Abu Dhabi essentials: 11 ways to really discover the city

Travellers are familiar with Abu Dhabi’s convenience as a transit hub – its onward connections allowing you to reach just about every corner of the planet. Yet beyond the lengthy halls of the airport, the city of Abu Dhabi itself is a fantastic destination in its own right.

Whether traversing towering desert dunes by four-wheel drive, getting your heart rate up on the Formula 1 race track, or admiring intricate monuments contrasted by a brilliant blue sky, there’s no shortage of things to see, do and discover in Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque should be an essential part of any visit.

It goes without saying, but the hotel scene is extraordinary too with options to suit whatever your taste and desire. Palatial glamour has never looked so good. 

Unsure where to start your odyssey? Here are 10 ways to enjoy all that Abu Dhabi – meaning ‘Land of the Gazelle’ – has to offer.

Visit the Louvre Abu Dhabi

It would take a lot of clout to entice a cultural institution such as the Louvre to venture beyond its homeland. Thankfully, clout is something Abu Dhabi has in spades.

The storied home of the Mona Lisa has had an outpost in the UAE capital since 2017. And much like its Parisian counterpart, both the architecture and trove of treasures within are well worth the price of admission. 

The Louvre art museum in Abu Dhabi

Envisaged as a way of unifying Eastern and Western societies through art, the Louvre Abu Dhabi highlights the boundless creativity and artistic heritage of both sides of the coin – to truly dramatic effect. The architecture is mesmerising too.

Designed by the prestigious architect Jean Nouvel, the floating galleries and branched domes of the museum created a sun-dappled oasis amid the desert scenery of the Persian Gulf. 

The Louvre Abu Dhabi is home to some priceless artefacts.

However, one of the more intriguing features of the museum is simply its arrangement of art from icons such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Van Gogh and Picasso, sorted chronologically rather than by material or culture. This makes a tour feel like a journey through time.

Tick off the Yas Marina Circuit

From one of Abu Dhabi’s most historic monuments to its newest and most glamorous, Yas Marina Circuit has firmly embedded itself as a pilgrimage site for F1 fans.

When the five red lights go out, the circuit becomes a honeypot for heart-stopping moves – its combination of long straights, fast kinks and low-speed corners makes the resulting race one of the most anticipated and thrilling in the F1 season.

Abu Dhabi is often the setting for a cliffhanger ending to the F1 season.

If you are not there for the race, you’re still in luck, as motorsport activities take place year round, including the Aston Martin driving experience, where you can enjoy a white-knuckle view of the brutal power and agility of the prestigious British supercars.

Admire the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is an architectural marvel. Not only a place of worship, it also captures the cross-cultural influences of its creators; British, Italian and Emirati architects all had a role in its creation and infused it with design elements from northern Africa, Turkey, and Pakistan.

Built with impeccable attention to detail over 11 years, the crisp-white mosque features 82 domes and over 1,000 columns, in addition to gold-plated Swarovski chandeliers. It even holds a Guinness World Record for the largest hand-knotted carpet.

Feel the tranquility at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

Named after the former Emir of Abu Dhabi and founding father of the United Arab Emirates, it was built to consolidate the Islamic culture and also symbolise its message of peace and diversity.

As a tip, you should visit the mosque when there’s a free tour running, which is usually every hour. It’s a great way to get more out of your visit. Note: culturally sensitive dress rules do apply, so make sure you visit the official website and observe local requirements.

Kayak through Jubail Mangrove Park

A vast mangrove national park teeming with birds and marine life is probably not what you’d expect to find in Abu Dhabi, which makes it all the more exciting to discover exactly that – and the contrast between it and the towering CBD couldn’t be more dramatic.

Just 30 minutes from downtown is Jubail Mangrove Park, an aquatic wonderland providing education, awareness and appreciation for the vital part that mangroves play in the city’s ecosystem.

Jubail Mangrove Park.
Visit Abu Dhabi

Boardwalks stretch throughout the park for those who prefer keeping their feet dry, though you can take a closer look, either by day or on a special nighttime experience.

Breathe in the the view from Observation Deck at 300

As the name suggests, the Observation Deck at 300 is perched an eye-watering 300m above the ground, making it the highest vantage point in Abu Dhabi and undoubtedly the place to go to enjoy panoramic views of the capital’s skyline.

This privileged space on the 74th floor of Tower Two of the Etihad Towers complex is also home to a café where visitors can enjoy signature mocktails, delightful pastries, tea and coffee with the breathtaking cityscape as a backdrop. 

The Observation Deck is worth visiting both day and night.

The Observation Deck is wheelchair-friendly and offers valet parking to guests. Make sure to bring your camera to immortalise the breathtaking vistas.

