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Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is a calm, spacious capital on an island in the Gulf, where a white marble mosque, a domed museum and a long palm-lined seafront set the pace of the day.

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Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and the largest of its seven emirates, and the city itself sits on an island just off the coast, joined to the mainland by bridges. Sixty years ago it was a small settlement of fishermen and pearl divers around a single fort; today it is a modern city of towers, wide boulevards and parks, built on oil wealth and planned with unusual care. It is quieter and more spread out than Dubai, an hour and a half up the coast, and many visitors find it more relaxed. The great sights are cultural — the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the presidential palace of Qasr Al Watan — and the city's social life happens in the cooler hours, on the Corniche at sunset, in cafés and malls, and in the hotels and waterfronts of Saadiyat and Yas islands. The large majority of residents come from abroad, so it is a cosmopolitan place, but it is also a Muslim country with its own laws and customs, and visitors who understand them have a much easier time.

Places to visit

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Completed in 2007 and built of white marble inlaid with floral patterns, the mosque has more than eighty domes, over a thousand columns, vast crystal chandeliers and one of the largest hand-knotted carpets in the world. Visitors of every faith are welcome outside prayer times and entry is free. Dress modestly — long sleeves and long trousers or skirts, and a headscarf for women — and check the visiting hours, which are different on Fridays. Late afternoon, as the marble turns gold and then the lights come on, is the most beautiful time.

Louvre Abu Dhabi

On Saadiyat Island, the museum designed by Jean Nouvel opened in 2017 under a huge perforated dome that scatters light like sunlight through palm leaves. The collection tells a story of human civilisation across cultures rather than by country, with works on loan from major French museums alongside its own. Allow at least half a day, and walk around the outside of the building by the water, where the light under the dome is at its best.

Qasr Al Watan

The presidential palace, opened to the public in 2019, is a working seat of government with grand halls, a library and exhibitions on Arab science, governance and craftsmanship. The scale and decoration are extraordinary — the central dome and the white and sand-coloured stone are unlike anything else in the city. Its gardens also offer one of the best views of the skyline across the water.

Qasr Al Hosn

The oldest stone building in the city began as an eighteenth-century watchtower guarding the island's water source and grew into the fort and residence of the ruling family. Restored and reopened as a museum, it tells the story of Abu Dhabi before oil. Next door, the Cultural Foundation has a theatre, exhibitions and a library, and the gardens between them are a calm place to sit in the city centre.

The Corniche

A long landscaped waterfront runs along the northern edge of the island, with walking and cycling paths, parks, cafés and clean public beaches facing the Gulf. In the evening, when the heat drops, it is where families, joggers and friends come out. At one end, the Heritage Village shows traditional houses and crafts, and the view back across the water to the towers at sunset is one of the classic images of the city.

Mina Zayed and the fish market

In the old port area on the northern tip of the island, wooden dhows still tie up at the quay, and the fish market sells the morning catch from the Gulf; you can choose fish and have it cooked nearby. It is a working place and a glimpse of the city's maritime past, and the fruit, vegetable and date stalls nearby are colourful and lively. Go early, before the heat.

Where to go out

Yas Island

East of the city, Yas Island is Abu Dhabi's leisure district: Ferrari World with its record-breaking roller coaster, Warner Bros. World, Yas Waterworld and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, along with hotels, a golf course and a large mall. It is easy to fill a day here, and the theme parks are a good shared plan for a group of new friends.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Each year, usually at the end of the season in late November or early December, the Formula 1 Grand Prix is held at the Yas Marina Circuit, finishing under floodlights. Race weekend brings concerts, parties and visitors from around the world, and it is one of the busiest and most sociable times to be in the city. Book accommodation well in advance.

Yas Bay and the waterfront promenades

The Yas Bay waterfront is a long promenade of restaurants, cafés and terraces by the water, next to the Etihad Arena, where concerts and shows take place. On cooler evenings it is busy with residents of every nationality, and the atmosphere is relaxed. Several of the restaurants and bars here are licensed to serve alcohol.

Hotel bars and beach clubs

Alcohol is served in licensed venues, mainly hotel bars, restaurants and beach clubs, especially on Saadiyat and Yas islands and along the Corniche. Many have sunset terraces and live music, and they are where much of the city's international social life happens. Drinking in public places outside licensed venues, and being drunk in public, remain offences, so keep it inside.

An evening in the desert

Desert trips leave the city in the afternoon for the dunes, with dune driving, sandboarding, a sunset over the sand and dinner at a camp under the stars. Choose a reputable licensed operator and ask exactly what is included. It is the most popular group excursion in the emirate and a natural way to meet other travellers.

Things to do

Kayak through the mangroves

On the eastern side of the island, the Mangrove National Park is a maze of calm channels lined with green mangrove trees, home to herons, crabs and sometimes turtles. Guided kayak trips leave from the Eastern Mangroves area, and early morning or late afternoon are the best times. If you prefer to stay dry, the boardwalk at Jubail Mangrove Park lets you walk through the trees.

