On the southern edge of the Abu Dhabi emirate, where the country's borders dissolve into the vast expanse of the Empty Quarter, sits the Liwa Oasis — your gateway to one of the most striking landscapes on the Arabian Peninsula.
The Empty Quarter: the world's largest sand sea The Rub' al Khali (Empty Quarter) desert covers roughly 650,000 square kilometers, stretching across Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, and the UAE, and is known for golden dunes that reach heights of up to 300 meters. The most famous of these is Moreeb Dune near Liwa, which rises over 300 meters with a 50-degree incline, and each winter becomes the stage for the Liwa International Festival, where 4x4 enthusiasts flock to challenge its famous hill-climb races.
Where to stay: Qasr Al Sarab For anyone wanting to sleep among the dunes, Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara is an exceptional choice — an Arabian fortress-style property set in the middle of a sea of rolling sand. The resort offers not just luxury accommodation but a full menu of desert activities: sunrise or sunset camel rides, dune-bashing 4x4 drives, guided desert walks covering the region's plants and history, horseback riding among the colored dunes, and even fat-bike rides for guests aged 14 and up.
A day trip, or something deeper You don't need to stay overnight to experience the desert; travelers based in Abu Dhabi city can book a day trip to Liwa, typically including dune bashing, camel rides, and photo stops at the biggest dunes. But for a deeper experience — stargazing far from light pollution, watching the dunes change color with sunrise and sunset — at least one overnight stay is worth the effort.
Practical tips Book your trip during the winter months (November to March), when daytime heat is moderate and the desert cools down enough at night for an enjoyable, non-exhausting experience. Bring warm clothes for the evening even in winter, since desert temperatures drop fast after sunset. And if you're trying dune bashing for the first time, choose a licensed operator with properly equipped vehicles — it genuinely takes skill to drive dunes safely.
Why Liwa is worth your time Many Abu Dhabi visitors settle for desert scenery closer to the city, but Liwa offers something entirely different: taller, more dramatic dunes, real palm oases tucked among the sand, and a genuine sense of distance from the skyscrapers — an experience worth at least a full day of your trip.
