Experiences in Abu Dhabi
White marble, royal palaces and world-class art in the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
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Abu Dhabi
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Abu Dhabi: Tours & Experiences
14 experiences and tours
Qasr Al Watan Palace Entry Ticket
From €15.91
Louvre Abu Dhabi Skip-the-Line Ticket
From €17.14
Etihad Towers Observation Deck with Snack or Afternoon Tea
From €23.26
Yas Island Multi-Park Ticket: 2, 3 or 4 Parks
From 
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi Ticket with Shuttle
From €87.23
Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner
6hFree cancellation
From €71.04
Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi Ticket with Shuttle
From €80.25
Qasr Al Hosn Fast-Track Ticket
From 
Abu Dhabi Morning Desert Safari & Sandboarding
4hFree cancellation
From €44.24
Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi Ticket with Shuttle
From 
Private Abu Dhabi Tour: Grand Mosque & Qasr Al Watan
8hFree cancellation
From €100.39
Abu Dhabi Boat Tour: Corniche, Emirates Palace & Lulu Island
1hFree cancellation
From 
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque & Abu Dhabi City Tour
4hFree cancellation
From €36.87
Kayaking at the Louvre Abu Dhabi
1hFree cancellation
From €30.85Frequently asked questions
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the highlight of most visits. Other top sights are Qasr Al Watan, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Etihad Towers observation deck and the theme parks on Yas Island.
Yes, entry to the mosque is free. A guided tour adds transport, a guide and often a visit to Qasr Al Watan on the same day.
Wear loose clothes that cover your arms and legs to the ankles. Women must also cover their hair with a scarf. Shoes are taken off before you enter the prayer halls.
The mosque does not open to visitors on Friday mornings, because of Friday prayers. Opening hours also change during Ramadan.
Yes. The drive takes about 1.5 hours each way. A day trip from Dubai usually includes the Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan and a drive along the Corniche, with hotel pickup in Dubai.
Two days is a good first visit: one for the Grand Mosque and Qasr Al Watan, and one for the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Corniche. Add a day if you want to visit the theme parks on Yas Island.
Most visits to Abu Dhabi start at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Its white marble domes, flower patterns in stone and huge prayer hall make it one of the most photographed buildings in the Gulf. A guided city tour combines the mosque with Qasr Al Watan, the presidential palace, and a drive along the Corniche, so you see the main sights in one day.
Abu Dhabi also rewards a longer stay. See world art under the great dome of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, step inside the gold and white halls of Qasr Al Watan, and look over the city and the Gulf from the observation deck of the Etihad Towers. Staying in Dubai? Take a day trip from Dubai with the Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan and a city tour, or a shorter half-day trip from Dubai to the Grand Mosque.
About Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and the largest of its seven emirates. The city stands on an island in the Persian Gulf, joined to the mainland by bridges, about 140 km south-west of Dubai.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, opened in 2007, is the largest mosque in the country. It has more than 80 domes, over 1,000 columns and one of the largest hand-knotted carpets in the world.
Qasr Al Watan is a working presidential palace that opened to visitors in 2019. Its halls show Arab craftsmanship, and its library holds books and manuscripts on the history of the region.
Saadiyat Island is the cultural district, home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, with its dome that lets light fall through like rain, and long white beaches.
Yas Island is the place for theme parks and motorsport, with Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, SeaWorld and the Yas Marina Formula 1 circuit.
What to expect on a Abu Dhabi experience
The Grand Mosque is free to enter, but visitors must follow its rules. Book a guided tour if you want transport, a guide who explains the building, and a visit to Qasr Al Watan on the same day.
A two-day plan works well for a first visit:
Day 1, the mosque and the palace: visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in the morning, see Qasr Al Watan in the afternoon and watch the sunset from the Etihad Towers observation deck.
Day 2, art and the sea: spend the morning at the Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island, then walk along the Corniche or relax on the beach.
Best time to visit
November to March is the best time to visit. Days are warm and sunny, usually between 20 and 30°C, and evenings are pleasant for walks along the Corniche.
April, May and October are hot, often above 35°C. Plan outdoor sights for the early morning and spend the afternoon in museums.
June to September is very hot and humid, often above 40°C. Indoor sights such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Watan and the theme parks on Yas Island are the best choice.
During Ramadan, opening hours change and eating or drinking in public during the day is not allowed. Check the dates before you travel.
Getting around
Taxis are the easiest way to get around Abu Dhabi. They are metered and good value, and ride-hailing apps are also widely used. Public buses connect the main areas but are slower.
The main sights are far apart, so a guided tour with transport saves time. The Grand Mosque is about 20 minutes by car from the city centre, Saadiyat Island about 15 minutes and Yas Island about 30 minutes.
Zayed International Airport is about 30 minutes from the centre by taxi. From Dubai, the drive takes about 1.5 hours, and intercity buses run between the two cities.
