What To Do on a Date in Abu Dhabi: 5 Ideas to Deepen Your Bond With Your Partner

Dating is a critical part of the human mating ritual, much like moonwalking is to the red-capped manakin birds. The only difference is that people date in every stage of their relationship to deepen their bonds with their partner.

Whether you’re just getting to know each other or celebrating years as a couple, you are probably struggling to decide on an activity for your date. Sure, you can always have dinner together, but you’ll eventually want to mix things up a bit.

The good news is that there are now so many things you can do in Abu Dhabi that will give your date a great time, including the five ideas below:

1.   Watch a live comedy show.

Nothing gets the spark of love going better than a good laugh. Even science says so.

Laughing causes a reaction in the brain that replaces the cortisol (or the stress hormone) in the bloodstream with feel-good chemicals, like dopamine, endorphins, and oxytocin.

Of the three, oxytocin is what scientists call the “love hormone” or the “bonding chemical” that triggers feelings of relatedness and personal connection. This explains why women love funny guys – it’s hard-wired in their DNA.

Of course, if you’re not yet in a stage when you can freely make jokes without causing a painfully awkward silence, you can always leave it to the pros to get the oxytocin flowing.

During your visit to the UAE capital, consider looking into events in Etihad Arena. This multi-purpose indoor arena is the venue for many live comedy shows that sell out for a good reason, like September’s “An Evening with Russel Peters in Abu Dhabi.”

According to studies, humor can be an overwhelming factor that connects two people emotionally. This is because the sense of humor reflects what a person actually thinks and feels.

So, when two people are laughing together at the same thing, it shows they share similar values and perspectives – which are critical elements in determining a couple’s compatibility.

2.   Camp out in the desert.

If you and your partner find yourselves too preoccupied to bond when on your dates in the city, it may be high time to get away from it all and have a romantic retreat in the desert.

Abu Dhabi Desert safaris allow you to embrace the Bedouin lifestyle. This includes adventures such as camelback riding and dune bashing and experiences like watching authentic Arabian belly dancers, sharing a shisha, and getting matching henna tattoos.

If your relationship is still young, you can also choose to stick to a delicious Arabian barbecue, and just lay side-by-side under the stars.

If you and your partner are people who like exploring culture and history, Abu Dhabi desert safaris let you experience what the UAE capital was like before skyscrapers were built.

3.   Break a sweat together.

While there are people who consider dating a distraction from athletic activities, it is actually quite the opposite. The truth is, doing sports with your partner has many benefits for both of you.

You probably already know that physical activity keeps your mind and body at a peak. But would you believe that it can also deepen your bond with your partner as well?

Below are some of the important benefits of doing sports together:

• Mutual motivation – Motivation is necessary for people to grow in various areas, whether it’s at work, in a sport, or life in general. When you engage in sports with your partner, you can become extra motivated to reach your goals and enjoy the journey at the same time.

• Confidence boost – Playing badminton, tennis, going on a run, or taking part in indoor sports activities in Abu Dhabi together provide a long-lasting positive impact on couples’ relationships. This is because you know that someone has your back no matter what. Having another person who understands and acknowledges your efforts can also do wonders for your self-confidence in the sport and life in general.

• Shared goals – Working out together also deepens your connection with your partner, especially if you have goals to share. When you spend time together in a sport, you not only think of your own progress but also your partner’s goals. This will allow more ideas to flow as you help each other with your fitness goals.

4.   Gaze at the stars.

Stargazing is a date night activity that doesn’t need too much introduction. After all, a lot of movies and TV shows have stargazing scenes that complete the romance buildup of the characters.

But if you need proof, research states that stargazing triggers positive emotions and reduces stress. And you already know what other chemicals replace cortisol when people are happy, content, and in love.

So don’t hesitate to bring your beloved to the Al Sadeem Observatory, the home of astronomy in Abu Dhabi. There, you can join occasional stargazing events and a couple of private viewings that feature remarkable celestial occurrences, like meteor showers.

If you’re lucky, you can even save on date-night expenses as these shows are sometimes offered for free.

As you know, you can also do this in the desert while camping. To make an excellent first impression, don’t forget to bring a thermos of hot cocoa and a blanket to share on a dreamy date.

5.   Witness a gorgeous sunset.

Every sunset is different – each one beautiful in its own way. This is probably why it has become a highly sought-after activity for dates in Abu Dhabi and everywhere else.

Of course, you can still choose to make the activity more memorable for your special someone by watching it from the unique vista of the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Known as a gamechanger in the UAE art scene, this cultural import of the most visited museum in France is also game-changing romantic dates. In fact, it has a huge effect on romance that even its addition to the foreground of an Emirati sunset is more than enough to leave a warm feeling in the heart of the person you’re trying to impress.

Form a Deeper Bond

Dates offer a chance for two people to learn more about each other and share certain things that words cannot express. Choose the perfect one from this list for your next visit to Abu Dhabi as a couple ready to make unforgettable memories.