Top places to visit in Abu Dhabi

• Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

  grand mosque · 4.9 rating · about 1.5 h · free entry

  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

  art & civilisation museum · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  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

  theme park · 4.5 rating · about 5 h · check the fee at the gate

  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

  presidential palace · 4.8 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  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

  water park · 4.5 rating · about 5 h · check the fee at the gate

  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

  urban beach · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · free entry

  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)

  ancient oasis · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · free entry

  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

  mangrove forest · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · free entry

  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 (≈ ₹780)

  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 · check the fee at the gate

  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 · check the fee at the gate

  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 (≈ ₹3,370)

  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 to Abu Dhabi

Airport: Abu Dhabi (AUH)

How visitors arrive in Abu Dhabi

• Flights into Zayed International (AUH) By air · common

  Zayed International is the main airport and the base of Etihad, the national carrier. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Bus or road from Dubai By road from Dubai · common

  Many visitors fly into Dubai International and continue by intercity bus, taxi or the E11 highway. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Via Sharjah International (SHJ) By air from Sharjah · possible

  Sharjah airport is an alternative gateway, reached by road transfer. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Airport taxis

  Metered airport taxis (black cabs) board at the airport and go anywhere in the city; you can also book via the Abu Dhabi Taxi app. Source: visitabudhabi.ae

• Uber or Careem

  Uber and Careem operate in Abu Dhabi; name a landmark to help drivers find you. Source: visitabudhabi.ae

• City bus with a Hafilat card unconfirmed

  Buses need a Hafilat smart card, as drivers do not take cash; machines are at the airport. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Car Rental Self
• Ride Hail

  Uber and Careem ride-share apps are available in Abu Dhabi, and they let the driver see your exact drop-off point.

• Walking

Paying

• Buses take Hafilat cards only, not cash. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

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.

Best time to visit Abu Dhabi

• Jan 25°C
• Feb 27°C
• Mar 30°C
• Apr 35°C
• May 40°C
• Jun 41°C
• Jul 43°C
• Aug 43°C
• Sep 41°C
• Oct 37°C
• Nov 31°C
• Dec 27°C

More in United Arab Emirates

• Dubai
• Sharjah
• Ras Al Khaimah
• Fujairah
• Ajman
• Umm Al Quwain

Frequently asked questions about Abu Dhabi

How many days do you need in Abu Dhabi?

A typical trip to Abu Dhabi is 3-4 days.

What are the top-rated places to visit in Abu Dhabi?

The highest-rated places in our Abu Dhabi guide are Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Al Ain Oasis (UNESCO), Abu Dhabi Corniche Beach.

Where should I stay in Abu Dhabi?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Abu Dhabi: Corniche & Downtown Abu Dhabi, Yas Island, Saadiyat Island.

How do I get around Abu Dhabi?

Ways to get around Abu Dhabi covered in our guide: Self-drive car, Ride-hailing app, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Abu Dhabi?

Scams reported to us for Abu Dhabi include Fake Mosque Tour Guides. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Abu Dhabi?

Average daytime highs in Abu Dhabi run from 25°C in Jan to 43°C in Aug.

Which airport is nearest to Abu Dhabi?

The nearest airport to Abu Dhabi has the code AUH.