Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The city’s incredible architecture unites ancient buildings full of history and futuristic modern skyscrapers. Because of the oil industry, Abu Dhabi has grown a lot in recent years, and since 2009 it has hosted one of the stages of the F1 World Championship.
We have visited UAE’s capital 4 times, 3 in the last 4 months. We had the fantastic opportunity to work twice with the tourism board of Abu Dhabi @visitabudhabi, who planned an incredible itinerary for us, and we decided to share this itinerary with you.
This itinerary gave us time to experience everything the city offers and spend some quality time relaxing and enjoying the great local weather.
We recommend renting a car during your stay as some places might take 20-30 minutes to get there. And driving in Abu Dhabi is pretty easy, safe, and straightforward. Most people are well aware, stay in their own lanes, stop at signs and follow general traffic rules.
Now let’s get down to business. We’ve prepared a list of the best 12 places to visit in Abu Dhabi.
Best 12 places to visit in Abu Dhabi
1- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi
Let’s start with the most iconic place in Abu Dhabi: the Grand Mosque.
You can be sure the Grand mosque will show up whenever we talk or see something about UAE’s capital.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the largest in the country. It was built between 1996 and 2007 and designed by Syrian architect Yousef Addelky. It covers 12 hectares with 82 domes, more than 1,000 columns, 18-karat gold chandeliers, and the most oversized handmade rug in the world.
An excellent, breathtaking place and one of our favorites in the city.
Frequently asked questions:
How should I dress?
Long, wide ankle-length pants or skirts for women and men. Women must still wear a headscarf.
How much is the ticket?
Admission is free. Visitors are asked to register online on the Mosque’s website before visiting.
Is there a guided tour?
Yes, free guided tours are offered in Arabic and English.
When is the best time to visit the Mosque?
The Mosque is a fantastic place to visit at any time of day, but at sunset, it is even more special.
2 – Qasr Al Watan
Qasr Al Watan is the presidential Palace of the UAE. It is a working presidential palace, meaning no one lives here.
It’s a huge and stunning palace. It is the size of 53 football fields, and the main dome is one of the biggest in the world.
At the Palace, visitors can learn about the formation of the United Arab Emirates and the country’s governmental traditions and values.
In addition, national meetings and some of the most important political discussions occur here.
Frequently asked questions about Qasr Al Watan:
Do I need to wear a mask inside the Palace?
You will need to wear masks at all times inside the Palace. However, they are not required outside, in the garden.
Can I buy tickets at the visitor center?
Yes, tickets are available at the visitor center, but they recommend purchasing them online.
How much do tickets cost?
Adult tickets are 60 AED and children 30 AED. Children under 3 are free.
When is the Palace open?
The Palace is open to the public 6 days a week, closed on Mondays.
What is the dress code?
Visitors must wear respectful clothing in the Palace, following local laws and customs. It is recommended to cover the knees and shoulders.
3 – Qasr Al Hosn
Qasr Al Hosn was the first building built in Abu Dhabi. It’s in the middle of the city, surrounded by the newest constructions. So the contrast between modern and old is impressive.
It brings you a unique look at the local history. Visitors can walk around the fort and the Palace and get to know the city’s history while seeing the modern city outside the gates.
4- The National Aquarium
The aquarium offers different experiences, ranging from a simple walk to the experience of diving with freshwater stingrays or feeding some species.
The city signed a five-year partnership with The National Aquarium in July 2020 to help create the largest and most innovative rehabilitation schemes of its kind (The Wildlife Rescue Program*) to protect and rehabilitate wildlife in the emirate.
One of the things we loved the most about the National Aquarium is its famous glass tunnel where you feel like you’re inside the aquarium yourself.
5 – Wahat Al Karama
“What Al Karam” literally means “the oasis of dignity.”
It is a permanent tribute to the brave soldiers of the UAE and other Emirates. They made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the Nation.
The memorial is located in the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. It consists of three structures: the leaning pillars, the pavilion of honor, and the memorial plaza. The names of all Emirati soldiers who are killed in service are written on the pavilion of honor.
It’s the perfect place to snap an incredible Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque picture.
6 – The Ferrari World
This amusement park is located on Yas Island, a place full of entertainment.
Adults and children are guaranteed fun at the Ferrari World, and those passionate about cars will be amazed.
To give you an idea of what this park is, we have separated some curiosities about the place:
- Ferrari World is home to the fastest roller coaster in the world, The Formula Rossa.
