Less famous, flashy, and busy than its neighbor Dubai, Abu Dhabi offers far more than just sun, skyscrapers, and five-star hotels. With pristine beaches, vast mangrove forests, an increasing number of world-class museums and art galleries, and a year-round calendar of sporting events, it challenges every stereotype about the UAE. It surprises you in all the best ways. Complemented with a sensational dining scene and safe, diverse, and proudly multicultural communities, it’s the perfect place for those who like to stay active and immerse themselves in a destination’s history and heritage. Best time to visit Abu Dhabi Spring: Maximize the most pleasant sunny weather of the year by kayaking around Jubail Mangrove Park and enjoying beach time on Saadiyat Island, Hudayriyat Island, and the Abu Dhabi Corniche. Amy Subaey, managing director of the adventure group UAE Trekkers, recommends hiking in the towering dunes of the Liwa Desert—the backdrop for movies such as Dune and Dune: Part 2. ‘Like stepping into Lawrence of Arabia, desert hiking lets you experience what it was like for Abu Dhabi’s original Bedouins to walk hundreds of miles with nothing but the elements and snakes, scorpions, gazelles, and camels for company,’ Subaey says. Challenge Sir Bani Yas, the Middle East’s first long-distance triathlon, takes place on Abu Dhabi’s extraordinary island nature reserve (home to giraffes, oryx, and more amazing wildlife). At the same time, the annual TriYAS offers shorter distances for all abilities. Catch the UAE Tour cycle race, and embrace the spirit of Ramadan with lavish iftar buffets, night markets, and late-night games at the Manarat Al Saadiyat Ramadan Arcade. Summer: With average temperatures reaching 113°F, summer is the low season. Grab bargain hotel deals, pool day passes, and check out the city’s many indoor activities. Don’t miss the impressive National Aquarium, CLYMB Abu Dhabi (home to the world’s biggest indoor skydiving chamber), the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Yas Island’s many theme parks, and the shows and events at Etihad Arena. Autumn: Celebrate the cooling temperatures by cycling around Hudayriyat Island’s 10-kilometer (6-mile) cycling track, learning to surf at Surf Abu Dhabi (the world’s largest man-made wave pool), and heading out to Al Ain, Abu Dhabi’s ‘Garden City.’ Drive up the hairpin bends of Jebel Jais (the emirate’s tallest mountain) and visit the Al Ain Oasis. Winter: Absorb the glamour and thrills of the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and take on the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon. Immerse yourself in Emirati culture at the Al Hosn Festival and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, relish intimate performances from huge bands and artists at Saadiyat Nights, and experience wholesome family fun and homegrown dining concepts at the Mother of the Nation (MOTN) Festival. To truly appreciate the wild beauty of Abu Dhabi, charter a boat to take you around its more than 200 natural islands, and watch out for friendly dolphins popping up to say hello. (The essential guide to visiting Abu Dhabi) Key areas to explore in Abu Dhabi Saadiyat Island: Abu Dhabi’s most luxurious postcode, Saadiyat delivers five miles of white sand (including the public Mamsha Beach), multiple beachfront hotels, and clear blue waters home to Hawksbill turtles and more fascinating marine life. Ahmed Al Hashmi, executive director of the Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector at the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), explains that Saadiyat’s turtle nesting season runs from March to August. ‘The nests hatch throughout the summer, and you can see turtles in the ocean all year-round. Dolphins are also a frequent sight along the shores of Saadiyat Island.’ Over in the Saadiyat Cultural District, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena Abu