Top 11 places to go on Yas Island

Yas Island is one of the most popular tourist areas in Abu Dhabi. On a total area of 2,500 hectares, of which 1,700 hectares are devoted to the construction of residential and leisure facilities, there are many world-class attractions to see and visit. Here you can visit the theme parks, first-class restaurants, shopping centers and landscaped beaches, all within the same city. In addition, Yas Island serves as one of the best destinations for both living and investing in real estate in the emirate.

In this article, we have decided to put together a description of the things you can do on Yas Island and the places to visit when planning a holiday with friends and/or family and children. Here you will also find information on how the different places/parks are run and what the entrance fees are for visiting them.

Yas Island allows you to experience multiple new worlds in one place. You can visit Yas Waterworld where you can splash around on the biggest water playground or go to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and ride the most exciting and record-breaking rides that will make you feel like a professional racer. And of course Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, the largest indoor theme park in the world is where you can meet characters from your favourite shows.

Yas Waterworld

The region’s iconic water park offers about 40 rip-roaring rides and slithering slides that will be liked by both children and their parents.

• Marah Fortress is one of the most popular attractions among children, as they can play all day long in the water playground. Apart from the slides and dumping buckets, this area of Yas Waterworld has water-shooting geysers and water cannons.
• Hamlool’s Humps and Jebel Drop. An attraction for the most daring visitors, as the Jebel Drop is the world’s tallest speed hydro-magnetic slide with a free-fall effect and clearly for lovers of mega-extreme rides. If you have the stomach to get to the top, you can barely see the people below.
• Bubbles Barrel lets you surf the largest sheet wave in the world, while Dawwama is the world’s largest six-person tornado roller coaster, and Falcon Falaj is the longest mammoth six-seater water coaster.

Working hours: from 10am until 6pm

Ticket prices:

• One Day Ticket – AED 270 (USD 74)
• Family & Friends offer – AED 810 (USD 220). With the purchase of 3 tickets, the 4th one is free. In addition, with the purchase of this ticket, children under 3 years are free + free parking. Large groups can avail an added 25% discount on subsequent ticket purchases
• 1 Day 2 Parks ticket – AED 395 (USD 108)
• 3 Days 3 Parks ticket – AED 545 (USD 148)
• Annual pass – from AED 695 (USD 190). Includes blackout dates, 10% discount on lunches and shopping, etc.

Ferrari World on Yas Island

Ferrari World is a theme park dedicated to Ferrari cars. There are 37 attractions, including the world’s fastest roller coaster, Formula Rossa. But there are also 23 attractions for younger children, including a playground called Nello`s Adventureland, a swimming pool imitating the waterways of Italy RC Challenge, Junior Training Camp with areas for climbing, movement games and suspended bridges and a driving school for kids called Junior GT. The park has a variety of cafes and restaurants and there is a branded-name Ferrari store.

Among the most popular attractions and experiences are:

• Formula Rossa is the fastest roller coaster in the world. In just 4.9 seconds it will reach the speed of 240 km/h. You will experience 4.8Gs of pumping action and feel like a real racer at the end of the ride.
• Bell’Italia lets you explore a mini-version of Italy in a small-scale Ferrari 250 California. You will see smaller versions of iconic Italian landmarks and places including Portofino, the Amalfi Coast and the Colosseum di Roma.

In Ferrari World, you can also drive the car of your dreams with an instructor, or visit a karting academy and ride on a 290-meter-long track.

Ticket prices:

• One-day ticket – AED 295 (USD 80)
• Annual pass from – AED 995 (USD 271)

Opening hours are subject to change due to pandemic conditions. Therefore, it is recommended that you check the park’s hours of operation by phone (+971) 2 496 8000; or send an email: [email protected]

Note: You might be interested to know about the TOP-10 fascinating places in Abu Dhabi that are open for free visits and family vacations.

Warner Bros. World

The world’s first Warner Bros. World branded indoor theme park has more than 153,000 sq.m of space and houses 29 themed rides and is divided into six themed zones: Warner Bros Plaza, Metropolis, Gotham City, Cartoon Junction, Dynamite Gulch and Bedrock.

