Free Places to Visit in Abu Dhabi 

To your surprise there are many free places to visit in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE. Whenever you travel with your family or friends, these free places can make your trip exciting and fun without spending a dirham. These free places include parks, museums, and natural wonders. Below you will find 6 places that you can visit to make the best memories in Abu Dhabi.

Al Wathba Lake Camp

Recently, the Department of Municipalities and Transport  has added many new activities for visitors of Al Wathba lake. Now it will provide the residents of the United Arab Emirates and the outside visitors with a new distinctive and safe destination for camping and hiking.

Location

Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi  

 If you want to get out of the city and have an exciting staycation, the Al Wathba lake campground is a 45-minute drive from Abu Dhabi’s centre and offers a choice of pitch options. Here is the Google Map location. 

Variety of free activities

The Al Wathba lake campground in Abu Dhabi  offers a variety of free activities such as jogging and cycling track, eco-camping amenities, and playgrounds. This man made wonder provides an excellent  camping and picnicking location for everyone to visit for free while also promoting eco-tourism activities typically include hiking, wildlife observation, bird watching, camping, and other nature-based activities. Accommodations for ecotourists are often designed to blend in with the natural environment and use sustainable practices to reduce their impact on the local ecosystem. Ecotourism aims to educate visitors about the natural world, promote environmental awareness, and provide economic benefits to local communities. 

Al Wathba lake camp site free facilities

The man-made lake is surrounded by 13 new campgrounds that are completely sheltered from the natural environment. From any of the campsites, you can enjoy the lake and the desert scene while being safe and secure with the bathrooms, first aid facilities, and waste management. The Al Wathba Lake campground can accommodate 120 people, and you may put up tents or utilise an RV to enjoy the desert’s grandeur up close. The camp also has 24 picnic areas with grills and 3,000 square metres of entertainment space for over 500 people. The project also includes a 1,400-metre walking and jogging track around the lake, a 1,200-metre cycling route, two volleyball courts, and seven playgrounds. You may also ascend to one of the site’s two observation decks to take in the spectacular views. With so much diversity, there should be a free place for everybody. For further information visit this GulfNews page about Al Wathba Lake with new multiple campsites and picnic spots. 

Timing 

Al Wathba lake camp is open for all the families in the United Arab Emirates and the tourists from outside the country to visit.

Entrance Fee

There is no entrance fee, so people can enjoy the available facilities and activities for free.

Al Hudayriat Island

Al Hudayriat Island is one of the most popular destinations for both locals and tourists in Abu Dhabi, it offers a wide range of activities and entertainment. In Al Hudayriat you have multiple free activities for you and for your family. For instance, you can enjoy swimming in the beach and playing some watersports such as volleyball which is available to visitors free of cost. Setting picnics in front of the beach is a good idea as well. Moreover, guests can visit Marsana in Al Hudayriat Island, this place contains a variety of restaurants, shops, and activities. You can enjoy your time for free, by visiting the public kids park and having a walk around the Island while enjoying sunsets. Additionally, Al Hudairyat cycle tracks is one of the best tracks to play sports and ride bicycles, you can visit the website and sign up for riding, you will get free rides.

There are other festivals held on Hudayriat Island throughout the year, one of the most popular is Hudairyat beach festivals, it takes place during winter, and it includes a wide range of activities for all ages such as, live music, beach games and food & beverages. Furthermore, Hudayriat Island is known for its food trucks they offer a range of cuisines, including Emirati, Asian, Italian and American, also the different cafes as well, visitors can enjoy a meal with a view of the sea.

Location

Al Hudairyat beach is located on Al Hudayriat Island, which is situated in the Arabian Gulf off the coast of Abu Dhabi. The beach is located on the eastern side of the island and is an easily accessible road.

Timing

The island is open from early mornings till midnight. Al Hudayriat beach is open from 7AM till 6 PM for people who like to swim in the beach.

Entrance Fee

Entering the beach and Marsana is free of charge.

Accounts and Website

Check out their Instagram account to see their updates. You can browse their website to see the activities that are available there.

Al Qana

Al Qana is the newest free place to visit in Abu Dhabi that offers a wide range of recreational activities for visitors. It is situated near Rabdan and is planned to rise to prominence as one of Abu Dhabi most sought-after communities. A magnificent waterfront promenade with unobstructed views of the Arabian Gulf can be found in the area. Numerous eateries and cafes, including an aquarium, a health and wellness centre, are currently operational, and many more will soon follow.

Al Qana is a gorgeous blend of modern architecture and natural beauty, featuring a stunning waterfront promenade, lush greenery, and numerous attractions for visitors of all ages. The destination has been designed to cater to the diverse interests of locals and tourists.

For those looking for a more free activity, Al Qana offers a range of outdoor fitness options. People can enjoy a free walk along Al Qana’s wide path while admiring the beautiful marina. In addition, they can enjoy cycling with amazing views.

Al Qana not only offers a variety of activities for free. You can also enjoy boat rides on waterways for 25 DHS at Al Qana to refresh yourself. Al Qana is also known for its impressive entertainment options, including the largest aquarium in the region, which features over 200 species of marine life, and entrance fees are 110 DHS for each.

Overall, Al Qana is an all-encompassing destination that offers something for everyone. Whether you’re looking to spend a fun-filled day with family and friends, or simply want to relax and unwind. Al Qana is a must-visit destination in Abu Dhabi.

