Liwa Oasis lies in the Abu Dhabi Emirate of the United Arab Emirates, on the edge of the Empty Quarter, one of the largest sand deserts in the world. It is a place where green palm groves sit in the middle of a wide landscape of dunes, and it is known in Arabic as ูุงุญุฉ ูููุง.
A historic oasis
Liwa is described as the ancestral home of the UAE's ruling families, which gives the oasis a place in the country's story that goes beyond its scenery. Its history is tied to the settlement of people who lived from the date palms and the water that the oasis offered in a dry region.
What a visit offers
- Date farming: the oasis is known for its date palms, and walking among the groves gives a sense of the agriculture that has long supported life here.
- Desert tourism: the setting on the edge of the Empty Quarter makes Liwa a natural base for experiencing the desert, its dunes and its quiet.
- Contrast of landscapes: visitors move from the shade and green of the oasis to the open sand around it, which is the reason many come.
Liwa suits travellers who want to step away from the cities of the coast and see a quieter, older side of Abu Dhabi Emirate. Those interested in the desert, in date farming, or in the origins of the region will find the most to explore here.
