Solo travel · Abu Dhabi · United Arab Emirates
Solo travel in Abu Dhabi
How to enjoy Abu Dhabi at your own pace.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: George Antony, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Abu Dhabi is an easy, low-stress city for solo travellers: street crime is low, English is spoken everywhere and taxis are inexpensive. Its pace is calmer than Dubai's, so plan around a few big sights, the beaches and the cafés. Many solo travellers base themselves in Al Zahiyah.
Key facts
- Base
- Al Zahiyah
- Getting around
- Taxi
- Emergency number
- 999 police, 998 ambulance, 997 fire
- Language
- Arabic and English
Solo travel tips
- Stay in Al Zahiyah or near the Corniche for the best-value hotels and plenty of casual places to eat alone.
- Join a small-group desert safari or mangrove kayak tour to meet other travellers.
- Solo women generally find the city comfortable; modest dress reduces unwanted attention in older districts.
- Use metered taxis or ride-hailing apps late at night rather than accepting rides from unlicensed drivers.
- Many hotel bars and cafés at Yas Bay and Al Maryah Island are relaxed places to sit alone in the evening.
Where to stay
$$ · Best for budget, solo travellers and food lovers
Al Zahiyah
Long known as the Tourist Club Area, Al Zahiyah is a dense grid of older towers, budget and mid-range hotels and South Asian, Lebanese and Filipino restaurants. Abu Dhabi Mall anchors the district, and the Corniche and Al Maryah Island are close by. It offers the best value for travellers who prefer city life to resort life.
- Good
- Lowest hotel prices on the island; Cheap, varied food; Central bus connections
- Watch out
- Older, plainer hotels; Busy traffic and limited greenery
- Nearby
- Abu Dhabi Mall, Al Maryah Island, Corniche
Great on your own
Religious site · Khor Al Maqta
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Arrive in the late afternoon to see the marble turn gold at sunset and the lighting switch on after dark.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- After dark
Museum · Saadiyat Island
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Walk the waterfront promenade under the dome at the end of your visit; the light patterns are strongest in the late afternoon.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Art
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Couples
Historic site · Downtown
Qasr Al Hosn
Visit the House of Artisans in the same compound to see Al Sadu weaving demonstrations.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Architecture · Ras Al Akhdar
Emirates Palace
Dress smart-casual; beachwear and very short clothing are not suitable in the lobby and cafés.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Architecture
- Couples
Palace · Ras Al Akhdar
Qasr Al Watan
Stay on for the evening light show on the palace façade, which needs a separate or combined ticket.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
- After dark
- Photo spot
Waterfront · Corniche
Corniche promenade and beach
Rent a bike near the western end and ride towards the Breakwater at sunset for skyline views.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Views
- Active
Meeting people
- Ramadan iftar — During Ramadan, hotels and restaurants serve lavish iftar buffets at sunset with dates, lentil soup, harees, machboos and luqaimat. Ramadan moves about 11 days earlier each year, so check the dates for your trip.
- Fish market lunch at Mina Zayed — Choose your fish at the Mina Zayed market, have it cleaned, then hand it to a nearby kitchen to be grilled or fried with spices — a lunch locals have enjoyed for decades.
- Yas Bay Waterfront — A promenade of restaurants and bars facing the water beside the Etihad Arena, which hosts big-name concerts and shows.
- Al Maryah Island — Terrace bars and restaurants along The Galleria's waterfront promenade, popular after work.
Sensible precautions
Street crime is low, and the main risks are heat, sun and road traffic. Drink plenty of water, avoid long outdoor walks at midday from April to October, and take care crossing wide roads. Local laws on public behaviour, drugs and alcohol are strict, so respect them.
- Emergency number
- 999 police, 998 ambulance, 997 fire
- Staying connected
- Free Wi-Fi is common in malls, hotels and many public places, and tourist SIMs and eSIMs are easy to buy at the airport. Some internet calling apps are restricted.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Abu Dhabi good for solo travellers?
Abu Dhabi is an easy, low-stress city for solo travellers: street crime is low, English is spoken everywhere and taxis are inexpensive. Its pace is calmer than Dubai's, so plan around a few big sights, the beaches and the cafés.
+Where should solo travellers stay in Abu Dhabi?
Al Zahiyah: Older downtown blocks, Abu Dhabi Mall and inexpensive restaurants on the north-east shore.