Meet a cultural icon

Word to the wise: The hospital is quite remote, so if you’re travelling by taxi get them to wait for you. Otherwise, order a car in advance to meet you after the tour.

It’s no secret that the locals love their falcons. These majestic birds of prey perform many functions in the country: hunters, pets, a heritage symbol and a vestige of the disappearing local culture.

So it’s no wonder that Abu Dhabi hosts the world’s largest falcon hospital. The medical centre includes a museum of falconry, and while learning about the ins and outs of an ancient sport may sound dry, the tours are anything but. Visitors get to glimpse inside the wards where the falcons are kept and handle the birds personally.