The deep and most authentic Abu Dhabi is the one that can be explored beyond the towering buildings. To truly know Abu Dhabi, it is also necessary to venture deep into the desert and reach the most wonderful sites this vast emirate has to offer. For this reason, the Lonely Planet guide proposes a journey to a different Abu Dhabi, ideal for discovering all its secrets.
Camel rides and tours across the most stunning dunes are some of the experiences available to visit this magnificent destination, which also features hidden villages and enigmatic landscapes that not all ordinary tourists recognize. Among the notable places highlighted in the publication, three stand out as must-visit destinations: Madinat Zayed, Shams 1, and the Liwa Oasis.
Madinat Zayed, the most traditional part of Abu Dhabi
Madinat Zayed forms the administrative center of the Al Dhafra region, which makes up approximately two-thirds of the emirate of Abu Dhabi. It is a region that does not go unnoticed and also attracts a large number of visitors in December who come to participate in the Al Dhafra Festival.
This event is one of the most traditional in the region, offering the best attractions that help uncover the secrets of deep Abu Dhabi. Over 11 days, the festival celebrates Emirati customs and traditions with camel races, a beauty contest for these animals, and other competitions featuring falcons, classic cars, Arabian horses, and salukis (known as Arabian dogs), along with heritage activities, a traditional souk, and local cuisine.
Shams 1, Abu Dhabi’s solar energy paradise
The development of sustainable technology and clean energy production is one of the main goals of the United Arab Emirates, one of the world’s leading oil exporters. To take an alternative tour of Abu Dhabi, it is also essential to visit Shams 1 (‘Sun’ 1), a 100-megawatt concentrated solar power plant spanning 2.5 km², located south of Madinat Zayed.
This site generates energy for more than 20,000 homes and can be an appealing place to explore beyond the traditional city. Along this route, visitors can also stop at the Tiwal Liwa Hotel, a luxury fortress-like building set in splendid isolation on an elevation about 11 km east of the E45 highway.
Liwa Oasis, the historical cradle of Abu Dhabi
Continuing the journey beyond the Tiwal Liwa Hotel, visitors will find the Liwa Oasis. This oasis is part of the historical heritage of the United Arab Emirates because it was home to the Bani Yas, the Bedouin tribe that founded the ruling families of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In this region, locals began trading dates with other tribes in this crescent-shaped oasis, surrounded by dozens of nearby villages.
An important event also takes place here, the Liwa Date Festival in July, which elevates the humble fruit to a revered status. The gatherings are held inside air-conditioned tents, making it an ideal experience for those curious about this type of event in Abu Dhabi, which delves into the emirate’s most hidden roots.
