Abu DhabiPlanning a visit to the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital? World's largest falcon hospital treating 11,000 birds annually, guided tours show UAE falconry culture, veterinary medicine and falcon handling. This guide covers what it costs, opening hours, the best months to go and practical tips.
At a glance
- Entry
- AED 170 Adult / AED 100 Child
- Opening hours
- Tour Schedule: Daily at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM
- Time needed
- About 2 hours
- Best time
- November to March
- Location
- Al Bahiya, Airport Road, Abu Dhabi
What to expect at the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital
The Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital is the world's largest falcon hospital, treating over 11,000 birds annually from across the UAE and the broader Gulf region. Its guided tours provide an unusual window into one of the world's most ancient and most culturally specific human-animal relationships, Emirati falconry, which UNESCO recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. A visit here is unlike any other Abu Dhabi experience: part veterinary hospital, part cultural institution, part living heritage encounter, and entirely unforgettable.
The Tour
The about 2-hour guided tour covers every aspect of the hospital's operations. The waiting room, where Emirati falconers sit with their hooded birds resting calmly on their fists while completing paperwork, provides an immediately immersive entry into the falconry world. In fact, the tour proceeds through the hospital's medical facilities: the examination rooms where falcons receive check-ups, the X-ray and endoscopy suites calibrated for raptor physiology, the surgical theatre where wing repairs and other procedures are performed, and the ICU where post-operative recovery is monitored.
Falcon passport section
Also, the falcon passport section is one of the tour's more unusual moments, tens of thousands of UAE falcons hold official government travel documents allowing them to accompany their owners to hunting grounds in Pakistan, Morocco, Kazakhstan and beyond. Seeing the administrative infrastructure of the falconry world reveals the seriousness and the resources of this cultural practice.
Falcon Handling
The tour includes a guided falcon handling session in which visitors hold a trained bird on the gloved fist. Generally, the physical experience, the unexpected weight of the bird, the grip of the talons on the glove, the unusual alertness of the falcon's eye at close range, is one of the most direct wildlife encounters available on any Abu Dhabi tour. Also, the birds used for handling are trained and relaxed. Moreover, the experience is managed professionally and is suitable for all ages.
Outdoor Flying Demonstration
In general, the tour concludes in the outdoor demonstration area where trained birds are flown free and recalled to the falconer's glove. Watching a Peregrine Falcon at full speed, the fastest animal on earth at over 300 km/h in a stoop, is one of the most unusual wildlife spectacles available anywhere. The demonstration reveals why the human-falcon hunting partnership has captivated cultures across the world for over 4,000 years.
Falconry and Emirati Culture
Falconry in the UAE is not a heritage recreation but a living practice, Emirati falconers actively hunt with their birds in winter, maintain them year-round, and invest in their health and training with the same dedication that other cultures apply to other sports. The it is the medical infrastructure that supports this living tradition. Understanding the falconry culture through the hospital provides more real cultural insight into Emirati identity than most conventional tourist experiences offer.
Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital tickets and prices
Here is what a visit to the it costs. Prices are per person unless noted. Because they change with the season, treat them as a guide.
| Ticket Type | Adult | Child (3–12) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Tour (2 hours) | AED 170 | AED 100 | Falcon handling + demonstration |
| Private Tour (group) | AED 800+ | – | Up to 8 people |
| Falcon Handling Only | AED 80 | AED 60 | No hospital tour, handling only |
Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital opening hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Tour Schedule | Daily at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM |
| Advanced Booking | Required — minimum 48 hours ahead |
| Tour Duration | Approximately 2 hours |
Hours shift on public holidays and during Ramadan. Check the official website on the day you go.
Best time to visit the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital
The best time to visit the it is November to March. April and October also work well if your dates are fixed. If you can, avoid June to August because of the summer heat.
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Tips for visiting the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital
These tips make a visit to the it easier, especially if it is your first time.
Book 48 Hours Ahead
Tours have limited capacity, always book online at least 2 days before your visit, more during busy winter season.
Wear Long Sleeves
Long-sleeved clothing is a good idea for the falcon handling session, the talons grip the glove but long sleeves add confidence for new handlers.
Ask About Photography
Photography is permitted in most areas but not all, ask your guide at the start of the tour which sections allow cameras.
Engage with the Guide
The tour guide's knowledge of falconry history and veterinary medicine is exceptional, ask questions and take full advantage of their expertise.
Smart Casual Dress
This is an active hospital as well as a tourist attraction, smart casual dress is appropriate and shows respect for the facility and its patients.
Morning Tour Recommended
The 10 AM tour typically has more hospital activity visible than the 2 PM tour, morning gives the richest encounter with the working hospital environment.
Where to stay near the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital
If you want to stay close to the it, start with these hotels. Rates are rough nightly guides, so check before you book.
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
AED 2,200 / night from
Shangri-La Abu Dhabi
AED 1,400 / night from
The St Regis Abu Dhabi
AED 1,600 / night from
Jumeirah at Etihad Towers
AED 1,800 / night from
Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
AED 1,100 / night from
Rosewood Abu Dhabi
AED 1,500 / night from
Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital: frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital?
Prices for the it start from AED 170 Adult / AED 100 Child. Guided Tour (2 hours): AED 170; Private Tour (group): AED 800+; Falcon Handling Only: AED 80. Also, booking online is usually cheaper than paying at the gate.
What are the opening hours of the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital?
It is open tour Schedule: Daily at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Hours can change during Ramadan and public holidays, so check before you travel.
When is the best time to visit the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital?
The best time to visit the it is November to March. April and October also work well if your dates are fixed. If you can, avoid June to August because of the summer heat.
How long do you need at the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital?
Plan on about 2 hours for the it. Also, add a little extra if you want photos at quieter times.
Updated October 2026. Prices and opening hours change, so check the official website or the official UAE tourism site before you travel. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.