- The Formula Rossa catapults you 52 meters into the air with 4.8 Gs hitting you, which matches the G-force you would feel in an F1 car.
- You can break another record riding the Flying Acres roller coaster with the highest loop in the world at 63 meters high. It’s stomach-churning for air.
- The breathtaking structure is adorned with the world’s most prominent Ferrari logo at 65 X 49 meters. In this way, it is possible to recognize the theme park of the iconic sports car brand from the sky.
Have we convinced you to visit the Ferarri World in Abu Dhabi yet?
7 – Desert Safari
One of the things Fred always wanted to do was to drive through the desert dunes. So a Desert Safari is a must-experience when in Abu Dhabi.
Professional drivers will take you up and around the dunes for a fun and full of adrenaline tour in the desert.
Golden tip: don’t eat close to the time to go on the tour. You can get sick on the way.
One of our stops was at a “camel farm.” Camels are still significant in the UAE due to their extensive carrying capacity in diverse desert climates. They have been used for transportation for thousands of years, and farmers do their best to preserve camels. They love, respect, and care about the animals.
At the end of the day, we arrived at a campsite to have dinner and watch a belly dancing show.
This is such a unique experience. We loved it and definitely recommend it.
8 – Saadiyat Beach Club
The best place to relax and enjoy a warm day in Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Beach Club, offers cabanas and sunbeds on the edge of a beautiful infinity pool overlooking the crystal blue waters of the Arabian Sea.
They offer an excellent service where you can order drinks and food, light snacks underneath a sun-shaded veranda, or dine in style and indulge in delicious Mediterranean dishes.
9 – Louvre Abu Dhabi
Louvre Abu Dhabi operates under an agreement between the United Arab Emirates and France signed in March 2007. The deal allows the name “Louvre” to be used until 2037, described by the Louvre as “France’s largest cultural project abroad.”
Important to know:
- Tickets cost 63 AED (including VAT)
- The museum is closed on Mondays
- From Tuesday to Sunday, opening hours are from 10:00 to 18:30
10 – Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi
The Warner Bros park in Abu Dhabi is the biggest indoor themed park in the world. It’s a place where you will be transported to the inner child inside you and have a fantastic experience with your favorite cartoons and movie characters.
Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Bigs bunny, Scooby-doo, and the Flintstones, you can find them here.
They have 29+ action-packed rides, family friend experiences, and world-class entertainment – all in one climate-controlled. Fully immersive, award-winning setting.
Compared with the Ferrari World, this last one is more of an adrenaline park, and Warner Bros is more of a chill vibe, fun park. It’s also the perfect place for bringing children.
11 – Observation Deck at 300
Indulge in a high tea experience at the highest vantage point in Abu Dhabi.
Located inside the Conrad Etihad Towers, the Observation Deck at 300 gets its name for being 300 meters above the ground. The 74th floor offers panoramic 360º views of the city.
The high tea offers a set menu that includes a fantastic selection of pastries, mini sandwiches, and scones and an unlimited selection of tea and coffee.
Bonus tip: If you come here for the high tea, don’t forget to try the moon tea for an incredible feeling of refreshment.
12- Breakfast with Giraffes at Emirates Park Zoo
One of the most amazing and unique experiences you can have in your life!
The Emirates Park Zoo offers the activity where you can have breakfast in a small little cave surrounded by and interact with giraffes.
Knowledgeable and informative staff will guide and explain all vital information about these beautiful animals.
The beauty of this experience is that you can feed the giraffes. They are very friendly and gentle, and there’s no age limit for this.
You have three options for breakfast: Arabian, Fully English breakfast with chicken, and Fully English breakfast with Beef.
It was one of the most incredible activities we have ever done at the center of UAE’s capital.
Good to know: every animal residing at Emirates Park Zoo was either donated by owners who can no longer care for them OR rescued from illegal environments.
The Zoo staff is very informative and can help you with any doubts about it.
Final thoughts
These are the places we most enjoy visiting in Abu Dhabi. We took amazing photos and loved our experience in a culture so different from our own.
It is worth getting to know the city and choosing those tourist spots that best suit you. You can choose from adventure, works of art, gastronomy, historic temples, and even getting in touch with nature. Just choose. Abu Dhabi offers it all.
Bonus Tip:
Are you thinking about visiting Abu Dhabi’s famous neighbor, Dubai? Check here everything you need to know to start planning your next trip to Dubai.
