Abu Dhabi Travel Guide
Abu Dhabi is the city I keep coming back to when I want something that feels a little less rushed than its neighbour Dubai. The capital of the United Arab Emirates has its own rhythm, a calmer, greener, more cultural one, and after several visits I have grown genuinely fond of it. This guide covers everything I wish I had known before my first trip.
Getting there and around
Zayed International Airport, formerly Abu Dhabi International, connects the city to a wide network of global routes. Most long haul visitors fly in here directly, though it is easy enough to cross over from Dubai if you are already there. The trip between the two cities takes around an hour and a half by road.
The city is built for cars and the heat, so plan around that. Taxis are the most practical option for visitors and are reasonably priced and plentiful. A small Metro line serves the central area, and ferries run across the water to the islands, but for most sightseeing you will want taxis or a rental car.
Where to stay
Corniche Beach runs along the waterfront with a line of hotels behind it, which makes it the natural base for first time visitors. You can walk to the beach and the views across the water to the city skyline are lovely, especially in the evening when the towers light up.
The newer areas around Yas Island and Saadiyat Island offer resort style stays with more space, and the cultural district on Saadiyat puts you near the museums. For a splash-out stay, the palace hotel is an experience in itself, grand and genuinely comfortable rather than just showy.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
The Grand Mosque is the sight that will stay with you longest. One of the largest mosques in the world, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is built from white marble and decorated with gold, natural stone and one of the biggest hand knotted carpets on the planet.
Visitors are welcome outside of prayer times, and I was struck by how genuinely calm it felt despite the crowds. Go in the late afternoon if you can, when the setting sun turns the marble gold and then the floodlights take over as night falls. Dress modestly with your head covered, and both women and men must cover shoulders and legs.
Qasr Al Watan
Nearby stands Qasr Al Watan, the presidential palace that opened to the public a few years ago. Walking through its enormous halls, with their intricate mosaics and soaring domes, gives you a sense of the country’s architecture and its spirit.
I especially enjoyed the library and the gardens, which are less crowded than the main hall. Go in the evening when the palace facade is lit up, and keep an eye out for the light and sound show on the front lawn.
Saadiyat Island and the museums
Saadiyat Island has become the cultural heart of the capital. The Louvre Abu Dhabi is the standout, a museum that weaves the story of art across civilisations under an extraordinary domed roof that scatters light like falling leaves. I have spent hours simply watching the patterns it casts across the galleries.
More museums are opening nearby, and the surrounding city has grown up around them with lovely beachfronts and cafés. Set aside a full morning or afternoon for the Louvre alone, because it rewards a slow pace.
Yas Island for fun
When you want a break from culture, Yas Island delivers. The Ferrari World theme park, the water parks and the marina circuit offer a full day of entertainment, and the big hotels and restaurants make it easy to turn into a long weekend.
I am not a theme park person by nature, but the coastline on Yas is genuinely pleasant, and the gulf sunset from the marina is hard to beat.
The Corniche and the mangroves
For everyday pleasure, the Corniche is unbeatable. It runs for kilometres along the water with a dedicated bike and walking path, and locals gather there every evening to walk, run and picnic as the temperature drops. Join them for a stroll at golden hour and you will feel the real rhythm of the city.
Not far from the centre, the mangrove forests offer a completely different side of Abu Dhabi. A kayak paddle through the quiet channels at dawn is one of the best things I have done in the Emirates, a chance to spot herons and egrets in the wild while the city hums in the distance.
Food and practical tips
Abu Dhabi’s food scene is international, but the Emirati dishes stand out to me. Try a share of grilled meats, spiced rice and fresh bread, and finish with sweet dates and Arabic coffee. Fridays are the weekend here, and the city is quieter on Sunday mornings than you might expect.
Dress modestly in public spaces, respect Ramadan if you visit during it, and remember that the locals will go out of their way to help you if you give them a smile. I recommend five days for a first visit, and I have a feeling you will leave wanting more.
