Abu Dhabi hadn’t really been on our radar as a family destination but after a recent trip with my husband and our seven-year-old, I can honestly say it’s one of the easiest, safest and most varied places we’ve travelled with a child.
Getting there (and a very good start)
We flew with Emirates from Manchester and couldn’t fault a thing. The service was warm and calm, the kids’ meal and activity kit were genuinely great (not just something to endure), and we even landed early. One practical tip: flying out on a Tuesday from Manchester was a dream, the airport was almost empty and the whole experience felt relaxed from the start.
Where we stayed (and where we dipped in)
We stayed with friends, so I can’t give hotel reviews but we did manage some excellent ‘borrowed luxury’. Pool days at Hilton Yas Island were ideal with kids, and brunch at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi was another level (more on that later).
Big wins for kids (and grown-ups)
If you’re travelling with children, Yas Island is a gift.
- Yas Waterworld: brilliant for mixed ages, with different levels so younger kids aren’t overwhelmed.
- SeaWorld Abu Dhabi: genuinely impressive. You could easily spend a full day here between the different zones, shows, penguins, and even dolphins casually popping up to say hello.
- Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi: we were probably just on the young side for this, but our friend’s ten-year-old loved it.
- Ferrari World Abu Dhabi: one for roller-coaster fans — my husband was very tempted.
If you’re planning on visiting more than one theme park, it’s worth looking into the multi-park tickets — they work out far cheaper than buying individually and make it easy to mix and match days depending on energy levels.
And if you need another reason to keep Yas Island on your radar, Disney has announced plans for a future theme park there (2032 perhaps) making it one to watch for families planning trips in the years ahead.
For football lovers, the Manchester City Experience is excellent. Proper coaches take the kids (and any willing adults) through their paces, very well run and great fun.
Getting around & finding your feet
We always do a hop-on hop-off bus somewhere new, and the Big Bus Tour Abu Dhabi was a great way to get our bearings. Easy, air-conditioned, and you can choose whichever language suits you on the headset. Taxis are also incredibly easy to use (and really not expensive) just flag down one of the gold cabs or order everything through the Uber app (like we did), which made getting around with a child completely stress-free.
Culture that works with children
The Heritage Village Abu Dhabi was a surprise hit. We’d heard mixed reviews but it was on our bus route so we thought we’d check it out. Kids can try weaving and embroidery, there are horse and camel rides, and everyone working there seemed to genuinely love children.
We also went to Louvre Abu Dhabi I’ll be honest, we went as much for the building as the art. Although I did manage to get some excitement out of seeing a real life piece of mummy ‘toilet roll’. The architecture is breathtaking, the lattice-like roof making art out the of the views and the light. Plus, there’s a turtle sanctuary in the water in the centre and you can sit on the steps watching them bob about and chomp on some lettuce. There’s even a children’s gallery, and you can hire a small boat to go around the museum, appreciating it from all angles.
The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi has recently opened, and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is on its way in the Saadiyat Cultural District, somewhere we’d definitely return to explore more.
We also visited the Abrahamic Family House, which houses three distinct places of worship for Islam, Christianity, and Judaism (the Imam Al-Tayeb Mosque, St. Francis Church, and Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue), which was a thoughtful, peaceful experience and sparked some great conversations with our seven-year-old.
The Grand Mosque: breathtaking and deeply moving
A visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is an absolute must. It’s a self-guided experience, so you can explore at your own pace, take everything in, and chat with the kids without feeling rushed.
It’s one of the most stunning buildings we’ve ever visited. The scale, the light, the marble, the detail, genuinely awe-inspiring. This is also the one place where dress rules are strictly enforced: women need to cover arms, legs and hair. It’s handled calmly and respectfully, with abayas available if needed, and once inside it feels completely natural. Everywhere else in Abu Dhabi felt very relaxed this just felt like a clear boundary for a sacred space.
What really stood out was the message of tolerance woven throughout. Even our seven-year-old picked up on it, which led to yet more thoughtful conversations afterwards: Why is it so shiny? So, anyone can come here, even if they don’t believe the same thing? And Is tolerance like when you let daddy watch the football on the telly? So be prepared!
Beach days and nature breaks
We spent a day at Yas Beach, which was a lovely change of pace. The water is incredibly salty (you float without trying) and we were fascinated by the tiny fish swimming around our feet. It’s worth noting that there aren’t really public beaches in Abu Dhabi, so you do need to pay for beach access, but the facilities are excellent and it all feels very easy and well organised.
For something a little different, Jubail Mangrove Park was a quiet highlight. Boardwalks through the mangroves, plenty to spot (way too many crabs to count), and a great reminder of the natural beauty just outside the city.
Desert safari: unforgettable
The desert safari with Desert Rose Tourism was one of those experiences we’ll talk about for years. The dune bashing went on for ages (far longer than expected and much more than you’d expect was included in the price) much to the delight of the kids. Proper squeals of laughter.
Once at camp, the evening slowed into something magical: camels, food, a show, and desert dusk. It was incredibly well organised and very family-friendly. One warning: the sand gets everywhere. Shoes, bags, pockets, we definitely brought half the desert home unintentionally.
Malls, mosques and a Top Gun detour
Malls are everywhere, even underneath the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The Galleria Al Maryah Island is the one for designer brands; others are fairly similar… although Marina Mall does have a Top Gun shop, which made my Top-Gun-obsessed husband extremely happy.
Brunch at The Ritz
Brunch at the Ritz deserves its own mention. Coffee martinis on tap, a samurai sword slicing sushi, food from around the world, and a full kids’ club so adults can actually enjoy it. Abu Dhabi brunch culture is something else.
The overall feeling
What stayed with me most was how safe everything felt. Bags left by the pool, kids wandering a little ahead — it took some getting used to, but the sense of ease is real. Service everywhere was warm, attentive and genuinely kind.
Abu Dhabi wasn’t originally high on our list (it only really moved up when friends relocated there last year) but it turned out to be a definite win. It’s not just a stopover or an adults-only luxury break; it genuinely works for families. Varied, welcoming and surprisingly relaxed, we went curious and came home already talking about going back.
And the service? Truly next level. At first, you almost think people are following you around shops because they suspect you’re about to steal something and then you realise they’re simply there to help. That level of attentiveness takes a moment to adjust to, but once you do, it’s hard not to miss it when you’re home.
Staying connected (without the faff)
One small but genuinely helpful thing we did was download the Saily data app before we left. It meant we had data and could make calls as soon as we landed, without hunting for SIM cards or relying on WiFi. Everything worked straight away, which is especially reassuring when travelling with a child, whether you’re booking Ubers, checking maps or keeping in touch with friends back home. One of those simple decisions that made the whole trip feel smoother.
