Last winter, I took a solo trip to the Liwa Desert in Abu Dhabi, a place that’s always intrigued me with its vast dunes and deep-rooted traditions. My journey brought me to the heart of Liwa, where I attended the annual Liwa Moreeb Dune Festival, camped under the stars, and explored some of the lesser-known corners of this desert oasis.
Liwa is more than just festivals, though. Other things to do in Liwa include both the relaxing and the invigorating. For some thrill and adventure, hit the giant dunes or for something quieter, explore its historic forts, wander around its small town, visit the huge Liwa sign and find a more peaceful spot in the desert.
In this guide to Liwa, I’ll be sharing my experiences of the Moreeb Dune Festival, Liwa Village, the fort trail and the joy of camping out in the desert, along with some recommendations on where to stay—whether you’re looking for a simple hotel or something more luxurious. I’ll also cover some of the best tours to help you make the most of your time in this extraordinary part of the UAE.
Disclosure: When you make a booking or purchase through links on this site, I may earn commission from partners at no extra cost to you. This helps me to build the site and bring you more great posts! Thanks for your support!
⏳ Short on time?: My top recommendations for your trip to Liwa Desert include:
⭐ Best Desert Resort: Anantara Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort
🏨 Best Town Hotel: Liwa Western Hotel
🚙 Recommended Tours:
🚘 Liwa Full Day Desert Safari
⛰️ 2-Day Liwa Oasis Overnight Safari
Open the Table of Contents if you’re looking for something specific. ⬇️
About Liwa Oasis Abu Dhabi
Liwa Desert and Oasis
The Liwa Oasis lies on the northern edge of the Rub’ al Khali, or The Empty Quarter, and is one of the most dramatic desert landscapes in the UAE. The Empty Quarter stretches over three countries (Oman, Saudi Arabia and UAE) and is home to some of the tallest dunes in the world, like the famous Moreeb Dune, which is over 300 metres high.
Liwa has been an important hub for the Bedouin tribes for centuries, particularly the Bani Yas, and it is known for its agriculture and date palm cultivation, which is still a major business today.
Driving through Liwa, you’ll notice small settlements dotted along the main road, each offering a glimpse into the region’s rich history and culture. The area is popular for dune bashing, desert safaris, and exploring traditional forts, making it a great starting point for those keen on discovering the natural beauty and heritage of Abu Dhabi’s vast desert landscape.
Best Things to Do in Liwa Abu Dhabi
Liwa Moreeb Dune Festival
Moreeb Dune is not only one of the tallest sand dunes in the world but it also has a steep 50-degree incline. This makes it a favourite spot for car enthusiasts to gather and show off their skills racing up his steep slope.
During the Moreeb Dune Festival, you’ll see many four-wheel drives, quad bikes, and specially modified vehicles battle it out with others up and down its slopes while spectators gather at the bottom to watch.
Further down the road, others show off their driving skills in the dedicated drifting arena. Those interested in joining the action can pay to enter but be sure to bring an old car that can handle the challenge and any damage!
For those like me who prefer to watch, park your vehicle, sit back and enjoy the show. For something a bit tamer, visit the large go-karting track near Liwa Village.
There’s more to the festival than just motorsports though. The huge festival complex has cafes, food trucks, and small shops selling camping gear and so on. There’s a small supermarket for any last-minute supplies and serviced public toilets and showers.
Liwa Village
Liwa Village is an open-air venue in the festival complex that comes to life during festival times. It also provides many great photo ops and offers a taste of traditional Emirati culture and hospitality.
The village is a hub of activity with small shops where you can find local snacks, refreshments, handicrafts, and luxury items. You can also dine in the open-air restaurant.
What makes Liwa Village special is its emphasis on heritage. The village hosts a range of traditional activities, such as Emirati dances, music performances, and cultural demonstrations, which give you an insight into the Bedouin way of life.
Watch a lively performance of the Al Ayala dance or artisans practising their traditional crafts and connect with the rich cultural roots of the Liwa region.
Apart from that, it also has games and rides, virtual games, a large screen with Fatboys nearby to lie back on and watch whatever is showing and a large gazebo with a water feature.
With its open-air setting under the desert sky, Liwa Village is an ideal place to take a break and enjoy some authentic Emirati food while soaking in the surroundings.
