3 days in Abu Dhabi

Day by day

1. Day 1: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and The National Aquarium at Al Qana

   Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, The National Aquarium at Al Qana and Louvre Abu Dhabi, then Yas Marina Circuit in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

      Completed in 2007, the mosque has more than 80 white marble domes, courtyards inlaid with floral marble mosaics and reflecting pools, and a main prayer hall with one of the world's largest hand-knotted carpets and crystal chandeliers.

   2. Late morning

      The National Aquarium at Al Qana

      Pair it with an evening visit to the Grand Mosque, about five minutes away by taxi.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Machboos

      Emirati restaurants across the city, mall food courts and hotel Ramadan iftar buffets.

   4. Afternoon

      Louvre Abu Dhabi

      Jean Nouvel's museum sits under a 180-metre steel dome whose layered latticework scatters light like sun through palm fronds.

   5. Evening

      Yas Marina Circuit

      If you only want to see the track, a guided tour is far less expensive than a driving experience.

2. Day 2: Qasr Al Hosn and Emirates Palace

   Qasr Al Hosn, Emirates Palace and Ferrari World, then Qasr Al Watan in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Qasr Al Hosn

      Visit the House of Artisans in the same compound to see Al Sadu weaving demonstrations.

   2. Late morning

      Emirates Palace

      Opened in 2005 and now run by Mandarin Oriental, this domed palace hotel is famed for gold-leaf ceilings, marble halls and a beach more than a kilometre long.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Harees

      Emirati restaurants and iftar buffets, especially during Ramadan.

   4. Afternoon

      Ferrari World

      Ride Formula Rossa early, before queues build, and bring nothing loose; goggles are provided.

   5. Evening

      Qasr Al Watan

      Stay on for the evening light show on the palace façade, which needs a separate or combined ticket.

3. Day 3: Corniche promenade and beach and Observation Deck at 300

   Corniche promenade and beach, Observation Deck at 300 and Yas Waterworld, then Yas Bay Waterfront in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Corniche promenade and beach

      An 8-kilometre seafront promenade with separate walking and cycling paths, playgrounds, cafés and lawns runs along the island's north-western shore.

   2. Late morning

      Observation Deck at 300

      Go about an hour before sunset to see the city in daylight and as the Corniche lights up.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Thareed

      Emirati restaurants and home-style kitchens; most common on Ramadan menus.

   4. Afternoon

      Yas Waterworld

      This water park next to Ferrari World has slides from toddler splash zones to high-speed drops, a wave pool and a lazy river, all themed around an Emirati pearl-diving legend.

   5. Evening

      Yas Bay Waterfront

      A promenade of restaurants and bars facing the water beside the Etihad Arena, which hosts big-name concerts and shows.

Before you go

• Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: Entry is free, but visitors are asked to register online for a visit slot in advance; check the dress code (long sleeves and trousers or skirts, headscarves for women) before you go.

If it rains

• Swap in Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi (Yas Island): Families with young children can spend most of the day in Cartoon Junction and Bedrock, where rides have lower height limits.
• Swap in SeaWorld Abu Dhabi (Yas Island): Check the day's show schedule on arrival and plan the realms around the shows you want to see.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Corniche and Al Khalidiyah keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Ras Al Akhdar and the Breakwater ($$$$) suits luxury, couples and beach. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 22–31 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.6 hours in December to 13.6 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Abu Dhabi
• 2 days in Abu Dhabi
• 4 days in Abu Dhabi
• 5 days in Abu Dhabi
• 7 days in Abu Dhabi

Questions travellers ask