Abu Dhabi & Oman in Seven Days
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi and Oman are two destinations where history and modernity coexist in fascinating ways. Abu Dhabi offers a mix of new, sleek architecture, stunning desert landscapes, and magnificent cultural landmarks like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Just a short flight away, Oman feels like a step back in time, with its ancient forts, dramatic mountains and bustling souks. Between Oman’s mountains, valleys and coast, one could easily spend a week there. We only had a week for both places and packed a lot in, promising to return one day.
Great for kids 5+ years
Great for mid-winter break (mid-February) and Spring break (mid-March) as April starts to get very hot
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After a long flight and a late-night arrival, we spent the afternoon and evening Abu Dhabi’s highlights. We visited the bustling souks and stopped by Yas Island and took a long walk along the Corniche. Around sunset, we made our way to the stunning Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque and spent a long time exploring its beautiful interior and serene surroundings. Our trip was before the opening of the Louvre and some of the city’s newer architectural landmarks, which now look like incredible additions worth visiting.
We were staying with friends so we don’t have a hotel recommendation, but there is no shortage of hotels to choose from.
The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat, Oman
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We set off for Muscat on Day 2, a short 70-minutes long flight from Abu Dhabi. We picked up our rental car at the airport and headed to our hotel—The Sheraton Oman. The pool was a big hit with the kids!
We visited the beautiful Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque at sunset, found a casual spot for dinner and headed back to our hotel for our action packed day ahead.
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About 1.5 hours, southeast of Muscat, lies Wadi Shab—a stunning natural oasis located near the town of Tiwi. Surrounded by towering cliffs and lush greenery, this picturesque wadi features crystal-clear pools, hidden waterfalls, and a cave with a small waterfall at its end.
We found the cutest little breakfast spot along the way called Habboh Coffee Shop. It appears the restaurant has since closed.
The hike from the car park to the entrance of the cave typically takes about an 1 hour, depending on your pace and the number of stops you make to enjoy the scenery. The trail is about 2.5 to 3 kilometers (1.5 to 2 miles) long and includes rocky paths, shallow water crossings and some bouldering near the end. Proper footwear and plenty of water are a must to enjoy this hike.
The entire hike is enjoyable but the pièce de résistance is at the end, where the last pool leads to a narrow opening in the canyon wall. You can either swim through the opening or hold the rock wall and shimmy through to the large cave pool with its very own waterfall! In hindsight, especially with young kids, we would recommend a life jacket for this last part as there is no place to get out of the water once you’ve in the cave.
After that adventure, we hiked back to our car and headed to the Bimmah Sinkhole, a 30-minutes drive from Wadi Shab, in the direction of Muscat.
The sinkhole—easily accessible by a stairwell— was formed by the collapse of limestone bedrock, creating a narrow turquoise pool which drops to an inky blue, deep area towards the back. We got there in the early evening and had the sinkhole almost entirely to ourselves. Our only “companions” were the tiny fish in the water, which nipped at our feet, treating us to a natural pedicure.
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On the morning of our afternoon flight back to Abu Dhabi, we made the most of our time by revisiting the stunning Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque as it was open before to visitors before afternoon prayers. After an early lunch, we stopped by the Royal Operaa House (it was closed but we were able to walk around outside), the Nizwa Central Souk and Ghubra beach.
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The Liwa Desert, located about a 3-hours drive from Abu Dhabi, is a breathtaking expanse of golden dunes on the edge of the Rub' al Khali (Empty Quarter).
If you’re planning to camp in the desert, we highly recommend hiring a guide with a 4-wheel drive—an absolute necessity for navigating the soft, shifting sands. Our itinerary had us arriving in the late afternoon, with plenty of time to hike and play among the dunes before settling in to watch a breathtaking sunset. As night fell, our guide prepared a simple yet delicious dinner of grilled kebabs, which we enjoyed by the warmth of a campfire under a sky full of stars.The following morning, we woke early to witness a sunrise that was nothing short of spectacular, as the dunes transformed from deep brown to a soft rose pink in the shifting light. What made the experience even more magical was the complete solitude—we didn’t see another group of tourists the entire time. After sunrise, we returned to camp, enjoyed a light breakfast, and began the drive back to Abu Dhabi.
A 4-wheel drive and an experienced driver is essential in the desert!
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Since we were staying with friends, we spent the day hanging out while the kids enjoyed some pool time.
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