Location

A new project, Al Qana, opened its doors in 2022 and is located in Rabdan Abu Dhabi.

Timing

Al Qana is 24 hours and you can walk any time you want.

Entrance Fee

Entering Al Qana for Free.

Accounts and Website

You can follow Al Qana on Instagram for more information, and browse their website to know more about their updates and exciting activities.

Sheikh Zayed Mosque

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a popular free tourist attraction. In addition to being a place of worship, the mosque provides visitors with a variety of activities and experiences.

The mosque is primarily a place of worship, and guests are welcome to participate in the mosque’s daily prayers. The mosque is accessible to people of all religions and is a free place to enter, however visitors are asked to dress modestly and follow basic mosque etiquette while they are there.

The place offers free guided tours to visitors, which can provide insight into the mosque’s history, architecture, and significance. These tours are conducted in various languages and are available for individuals as well as groups. And visitors can take photos of the mosque’s stunning domes, minarets, and courtyard, as the mosque is an architectural masterpiece and a popular spot for photography enthusiasts.

Also, it hosts a range of cultural events throughout the year, such as the annual Ramadan iftar and Eid celebrations, these events provide visitors with a chance to experience the local culture and traditions.

If you are looking for free activities to do, there are educational programs and workshops for both children and adults, these free programs cover a range of topics, including Islamic art, calligraphy, and architecture.

Although it’s not free, there is a mall located near the mosque where there are gift shops that sells a range of souvenirs and Islamic merchandise, including books, clothing, and prayer beads.

Website

For more information about the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, you can visit the official website dedicated to the affairs of the Mosque.

Location

The Mosque is located on the eastern edge of Abu Dhabi, close to the Abu Dhabi International Airport. It is situated on Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street, which is also known as the Abu Dhabi-Dubai Road or E11 highway. The exact location of the mosque can be found by searching for “Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque” on online maps.

Timing

Everyday of the week from 9 AM to 10 PM, except Friday it’s from 4:30 PM to 10 PM, because of the Friday prayer. This is the case for visitors and not worshippers.

Al Fay Park

Have you had a long day at work and wish to relax for a few hours somewhere serene? And free of charge? visit Al Fay Park. It is a park that is welcoming and offers something for everyone. A year-round park that is open for exploration. A stunning natural getaway that may transport you away from the rush of city life is located right in the heart of Abu Dhabi.

Al Fay Park features a diverse assortment of native trees, bushes, and shrubs, as well as a broad variety of bird, insect, and animal life, all of which are intended to create a cool and sensual “forest” setting for the park’s many free activities. 

The many woodland habitats along the forest paths offer a very relaxing setting for people seeking to unwind, take a break from the bustle of the city, and simply listen to nature. Those seeking to get near to nature also appreciate a stroll in these areas. For a quick picnic or to enjoy a snack with your family or friends, the forest trail offers free modernised seating in the form of tables and benches.

The park also provides a variety of sports and fitness activities for the physically healthy, the park is also accessible to those with disabilities, the elderly, and young children. There are several free of cost outdoor activities available, such as mini-golf areas, basketball and football courts, fitness and children’s play areas.

Visit the Al Fay Park Official Website to learn more about the amazing park and the activities available there.

Location

Al Fay Park is located in Al Reem Island, and it is 10 minutes away from Abu Dhabi Corniche, for the exact location click on this Google Maps link.

Timing

Opening hours for Al Fay Park are from 7 AM to 11 PM every day.

Entrance Fee

The entrance and all activities in Al Fay Park are Free of charge

Emirates palace

It’s amazing that hotels in Abu Dhabi allow guests to enter, sit down, and take tours of their interiors without charge at any time. Can you believe that there is even no requirement to reserve a room in order to take advantage of the free activities available there? One such hotel is the Emirates Palace, a stunning architectural achievement that has everything inside covered in gold.

It’s a suitable destination for family vacations. There are huge Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan pictures at the palace’s entrance that you can photograph for free of charge, and there are luxurious chairs all over the place that you can relax in without paying. Without spending a single dirham, you can enjoy the palace’s services, including touring the interior and admiring the gorgeous architecture that attracts so many visitors as well as walking outside the Emirates palace to the fountain and the high stairs that go down. The parking there is absolutely free. For free dining is available in front of the fountains outside the Emirates Palace. and let your kids engage in some activities like playing in the water and racing around. They can also have fun by going into the fountains for no charge.

Five magnificent buildings can be seen in the front view from the outside, each of which is built differently from the others in terms of size, colour, and form. They are beautiful enough to be used as wallpaper photos, and you can take free of charge picture of them. While your kids play in the sand, you are able to walk along the beach for totally free, and you can also check out the restaurant. Additionally, there are shops inside the palace that you are welcome to explore without paying anything. Examples include Style Gallery, 4A & EON, and occasionally they even open a booth that you can wander around at no charge and use to try out goods without having to pay.

Location

The location for Emirates Palace is Mandarin Oriental, west corniche road, al ras al akhdar, Abu Dhabi. And in order to assist you get there quickly, here is the Google Maps link.

Timing

Since it is a hotel, it is open all the time, but the best time to come and take a tour is from early in the morning around 7 am until about ten o’clock at night.

Entrance fee

It’s worth noting that the cost of entering Emirates Palace is for free, and parking is free of cost  there as well, including valet parking.

Accounts And Website

For more details and images of the place, visit their Official Website. You can also follow them on Instagram Page to learn about the most recent offers and upgrades.