Get the Ultimate Family Guide to Abu Dhabi

Family Guide to Abu Dhabi

Things to Do in Abu Dhabi as a family

Traveling with the whole family doesn’t have to mean long flights, especially with the kids in tow. In just a short car ride, you can create the ultimate family vacation on a trip to Abu Dhabi.

With its amusement parks, family-friendly resorts and thrilling attractions, holidays in Abu Dhabi offer plenty to do for all ages. Experience skydiving in the world’s largest wind tunnel or scale rock faces in the world’s largest climbing gym. Cool off at Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi with thrilling water rides and roller coasters, or stay at a beachside resort with everything you need right at your doorstep. Find all this and more in our Ultimate Family Guide to Abu Dhabi.

Yas Island

When it comes to the best things to do in Abu Dhabi with kids, Yas Island has no shortage of family-friendly attractions and hotels. From multiple theme parks to the motorsports circuit at Yas Marina, this island in Abu Dhabi packs tonnes of activities.

Families can split the day at the world’s fastest rollercoaster over at Ferrari World Abu dhabi before shopping and dining at the Yas Mall, right next door. Or, check out Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi, an indoor amusement park from the media franchise, with rides, attractions, and familiar faces from the Looney Tunes that kids will love.

If you want to stay close to all the items on your holiday “to-do” list, consider staying here. You can still reach Yas Island from downtown Abu Dhabi using the Yas Express free shuttle service. The Blue Route stops at the Yas Plaza hotels, the W Abu Dhabi hotel, Yas Central, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, and Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi. The Red Route also stops at the Yas Plaza hotels and the W Abu Dhabi, and continues on to Yas Beach, Yas Marina, and the Yas Links.

Yas Marina

Dine and dock at Abu Dhabi’s superyacht marina. Restaurants and cafes cater to all budgets. Take the kids to the playground or to cool off at the musical water fountain. During Race Week, Yas Marina turns into the center for celebration with parties, fireworks, and world-class live entertainment.

Location: Yas Island – Abu Dhabi

Yas Marina Circuit

Ready to live life in the fast lane? Yas Marina Circuit hosts premier motor sporting events including the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Take the family on a tour of the racetracks or get behind the wheel of an amazing sports car. The Yas Kartzone also invites guests ages 13 and up to take on the twists and turns of the tracks in go-karts.

Location: Yas Island – Abu Dhabi

Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi weather goes from hot to hotter. Beat the heat with this family-friendly attraction for all ages. The park contains 40 roller coasters and water rides plus playgrounds, pools, and events. Imagine getting funneled in the center of a tornado! That’s what it feels like in Dawwama, the world’s biggest hydro magnetic-powered water slide. Surfs up at Bubbles Barrel, the world’s largest sheet wave. You’ll find all that and more at Yas Waterworld.

Location: Yas Island – Abu Dhabi

Yas Mall

Clothing, swimwear, toys, and jewelry—spend the afternoon satisfying your retail fix. But Yas Mall has much more than shopping. If the kids get antsy, gather the family together for an adventure at the world’s largest indoor skydiving funnel or the 140 foot tall indoor climbing wall at CLYMB Abu Dhabi. Experience “edu-tainment” at KidZania Abu Dhabi or Fun Works. Later catch a movie at the on-site movie theater.

Location: Yas Island – Abu Dhabi

Marina Mall

Pass the afternoon shopping at over 400 stores at the Marina Mall. Then take the kids to an indoor adventure park at Bounce with floor-to-floor trampolines. Marina Mall also houses the Emirates Bowling Village and Vox Cinemas as well as Magic Planet, a kid’s paradise with arcade games and rides.

Location: Al Marina – Abu Dhabi

World Trade Center Mall

Sure, you can find lots of shopping in Abu Dhabi. For more of an Arabian flare, the Indoor Souk at the World Trade Center Mall has vendors selling local jewelry, scarves, art, spices, and carpets. The World Trade Center Mall also has contemporary stores as well as restaurants, cafes, and fast food.

Location: Khalifa Bin Zayed The First St – Zone 1E2 – Abu Dhabi

Galleria Mall

For shopping, dining, and entertainment all in one, head to another one of Abu Dhabi’s top destinations, the Galleria Mall. Shop for everything from designer threads to world-renowned brands. See the latest films at the 3D IMAX cinema. Sip coffee or do yoga in the clouds at the outdoor Sky Park. Bring the kids to the Caboodle play world. Or, test your athletic abilities (and fear of heights) at the Xtreme Zone climbing wall.

Location: Al Maryah Island – Abu Dhabi

Desert Safari SUVs bashing through the arabian sand dunes; Shutterstock ID 401671129

Desert Safari Tours

Take the whole family on the adventure of a lifetime, surfing sand dunes, riding camels, and speeding off road in a hummer. Experience Bedouin hospitality with a barbeque beneath tents complete with grilled meats, fresh salads, music, and belly dancing. Nuzhath Ideas runs both day tours and overnight camping excursions into the desert from Abu Dhabi.

Location: Near Marina Mall – Abu Dhabi

Emirates Park Zoo & Resort

Giraffes, sea lions, hippos, elephants—see them all at the Emirates Park Zoo. Get up close and personal with some of the zoo’s residents during experiences like Breakfast with the Birds, Big Cat Brunch, or the Crocodile Experience. General admission costs 30 in Abu Dhabi currency, with free entry for children ages 2 and under. Or sign up for the Zoo Camp, so your kids can learn and interact with animals all summer long.

Location: Al Bahyah – Abu Dhabi

Best Abu Dhabi Hotels for Families

When traveling with the kids, you want to look for hotels that accommodate all ages. Swimming pools, playgrounds, kid-friendly events, and on-site restaurants stand out as a few of the essential amenities to consider when choosing the best Abu Dhabi hotels for families.

With plenty of activities, restaurants, and amenities for the whole family, the palatial Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat al Beri is a picturesque resort just 10 minutes’ drive from the airport, and 15 minutes from the city center. Each of the 214 rooms has its own terrace with views over the canal of the stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

Families can easily dine at one of the four restaurants onsite serving local and international cuisines, along with casual bars and poolside lounges. Connected is the Qaryat Al Beri Souq, full of jewelry shops, gift shops, restaurants, cafes, and more. The hotel also offers family-friendly deals with discounts on additional rooms and kids meals.

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Get an immersive experience right by the zoo at the Emirates Park Resort. The fully-service hotel has on-site dining, events, and adventures for all ages. Accommodations include 54 king and twin rooms and 25 family chalets with access to the spa, hammam, swimming pool, kids splash pool and slide, and business lounge.

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Stay just footsteps from the sands at this seafront hotel. Guests can take advantage of the swimming pools, beach, tennis court, spa, and gym. Meanwhile, Kids and teens can hang out together at the Kids Club. This luxury resort has plenty of onsite dining, including sports lounges, restaurants, and the famous Majlis Saadiyat Afternoon Tea. Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort also hosts experiences perfect for all ages such as the humpback dolphin watching.

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Stay in the heart of Abu Dhabi’s family-friendly attractions on Yas Island. This 5-star hotel from Marriott is recognizable for its unique nest-like architecture. 499 guest rooms and suites with floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of the race track or marina. The indoor kids zone has playstations for children ages 2 to 12. Other amenities include a swimming pool, fitness center, and full service spa.

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