The UAE has plenty to offer for those who love the thrill of racing and driving. It is a hub for exotic and luxury cars. It also caters to car fanatics who are likewise adventure seekers as it houses some of the world’s fastest and highest rides.
From automotive shows and theme parks, there are many things to explore for car enthusiasts in the UAE. So if you’re visiting the emirate, don’t miss them if you are a true car lover. Make sure to check for discounts and promotions, including Ferrari World offers, and book your tickets in advance to get the most out of your vacation.
Here’s a rundown of some of the best attractions for car lovers in the UAE.
1. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is an indoor amusement park with numerous thrilling rides. It is famous for the Formula Rossa – a ride that accelerates to 240 km/h in just seconds, making it the world’s fastest roller coaster.
More than that, this Ferrari-themed park offers other attractions, rides, and experiences that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. These include:
- Flying Aces – a ride that starts with a high-speed lift up to 63 meters before plummeting at a speed of 120 km/h, followed by several curls, twists, and high-speed rolls.
- Turbo Tower – a ride that offers a zero-gravity fall from a tower at a height of 13.5 meters.
- Karting Academy – a timed attraction that can sharpen your driving and racing skills on a 290-meter-long track.
- Driving Experience – get behind the wheel of an actual Ferrari and drive around Yas Island with a trained instructor. But if you don’t have a license, you can opt for the Passenger Experience, where you can still enjoy riding in a Ferrari with one of the park’s Ferrari-trained instructors.
- Scuderia Challenge – a state-of-the-art racing simulator that will take you around the iconic Yas Marina Circuit. You can even compete with your loved ones, and together, experience the jolts and whiplash caused by hydraulic supports.
- To add more to its charm, Ferrari World recently offered a roof walk and zip-line experience so you can witness the majestic views of Yas Island and beyond. It also features an interactive gallery, which showcases different Ferrari cars and provides pertinent information regarding the design and make of the vehicle. The iconic red color associated with this Italian luxury car manufacturer is used abundantly in the park.
2. Yas Marina Circuit Abu Dhabi
Yas Marina Circuit in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, is one of the most advanced F1 race circuits in the world. Immerse yourself in a world that is often open only to professional racecar drivers and their teams.
You can book a guided venue tour that can last about 90-120 minutes, where you can go behind the scenes of the glamorous Formula 1 motor racing track. The escorted tour begins at Yas Central, where you can witness the racing activities of the Yas Racing School and learn about the latest F1 model and their other featured race cars.
Then, head to the North Grandstand before passing through areas like the Shams Tower, Drag Strip, and Yas Marina View. You’ll get to see the F1 team pits and garages to have a clear understanding of how to host an F1 race. The tour ends with your photo taken on a podium as you hold a race trophy.
If you’re up for a thrill, head to the Yas Kart Zone for a karting session. This is a 30-minute adventure with 15 minutes of track time. Before you even know it, you can get the hang of the 800-meter track and drive to a speed of up to 60 km/h. You can challenge your loved ones or beat your own fastest lap.
Don’t forget to gear up for your experience with branded merchandise. Visitors always look for an F1 merchandise store to join in the community and explore more about car racing. Plus, it’s a stylish way to appear at the Yas Marina Circuit.
3. Dubai Autodrome
Dubai Autodrome is another circuit that is popular among car enthusiasts. It is a fully integrated motorsports facility that accommodates local and international motorsports events.
Like Yas Marina Circuit, Dubai Autodrome also offers a self-driving experience to car lovers. With its indoor and outdoor tracks, you can choose which path to drive exclusive high-speed cars. Buckle up and test your skills on these challenging tracks. You can get behind an Audi TT or an Audi R8 V10 to feel the power of a race car. You can also choose the rally cars, especially if you are visiting the UAE with family and friends. You can rally together and speed through the Kartdrome. Test your skills as you race around the 17 corners of Dubai Autodrome’s 1.2 km track. Even children aged 12-18 can book for the First Drive Experience. All leisure equipment will be provided, including gloves, suits, and helmets, to ensure your safety while performing your desired activities.
4. Sharjah Classic Cars Museum
If you are obsessed with the beauty of vintage, classic cars, you must visit Sharjah Classic Cars Museum. Established in 2008, this auto museum exhibits more than 100 vintage and classic cars, with each vehicle having its own story. The oldest car was manufactured in the early 1900s.
Besides cars, the museum also displays several vintage bicycles and motorbikes.
Sharjah Classic Cars Museum has five sections that will help take you through a journey of automotive history over the years. You will learn about the different engine types, get to know the visionaries behind every car, and take a closer look at certain makes, such as the Mercedes-Benz, Bentley, and Rolls-Royce.
5. Emirates National Auto Museum
Another car museum you must visit in the UAE is the Emirates National Auto Museum, which is owned by Sheikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan. This large pyramid-shaped museum houses more than 200 classic and exotic cars, including the world’s largest truck. This truck is enormous enough to accommodate several cars under it.
Other cars you’ll see in the museum include:
- A retired British Caledonian jumbo jet
- Off-road vehicles
- Classic American cars
- Sheikh’s Mercedes rainbow collection
- Customized on-off vehicles
- Military vehicles
You can spend all day just staring at the museum’s collection.
Cars are admired in the UAE. From racing venues to auto museums, car lovers will have plenty of places to explore. So if you want to experience the emirate’s car industry world, add these five places to your itinerary, and book your tickets in advance to ensure an extra special visit.
