03Cities and regions

The Empty Quarter

Liwa

Liwa is a large oasis on the northern edge of the Rub' al Khali, the Empty Quarter, about 150 kilometres southwest of Abu Dhabi city. Its villages, about fifty of them, spread along an arc some 100 kilometres from east to west, the largest being Mezairaa. The drive itself is part of the experience: the cities fall away and red dunes taller than houses appear, with palm farms between them. About 22 kilometres south of Mezairaa rises the Moreeb Dune, some 300 metres high and one of the largest dunes in the world, where an annual festival brings off-road racing and camel races. The oasis also holds a date festival in season. Nights here are clear and quiet, with stars far from city lights. Winter is the best time to come; head for the dunes near sunrise or sunset, when the light is soft and the sand cooler.

About 300 m

Height of Moreeb Dune

About 150 km

From Abu Dhabi city

About 100 km

Length of the oasis