4 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 Qasr Al Watan in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

      Allow 1.5–2 hours (free). Arrive in the late afternoon to see the marble turn gold at sunset and the lighting switch on after dark.

   2. Late morning

      The National Aquarium at Al Qana

      The surrounding Al Qana promenade has restaurants and a cinema.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Machboos

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

   4. Afternoon

      Louvre Abu Dhabi

      Allow 2–3 hours (mid-priced). Walk the waterfront promenade under the dome at the end of your visit; the light patterns are strongest in the late afternoon.

   5. Evening

      Qasr Al Watan

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

2. Day 2: Saadiyat Beach and Qasr Al Hosn

   Saadiyat Beach, Qasr Al Hosn and Emirates Palace, then Yas Marina Circuit in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Saadiyat Beach

      Hawksbill turtles nest here in season and dolphins are sometimes seen offshore. Saadiyat Public Beach has lifeguards, sunbeds and a café for a small entry fee, and resort hotels line the rest of the shore.

   2. Late morning

      Qasr Al Hosn

      Allow 1.5 hours (low cost). Visit the House of Artisans in the same compound to see Al Sadu weaving demonstrations.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Harees

      Emirati restaurants and iftar buffets, especially during Ramadan.

   4. Afternoon

      Emirates Palace

      Non-guests can visit the public areas for afternoon tea or the café's gold-flake cappuccino, which is the easiest way to see the interior.

   5. Evening

      Yas Marina Circuit

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

3. Day 3: Observation Deck at 300 and Ferrari World

   Observation Deck at 300, Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld, then Yas Bay Waterfront in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Observation Deck at 300

      Allow 1 hour (mid-priced). Go about an hour before sunset to see the city in daylight and as the Corniche lights up.

   2. Late morning

      Ferrari World

      Being air-conditioned, it works year-round, including in the summer heat.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Thareed

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

   4. Afternoon

      Yas Waterworld

      Allow Full day (expensive). Arrive at opening in summer and claim a shaded cabana or lounger before midday.

   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.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Al Ain

   About 1.5–2 hours by car or intercity bus each way. Getting there: Car, tour or intercity bus.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Al Ain

      About 1.5–2 hours by car or intercity bus (Car, tour or intercity bus); about 160 km.

   2. Day

      Al Ain

      The UAE's garden city has UNESCO-listed oases where falaj channels water thousands of date palms, Al Jahili Fort, the Al Ain Palace Museum in Sheikh Zayed's former home and the winding mountain road up Jebel Hafeet. The livestock and camel market on the edge of town is a lively morning stop.

   3. Evening

      Back in Abu Dhabi

      Dinner: try Luqaimat.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 4 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 24–32 hours of visiting over 4 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
• 3 days in Abu Dhabi
• 5 days in Abu Dhabi
• 7 days in Abu Dhabi

Questions travellers ask