7 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 and The National Aquarium at Al Qana, then Qasr Al Watan in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

      Khor Al Maqta · 1.5–2 hours · free. 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.

   2. Late morning

      The National Aquarium at Al Qana

      Khor Al Maqta · 2 hours · mid-priced.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Machboos

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

   4. 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: Louvre Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat Beach

   Louvre Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat Beach, then Yas Marina Circuit in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Louvre Abu Dhabi

      Saadiyat Island · 2–3 hours · mid-priced.

   2. Late morning

      Saadiyat Beach

      Saadiyat Island · Half a day · low cost.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Harees

      Emirati restaurants and iftar buffets, especially during Ramadan.

   4. 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: Qasr Al Hosn and Emirates Palace

   Qasr Al Hosn and Emirates Palace, then Yas Bay Waterfront in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Qasr Al Hosn

      Downtown · 1.5 hours · low cost.

   2. Late morning

      Emirates Palace

      Ras Al Akhdar · 1 hour · mid-priced.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Thareed

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

   4. 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 livestock and camel market on the edge of town is a lively morning stop.

   3. Evening

      Back in Abu Dhabi

      Dinner: try Luqaimat.

5. Day 5: Observation Deck at 300 and Ferrari World

   Observation Deck at 300 and Ferrari World, then Al Maryah Island in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Observation Deck at 300

      Ras Al Akhdar · 1 hour · mid-priced.

   2. Late morning

      Ferrari World

      Yas Island · Half to a full day · expensive.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Luqaimat

      Emirati cafés, heritage festivals, iftar buffets and food stalls at events.

   4. Evening

      Al Maryah Island

      Terrace bars and restaurants along The Galleria's waterfront promenade, popular after work.

6. Day 6: Day trip to Dubai

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

   1. Morning

      Travel to Dubai

      About 1.5 hours by car or bus (Car, intercity bus or tour); about 140 km.

   2. Day

      Dubai

      Leave early to avoid motorway traffic on the way back in the evening.

   3. Evening

      Back in Abu Dhabi

      Dinner: try Balaleet.

7. Day 7: Yas Waterworld and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi

   Yas Waterworld and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, then Corniche and Ras Al Akhdar hotels in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Yas Waterworld

      Yas Island · Full day · expensive.

   2. Late morning

      Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi

      Yas Island · Full day · expensive.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Balaleet

      Emirati breakfast menus and hotel breakfast buffets with local dishes.

   4. Evening

      Corniche and Ras Al Akhdar hotels

      Rooftop and beach bars in the big hotels along the Corniche and at the western end of the island.

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 7 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 30–40 hours of visiting over 7 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
• 4 days in Abu Dhabi
• 5 days in Abu Dhabi

Questions travellers ask