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For golf lovers looking for a one-of-a-kind golfing getaway, this Abu Dhabi itinerary will suit them to a tee.
On day one, head to Abu Dhabi Golf Club, home to the annual Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. Next, explore the family-friendly Al Forsan International Sports Resort.
On day two, discover Yas Links Abu Dhabi, the Middle East's only true links course. Next, head to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the world’s first Ferrari-branded theme park.
On day three, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club beckons. Louvre Abu Dhabi is next, with the nearby Manarat Al Saadiyat encouraging visitors to embrace creativity.
On day four, check out the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club. Qasr Al Muwaiji fort is next, with the 4,000-year-old Al Ain Oasis being the final stop of day four.
On day five, Abu Dhabi City Golf Club is on the list, as is Wahat Al Karama, a permanent tribute to the UAE's brave soldiers and other Emiratis, recognised as martyrs. Then, discover the majesty of nearby Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and finish your tour with a visit to Emirates Palace, a lavish hotel.
Tee off at the state-of-the-art Abu Dhabi Golf Club before exploring Al Forsan International Sports Resort, with its impressive array of sports and Olympic-standard activities.
Al Forsan International Sports Resort
Stop 2
Recommended Time: 3 hours
The first-of-its-kind sporting resort in the Middle East, Al Forsan International Sports Resort offers fun activities and entertainment for all ages and skill levels, from toddlers and young kids to teens, parents and grandparents. As Abu Dhabi’s reputation as one of the world’s best international sporting destinations grows, the free-to-enter Al Forsan International Sports Resort continues to offer an impressive array of sports and Olympic-standard activities, including shooting, equestrian pursuits, motorsports, paintball, wakeboarding, water-skiing and more, all in one location.
Whether you're training for an international sporting event, just looking for an exciting outing for the whole family, or even a fantastic team-building or corporate venue, Al Forsan International Sports Resort offers something for everyone. Book a fun one-day outing or, if you're staying in the emirate for longer, pick up a membership and enjoy a wide range of benefits available only to club members, including exclusive access to members-only areas and special rates.
Abu Dhabi Golf Club
Recommended Time: 3 hours
Abu Dhabi Golf Club, designed by Peter Harradine in 1998, is a 27- Hole Championship course that opened its doors to golfers and non-golfers alike in May of 2000. The impressive clubhouse, built in the shape of a falcon with its wings outstretched, overlooks the golf course.
The Clubhouse dominates the scene as you look across the lakes from the far end of the course. The superbly designed building exudes a relaxed elegance both inside and out. With lush fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and generous greens, the 27-hole championship course, has hosted 16 consecutive editions of the HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship.
Abu Dhabi Golf Club, with its 162 hectares and one of the best world-class 27-hole championship golfing facilities in the world, has been dubbed a 'super course' by leading sections of the golfing press.
Discover the Kyle Phillips-designed Yas Links Abu Dhabi course before heading to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi for a fun few hours of rides and laughter.
Stop 2
Recommended Time: 3 hours
Nothing gets the adrenaline pumping like Ferrari World Yas Island Abu Dhabi's rides. It's one of the more popular theme parks - and with good reason! Feel the exhilaration as you speed through roller coasters and soar high in the air.
The whole family will find an adrenaline-fueled ride just for them, everyone can join in the thrilling fun. The Ferrari-branded theme park on Yas Island is home to more than 40 record-breaking attractions, including the highest loop ride, and it all happens underneath the tallest space-frame structure on the planet. Who's ready for an adventure at Ferrari World Yas Island?
Yas Links Abu Dhabi
Recommended Time: 2 hours
Set among rolling hills and delicate mangrove plantations, Yas Links Abu Dhabi - designed by Kyle Phillips, the world-renowned course architect - is the Middle East's only true links course, in line with the traditional links golf commonly associated with the coastal towns of Scotland and Ireland.
Nestled on the western shores of Yas Island, Abu Dhabi's landmark entertainment destination, every daunting and dynamic Yas Links hole boasts sparkling Arabian Gulf views, with eight running right up along the coastline. A favourite with UAE-based players, the course has been recognised as one of The World’s Top City Golf Clubs by CNN Travel and has also been named as one of the world's most beautiful courses by MSN UK.
Voted among the Top 10 New International Golf Courses by the USA's influential Golf Magazine, and named one of the world's top 25 by US publication Golf Digest, the Par 72 championship course stretches to a demanding 7,450 yards, while a nine-hole Par 3 academy course, floodlit practice facilities and luxurious clubhouse further complement the offering.
