Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: travel guide
The UAE's capital and cultural counterweight to Dubai — a city of sweeping Corniche boulevards, world-class museums and grand mosques. Home to the breathtaking Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Formula 1 Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi pairs serious cultural credentials with Yas Island's theme parks and Saadiyat Island's emerging arts district. The pace is calmer than Dubai. Al Ain — the Garden City oasis 160 km inland — adds UNESCO World Heritage sites and Bronze Age forts.
- Country
- United Arab Emirates
- Currency
- AED
- Time zone
- Asia/Dubai
- Nearest airport
- AUH
Top places to visit in Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Mosque · 4.9 rating · about 1.5 h
One of the most magnificent mosques in the world. Completed 2007, covering 22,400 m² with 82 white marble domes and the world's largest hand-knotted carpet (5,627 m²). The main chandelier is 15 m wide with Swarovski crystals. Non-Muslims…
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Museum · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · entry AED 63
Jean Nouvel's masterpiece on Saadiyat Island — a vast latticed dome 180 m in diameter creating a magical rain of light. Permanent collection spans 10,000 years of civilisation across 23 galleries. Rotating exhibitions from Louvre Paris…
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
Activity · 4.5 rating · about 5 h · entry AED 295
The world's first Ferrari-branded theme park and home to Formula Rossa — the world's fastest roller coaster at 240 km/h. The iconic red roof is the world's largest space frame structure. 37 rides from toddler-friendly carousel to…
Qasr Al Watan
Heritage · 4.8 rating · about 2 h · entry AED 63
The UAE Presidential Palace opened to visitors in 2019 — breathtaking white granite spanning 1 km along the Corniche. Hand-carved plaster latticework, mother-of-pearl inlay and the 42 m Great Hall dome with gold-leaf stars and a Swarovski…
Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi
Activity · 4.5 rating · about 5 h · entry AED 265
The UAE's premier water park — 43 rides including the world's first suspended looping water roller coaster (Bandit Bomber) and the Guinness World Record Dawwama vortex holding 338 people. Full-day facilities with multiple dining options…
Abu Dhabi Corniche Beach
Beach · 4.6 rating · about 2 h
Abu Dhabi's 8 km Blue Flag-certified waterfront with palm-lined cycling paths, manicured gardens and clean swimming. The backdrop of modern skyscrapers creates one of the Gulf's great urban panoramas. Sunrise and sunset are exceptional.
Al Ain Oasis (UNESCO)
Nature · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h
A UNESCO World Heritage Site — 147,000 date palms fed by the 3,000-year-old falaj underground irrigation system. Shaded walkways thread through the dense groves past ancient mud-brick structures and original falaj channels still flowing…
Mangrove National Park Abu Dhabi
Nature · 4.6 rating · about 2 h
A 19 km² protected mangrove forest on Abu Dhabi Island's eastern shore. Kayaking through the silent green tunnels at sunrise is one of the UAE's most serene nature experiences. The park shelters herons, flamingos (winter), dugongs and…
Qasr Al Hosn
Heritage · about 2 h · entry AED 30
Abu Dhabi's oldest stone building and former ruler's palace, now a museum tracing the emirate's history from the 1790s.
Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi
Activity · about 5 h
Fully indoor theme park on Yas Island with rides and six lands themed to DC, Looney Tunes and Hanna-Barbera characters.
Yas Marina Circuit
Activity · about 2 h
Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix track offering circuit tours, karting and driving experiences on Yas Island.
Observation Deck at 300
Viewpoint · about 1.5 h · entry AED 130
Panoramic observation lounge on the 74th floor of Etihad Towers, 300m above the city with high tea.
Things to do
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Guided Visit Cultural · 1.5 h
- Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum Visit Museum · 3 h · from AED 81 per person
- Ferrari World Abu Dhabi Theme Park · 8 h · from AED 280 per person
- Al Ain City Tour — Oasis & Forts Day Trip · 8 h · from AED 210 per person
- Warner Bros World Day Pass Theme Park · 6 h · from AED 345 per person
- SeaWorld Abu Dhabi Day Pass Theme Park · 6 h · from AED 375 per person
- Yas Kartzone Karting Adventure · 1 h · from AED 180 per person
- Jubail Mangrove Kayak Tour Adventure · 2 h · from AED 150 per person
Day trips and tours
- Yas Island Theme Parks Combo Day 10 h · from AED 420
- Abu Dhabi Icons Day Tour from Dubai 10 h · from AED 260
- Al Ain Heritage & Oasis Day Trip 9 h · from AED 210
Where to stay in Abu Dhabi
- Corniche & Downtown Abu Dhabi about AED 600 per night
Most convenient capital base — 15 min drive to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, walkable Corniche beach strip. Hotels from budget Premier Inn to palatial Emirates Palace.
- Yas Island about AED 550 per night
Abu Dhabi's entertainment hub — Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros World and Yas Marina Circuit all on the island. Best for families doing the theme park circuit.
- Saadiyat Island about AED 1,100 per night
Abu Dhabi's arts and luxury district — home to the Louvre and pristine natural beaches. All 5-star hotels. Perfect for cultural travellers wanting quiet luxury away from city bustle.
Hotels
- Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental 5-star · AED 2,200 to AED 18,000 per night
- Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas 5-star · AED 900 to AED 4,500 per night
- Rosewood Abu Dhabi 5-star · AED 900 to AED 2,200 per night
- Aloft Abu Dhabi 4-star · AED 400 to AED 700 per night
- Yas Island Rotana 4-star · AED 450 to AED 1,200 per night
- Premier Inn Abu Dhabi Capital Centre 3-star · AED 220 to AED 550 per night
Where to eat
- Mezlai emirati, arabian · about AED 450 per person
- Zuma Abu Dhabi japanese, izakaya · about AED 490 per person
- Dai Pai Dong cantonese, dim_sum, chinese · about AED 140 per person
- Finz Seafood Restaurant seafood, mediterranean · about AED 200 per person
- Meylas emirati, contemporary · about AED 190 per person
- Cho Gao asian, thai, vietnamese · about AED 180 per person
- Li Beirut Lebanese, Middle Eastern · about AED 400 per person
- Hakkasan Abu Dhabi Chinese, Cantonese · about AED 550 per person
Getting around
- Car Rental Self main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Ride Hail main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.
Safety and scams to avoid
Fake Mosque Tour Guides
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque entrance, Abu Dhabi
Unofficial "guides" offer private tours of the mosque just outside the entrance. Official guided tours at SZGM are free and run by the mosque centre itself. Unofficial guides have no authorisation and typically know less.
How to avoid it: The mosque offers free official guided tours on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays at 10AM, 11AM and 5PM. Join those instead. Never pay anyone outside the mosque gates.