Stand on the walkway along Corniche Road in the evening and you will see the city at its most relaxed: families strolling, joggers passing the beaches and parks, the water on one side and the skyline on the other. Abu Dhabi rewards travellers who plan around a few anchor sights and leave room for the waterfront.
This guide suits first-time visitors with two or three days, and anyone combining culture with theme parks or a stopover. It covers the major mosques, palaces, museums and islands, plus a handful of smaller stops, using only places named in the source material.
Note that the cooler season runs from November to March, while May to September is extremely hot and humid, with sandstorms and dust at times. Plan outdoor time for mornings and evenings in summer.
Top things to do in Abu Dhabi
1. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
This is the city's landmark place of worship, with 82 domes and space for large congregations. It is open to visitors Saturday to Thursday, 9AM to 10PM, but closed to the public on Fridays, when it is open only for worshippers. The Mosque Centre offers several free tours daily, though times vary, so check their website.
Dress conservatively: women must cover their head and ankles, and appropriate black dress is available at the mosque. You will avoid the clothing queue if you wear shoes, a long dress or trousers, and bring a scarf. Public bus #54 stops 100 m before the mosque, and there is no stop for the next 5 km, so ask the driver to tell you when you arrive.
2. Louvre Abu Dhabi
On Saadiyat Island in the Saadiyat Cultural District, this art and civilisation museum exhibits works from the Musée du Louvre and other French collections. It opened in November 2017 and is the largest art museum in the Arabian peninsula, with 24,000 square metres including 8,000 square metres of galleries.
It is open Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday 10AM to 8PM, and Thursday and Friday 10AM to 10PM, and closed on Monday. Entry is 60 dirham per person. Pair it with the other Saadiyat Island cultural sights below.
3. Qasr Al Watan
Opened to the public in 2019, this is the presidential palace used for diplomatic visits. Expect opulent interiors and Islamic architecture, with a banquet hall, a library, a museum of diplomatic gifts and several dining outlets. It is open 11AM to 7PM, and entry is AED 60. Bus 34 or 39 will get you there.
4. Qasr al-Hosn
The oldest stone building in Abu Dhabi, this small fort was first constructed in 1761 and served as the royal palace from the late 18th century until 1966. Your ticket covers the fort itself, the Cultural Foundation, the House of Artisans and the Bait Al Gahwa, where you can see traditional preparation of Arabic coffee. Entry is 30 dirham.
5. Corniche Road
The city's main avenue curves along the waterfront from the breakwater near Marina Shopping Mall almost to the Mina Zayed port, lined with a walkway, skyscrapers, beaches, parks and landscaped areas. There are go-kart rides, playgrounds and stages for shows along the way.
Come in the evening, when it feels as though the whole city has turned out for its walk. It is the easiest way to end a day of sightseeing.
6. Yas Island
This island concentrates the city's big-ticket entertainment: a Formula 1 race track, Ferrari World with its Ferrari-themed rides, Warner Bros. World, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, a shopping mall and a hotel. It is a full day on its own, so pick one or two parks rather than trying to cover them all.
7. Emirates Palace
Though it is a hotel, Emirates Palace is a popular stop for its scale and glamour, and for photo opportunities inside. You can try the Palace Cappuccino, finished with 23-karat gold flakes, for 75 dirham. It sits near Qasr Al Watan on Al Ras Al Akhdar, so the two combine well in one outing.
8. Abrahamic Family House
An interfaith complex on Saadiyat Island, inaugurated on 16 February 2023. It has a cultural centre and rooftop garden alongside a mosque, a synagogue and a church in distinctive modern styles. It is open 10AM to 5PM Tuesday to Sunday and entry is free. Reach it via the E12 towards Saadiyat Island and the Jacques Chirac St exit.
9. The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi
The Middle East's largest aquarium, home to more than 45,000 animals across 60 exhibits. It is open daily 10AM to 10PM, and tickets are 105 dirham. A reliable option for a hot midday stretch or for travelling with children.
10. Manarat al Saadiyat
An exhibition space and cultural centre with galleries, a theatre and a restaurant, opened in 2009, showing works by contemporary artists from around the world. It shares Saadiyat Island with the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Abrahamic Family House, making a natural third stop in a cultural afternoon.
11. Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation
A landmark in the Emirates that holds cultural events and workshops through the year, with a well-stocked library, children's programmes, art exhibitions and other activities. It is included with the Qasr al-Hosn ticket, so visit the two together.
