Hooray for the weekend, especially for the long weekend (whew, we made it). We’re sprinting out of the office and into the holiday. It’s time to switch off and fill your days with fun things to do.
But… what are the best things to do in Abu Dhabi this long weekend?
Don’t worry. There are plenty of things to do in Abu Dhabi right now, and we’ve gathered the best of them to help you make the most of your days off.
Whether you’re looking for a great night out, a brilliant brunch, delicious dining or amazing activity, you’re covered this weekend.
For more fun things to do in Abu Dhabi this weekend, click here.
Looking to eat out or grab drinks? Here are the best places for food and drink in Abu Dhabi.
Jog on over here for everything sport and wellbeing-related across the capital.
Culture is calling. Check out all the best in the arts scene here.
It’s nearly Halloween, are you ready for the spookiest night of the year? For all the latest on Halloween 2021 in Abu Dhabi click here.
That’s your weekend sorted.
Thursday
Aerial Flow at Yoga One Studio
Start your long weekend right: by moving like an acrobat. Aerial flow is a yoga practice that will change your relationship with gravity. In aerial flow, you work with the fabric to bend your body into complicated poses and postures. The exercise is designed to decompress your spine and align your body from head to toe, so you’ll feel great afterwards. Bring a friend and have fun watching each other try unusual poses. Or you can always fly solo.
For more quirky yoga classes in Abu Dhabi click here.
From Dhs80. Yoga One Studio, Mangrove One Compound, yogaone.ae (050 950 8863).
Have a meal on the terrace at The Garden by Bay View
It’s the long weekend, and the weather is perfect for spending some time outside. The Garden by Bay View at Beach Rotana is back just in time, serving up the perfect spot to soak up the sun and enjoy the Abu Dhabi winter. Gather up the gang to enjoy a delicious meal together, or share drinks with colleagues with a view of Al Maryah island. The Garden serves up a healthy menu of the freshest ingredients – grass-fed beef, free-range chicken, local-line fish and crisp veggies, sound good?
Click here for all things happy hour in Abu Dhabi.
Open Sun-Thu 4pm-midnight; Fri-Sat 4pm-1am. Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi, Al Zahiyah (02 697 9000).
Go dune bashing in Liwa Desert
Even after years of living in the UAE, we at Time Out never tire of taking our visiting loved ones for a thrill-a-minute dune bash in the Liwa Desert. If your heart doesn’t start racing as your driver pulls off outrageous manoeuvres, you’re braver than us.
Click here for extreme sports and activities in the UAE.
Prices vary. desertsafariuae.ae.
Friday
Friday brunch at Saadiyat Beach Club
Love brunch? How about pool days? Why not put those two together. One of Abu Dhabi’s top beach clubs does a Friday Brunch along with a day pass, so you can cool down as the mercury levels rise. Saadiyat Beach Club enables brunchers to nibble on grills, raw bars and more from Dhs299 from 1pm to 4pm. If you fancy some pool action, it will be an extra Dhs200.
Click here for more brunches with pool access.
Dhs299 (soft drinks), Dhs399 (house drinks), Dhs499 (premium), Dhs499 (soft drink and pool access), Dhs599 (house drinks and pool access), Dhs649 (premium and pool access). Fri 1pm-4pm. Saadiyat Island (02 656 3536).
Dig into a vegan dessert at Wild and the Moon
Banana bread is the ultimate slice of comfort – and even more so when it’s a guilt-free indulgence. Luckily, Wild and the Moon whip up a mean plant-based version of our favourite post-dinner treat, and you’d never know the difference. It’s the perfect accompaniment to the trendy spot’s iconic superfood bowls.
For more vegan desserts in Abu Dhabi click here.
Open Sat-Thurs 9am-8pm; Fri 10am-10pm. Qasr al Hosn, wildandthemoon.ae (56 188 4073).
Take in the tunes at Heroes
Heroes is definitely one of Abu Dhabi’s most popular haunts. It’s the ultimate place for a casual drink or catch up with friends. With a busy, buzzing atmosphere, convenient location downtown and reasonable prices, it seems like the whole city comes here to unwind after work. Need another reason to visit? There’s live music every Monday to Friday with DJ Charlieboy, and live singing on Thursday and Friday evenings by Nicola. A casual pub, old-fashioned comfort food, bar snacks, sports, and live music most nights? What more could you ask for?
For more live DJ nights click here.
Mon-Fri (DJ Charlieboy), Thu-Fri (Nicola). Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Street (02 616 6132).
Get spooked at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi
Looking to get into the Halloween spirit? Kids and big kids alike will love this event at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. All throughout the month you can take part in spooky activities across the park. From braving your fears in Gotham City on Frightful Fridays, to joining everyone’s favourite mystery-solving pup during Scooby’s Trickity Treat Saturdays, there’s plenty to get you into the Halloween mood this October.
For all things Halloween in Abu Dhabi click here.
From Dhs295. Oct 8, 15, 22, 29 (Frightful Fridays) Oct 9, 16, 23, 30 (Trickity Treat Saturdays). Yas Island wbworldad.com (600 511115).
Saturday
Check out the newly reopened Silk & Spice
For fans of Silk & Spice, it has been a long five years. The popular Thai restaurant in the Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche first opened in 2012 before it closed in 2016. And it has just reopened after nearly five years, to the excitement of fans eager to munch its green papaya salad and range of curries. Book your table.
Click here for more new restaurants and cafés.
Mon-Sat noon-3.30pm, 7pm-11pm. Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche, Corniche Road, sofitelabudhabicorniche.com/restaurant-bar/silkandspice (02 813 7777).
Have a ‘gram worthy moment at Forever Rose Café
Get your phone (and appetite) ready because Forever Rose Café has opened in Yas Mall to much fanfare. Those who haven’t had a chance to snap every inch of the previous locations, should be ready because Forever Rose Café features a 2D monochrome design that transports you into a London park storybook.
Open Sat-Wed 9am-10pm, Thu-Fri 9am-midnight. Yas Mall, Yas West (050 210 0139).
Take a staycation at Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel
Looking for a luxe getaway in Abu Dhabi? Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel has two staycation packages for UAE residents. The All-Inclusive Package is, well, all-inclusive, and includes unlimited beverages and three meals a day across different dining outlets with rates starting from Dhs795, while the UAE Residents’ Staycation Deal includes breakfast, a free room upgrade, late check-out and 50 percent of the room rate back in resort credit to spend on food and drinks with rates starting from Dhs475.
For more family-friendly staycations click here.
From Dhs475. Anantara Eastern Mangroves Hotel (02 656 1000).