Served by seven nearby hotels, including the iconic five-star W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island - the only hotel in the world straddling a Formula 1™ track - Yas Links is distinguished by private boat mooring and a fine-dining restaurant, a private lawn for events and croquet, and stunning views of Abu Dhabi's 21st-century skyline thrown into the mix.
Discover breathtaking sights at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club before channelling your cultural side at Louvre Abu Dhabi and Manarat Al Saadiyat.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Stop 2
Recommended Time: 3 hours
Step inside the iconic Louvre Abu Dhabi, the first universal museum in the Arab World, translating and fostering the spirit of openness between cultures. As one of the premier cultural institutions in the heart of the Saadiyat Cultural District on Saadiyat Island, this art lover's dream displays works of historical, cultural and sociological significance from ancient times to the contemporary era.
From the moment this iconic museum opened its doors in the emirate, the Abu Dhabi art scene elevated to a global scale, implanting a strong sense of pride in locals and residents alike.
Manarat Al Saadiyat
Stop 3
Recommended Time: 2 hours
Saadiyat Island’s art, cultural activity and community events centre, Manarat Al Saadiyat brings Saadiyat's vision to life, encouraging visitors to come together and share, experiment, create their own art, discover exhibitions, exchange ideas, enjoy sumptuous food, or listen to talks.
Meaning 'a place of enlightenment' in Arabic, Manarat Al Saadiyat is home to the annual Abu Dhabi Art fair, as well as an outdoor events terrace, café and brasserie, three galleries for temporary exhibits, a photography studio, an art studio, 250-seat auditorium and gift shop.
Saadiyat Beach Golf Club
Recommended Time: 4 hours
Imagine taking in the calming sight of the brochure-blue sea, closing your eyes for a few moments, inhaling deeply and then taking your best shot. Discover new levels of peace while playing your best game at the undeniably stunning Saadiyat Beach Golf Club. A masterfully-designed course by professional golfer Gary Player for golfers of all levels, the carefully positioned tee boxes ensure the total yardage starts at 5,290. However, the course can be extended to a whopping 7,784 yards for pros! You will notice how the course seamlessly blends in with the natural beauty of Saadiyat Island’s white-sand beaches, making this an exceptional experience you must try at least once.
Did you know Saadiyat Golf Club is an eco-conscious course too? During your round, look out for the 160 bird species, native plants, gazelles or even the occasional dolphins on the coast of the Arabian Gulf!
Kickstart your day at the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club in the garden city of Al Ain before exploring the historic and picturesque Qasr Al Muwaiji fort and the lush 4,000-year-old Al Ain Oasis.
Qasr Al Muwaiji
Stop 2
Recommended Time: 2 hours
There is an old saying that 'walls have ears'. Imagine what stories the walls of Qasr Al Muwaiji would tell, if they could, from more than 100 years ago. Add this historical stop to your itinerary for a deeper insight into the UAE's intriguing past. Situated in Al Ain, a lush garden city just an hour and a half away from Abu Dhabi, you will be amazed as you enter this simple yet striking structure at how the country has evolved from its humble beginnings.
Al Ain Oasis
Stop 3
Recommended Time: 3 hours
Take a walk through the shaded pathways and reconnect with nature in the lush greenery of Al Ain Oasis - a peaceful retreat spread across 1,200 hectares in the ‘Green City’ of Al Ain.
Located just a 90-minute drive from the capital city of Abu Dhabi, it is easy to forget that you are in a desert. This magnificent oasis is a dreamy sight for sore eyes and one of the most beautiful oases Abu Dhabi has. Here you can enjoy a bit of respite from city life and appreciate 147,000 date palm trees, over 100 different varieties of vegetation and relics of the past, like the ancient irrigation system known as falaj. The falaj is an essential piece of the region’s heritage and one of the many reasons why Al Ain is a UNESCO Cultural Site.
Al Ain Oasis is free to enter, and there are many ways to explore and learn about this natural marvel!
Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club
Recommended Time: hours
In the shadow of the soaring Jebel Hafit mountain in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi’s lush garden city and heritage heartland, sits the area’s first 18-hole facility. With water in play on 12 holes, this serious but conquerable Par 71 course also includes the Arabian Gulf’s longest Par 5 – the mammoth 678-yard Hole 10. To complement the 18-hole mainstay, there’s also a floodlit, nine-hole, Par 3 Academy Course, ideal for a round of night golf.
