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Abu Dhabi guide
Best Things to Do in Abu Dhabi
The UAE capital pairs landmark culture — the Grand Mosque, the Louvre, the presidential palace — with Yas Island’s theme parks, calm beaches and mangroves. Its sights are spread across several islands, so this list is grouped by area.
Landmarks and culture
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Abu Dhabi’s best-known landmark, with white marble courtyards and vast prayer halls. Entry is free with an online booking; a modest dress code applies, and headscarves are required for women.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
A museum of world art and history under a huge latticed dome on Saadiyat Island.
Qasr Al Watan
A working presidential palace open to visitors, with grand halls, a library and an evening light show.
Qasr Al Hosn
The city’s oldest stone building, a restored fort telling the story of Abu Dhabi before oil.
The Corniche
Kilometres of promenade, parks and public beach along the city waterfront.
Heritage Village
A small reconstruction of a traditional oasis village with crafts, on the breakwater facing the Corniche.
Yas Island
Yas Island is close to the airport and about 30 minutes from the city centre. If the parks are the focus of your trip, stay on the island.
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
An indoor theme park of rides and roller coasters themed around Ferrari.
Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi
An indoor park themed around Warner Bros. cartoons and DC superheroes.
Yas Waterworld
A large water park with slides for all ages.
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
An indoor marine-life park with themed ocean realms.
Yas Marina Circuit
Home of the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix, with circuit tours and driving experiences.
Beaches, mangroves and desert
Saadiyat Beach
Long, quiet stretch of sand near the Louvre, with public and resort beaches.
Mangrove kayaking
Paddle through the mangroves of Abu Dhabi’s eastern shore or Jubail Island’s mangrove park.
Desert safari
Dune driving and a desert camp evening, with pickups from city hotels.
Liwa Oasis
A long day trip or overnight to the edge of the Empty Quarter and some of the highest dunes in the region.
Day trips from Abu Dhabi
Al Ain
The inland “garden city” with UNESCO-listed oases and archaeological sites, about 90 minutes’ drive.
Dubai
About 90 minutes by road for Burj Khalifa, the souks and the Marina.
Things to do in Dubai
Planning tips
Abu Dhabi’s headline sights are spread across the main island, Saadiyat Island, Yas Island and the mainland around the Grand Mosque, typically 20–40 minutes apart by road. There is no metro, so most visitors use taxis or ride-hailing; a car helps for Al Ain, Liwa and the desert.
Plan the Grand Mosque and outdoor sights for the morning or late afternoon from May to September, and keep the middle of the day for the Louvre, Qasr Al Watan and the indoor parks on Yas Island. Modest clothing is expected at the mosque and the palace.
Culture-focused trip
Stay on the Corniche or Saadiyat Island to be close to the museums, the palace and the beach.
Hotels on Saadiyat IslandTheme-park trip
Stay on Yas Island, where the parks, the circuit and several hotels are next to each other and close to the airport.
Hotels on Yas IslandCity break
The Corniche puts the waterfront, Qasr Al Hosn and many restaurants within a short taxi ride.
Hotels on the Corniche
Tickets, tours and where to stay
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Popular Abu Dhabi tours and tickets
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Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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Abu Dhabi guide
Frequently asked questions
What is Abu Dhabi famous for?
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Yas Island theme parks and the Formula 1 Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit.
Is Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque free to visit?
Yes. Entry is free, but visitors book a time slot online and must follow the dress code.
What is there to do in Abu Dhabi with kids?
The Yas Island parks — Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, Yas Waterworld and SeaWorld — plus beaches and mangrove kayaking.
Plan your trip
More on Abu Dhabi
- Abu Dhabi Itinerary: 1, 2 and 3 DaysOne, two and three-day plans, including a day trip from Dubai.
Hotels, tours and travel essentials
Last reviewed 28 September 2026. Opening days, ticket rules and prices change — confirm details with the venue or operator before you travel.