How to Enjoy a Memorable Family Holiday in Abu Dhabi

Ranked among the region's most popular tourist hubs, Abu Dhabi is also a dream destination for families. Offering travellers a safe and wholesome environment in which to experience both cultural attractions as well as recreational hotspots, Abu Dhabi is the perfect location for a memorable family holiday. From visiting its main points of interest to timing your holiday, here are some tips on how to make the most of your family getaway to the capital of the U.A.E.

1. Time the Trip

Families who plan to visit Abu Dhabi on holiday must make sure their holiday coincides with the limited number of months in the year when the weather is actually conducive to travel. As a Middle Eastern destination with vast expanses of desert landscapes, the heat and humidity in Abu Dhabi can make it a downright hostile environment for tourists during the sweltering summer period. This is why the only way to enjoy a getaway to the desert capital is to travel in the autumn or winter seasons with the months between December and March being especially festive and perfect for those travelling with children. Those who cannot travel during this time of the year can alternatively tour the city from September to October as the weather is quite mild during this second-best time of the year in terms of climate.

2. Secure a Family Friendly Resort Base

As a city with much to offer, the success or failure of your Abu Dhabi vacation depends on the convenience of your base hotel as how much you can experience as a family depends on the location of the accommodation provider. Whether it's the Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Yamm Villa Resort or any one of the other Abu Dhabi beach resorts, it is crucial to ensure the venue is a stone's throw away from the main highlights in the city so the family need not venture too far to enjoy the sights. Apart from the location, selecting an establishment that is home to swimming pools, game rooms, kids clubs and laundry services will also come in handy for families.

3. See the Sights

Any trip to Abu Dhabi would be truly amiss if one were not to visit some of the most impressive landmarks and attractions scattered around this bustling metropolis. Some points of interest that families will enjoy include the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Falcon Hospital while the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the National Museum of the UAE will also impress culturally inclined families. Qasr al Hosn and the Al Ain Palace Museum are other highlights that should be on your family's sightseeing itinerary while the UAE Heritage Village is a great place to travel back in time to Abu Dhabi's humble past.

4. Head to the Activity Hubs

Home to some of the world's most iconic theme parks, families heading to Abu Dhabi have the unique opportunity to explore one groundbreaking leisure hub after another. Spending a day at Yas Waterworld is a must for families with children of all ages as it is a splash centre of truly mammoth proportions. Warner Bros. World is no less impressive with its family-themed rollercoasters and rides that are based on beloved children's and adults’ films from the studio's canon. Ferrari World is another spectacular theme park hotspot in Abu Dhabi where every member of the family can live out their Formula One dreams.

5. Go on a Shopping Spree

As one of the main reasons why certain travellers head to Abu Dhabi in the first place, a family trip to the city would truly be bereft without a shopping spree. Head to the many mega-malls and department stores located around the city where one can not only purchase designer goods but also enjoy movies, wine and dine in food courts and even spend time at gaming arcades. The Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi Mall and Al Maryah Island are among the best malls in the city.