You’ve probably seen our list of the best free things to do in Abu Dhabi. But sometimes we all need to treat yourselves. That’s why we’ve hunted down amazing things to do for less than Dhs500 in Abu Dhabi. Yes, they exist and they’re pretty amazing.
If you’re looking to spend that extra little bit of cash on things to do for less than Dhs500 in Abu Dhabi, you’ve come to the right place.
We’re not talking about going on the luxury trail in Abu Dhabi. The three-bedroom suite at the Emirates Palace can wait until next year.
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But if you’re looking for some cool things to do for less than Dhs500 in Abu Dhabi, there are plenty of fun activities to fill your week days or weekends with.
Riding rollercoasters, firing rifles, speeding in cars (legally), horrifying escapes and taking flight opportunities await.
So what are you waiting for? Here’s our Time Out-approved list of the best things to do in Abu Dhabi for less than Dhs500. Go on, you deserve it.
Accelerate at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
Looking for one of the best things to do for less than Dhs500 in Abu Dhabi? A single day ticket gives you unlimited access to a Ferrari-themed day of adventure. The world’s fastest rollercoaster, the world’s highest rollercoaster loop, an epic zero-gravity loop — it’s one for thrill-seekers and car-lovers of all ages. At the very least you can fill your camera roll with selfies of you standing next to and sitting in Ferraris in an effort to convince distant school friends that you are living the high life.
Dhs310. Daily. Noon-8pm. Ferrari World, Yas Island, ferrariworldabudhabi.com (600 511 115).
Desert safari in a Hummer
Some questions can never be answered. One of the great mysteries, however, can be answered with ease – which is better in the desert, a Hummer or a camel? Book in for this premium desert safari and dune bashing experience and you’ll have a thrilling ride up and down the dunes. It’s one of the best things to do for less than Dhs500 in Abu Dhabi. After refreshments and entertainment (including belly dancing) you can ride a camel and see how it fares on the sands. Hump or Hummer? You decide.
Dhs500. Check for timings. Various locations, abudhabideserttour.com (050 404 0234).
Drift night on the Yas Circuit
Yas Marina Circuit can make a good claim to be the most welcoming Grand Prix track in the world. When the F1 is not in town you can run, cycle, ride and, best of all, drive on the track yourself with frequent experience offers. These range from free jogging sessions to premium driving opportunities. Dhs4,000+ will put you behind the wheel of a Ferrari 458 GT, but budget options are available. This is one of the best things to do for less than Dhs500 in Abu Dhabi.
Click here for everything for our Yas Marina Circuit guide.
Dhs320. DAYS. Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island, yasmarinacircuit.com (02 659 9999).
Escape from a horror basement
Looking for one of the coolest things to do for less than Dhs500 in Abu Dhabi? The rise of escape rooms entertainment has taken over the world. Throw in a terrifying horror element and this really is like starring in your own fright feature. Being petrified has never been so appealing.
Dhs420 (for two people). Daily. 10-2am. Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, Al Bateen, darkroomae.com (055 186 1589).
Go skydiving indoors
Looking for one of the most incredible things to do for less than Dhs500 in Abu Dhabi? Indoor climbing centre Clymb has the world’s biggest indoor skydiving chamber. No parachute required, just put on a helmet and flight suit and climb into the chamber. 16 powerful fans will blast you more than 100ft (ten basketball hoops high) into the air. Get good and you will be somersaulting around before you know it.
Dhs235. Wed-Thu, 1-9pm; Sat-Sun, noon-9pm. Clymb, Yas Island, clymbabudhabi.com (600 511115).
Pitch and putt on The Garden Course
The National course at Abu Dhabi Golf Club has attracted the world’s best players and been a fixture on the European Tour. This is not that course. It is, however, the little brother and a fantastic place to hone your skills and enjoy a casual round. What’s more, the 3,341-hard 9-hole course is playable until dusk and under the floodlights. This is no mere pitch-and-putt, but a high-quality course featuring holes of more than 500 yards and four different tee-options. Grab a friend enjoy one of the best things to do for less than Dhs500 in Abu Dhabi.