Spend a day on Saadiyat Beach

A long stretch of fine white sand and clear, shallow water on Saadiyat Island, with public beach areas and beach clubs. It is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Gulf and much calmer than city beaches elsewhere. Swimwear is normal on the beach itself; cover up when you walk to cafés or shops.

Take a day trip to Al Ain

About an hour and a half inland, the garden city of Al Ain has date-palm oases with ancient irrigation channels, forts, a lively camel market and the mountain road up Jebel Hafeet. Its cultural sites are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it shows a greener, older side of the Emirates.

Watch the sun set over the dunes at Liwa

Far to the south, on the edge of the Empty Quarter, the Liwa Oasis is surrounded by some of the highest sand dunes in the world. It is a long drive and best as an overnight trip, but the scale and silence of the desert are unforgettable. In winter the area hosts festivals celebrating desert traditions.

Eat Emirati food

Most restaurants in the city are international, so look for places serving Emirati dishes: machboos, spiced rice with meat or fish; harees, slow-cooked wheat and meat; and luqaimat, small sweet dumplings with date syrup, served with cardamom coffee. Sharing a large platter is part of the experience, and it gives a first meeting something to talk about.

Great first-date spots

Good to know

Best season

November to March is the best time to visit, with warm sunny days, pleasant evenings and the most outdoor events, festivals and the Grand Prix. April and October are hot but manageable. From May to September temperatures often pass forty degrees with high humidity, and life moves indoors to malls, museums and hotels, although prices fall. During the holy month of Ramadan, whose dates change every year, the rhythm of the city changes: be respectful in public during daylight hours, and enjoy the special atmosphere of the evenings.

Getting around

Abu Dhabi is spread out and built for cars, and there is no metro. Taxis are metered, clean and reasonably priced, and the Uber and Careem apps also work. City buses are cheap and use a rechargeable Hafilat card. Walking is pleasant along the Corniche and in winter, but distances between districts are large. Zayed International Airport is about half an hour from the centre, and buses and taxis connect the city with Dubai in around an hour and a half.

Language & meeting people

Arabic is the official language, but English is used everywhere in daily life, from shops to government offices. Emiratis are a minority in their own country, and most residents come from South Asia, the Philippines, the Arab world, Europe and beyond, so social circles are very international. Laws changed in 2020 and unmarried couples may now live together, but public displays of affection, offensive language or gestures and photographing people without their permission can still lead to fines or worse. Dress modestly in public places, keep swimwear for the beach and pool, and be especially discreet during Ramadan. Same-sex relationships remain illegal, and LGBTQ+ travellers should be aware of this.

Where travelers & expats meet

Expats tend to live and socialise in Al Reem Island, Al Raha Beach, Saadiyat, Yas and the older central districts near the Corniche. Weekend brunches at hotels, beach clubs, sports clubs, running groups on the Corniche and Yas Marina Circuit, and community activities organised by national clubs are the usual ways to meet people. The working week runs Monday to Friday, so Friday evening and the weekend are when social life is busiest.

Frequently asked questions

Is Abu Dhabi a good city to visit alone?

Yes. It is one of the safest cities in the world, it is easy to get around by taxi, and English is spoken everywhere. It is quieter than many capitals, so the best way to meet people is to join something: a desert trip, a kayak tour, a running group or a weekend brunch.

What should visitors know about local laws?

The UAE has relaxed several laws in recent years, but it is still stricter than many countries. Keep public affection to a minimum, dress modestly outside beaches and hotels, drink alcohol only in licensed venues, and never photograph people, especially women, without permission. Respect for local customs is taken seriously, and most visitors who follow these simple rules have no problems at all.

How many days do I need in Abu Dhabi?

Three days is enough for the Grand Mosque, the Louvre, Qasr Al Watan, the Corniche and an evening on Yas Island. Add a day for the desert or the mangroves, and another for a trip to Al Ain.

What should I wear in Abu Dhabi?

Light, loose clothes that cover the shoulders and knees are the safest choice in malls, markets and public places. Swimwear is fine on beaches and at pools. For the Grand Mosque, women need long sleeves, ankle-length clothing and a headscarf, and men long trousers.

Abu Dhabi or Dubai?

Dubai is busier, louder and more focused on nightlife and shopping; Abu Dhabi is calmer, greener and stronger on culture, with the Grand Mosque, the Louvre and Qasr Al Watan. They are about an hour and a half apart, and many travellers visit both.

Is it safe to meet someone from an app in Abu Dhabi?

Crime is very low, so the main things to keep in mind are the usual rules and the local laws. Meet for the first time in a busy public place such as the Corniche, a museum café or a waterfront restaurant, tell a friend where you are going and arrange your own taxi. Keep affection private, be careful about what you share online, and remember that what is acceptable at home may not be acceptable here.

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