Beyond Abu Dhabi
Liwa and the Empty Quarter
The great dunes
The dunes of the Rub’ al Khali, Tel Moreeb and Qasr Al Sarab, two to three hours south-west.

Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Almzo7e · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto Credit
Image courtesy of © Nepenthes · CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons1 / 2
Our take
- Tel Moreeb
- Qasr Al Sarab
- Drive yourself
- Address
- Al Dhafra, Abu Dhabi
About Liwa and the Empty Quarter
Al Dhafra is the emirate’s open west. Two and a half hours south of the city, the dunes of the Rub’ al Khali, the world’s largest uninterrupted sand mass, rise around the Liwa oases; Tel Moreeb climbs more than 300 metres at a 50-degree incline, and Qasr Al Sarab stands among the dunes (Visit Abu Dhabi).
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Liwa and the Empty Quarter before you go.
Last checked: November 2026 How we choose
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Location
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