Step back in time at Qasr Al Hosn

Built in the late 18th century, Qasr Al Hosn is both the city’s oldest stone construction and one of its most important landmarks. Once home to royalty, these days it acts as a cultural bridge – a monument allowing travellers to take a deep dive into Abu Dhabi’s heritage.

Known as the symbolic birthplace of the city due to its central location and stark contrast with the modern buildings that surround it, the edifice hosts a museum containing a wide variety of artefacts, photographs, and weapons from a bygone era.

The main gate of Qasr Al Hosn, featuring the fort and watchtower.

It’s a wonderfully immersive look into the history and story of Abu Dhabi, while also showcasing how the locals lived in the Emirate’s early days. Don’t forget to visit the artist’s galleria next door, where you can see all kinds of local handicrafts.

Embrace desert wonder at Arabian Nights Village

Nestled among golden sand dunes, Arabian Nights Village – a recreation of traditional Emirati houses and dwellings – is a place to stay and embrace the wonders of the desert, as well as experience a taste of authentic culture (with modern comforts, of course).

The stay offers four types of accommodations, ranging from Bedouin tents (Bayt Al Shaaer) to desert houses (Bayt Al Bar), palm houses (Bayt Al Bahar) and The Fort Tower (Al Manha).

Your night in the desert will be nothing short of luxurious.

On top of accommodation, visitors can also take part in all-ages desert activities, such as sand surfing and quad biking, together with more authentic cultural pursuits like falconry and camel rides.

See the United Arab Emirates Presidential Palace

The United Arab Emirates Presidential Palace, also known as Qasr Al Watan, is home to the offices of the country’s President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, along with the Supreme Council and Federal Cabinet.

Opened in 2019, the palace is among Abu Dhabi’s most recent attractions and cultural landmarks, providing guests with a new opportunity to scour the history and traditions of the UAE. The building hosts a vast art collection and a breathtaking compilation of more than 40,000 books documenting its bygone days.

The Qasr Al Watan Palace is the UAE's centre of government.

Besides the rare artefacts and manuscripts, the palace boasts eye-catching architecture. Following the traditional Arabian style, it presents a high level of artistry and intricate design including one of the world’s largest domes.

Browse the Mina Dates Market or Fish Market

As one of the few fruits that can grow in the region, dates are a staple of Emirati cuisine. Situated in Zayed Port, the Mina Dates Market offers over 100 types of dates including local varieties and some from remote parts of Oman and Saudi Arabia.

When visiting the market, we recommend you hire a taxi or driver for a couple of hours so you can move freely and make most of your time there. Or if fish is more your dish, a short drive away you will find the fish market where hundreds of vendors offer the freshest catch of the region.

You'll have no trouble finding a date here.

Here, you can indulge in everything from salmon and kingfish to local pomfrets, prawns, lobster, octopus and more. Once purchased, take your haul to one of the restaurants at the front of the markets and they’ll cook it for you to enjoy as your lunch or dinner.

Experience Yas Island’s theme parks

Those after an adrenaline hit will find plenty of amusement on Yas Island, which boasts over 40 incredible attractions and experiences, including the world's fastest roller coaster at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, all within walking distance from each other.

For something a little more serene, watch your favourite cartoons come to life at Warner Bros World, or check out a host of underwater kingdoms at Yas Waterworld.

Ferrari World is home to some truly heart-racing experiences.

Yas Island is not just about theme parks though. The isle is home to Yas Mall – the largest shopping complex in the city. More than just a place to snap up some souvenirs, it’s a day out with movie theatres plus engaging workshops for younger members of the family.

For those with no time to waste, the island is also home to several hotels including the W and Warner Bros Hotel, making it the ideal solution to avoid the traffic that forms during the peak hours of entering and exiting the parks.

Unwind on Saadiyat Island

Already home to the Louvre and with a Guggenheim coming soon, the natural Saadiyat Island is rapidly becoming a cultural core of Abu Dhabi, with nine kilometres of white sandy beaches.

There are several deluxe accommodation options perched along the beachfront including Rixos Saadiyat Island – home to one of the most amazing swimming pools you’ll find in the emirate – plus St Regis and Park Hyatt, both shining examples of Emirati extravagance.

Saadiyat Beach Golf Club is a challenge for players of all skill levels.

Another jewel in this stunning corner of the city is Saadiyat Beach Club. Overlooking the Persian Gulf, it features an infinity pool, spa, sauna, steam rooms and a workout room where you can book yoga classes. There’s also an 18-hole championship standard golf course.

The club is also part of a protected environment where endangered sea turtles have nested for years, allowing visitors to enjoy the spectacle of mother nature in its full splendour.

Visit Experience Abu Dhabi for more inspiration.