As the largest town in the Al Gharbia region, Madinat Zayed is brimming with modern conveniences. It’s a popular stop-off point en route to the Liwa Oasis, though it’s not the ATMs, internet cafes, petrol stations and supermarkets that attract visitors in their thousands.
Madinat Zayed is world famous for its colourful Al Dhafra Festival, which sees hordes of camels descend on the city. More than 25,000 of them to be precise! As well as camel races and beauty contests, the festival features majestic Arabian horses, beautifully groomed Saluki dogs and a host of heritage activities.
From Abu Dhabi, Madinat Zayed is located 180 kilometres south-west. Onwards to Mezaira'a, the main town in the Liwa Oasis, it’s another 45 kilometres. Once in town, taxis are the cheapest and most efficient way to get around. Of course, camel rides are the order of the day during the Al Dhafra Festival.
For those wanting to explore the strange beauty of the Liwa Oasis without compromising on comfort or air conditioning, setting up basecamp in Madinat Zayed is a great option. The town offers a myriad of modern conveniences for travellers and is an easy day trip to the desert and its villages.