This 5-star Anantara resort is located in the Liwa desert and is a place not to miss. 

Qasr al Sarab means "The Palace of Mirage". The view of sand dunes from this hotel is truly amazing and you can also go on Desert Walks, Desert Biking and Archery amongst other things - or just enjoy the restaurants' delicious food.

Tal Moreeb

If you're ever planning on going dune bashing and bike riding in the desert I would highly recommend you to go to Liwa (in the Abu Dhabi Emirate). You can rent bikes there.

Liwa is home to amazing and fun desert landscape. Follow the signs to Tal Moreeb, it's supposedly the highest sand dune in the UAE (120m and 50 degree) and also the place to watch drag racing. It is quite steep as well, hence the name Moreeb (scary).

Between sand dune areas you will see "jao" which is flat areas stretching from east to west and will help the skilled drivers to navigate. 

Liwa is also the location where "Planet Jakku" in Star Wars: The Force Awakens was filmed.

If you get the chance, also pass by the Liwa Café which has great dates and date juice! 

Al Dhafra Festival

Al Dhafra Festival is taking place once a year and is the place where you can see thousands of camels competing in beauty shows, best camel milk and camel racing. If you come here, don't miss the "Million Street" They also host falcons as well as date competition and has a comprehensive Emirati culture souq. A place definitely worth visiting.

If you are lucky you will see (and buy) the so called "truffle of the desert", which my friends call something like "faggaer" (I can't promise this spelling is correct in any way...). They are sold in boxes. I was told that price ranges from 250-500 aed.

After a couple of hours drive and a 20 minute boat ride from Abu Dhabi, you will find my favorite island, Sir Baniyas Island. The entire island is a nature reserve where over 15,000 wild animals live. There aren't directly any roads and you will never see any traffic lights, skyscrapers or escalators. However, there are 30 villas that you can rent as well as a hotel with restaurants and spa. I mostly enjoy in the villas, which are design in somewhat traditional style right on the beach. Close to the villas is an Italian restaurant.

You can do safari, archery, horseback riding, snorkeling and many other activities. I tried the mentioned activities as well as the spa and pleased with all of it. If I could only choose one thing, I would do the safari. 

Manarat Al Saadiyat is an art museum I try to visit every now and then. I often find interesting and inspiring local and international exhibitions here. The museum has multiple gallery spaces and is more of a cultural hub than just a venue for galleries. The adjacent Fanr restaurant with its outdoor garden is definitely worth a visit to have your lunch or coffee and deserts.
It's located on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. 

Photo credit: Manarat Al Saadiyat

Photo credit: Fanr Restaurant

A bit pricey yet one of my favorite shops for inspiration - minbart. The shop is located in the Al Muneera area (5 min with car from Yas Island) in Abu Dhabi. They have creative and beautiful clothes, accessories and other design pieces. They sell pieces from both regional and international designers. Their instagram account @minbart gives you an idea of their designs.

If you are in the Muneera area, don't miss the Italian ice cream bar Vasa Vasa Gelataria!

(Photo from minbart instagram)

To reach out to small uninhabited islands with white beaches, you can take a boat, jet ski or even a catamaran 30 minutes from Abu Dhabi's coast.

Belevari Marine takes you on a 4h visit:
It will take 30-40min with the catamaran to get to the islands. Then you hang out there for about 2-2.5h before heading back. The islands are completely empty. There are only sandy white beaches. The catamaran trip includes snacks (crisps), soft drinks and water, as well small sandwiches/finger food on the way back. (Toilets are available on the catamaran).

It costs 450 dirhams per person, but there are often discounts (250 dirhams per person).

In Abu Dhabi, there are several small "antique" shops that are nice to roam around in and buy a few things for your home in. Most of these small shops are located right across the street from Abu Dhabi Mall.

One of my favorite places is Al Forsan International Sport Resort in Khalifa City (map) in Abu Dhabi. I see it as a playground for adults - with go carting, archery, paintball and several other activities. It is a bit pricey but it's worth spending a few hours here. I have been here many times and I have never experience large ques but it's also good to check in advance. 

Ettihad Antiques Gallery is located in Abu Dhabi's Al Bateen area (opposite Al Bateen Mall), right next to the Etihad Modern Art Gallery and Art Café. The gallery displays a vast collection of well preserved artefacts, Islamic art pieces and antiques in a two-storey villa. 

For those interested in art and antiques, this is a must-visit while in Abu Dhabi. 

After a 15min short ride with a speed boat from Saadiyat Island (Abu Dhabi), you will reach Nurai Island. Zaya Nurai Island provides transportation, lunch and access to the beach and pool for 350-550AED depending on what package you buy. There are also pricey villas to rent if you wish to stay the night. We, however, enjoyed our full-day by the beach and at the restaurant. 

The beautiful Grand Sheikh Zayed Mosque is well worth a visit. It was built between 1996-2007 on the initiative of the first president Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. I will always be struck by the magnificent architecture and engineering technique, even though I have visited the mosque several times and taken numerous of photos.
The guided tour provides the visitor with interesting and fun facts. 

When I go to a beach in Abu Dhabi I tend to always end up on Yas Beach or Saadiyat Beach. Yas Beach is also home to Noukhada which is a great watersport company. Both beach clubs provide food & beverage as well as changing room facilities. 

In the city of Abu Dhabi you can find the so called "Iranian Souk" which offers a bit of everything  - from palm trees to cooking pots and pans. It is a simple pleasure strolling around here. Nearby is also the old harbor with old wooden boats still in work, fishermen and Abu Dhabi's fish market.