Several stables accommodate up to 155 horses while supporting equestrian facilities include an outdoor arena made of sandblast – one of the best surfaces to learn to ride on – four surface arenas, 15 sand paddocks, three specialised horse walkers and a 3,000-metre international-standard race track. The club’s unrivalled lessons programme is popular with expats and international visitors, with expert horseback riding tuition on offer for children and adults of all skill levels. The centre’s riding academy is unlike any other training facility in the UAE in that it offers students of all ages a wide range of riding disciplines to choose from. Simply show up and saddle up.
If you’d like to try your hand at shooting, this is the place to do it. Considered the UAE’s best in terms of Olympic and International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) standards, the club is ideal for beginners, corporate groups and experienced shooters. It offers a wide range of facilities, including a 25-metre pistol range, 50-metre rifle range and 10-metre air pistol and rifle ranges, all equipped with an electronic scoring system. There are also four ranges for the clay shooting disciplines of skeet, trap and double trap. The club is a great resource for shooting and gun tips, equipment advice and competition opportunities for registered members.
The Abu Dhabi City Golf Club is next on your golfing list, followed by the touching Wahat Al Karama tribute, the majestic and welcoming Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, and the lavish Emirates Palace hotel.
Wahat Al Karama
Stop 2
Recommended Time: 5 minutes
Spanning 46,000 square metres and located directly opposite Abu Dhabi's world-famous Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Wahat Al Karama is a timeless tribute that honours the Emirati martyrs who sacrificed their lives in service of their country. Wahat Al Karama is home to a permanent memorial commemorating the United Arab Emirates' heroes, including soldiers, police, diplomats and civilians, since 1971.
Operating hours
Visitor center: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Tours booking: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Memorial plaza area: 24 hours
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Stop 3
Recommended Time: 2 hours
When you enter Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, you will understand why it is such a special place. Here, people from all walks of life come together to take in the architecture's beauty and gain a deeper understanding of religion and culture in the United Arab Emirates. The mosque is one of the world's largest and was the vision of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan - the Founding Father of the UAE. He envisaged the creation of a welcoming and cultural haven that inspires people from all backgrounds.
Even the construction was a cultural collaboration. The grand structure was designed and built by skilled teams from all over the world, including 1,300 Iranian artisans who hand-knotted the main prayer hall's carpet - the world's largest.
On your journey through the marbled halls, you'll see one-of-a-kind treasures, including gold-plated Swarovski chandeliers, the courtyard's vast marble mosaic artwork and reflective pools that mirror some of the many amethyst-and-jasper-embedded columns. When you're outside, look up to see the mosque's four stunning minarets that proudly stand at 106 metres.
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Abu Dhabi
Stop 4
Recommended Time: 2 hours
Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Abu Dhabi is where luxurious comfort, impeccable service and unique dining experiences come together in an enchanting setting. From a distance, the hotel looks like something out of an Arabian fairytale, with the main building alone stretching over one kilometre from one wing to the other and the gardens spreading across 100 hectares. Walking in, you will find a sense of deep relaxation washing over you. With a pristine 1.3km private beach, stunning pools, a private marina and natural bay, a beautiful spa and highly-rated dining venues - you can't go wrong with a holiday here.
Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Abu DHabi is one of the most remarkable buildings in Abu Dhabi when it comes to architecture. Picture this: During the day, the palace's golden exterior contrasts with the lush greenery, silvery water fountains, and crisp blue sky. And at night, the hotel's lighting changes subtly, with an ethereal rainbow effect displayed on the main dome. Featuring 114 domes, the palace's central dome is a striking 72.6 metres above the ground, meticulously crafted with gold, mother of pearl and crystals. The building also boasts 1,002 chandeliers - the largest weighing 2.5 tons - with other photo-worthy features, including two handmade wall displays portraying the palace.
Abu Dhabi Golf Club
Recommended Time: 3 hours
Abu Dhabi Golf Club, designed by Peter Harradine in 1998, is a 27- Hole Championship course that opened its doors to golfers and non-golfers alike in May of 2000. The impressive clubhouse, built in the shape of a falcon with its wings outstretched, overlooks the golf course.
The Clubhouse dominates the scene as you look across the lakes from the far end of the course. The superbly designed building exudes a relaxed elegance both inside and out. With lush fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and generous greens, the 27-hole championship course, has hosted 16 consecutive editions of the HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship.
Abu Dhabi Golf Club, with its 162 hectares and one of the best world-class 27-hole championship golfing facilities in the world, has been dubbed a 'super course' by leading sections of the golfing press.