Abu Dhabi is one of the prime destinations when it comes to trying out new things. After all, it is home to many establishments offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Whether you’re already on a quest to complete your bucket list or are just about to start, here are six of the best experience the UAE capital offers that you shouldn’t miss:
1. Experience the Force of Gravity in Indoor Skydiving
When you create a bucket list, you write down things you normally can’t, don’t, or won’t do on a regular day. This means it will most likely include facing your fears, like the fear of falling. This is why skydiving is almost always included in people’s bucket lists.
Of course, not everyone is ready to jump off an airplane above the UAE capital (though the view and experience are totally worth it!). This is where indoor skydiving comes in handy. Visit CLYMB Abu Dhabi Indoor Skydiving for an exhilarating experience. Deemed as the world’s largest indoor skydiving chamber, the facility is 9.7 metres wide and 32 metres tall.
Before free-falling from a record-breaking height, you’ll be asked to stand at the bottom of the flight chamber with a trampoline-like floor made from aircraft cable. With guidance from professional instructors, you begin your ascend by leaning forward whilst the 16-fan system is cranked up until you’re hovering in the air.
This experience is designed for adults who weigh no less than 85 kilograms. It is also suitable for people of different skill and comfort levels. So whether you’re a newbie or already an expert in flying, you can enjoy this awesome experience to the fullest.
2. Dine Like a King and Eat Gold (Literally!)
If you were asked to choose a colour that best describes the UAE, you’d probably answer the same thing as most people: gold. Besides being home to Dubai (the City of Gold), the country is also where you can find gold bar vending machines, gold souks, and even food sprinkled with the precious yellow metal.
From burgers and fish to desserts and coffee, restaurants all over the country serve 24-karat delicacies, and it’s definitely an experience you wouldn’t want to miss.
Amongst the most popular places to get a taste of this marvellous experience is the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. Here, you’ll find not just the shining suites, gilded dome, and sparkling décor but also Le Café, which serves 23K gold-topped ice creams and the Palace Cappuccino sprinkled with 23-karat gold flakes.
3. Relish a Day of Speed and Thrill at the Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
Experiencing even just one day in a race car driver’s life is another bucket-list-worthy activity you should consider when visiting the UAE capital. And where better to do that than at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi?
Of course, riding an actual race car is just the cherry on top of this adventure. The rides, events, and attractions make up the most thrilling adventure in Abu Dhabi to quench your need for speed.
Not sure what to try? Here are two of the speedy activities that should definitely go into your bucket list:
Scuderia Challenge
If you engage in long hours of playing virtual races, this virtual game is something you’ll definitely look forward to in Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. This six-man velocity race takes you through the Yas Marina – the virtual version, of course – and into the most exhilarating moments of your life.
Formula Rossa
Race cars aren’t the only speedy vehicle you can ride in Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. You can also get the unique opportunity to hop aboard the world’s fastest rollercoaster with exciting twists, turns, and swirls. Seriously, this ride isn’t for the faint of heart.
4. Witness Cultural and Architectural Wonders Like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Like its sister emirate Dubai, Abu Dhabi has plenty of architectural wonders that will leave you silently wishing that you lived in the UAE. One of these wonders is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Built during the time of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque reflects the country’s history and culture, focusing on the Islamic message of tolerance, diversity, and peace.
But besides its cultural relevance, the grand mosque is known for its wondrous architectural elements.
One of the world’s biggest mosques, it has over 1,000 columns, 82 domes, and chandeliers gilded with 24-karat gold. It is also home to the world’s biggest hand-knotted carpet, not to mention its main prayer hall is decorated by one of the largest chandeliers in existence.
5. Enjoy the Desert Bedouin-Style
Your trip to Abu Dhabi won’t be complete without a visit to the desert. And what better way to do so than joining a desert safari?
While these may be “too touristy” for your taste, it goes without saying that desert safaris remain one of the best adventures you can have in Abu Dhabi. This fun-filled experience usually includes:
- a ride on a camel’s back;
- a trip to the camel farm;
- sandboarding;
- dune bashing;
- the chance to wear a traditional Arabic outfit;
- a choice to get a henna tattoo; and
- the opportunity to eat barbecue and try shisha while watching a belly-dancing performance.
Just remember to wear appropriate clothing as it can get very hot out in the desert. You can don anything you’re comfortable with, but loose clothing is a must. Don’t forget to bring your jacket if you plan to stay until the evening, especially if you are averse to cold wind.
5. Go on an Enriching Trip to the Louvre Museum
If you’re an art, culture, and architecture enthusiast, you’ll also want to include an enriching trip to the Louvre Museum in your bucket list. Aside from housing awe-inspiring pieces of art, the Louvre is also known as one of the finest buildings in the UAE capital.
Located in Saadiyat Island and surrounded by water, the museum complex has a total area of 24,000 square metres. Dedicated to art galleries is an 8,000 square-metre space where you’ll find pieces from across different eras, carefully curated based on different themes.
Complete Your Bucket List
These unique and exciting experiences in Abu Dhabi could be enough to fill most people’s bucket lists. What you see here is just the tip of the iceberg, as there are many others you can try to complete your Abu Dhabi bucket list.
This Article is written by Ashton Fernandes
Ashton Fernandes is an experienced and engaging digital marketer with a keen passion in sport, travel and photography. Over the past 2 years, he has been responsible for executing digital campaigns and asset development projects to promote Yas Island as a leading tourism destination around the world.
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