Liwa Festival Camping
There is a free camping area near one end of the village. It’s convenient if you want to be near all the activities but it will be noisy well into the night. Personally, I preferred to camp further away, where it was quieter. Just make sure you’re not in an area where cars or quad bikes are likely to race through.
If you don’t mind the noise, there are also caravans you can rent out. You can find their contact number and see photos and reviews under Liwa Caravan Rental on Google.
The atmosphere at the Liwa Moreeb Dune Festival is lively and vibrant, filled with the sounds of roaring engines, drifting tyres and excited spectators. You’ll find many Emiratis here, making it a great opportunity to immerse yourself in local culture and feel like part of the community.
Whether you’re watching the cars tackle the dunes, enjoying the traditional dances, or just relaxing with some food, everyone can join in the fun. Make sure to add it to your calendar! In 2024, the festival will open on the 8th of December with a car parade and run to the 31st when it closes with a fireworks display.
Dune Bashing
One of the most-loved activities in the desert is dune-bashing. If you don’t want to attempt this yourself, join an organised tour which usually includes some extra fun or a barbecue in the desert. Even if you’ve already done this in the Northern Emirates, the Liwa Desert is quite different, so why. not give it a try?
Enjoy a day full of excitement and fun on this Liwa Full Day Desert Safari that includes dune-bashing, sandboarding, camel farm visits, fort visits and learning about Emirati heritage. If you’re staying in Abu Dhabi, it includes pick up and drop off from your hotel or other location. With only 5-star reviews, it looks like a great choice! Book the full-day Liwa Desert Safari now.
For a longer adventure, why not book this Liwa Overnight Safari with lots of 5-star ratings on Viator?
Take a more gentle drive through the Liwa Desert
If you’re looking for more calm than thrill and you have your own 4WD, gather your friends and family together and head off into the vast desert. My friend Marina, aka the Desert Diva, who’s an old hand at desert driving and also an Abu Dhabi Desert Marshall, says:
“The Rub Al Khali spreads across Saudi, Oman and the UAE, and it is here in Liwa that it is most accessible. Liwa has long been synonymous with advanced-level offroading, but there are a number of tracks leading deep into the desert, where less experienced offroaders can venture in small groups, with the right cars and equipment, of course.
It is a wonderful feeling to see the sun set over the Rub Al Khali’s spectacular red dunes and guests signing up for my Rub Al Khali Retreat on 11th-13th October 2024 have that, as well as easy offroading and a 2-night hotel stay to look forward to!”
Marina’s tips:
- If you are planning on dune-driving, you will usually need to deflate your tyres to around 15 psi (1.1 bar). Make sure you have a reliable tyre gauge and a compressor to reinflate once you return to the road.
- Always make sure your car is in tip-top condition as it will be under more strain in the desert.
- Take at least three litres of water per person.
- Tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to be back. You won’t always have a phone signal out in the desert.
See more of Marina’s guided self-drive tours here. I’ve been on her trip to Al Dhafra and loved it!
Ride through the Dunes on Liwa Cycle Track
This has to be one of the most beautiful cycling tracks I’ve seen! The well-paved path passes through beautiful dunes with stunning shapes and ripples and is lit with solar lights.
When I visited the Liwa Cycle Track, it still had crash barriers across it but I believe it’s open now. I saw a couple of cyclists on it at the time, but I haven’t been able to find out any up-to-date information. It seems it will be part of the UAE Cycle Tour route and is one of several fairly new long-distance cycling paths, such as the one at Al Wathba Abu Dhabi.
Liwa Date Festival
The Liwa Date Festival is a lively annual event held in July at the height of the date season. It’s not just about dates but also celebrates the date palm itself, which features in so many aspects of Emirati culture and heritage.
Date farmers from across the country showcase their best produce and hope to win big prizes in different competition categories. Auctions are also held with some hih prices being paid out for the best dates.
The Liwa Date Festival includes cultural events, traditional market stalls, and activities that involve Emirati traditions and crafts.
Next summer, plan a trip to sample and buy delicious dates of many kinds, learn the ins and outs of date farming and enjoy the vibrant, traditional atmosphere of the Liwa Date Festival. Don’t worry about the heat as it’s held indoors in Mezaira.
Visit the Liwa Sign – Biggest Sign in the World!
The Liwa Sign is a new landmark in the Liwa Desert, recently gaining fame as the world’s largest sign according to the Guinness Book of Records in 2024.
This Hollywood-style sign stands tall atop a small mountain on a plateau, making it visible from all around and adding a fun touch to the local landscape.
