fee ) that’s some pretty amazing price. Fridays and Saturdays at 5:30pm and 7:30pm are the showing times. There’s a AAA line up of active movies come over the next few weeks — the Pixar future capers, Coco, girl search, Frozen, and marine monster story, Luca. Umm Al Emarat Park also has its own enjoyment- size coach, a petting zoo, knowledge garden, floral garden and more. Videos are available for free, but there is a Dhs10 fee for entrance to the area. Located at Umm Al Emarat Park, ummalemaratpark. Watch the best women’s rugby players from around the world compete in the Zayed Sports City Open in this video from ae Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open on Instagram. The primary six weeks of the game are free for young people under the age of 12 and allow them to sit back and watch the qualifying rounds on February 3 and 4. Have we say more? Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi, February 3 to 11. We all know that Abu Dhabi has some very special experiences on provide. Even so, it’s a town with more records than Paul McCartney, and while generally celebrating the lack of knowledge makes us feel special and wealthy. But there are some encounters we wish were n’t so rare. The Environment Agency- Abu Dhabi ( EAD ) calculated that there are approximately 700 humpback dolphins in the coastal waters of Abu Dhabi, which sadly means that it has the largest community of these endangered creatures in the world. And Saadiyat Island is one of your best chances to encounter these beautiful creatures in the wild because their preferred feeding areas extend north along the coastlines and eastward to Jubail’s trees. Get a pair of glasses, head to one of the numerous hotels along that shorefront, including Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island and Jumeirah at Saadiyat, and purchase a day complete. Or there’s the beachfront club, Soul for an inexpensive alternative to hotel fumble- and- shedding. Play activities in a parkMany gardens in Abu Dhabi offer their own free-to-use sports facilities. But some of them go more difficult on the effective destinations. For instance, the just reopened Sheikha Fatima Park on the Corniche is absolutely brimming with strategies to Ka those Kcals. It includes a fully fitted skateboard park, a dog park, a swirl sheet place, a child play zone, and an interior boulder climb attraction. You’ll also find ample shaded parking here, with a multi- story car park. Reem Central Park offers four multi- sports courts, water features, a skate park, dining facilities ( including 800Pizza, Jelly Belly ice cream and Taqado ) beach sports, canal walks and playgrounds. Kobe Bryant, a legendary basketball player, is also admired there. Enjoy a beach dayWith an average of 1, 052 days of sun each year ( we guesstimated, do n’t look it up ), Abu Dhabi has always been a strong pull for beach seekers around the world. There’s also the fact that Abu Dhabi itself is made up of sandy islands, meaning — ratios, there’s more surface area shoreline to top up that tan than your average beach destination. And while there are some stunning public beaches scattered throughout the UAE’s diverse coastal regions, we recommend visiting Saadiyat Island public beach, which is a smorgasbord of dining options, Al Bateen beach, which is nearly 1km of blue-flag sandy lushness, a playground, and a highly Instagram-appropriate Hudayriyat public beach, which are all within walking distance. Visit Al Ain’s verdant oasisIf you’re looking for green, Al Ain AKA’ The Garden City’ is a pretty good place to start. In the middle of Al Ain, this 1,200-hectare desert oasis, which was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, is located. It contains more than 147, 000 date palms, trees bearing mangos, oranges, bananas, figs and jujube. With its whimsical shaded pathways beneath fractal canopies, it’s a place that creates a shivering contrast to the urban jungle of Abu Dhabi’s cityscape. An Eco-Center provides information on the conservation efforts at the oasis as well as a history look back. Al Ain, open daily 9am to 5pm. Tel: ( 03 ) 711 8251, take a virtual tour at visitabudhabi. Check out Abu Dhabi’s salt lakesLadies Bloggers, influencers, and the naturally curious traveled to their location close to Al Wathba Wildlife Reserve to take pictures of the narrow pastel green lakes, which are filled with crystalline lily pad features. You can find the exact location on Google Maps, but getting there is n’t easy. Take an SUV, take snacks and back up supplies, tell someone where you are going, do not litter, and make sure you’re all fuelled up. We promise it’s worth it. Images: Instagram / @a. c. h. r. i. s. t. y / @perspectivesofjames / @vishnu. aeHave a picnic in a parkIf you concentrate on the little things that bring you joy, life can really be a picnic. And picnics with your besties should unquestionably be one of those things. The Department of Municipality and Transport ( DMT ) just released a list of 38 parks in Abu Dhabi where you can add a side of barbecue to your alfresco festival. These mini green oases are located in Abu Dhabi, where you can spread your blanket and break bread with your closest and dearest. Khalifa Park, which also has soothing water features, is our pick for the picnic areas. It also