Falconry is woven into desert life in the Emirates: for centuries the Bedouin trained wild-caught falcons to hunt bustard and hare, and the birds are still treasured — and travel on aircraft with their own passports. Falconry is on UNESCO’s list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, with the UAE among the countries that nominated it.
The Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, opened in 1999 near the airport, is a working veterinary clinic that treats thousands of birds a year and is widely described as the largest falcon hospital in the world. Its guided tours are among the most original things to do in the city.
What to see and do: Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital
Take the guided tour
Tours last about two hours and are led by staff. You visit the waiting room, where hooded falcons sit in rows on padded perches, and watch routine procedures such as talon trimming.
Learn how feathers are repaired
Broken flight feathers are replaced by “imping” — splicing in a matching feather from a stored collection. It is an old falconer’s technique, still done by hand.
Hold a falcon
Visitors can usually have a bird placed on a gloved arm for photographs, and see the free-flight aviary.
How to get there: Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital
- By taxi: about 30 to 40 minutes from the city centre, off the Sweihan road beyond the airport. Keep the taxi or book a return, as passing cabs are rare.
- By tour: a GetYourGuide tour with hotel pickup and drop-off removes the transport problem.
Insider tips
- Tours must be booked in advance and run at set times, usually on weekdays; check current days and prices with the hospital.
- At a safari camp you will often be offered a photo with a falcon for a fee. The hospital visit is the far more informative experience.
- It is indoors and air-conditioned — a good choice for a hot morning.
Tours & tickets that fit: Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital
These well-rated experiences pair best with Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital:
Heritage from €109 Abu Dhabi: Falcon Hospital Tour with Hotel Pickup & Drop-Off
A visit to the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital with transport arranged for you — the easy way to meet the bird at the heart of Bedouin desert life. The listing had very few reviews when we checked, so treat the rating with caution.
- Guided visit to a working falcon hospital
- See the birds up close
- Hotel transfers included
City tour from €67 From Abu Dhabi: Grand Mosque, Royal Palace & Etihad Towers Tour
The top-rated city tour to pair with a safari: the Grand Mosque, a palace visit and a skyline view from the Etihad Towers in one half-day. Check the listing for the exact stops and which entry tickets are included. Do it on the morning of an evening safari, or the day after.
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque with a guide
- A royal palace stop
- Etihad Towers viewpoint