The park is primarily designed for children, but adults can find entertainment here too, remembering some of their favourite childhood characters, including Tom and Jerry, Scooby-Doo, Duffy and many more. There are also many snack bars and souvenir shops within the park as well.

The Flintstones Bedrock River Adventure lets you delve deep into the Stone Age during a scenic boat tour in Bedrock, and a Batman: Knight Flight is a high-speed ride that will take you to Gotham City where you will meet villains along the way.

Ticket prices:

• 1-day ticket – AED 295 (USD 80)
• Annual pass – AED 695 (USD 190)

Working hours: 10am–6pm, except Thu-Fri, when the park is open from 10am to 10pm

Yas Island proposes a wide range of attractions including the largest mall in Abu Dhabi, restaurants and other activities and entertainment spots.

Yas Mall

One of the most well-known Abu Dhabi malls offers shopping, dining and entertainment experiences. There are about 370 international brands in Yas Mall that attract both locals and tourists to the area.

• Children’s Activities. In Yas Mall, you can find entertainment experiences such as VOX Cinemas, KidZania Abu Dhabi, FunWorks and Lego: Pop-in and Play. Children will definitely like FunWorks, which offers video games, learning workshops, adventure rides and much more across two floors. Another place worth visiting is KidZania AbuDhabi, which is an interactive mini-city that provides playful learning experiences to all its little guests.
• Shopping. Being one of the largest malls in Abu Dhabi, Yas Mall features a great number of brands and designer labels. Anyone looking for fashionable clothes, accessories, footwear, sportswear, jewelry and much more will definitely like Yas Mall. Here you can find notable brands such as Adidas, Calvin Klein, DKNY, Pink, Virgin Megastore and much more. On the lower ground floor, you will also find a Carrefour Hypermarket.
• Dining. There are more than 55 cafes, restaurants, fast food and confectionery stores in the mall. The most well-known ones are Café Nero, Illy Café and Ladurée Paris. Those wishing to taste Emirati cuisine will appreciate Al Fanar Restaurant & Café, and for those who prefer Indian food, Asha’s is the best place to go. There are also family favourites like Starbucks, Cinnabon and McDonald’s.

Opening hours: Sun-Thu 10am-10pm, Fri-Sat 10am-12am

Contacts: [email protected], +971-800-927-6255

Yas Marina Circuit

This place is famous for hosting the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix each year. Yas Marina Circuit features one of the longest F1 race tracks in the world, and is more than 5 km long. Here you can not only buy tickets and see the battles of the world’s fastest drivers but you can also sign up for a racing experience if you have a valid driving license. All events and activities can be found on the official Yas Marina Circuit website, as well as buying F1 tickets with a limited 30% discount.

• Aston Martin GT4 Driving Experience will cost you AED 1,100 (USD 300). The highest speed of a car is 300 km/h and you will be given 20 minutes to ride up to 10 laps.
• A 10-20 minute Formula Yas 3000 Driving Experience costs AED 1,840 (USD 500). Formula Yas 3000 is the closest car to the F1 car. The speed of 100 km/h can be reached in just 2.8 seconds, and the top speed is 275 km/h.
• Yas Bike Track Day lets to test your own motorbike limits on F1 circuit for AED 590 (USD 160)

When booking a racing experience online you will see the timetable and available slots. If you don’t have a driving license, you can try karting which will cost AED 120 (USD 33) for adults, AED 80 (USD 22) for teenagers and AED 55 (USD 15) for kids. Kids from 5 to 7 years old can have track sessions in Bambino Karts while teenagers are provided with Junior Karts.

In case you just want to enjoy the ride, you can get a professional racing driver that will take you for an unforgettable ride around the Yas Marina Circuit. You can feel the adrenaline without actually riding yourself during a ride on the Yas Radical Supersport for AED 470 (USD 130). The driver will do three laps at a top speed of 260 km/h. For AED 790 (USD 215) you can become a passenger of the Aston Martin GT4.