has an aquarium, Maritime Museum, a library and its own splash park. Catch the fireworks at Zayed Festival ( Dhs5 ) This one is not technically free, but it will only set you back Dhs5 ( book at zayedfestival.com ) and includes access to the many cultural and entertainment- based delights of this epic festival. Every Saturday at 10 p.m., it’s weekly firework festival that will continue until the festival’s close on April 1, 2022, starting at 10 p.m. The former residence of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, the late Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan’s father-in-law and founding father of the United Arab Emirates, has been renovated and transformed into a cultural community center in Al Ain. Its new role, as well as preserving an important artefact of heritage, is to provide a space for community arts, crafts and creativity. *Curtain Drop* An integral element of the centre’s identity, Al Ain Theatre has established a permanent hub at Bait Mohammed bin Khalifa, offering authentic artistic and cultural events such as festivals, courses and workshops. Al Ain, daily 10am to 8pm ( Fri 2pm to 10pm ), free. Tel: ( 03 ) 118335, baitmohammedbinkhalifa. ae Go for a walk along Abu Dhabi’s ‘ other Corniche’Abu Dhabi has just opened a brand new waterfront promenade, Al Gurm Corniche — and it has far more than simply ( cor ) niche appeal. Seven days a week, 24 hours a day, with a plethora of enjoyable opportunities to unwind, get fit, or learn about the area and its people, it offers shaded walkways and views of Mangrove National Park. There’s a cycle track, three outdoor gym- style exercise platforms, kayaking adventures, areas designated for alfresco yoga sessions, a range of food and beverage outlets, overwater cargo net chill stations that are perfect for getting lost in the pages of a riveting read. There are also nodes dedicated to education, with activities like water play, swings, and installations that teach children about nature, gravity, tidal movements, nature and gravity, binoculars peering into the green beyond in search of fascinating forna, historical hubs, filled with fascinating facts about the region’s past and local ecology, and also fun-filled play areas. Along Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street, next to the Anantara Eastern Mangroves, is Al Gurm Corniche. Find out more at @algurmcornicheImmerse yourself in nature at the Al Wathba reserve, which reopened on January 1, 2021 and is a wonderful place for families and children to wander through some real undeveloped UAE habitat. It is primarily known for its large number of shocking pink flamingos, but it also has a wide range of aquatic life, including more than 250 bird species, 37 plant species, and a large population of shocking pink flamingos. Some of which were made available here were completely new to science, and there may be even more that may be unique to this area. The reserve is open from 8am to 6pm on Tuesday through Saturday ( last entry is at 4pm ), and visitors are welcome. Read more here. Al Wathba Wetland Reserve, Directions: Take the E22 Abu Dhabi- Al Ain road and connect with the E30 Abu Dhabi- Al Ain Truck Road, then follow signs for the reserve, open Tue to Sat, 8am to 6pm, free entry. ead. gov. This recreation of a traditional Emirati village, which is conveniently located next to Marina Mall on the edge of the city, offers a glimpse of life before the skyscrapers and symbiotic beach clubs. Conceived by the Emirates Heritage Club, you can catch local artisans demonstrating their skills in metalwork, pottery, weaving and glass- blowing. There is even a mini-souk where you can purchase items from these traditional crafts. Abu Dhabi Corniche Breakwater, daily 11am to 11pm, Dhs5. Tel: ( 02 ) 681 4455, torath. gov. This dromedary expo is located about 15 minutes outside of downtown Al Ain. The camel is a significant part of the UAE story, and their trade still flourishes in these burgeoning markets today. In camel-flexing their A-game in racing pedigree demonstrations, curious guests might have the chance to see the animals. You’ll have to brave some pretty strong scents, but it’s uncommon to find examples of this authentic and accessible Middle Eastern life. Additionally, it gives you an unmatched chance to take a camel selfie in full. Al Ain, runs daily from 6am to 7pm ( most trading takes place first thing in the morning ). visitabudhabi. Jubail Mangrove Park ( Dhs15 ) opened in January 2020, giving visitors the chance to explore one of the region’s most fascinating natural ecosystems. The mangroves, which were discovered on a quiet outcrop of Jubail Island, quickly gained the respect of locals, residents, and tourists. It is located about 20 minutes drive from Downtown Abu Dhabi and has a meandering 2. 3 km boardwalk. Park inhabitants include herons, flamingos, turtles, gazelle, crabs, as well as some more mysterious creatures. There’s plenty of ways to explore this fascinating turquoise expanse including ranger- led, guided boardwalk ( from Dhs50 ), kayak ( Dhs100 ), and e- canoe tours ( from Dhs80 ) of the mangroves. Jubail Mangrove Park, Al Jubail Island ( next to Saadiyat Island ), Abu Dhabi, 8am to 7.30pm daily, Dhs15 for adult, Dhs10. Tel: ( 05 ) 63032423. park. jubailisland. aeImages: Provided