A few cafes and food trucks on the plateau open in the late afternoon, providing a perfect place to sit and enjoy a coffee or meal while overlooking the town of Liwa below on one side and the farms in the oasis on the other.
The best time to go is before sunset when the desert takes on its warm, golden shades in the low sun and then stay around for the pink skies as the sun dips below the horizon.
The Liwa Sign is a great stop for getting fabulous Instagram shots or just for a relaxing break from driving. You can drive up in any car and park at the top.
Have family fun at Liwa Square
Liwa Square is a nice place to stop off in the town, enjoy a bit of nature, maybe a snack, take some selfies and if you have children, they’ll love to run around here. A path takes you through landscaped areas that reflect the local habitat. It runs between a large pond and a large artificial waterfall on the hillside that flows into a heart-shaped pond.
Explore the Fort Trail in Liwa
Liwa Oasis has an abundance of forts and most are accessible and also free to visit. These were critical lookout points for the local tribes to identify any approaching danger. Most of them were built near oases that provided essential water and food sources and, therefore, needed protection.
Although originally built in the late 19th or early 20th century, some have been restored but most have been completely rebuilt under the instructions of the late ruler, His Highness Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan. As much as I love to see untouched ruins, the rebuilt forts allow you to see much more and to imagine life in the fort at the time more clearly.
As a bit of a fort nerd, I intended to visit all of them but eventually got to the stage where I’d had quite enough of forts! I went to most of them, but you could easily pick a few, as many are very similar.
They’re mostly dotted at various locations along the road intersecting with Liwa town. I found the route to the Saudi border the most scenic and enjoyed those forts more. It’s also ideal if you’re planning to camp somewhere quiet. Umm Hosn Fort, the last fort before the border, was among my favourites. Nearby, the original fort, which is in ruins, is fenced off.
One of the most scenic settings is at Khannur Fort, however, it was under restoration.
As the trend now is to set up outdoor cafes in scenic places, a few forts were no longer accessible. I even got stopped by security for taking a photo of one! If you enjoy these kinds of cafes and restaurants, visit Mezaira’a Fort in Liwa and Qutuf Fort on the road to Arada. No doubt, more cafes will pop up at other forts too though.
If you want to just visit one fort on your way through the town, go to Dhafeer Fort.
Here are a couple more I visited.
Exploring these forts is a great way to learn about Liwa’s cultural heritage and understand the importance of these strategically placed forts and towers in days gone by.
Tip: Although entry to the forts is free, you may consider tipping the caretakers who let you into the forts in the more remote areas.
Explore the Oasis
Take a slow drive down towards the Saudi border (not an open border crossing) from Liwa, go down side roads, drive through villages and agricultural areas to see a different side of life, stop and walk around, take a picnic and definitely take your camera. The desert away from the town is one of the quietest places you can find yourself.
Before reaching Liwa, look out for camel and camel farms along the way. You can often say baby camels in the winter.
Don’t feel afraid to strike up conversations with people you see but make sure to respect local culture. Dress appropriately, avoid contact with the opposite gender and just be friendly.
Visit Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort
Surely, the most luxurious way to enjoy Liwa Oasis is by visiting Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort. Even if you’re not staying there, you can still book a table in one of their many restaurants or attend other events like New Year Fireworks and dinner or the arrival of Santa Claus in the desert!
If you decide to stay, book the Anantara Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort directly to get free spa credit.
Stargazing in Liwa Oasis
Liwa Desert is a perfect place for stargazing. You’ll need to make sure you’re far enough away from the town or festival area so there is no light pollution. You might be lucky to see the Milky Way too so don’t forget your camera.
Where to stay in Liwa Desert, Abu Dhabi
If you’re planning a camping trip, the desert is pretty much your oyster as long as you stay away from places with racing 4WDs and quad bikes and off private property. But if you’re not camping, there are several places to stay in Liwa and nearby.
When it comes to hotels, there’s the gorgeous Anantara Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort with stunning desert views. Facilities include a spa, multiple restaurants, a traditional farm with animals and an adults-only infinity pool with desert views.
You can book a villa, room or suite at Qasr Al Sarab and if you book direct, you get AED 200-300 spa credit. if you book at least 30 days in advance, you can also get 15% off and complimentary breakfast. Book the Anantara Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort now.