Opening hours: Daily from 3pm to 11pm.

Contacts: www.yasmarinacircuit.com

NB: It is worth noting that with a wide selection of premium apartments and award-winning F&B establishments, Yas Island was ranked No. 2 for property sales in 2021, according to the Department of Municipalities & Transportation.

Yas Links Golf Club

Yas Links Abu Dhabi presents the first Links Golf Course in the Middle East that is designed by Kyle Phillips. Apart from the actual golf course, Yas Links offers a gym, swimming pool, dining options and much more.

• Toptracer Range will turn a training day into an unforgettable experience. Interactive game screens will help you to make swing adjustments and see the impact on their shots. It will cost you AED 100 (USD 27) per bay, per hour with a maximum of 4 players per bay.
• Hickory’s Restaurant & Bar hosts the 59 Club Breakfast al la Carte Menu and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner from the terrace, where you will have an amazing view on the golf course. If you want to try something new, you can taste traditional Japanese cuisine in MATSU.

Contacts: [email protected], +971 2 404 3000

Du Arena

Those wishing to attend live music concerts should definitely visit Du Arena. The venue accommodates about 35,000 people and has held concerts for artists such as Metallica, Madonna and Justin Timberlake. In addition to pop and rock concerts, the arena regularly hosts holiday and corporate events, dinner parties and charity balls.

Contacts: +971-02-509-8143

Yas Beach

Yas Beach is one of the best beaches in Abu Dhabi where you can not only relax, but also practice water activities such as sailing, snorkeling and kayaking. There is also a volleyball court and an outdoor gym. Visitors can also dine in the nearby restaurants and bars and spend the night in a private chalet seconds away from the Persian Gulf.

Cost of admission:

• For adults – AED 50 (USD 14)
• For children from 8 years old – AED 25 (USD 7), under 8 years old – free.

Opening Hours: 10am-7pm

Contact: +971-56-242-0435

Yas Island is known not only for its outdoor activities and the Yas Mall, but also for its 9 different fine restaurants and delicious food.

Aquarium

The restaurant is located in the heart of Yas Island, and as mentioned in  the name Aquarium specializes in seafood. However, there are dishes for vegetarians and meat lovers too. This is also a good place to enjoy shisha.

Working hours: Sat-Wed 12pm – 1.30am, Thu-Fri 12pm – 2am

Contacts: [email protected], +971 50 6969 357

Cipriani

This is the top Italian restaurant in Abu Dhabi where you can taste risotto primavera, baked tagliolini and much more. If you are a bit tired of Italian cuisine, you can also try sushi and other Japanese dishes in Cipriani as well.

Working hours: Sun-Sat, 6pm–12am

Contacts: [email protected]; +971-2-657-5400

NB! We also recommend you check out our selection of the best rooftop restaurants in Abu Dhabi with breathtaking ambiance and views of the emirate.

Stars ‘N’ Bars

In this sports bar that has become a winner of the Time Out Abu Dhabi Music and Nightlife Awards, you will be able to enjoy American and Tex-Mex cuisine. The variety of dishes will amaze anyone, as well as the large food portions.

Contacts: [email protected], + 971 02 565 0101

Metropolitan Capital Real Estate LLC are one of the best real estate agencies in Abu Dhabi. When considering living or investing in real estate on Yas Island, we are ready to help you choose the best of what’s on the market with a selection of the best apartment complexes and communities to buy apartments or other types of properties. We also have an extensive portfolio of properties throughout the emirate and act as official representatives of major developers such as Aldar Properties, IMKAN and Reportage Properties.

In addition, we are ready to provide you with full support at all stages of the property purchase and sale of real estate, as well as also helping you in such matters as finding a home to rent. Additionally, we can help with all the responsibilities for the management of real estate on behalf of the owner, including taking care of the property, searching for reliable tenants, timely payments on rent and all other services relating to leasing out your property.