12. Etihad Arena
On Yas Dr on Yas Island, this arena hosts high-profile concerts, comedy shows and UFC matches. If your dates line up with an event, it is worth building an evening around, and it pairs with the Yas Island parks during the day.
13. Port Mina Zayed
The Port Mina district offers views of adjacent islands and passing cruise and container ships, and is a shopping area with several blocks of air-conditioned outdoor souks: the Fruit and Vegetables, Dates, Iranian, Flower, Rug, Pet and Fish Markets. There are large gift shops nearby, and the Souq Al Mina complex has restaurants serving kombucha, pizza and a Balkan grill.
The 421 Arts Campus, a warehouse repurposed as an arts space, is also in the Port area and holds occasional exhibitions. This is a good stop to combine with a walk along the Corniche Road, which runs towards the port.
14. Khalifa Park
Off Al Salam St (8th) near the Grand Mosque, this is the best park by far, with an aquarium, museum, train, play parks and formal gardens. The Abu Dhabi History Museum and Aquarium here is open 3PM to 11PM and features a dark ride with animatronic Emiratis explaining the history and formation of the UAE, followed by a small aquarium; entry is 7 dirham. Khalifa Park also has a train, horses and a mock heritage village.
15. Umm Al Emarat Park
A vibrant park on 15th Street with a shaded house and a botanical garden. The entrance fee is 10 dirham. Adjacent to it is a cluster of churches and mosques for different denominations, which makes the park a convenient base for an afternoon in the area.
16. UAE flag pole
At 122 m, this is among the world's tallest flagpoles, and the massive UAE flag is hard to miss. It stands on Marina Island across from Marina Mall, so it is an easy add-on to a Corniche Road walk or a Marina Mall visit.
17. Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital
Near Abu Dhabi International Airport on Sweihan Rd St, this hospital teaches visitors about falcons and their special meaning in the UAE. Tours run Monday to Thursday at 10AM and 2PM, and Friday and Sunday at 10AM, and all tours must be booked in advance.
18. Masdar City
A green city project open to tourists, with unusual buildings and experiments in reducing energy consumption and environmental impact. You can ride the podcars here, a still rare form of public transport. It is a short, distinctive stop rather than a full day.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque when it opens at 9AM, dressed so you can skip the clothing queue. Afterwards, take a short ride to Khalifa Park nearby for the formal gardens, or continue to Qasr al-Hosn to see the fort and use the same ticket for the Cultural Foundation, the House of Artisans and the Bait Al Gahwa.
Afternoon: Cross to Saadiyat Island for the Louvre Abu Dhabi, open from 10AM and closed on Mondays, then walk or ride to the Abrahamic Family House, open until 5PM Tuesday to Sunday, and Manarat al Saadiyat if time allows. If you prefer the coast, substitute Port Mina Zayed for its souks and the 421 Arts Campus.
Evening: Head to Qasr Al Watan before it closes at 7PM, then stop at Emirates Palace for the Palace Cappuccino. Finish with a walk along Corniche Road, or at the UAE flag pole on Marina Island, when the city comes out for its evening stroll.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time of year to visit Abu Dhabi?
The cooler season runs from November to March, ranging from moderately hot to mild, though this period also brings dense fog on some days and a few days of rain. May to September is generally extremely hot and humid, with July and August the peak, when maximum temperatures average above 40 °C and sandstorms can reduce visibility to a few metres.
Can non-Muslims visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque?
Yes. It is open to visitors Saturday to Thursday, 9AM to 10PM, and closed to the public on Fridays, when it is open only for worshippers. The Mosque Centre offers several free tours daily, with times that vary, so check their website. Dress conservatively, with women covering head and ankles.
How do I get around the main sights?
Public buses serve several of them: bus #54 for Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, and bus 34 or 39 for Qasr Al Watan. Abu Dhabi Island is joined to the mainland by the Maqta, Mussafah and Sheikh Zayed bridges, and connected to Saadiyat Island by a five-lane motorway bridge, with the Al-Mafraq bridge linking the city to Reem Island.
Which sights are on Saadiyat Island?
The Louvre Abu Dhabi in the Saadiyat Cultural District, the Abrahamic Family House on Jacques Chirac St, and Manarat al Saadiyat are all on the island, so they can be visited in a single afternoon. The Louvre is closed on Mondays, and the Abrahamic Family House is open 10AM to 5PM Tuesday to Sunday.
Decide which of these anchors matter most to you, check the days each one closes, and start building your days around them.