Dhs415 (two-ball). Daily. Call for timings, limited to four tee-times per day. Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Khalifa City, abudhabigolfclub.abudhabi (02 885 3555).
Private yoga in the desert
Out on the fringes of the legendary Empty Quarter, the world’s largest sand desert, sits one of Abu Dhabi’s most striking hotels. The Qasr Al Sarab by Anantara is set amid gorgeous dunes and makes for a striking location. Especially when you take on a private desert yoga session with the hotel’s resident yogi. Whether in the studio or out on the dunes it can be a spiritual and calming experience to remember, and one of the best things to do for less than Dhs500 in Abu Dhabi.
Dhs350. Daily. 10am-10pm. Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, Qasr Al Sarab Road, anantara.com (02 886 2088).
Shoot a sniper rifle
Not in virtual reality. Not a paintball. Not Nerf. An actual sniper rifle, with real live rounds and actual rifles. That’s what makes this one of the best things to do in Abu Dhabi for less than Dhs500. Al Forsan International Sports Resort has a host of sporting experiences to enjoy, including horse riding, motorsports and watersports. The 100m indoor sniper rifle range is strictly for over-16s and is the only 100m rifle range in the world with four shooting bays. Sit at a bench or lay down flat to shoot the sniper rifles while high-tech electronic targeting will measure your accuracy.
Dhs265. Daily. 7am-11pm. Al Forsan International Sports Resort, Khalifa City, alforsan.com (800 9900).
Slide through a snake at Yas Waterworld
There are six waterslides that have an exit shaped like a huge serpent’s mouth. The waterslides are giant snakes! Do we really need to say any more? We do? You can also ride the Jebel Drop – the region’s tallest speed slide at the height of a 10-storey building. Now, go and get your swimming costume and enjoy one of the best things to do for less than Dhs500 in Abu Dhabi.
Dhs270. Sun-Thu, 10am-7pm; Fri, 1-10pm (Ladies’ Day); Sat, 10am-9pm. Yas Waterworld, Yas Island, yaswaterworld.com (600 511 115).
Spend a day at Saadiyat Beach Club
Line up your angles, get your timing just right and be committed to your social media followers and it is possible to get the ultimate weekend smugness pic. We think it is in the infinity pool, with a palm tree, Arabian Sea, a beach and the sunset behind you. Add in some sort of fruity mocktail and a floppy hat for good luck. Even if you don’t get the perfect shot you have still spent the say at one of the country’s finest beach clubs and you’ve got a floppy hat. This is really one of the top things to do for less than Dhs500 in Abu Dhabi.
Dhs375. Sat-Sun, 8am-sunset. Saadiyat Beach Club, Saadiyat Island, saadiyatbeachclub.ae (02 656 3500).
Take a deluxe bus tour of the city
Looking for one of the best things to do for less than Dhs500 in Abu Dhabi? Tourists and residents alike can discover, learn and enjoy something new with the long-running sight-seeing tours operated by Big Bus Abu Dhabi. With stops at a fort, malls, heritage sites and many of the city’s top attractions it can be too much to fit into one day. Take a deluxe ticket and you can hop-on and hop-off for five days on either of the two routes and even take a Presidential Palace tour included in the price as well.
Dhs350. Daily. 10am-4pm. Various locations, bigbustours.com (800 244 287).
Take flight with Batman at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi
One of the best things to do for less than Dhs500 in Abu Dhabi? A good day out is all about finding common ground. If a group as diverse as Fred Flintstone, Marvin the Martian, Supergirl and Wile E. Cayote can come together under one roof then this theme park is going to tick a lot of boxes. Young or old, thrillseeking or sedate, hero or villain – there is plenty to explore. With rides and shows themed around iconic Warner Bros characters it is fast becoming one of the best things to do under Dhs500 in Abu Dhabi.
Dhs320. Daily. Noon-8pm.Warner Bros World, Yas Island, wbworldabudhabi.com (600 511 115).
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