Al Gharbia, Abu Dhabi’s western region, stretches from the Liwa Desert across the West Coast to offshore islands, including Sir Bani Yas Island. Experiences are spread across a large area: desert activities, wildlife watching, historic forts and museums, and relaxation on the West Coast offer different focal points. For your plans, it is therefore worth deciding first which side of the region you want to define your stay.
A region on a larger scale
Abu Dhabi comprises three main regions: the capital and its surroundings, Al Ain as the eastern region, and Al Dhafra as the western region. This classification helps you understand Abu Dhabi not only as a capital city, but also as an emirate with destinations spread far apart. Al Mirfa is on the West Coast of Al Dhafra, about 160 kilometres west of Abu Dhabi City. This distance is approximate and describes the location of the town, not the distance to every experience in the region.
Getting there and getting around
Al Dhafra is best reached by road. You should generally allow about two to three hours for the drive; the duration depends on which destination in the region you are heading to. Because the experiences are spread far apart, a rental car offers particular flexibility. Guided tours are available for selected experiences, and taxis can be an option for direct journeys. These options suit different plans: a rental car gives you flexibility between interests spread across the region, while a guided tour may suit selected experiences. For a direct journey, you can consider taking a taxi.
Desert, wildlife watching and culture
Activities in Al Dhafra range from desert experiences in Liwa to wildlife watching on Sir Bani Yas Island. They also include visits to historic forts and museums, as well as relaxation on the West Coast. These are not interchangeable stops: Liwa is the focus for desert experiences, Sir Bani Yas Island for wildlife watching, while forts and museums add a cultural dimension. If you plan your trip around one or two of these interests, it is easier to match your choices to the distances within this expansive region.
Al Mirfa and Mirfa Beach
Al Mirfa is considered a destination for both a day trip and a weekend stay. Entry to Mirfa Beach is free; it is also the only developed beach in the Al Dhafra area. The beach is also the venue for the Al Dhafra Watersports Festival. As entry conditions may change, check them locally before you travel. The coast therefore offers a distinct focus within the region, different from the desert experiences in Liwa and wildlife watching on Sir Bani Yas Island.
Choose your accommodation based on your travel plans
Al Mirfa and the West Coast, the Liwa Desert, or wildlife watching on Sir Bani Yas Island each lead to different travel plans; given how spread out the region is, choosing a focus is particularly useful. For Al Mirfa, either a day trip or a weekend stay is a possible plan.
Discover more destinations: Alyhyali, Eastern Region.
Return to the main travel overview: Abu Dhabi.
