If your plans feel up in the air, these things to do in Abu Dhabi are easy, flexible and still fun
It has been one of those weeks where plans feel a little tentative, and our usual list of things to do looks a little different. The weather has not quite settled, and many of us are leaning towards places that feel easy and familiar. Still, the city is moving, and there is plenty to step into this weekend, whether you stay indoors or head out when the skies clear.
Start your day with an Abra breakfast experience
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There is something about being on the water first thing in the morning that slows everything down. You drift along the canals with coffee in hand, warm pastries on the table, and Abu Dhabi waking up around you. It feels simple, but special.
Location: Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri Abu Dhabi
Time: 8am to 10am breakfast; 2pm to 6pm afternoon tea
Contact: (02) 509 8555
Brunch at 25 Minutes to Tulum
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This new Mexican brunch leans into bold flavours and easy, beachy energy. Think tacos filled to the brim, crisp chilaquiles, and churros worth saving room for. Add the Hudayriyat coastline and you have a Saturday that runs exactly as it should.
Location: 25 Minutes to Tulum, Bab Al Nojoum Hudayriyat
Time: Every Saturday, 11am to 2pm
Cost: Dhs99 per person
Contact: WhatsApp (02) 691 0208
Rage Oasis
If you want something a little more lively, Rage Oasis brings together food, shopping and entertainment in one space. It is busy in a good way, with plenty to wander through and enough happening to keep everyone entertained. Go with friends and take your time with it.
Location: Manarat Al Saadiyat
Time: 4pm to midnight
Cost: Dhs70
Contact: @therageuae
Reema: Queen of the Desert
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This is a gentle, thoughtful theatre production that leans into storytelling and imagination. It follows Reema the gazelle on a journey across the desert, with moments that land just as well for adults as they do for kids. Expect something warm, a little whimsical, and easy to connect with.
Location: Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation
Time: March 27, 7pm
Cost: Dhs30 adults, Dhs15 children
Contact: (02) 657 6348
Visit the National Aquarium and Butterfly Gardens
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This is an easy win if you want something indoors and a little calmer. The aquarium is already a favourite, with tunnels full of sharks and rays. One ticket gets you into both the aquarium and the Butterfly Gardens, which feels like stepping into a completely different world. It’s a good mix of quiet wandering and wide-eyed moments, especially for younger kids who want to take their time.
Location: Al Qana
Time: 10am to 10pm
Cost: Dhs110, under 3s free
Contact: (02) 418 3000
Candlelight concerts at Emirates Palace
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These concerts strip things back in the best way. A live orchestra, a room filled with candlelight, and music that carries the whole evening. Whether it is Vivaldi or Hans Zimmer, it feels intimate and a little transportive.
Location: Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
Time: 7pm and 9pm
Cost: From Dhs245
Visit the new Yas Bay East Beach
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If you want fresh air without the crowds, this new stretch of beach delivers. There is space to stretch out, space to move, and just enough going on if you feel like being active. Or you can do nothing at all and stay there until the sun dips.
Location: Yas Bay East Beach, Yas Island
Time: 7am to sunset
Cost: Dhs100 weekdays; Dhs150 weekends (50% off for children aged 6 to 12, free for under 6s)
Contact: yasbay.ae
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