Things to Visit in Abu Dhabi: Mosques, Museums, and Desert
See the best of Abu Dhabi from the stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Louvre Abu Dhabi to desert adventures and island beaches. Covers cultural landmarks, museums, food, activities, and day trips.
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Cultural Landmarks
Visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
One of the world's largest and most beautiful mosques, with 82 domes, 1,000 columns, and the world's largest hand-knotted carpet. Free entry including guided tours. Open to non-Muslim visitors Saturday through Thursday 9 AM to 10 PM and Friday 4:30 PM to 10 PM. Dress modestly or borrow a free abaya at the entrance.
Explore the Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island
This museum designed by Jean Nouvel has a stunning geometric dome that filters sunlight into a rain of light effect. The collection spans 6,000 years of human creativity with works from every civilization. Entry is 63 AED. Allow 3-4 hours. The architecture alone justifies the visit.
Tour Qasr Al Watan presidential palace
This ornate palace of white granite and limestone showcases Arabian architecture and craftsmanship. The Great Hall's massive dome and the library with its Arabic manuscripts are highlights. Entry is 60 AED for the palace grounds and exhibition. The evening light show is included in the ticket.
Visit the Founder's Memorial
This public artwork and memorial honors Sheikh Zayed, the founding father of the UAE. The centerpiece is a 3D portrait made from 1,327 geometric shapes that only aligns when viewed from one specific angle. Free entry. Best visited at night when the installation is illuminated.
Islands and Waterfront
Spend a day at Saadiyat Beach
This pristine 9-km beach on Saadiyat Island has powdery white sand and turquoise water. Public beach access costs 25 AED, or 75 AED for a lounger and umbrella. The beach is a nesting ground for hawksbill turtles from March through June. Lifeguards patrol year-round.
Explore Yas Island theme parks
Yas Island packs Ferrari World with the world's fastest roller coaster, Yas Waterworld, and Warner Bros. World indoor theme park. Single-park tickets cost 295-375 AED. Multi-park passes offer better value. The Yas Marina Circuit hosts Formula 1 and offers driving experiences year-round.
Walk the Corniche waterfront promenade
This 8-km waterfront path has manicured parks, free public beaches, cycling paths, and views of the Abu Dhabi skyline. The Corniche Beach is divided into family, singles, and public sections with lifeguards. Free entry to the public beach. The promenade is best enjoyed in the cooler evening hours.
Visit the Mangrove National Park by kayak
This protected mangrove forest in the heart of Abu Dhabi is home to flamingos, herons, and marine life. Kayak tours paddle through the channels for 1.5-2 hours and cost 150-200 AED per person. Morning tours offer the best wildlife sighting conditions. Electric boat tours are available for those who prefer not to paddle.
Desert Experiences
Take a desert safari with dune bashing
Half-day safaris drive into the Liwa Desert or the Al Ain region for dune bashing in 4x4 vehicles, sandboarding, and camel rides. Evening safaris include a BBQ dinner and belly dance performance at a Bedouin-style camp. Tours cost 200-450 AED per person.
Stay overnight in the Empty Quarter desert
The Rub al-Khali is the world's largest sand desert and a 2-hour drive south of Abu Dhabi. Luxury desert resorts and glamping camps offer stargazing, falconry demonstrations, and sunrise dune walks. Overnight stays start at 1,500-3,000 AED but the silence and scale of the desert are unmatched.
Visit Al Ain Oasis and its palm groves
This UNESCO-listed oasis in the Garden City of Al Ain has over 147,000 date palms irrigated by a 3,000-year-old falaj water channel system. Shaded walkways pass through the groves. Free entry. Al Ain is 90 minutes from Abu Dhabi and also has a camel market and hilltop fortress.
Food and Dining
Eat Emirati cuisine at a traditional restaurant
Authentic Emirati dishes include machboos spiced rice with meat, harees slow-cooked wheat and meat porridge, and luqaimat sweet dumplings. Traditional restaurants in the Al Mina area and near the Grand Mosque serve these dishes for 40-80 AED per plate. The cardamom-infused Arabic coffee with dates is a must.
Dine at a restaurant in the Emirates Palace
This opulent hotel has several restaurants ranging from Lebanese to Indian to a gold-flake cappuccino cafe. The Le Cafe serves a famous 24-karat gold cappuccino for 65 AED. Even if you do not dine here, the lobby is open to visitors and worth seeing for its lavish interiors.
Explore the Al Mina Fish Market
The newly renovated waterfront market in the port area has a fish market where you choose your catch and have it cooked at adjacent restaurants for a small fee. Whole grilled hammour fish costs 50-80 AED including cooking. The fruit, vegetable, and date sections are also worth browsing.
Try shawarma and falafel in the old city center
The streets around the Al Wahda area and the old Madinat Zayed market have some of the best shawarma shops in the city, serving packed wraps for 8-15 AED. These simple takeaway shops have been feeding workers and residents for decades. The lines at peak lunch hours signal the best ones.
Modern Abu Dhabi
See the Etihad Towers and observation deck
The observation deck on the 74th floor of Tower 2 offers the highest vantage point in Abu Dhabi. Entry is 95 AED and includes an afternoon tea voucher. The views span the Corniche, the islands, and the desert beyond. Late afternoon offers the best light.
Walk through the Abu Dhabi Global Market on Al Maryah Island
This financial district has been designed as a walkable waterfront neighborhood with restaurants, galleries, and public art. The Galleria Al Maryah Island mall has luxury brands and waterfront dining. The area is pleasant for an evening stroll with views of the illuminated skyline.
Visit the future museum district on Saadiyat Island
Saadiyat Island is developing into a cultural district with the Louvre already open and the Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi under construction. The Manarat Al Saadiyat art center hosts exhibitions about the island's cultural vision and upcoming projects. Entry to exhibitions is 10-25 AED.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Abu Dhabi?
Three to five days covers the major attractions. Spend one day at the Grand Mosque and Louvre, one day at Yas Island or the beach, one day on a desert safari, and extra days for Al Ain, the Corniche, and dining experiences. Two days covers the Grand Mosque, Louvre, and one other major attraction.
What is the best time to visit Abu Dhabi?
November through March offers the most pleasant weather with temperatures around 20-28 degrees Celsius. This is peak tourist season. Summer from June through September is extremely hot, regularly exceeding 45 degrees Celsius with high humidity, making outdoor activities very challenging. April, May, and October are shoulder months with warm but manageable temperatures.
Is Abu Dhabi expensive?
Abu Dhabi is a premium destination but offers good value compared to its luxury reputation. Budget hotels start at 200-400 AED per night, mid-range hotels 400-800 AED. Shawarma and local food costs 15-40 AED per meal, while upscale restaurants run 150-400 AED per person. Theme park tickets and desert safaris are the largest single expenses at 200-400 AED each.
How do you get between Abu Dhabi and Dubai?
Abu Dhabi and Dubai are about 130 km apart. Public buses run frequently for 25 AED one way and take about 2 hours. Taxis cost around 250-350 AED one way. Ride-hailing apps work across both cities. Most Abu Dhabi visitors fly into Abu Dhabi International Airport, though Dubai International is also convenient with easy bus or taxi connections.