Bab Al Nujoum Bateen Liwa is possibly the most expensive in the area, but if you’re going with your family and want a luxurious desert experience with a villa, private pool, and activities, this might be the one for you.
Another desert glamping experience with an exceptional rating on booking platforms is the family-run Liwa Nights, which has luxury tents with proper beds, free bikes, a play area, restaurants, and breakfast.
In the town of Liwa, the 5-star Liwa Hotel has all you need including a pool and views over Liwa Oasis. The 4-star Western Hotel offers the same but with better ratings on booking platform reviews.
For something quieter, one I’ve added to my list is the new Al Artaa Resort in a quiet area near Qataf Fort. They offer entire homes with one or two bedrooms and the rate includes breakfast. Book Artaa Resort or see more.
I also discovered this three-bedroom villa Botanical House with lush gardens on Booking. It doesn’t have any reviews yet but I’ve added it to my wish list too! Check it out or book Botanical House, private villa, Liwa. Another new one that looks great is Damas Resort, which has a rooftop pool.
In the festival area, you can also book caravans in a small private area. Keep in mind that it will be noisy during the festival.
My top pick is Anantara Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort. It wins on views, facilities and comparative value for money.
My pick for a camping spot would be either about 15 minutes away from the Moreeb festival complex or Arada, near the road to the Saudi border. This is about 45-60 minutes from the festival area and there are no shops or cafes, so come prepared! This is where I went near the border. ⬇️
Is Liwa worth visiting?
If you love something different, a combination of culture, adventure and tranquillity, or just one of these, Liwa is worth visiting. Even if you’ve been to other deserts, the Liwa desert and the wider Empty Quarter look quite different and you’ll find a different way of life.
Whether you visit in your car and camp or book a guided tour and hotel, I think it’s one you should add to your UAE winter itinerary. If you’re looking for flashy and bling, this one’s not for you!
My Personal tips for visiting Liwa Oasis
Here are a few tips based on my own personal experience in Liwa Oasis.
If you’re camping and are hoping to get some sleep, camp at least 15 minutes away from the festival complex. Make sure there are no cars or quad bikes on the nearby dunes. If you don’t have a 4WD, you can find a spot on the old road that runs parallel to the new one.
Don’t let your petrol run low. I was surprised at how few petrol stations there were and how far apart they were. (Living somewhere further north with around 12 petrol stations within 4km of my house, at least half of them ADNOC, I was not prepared for this!)
Finding cafeterias or takeaway restaurants to buy some lunch or even a cup of karak was a real challenge! In the evening, there are plenty of cafes, etc but not cafeteria prices. Make sure you pack plenty of snacks. I ended up buying a sandwich and tea out of a machine at a petrol station (when I eventually found one!)
Just like any other desert, it can get cold in the evening, so pack accordingly. (They also sell small fleece-lined winter tents at the camping shop in Mezaira and loads of other useful stuff.)
For a longer road trip in the UAE, combine this with Al Dhafra Festival, Al Wathba Abu Dhabi or Al Mirfa on the Abu Dhabi coast.
Remember to respect local culture and dress modestly.
Wrap-up on the Best Things to Do in Liwa Desert
To wrap up the things to do and places to see in Liwa, there’s plenty to cater to different interests—from adrenaline-releasing adventures like the Liwa Moreeb Dune Festival to relaxed cultural experiences that explore Emirati heritage.
Whether driving up the towering Moreeb Dune, exploring historic forts across the oasis, camping under the stars, or enjoying luxury at a high-end hotel, the Liwa Desert offers a wide variety of experiences for all types of travellers. With its blend of heritage, adventure and natural beauty, Liwa Oasis is a unique destination that showcases a different side of the UAE, perfect for those looking to enjoy a rich desert experience.
If you liked this, you might also like my posts on Al Mirfa, Top Places to Visit in Al Ain or Best Things to Do in Kalba. Or go to Explore Abu Dhabi to see all Abu Dhabi posts.
See places to stay in Liwa and nearby on the map. ⬇️
✅ Follow on Instagram or Facebook for regular photos, tips and snippets of cultural and historical information too.
👥 Join the Glimpses of UAE Facebook group
🗞️ Sign up for the Glimpses of the UAE Newsletter
📍Take me to the Glimpses of the UAE Map to find nearby locations and plan my trip.
🥾 See some of my hiking trails, walks and off-road trips on Wikiloc.
🇴🇲 To see my Oman trips, visit In Scotterati Footsteps