Things to do · Abu Dhabi · United Arab Emirates
19 best things to do in Abu Dhabi
19 sights and experiences ranked for a first visit, with honest notes on time, cost and crowds.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Chris Down, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
The essential sights in Abu Dhabi are Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi and Qasr Al Hosn. Of the 19 picks below, 4 are free, 7 work on a rainy day and 9 suit children. Allow about 4 days to see the highlights without rushing.
Key facts
- Top sight
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
- Free sights
- 4
- Good on a rainy day
- Louvre Abu Dhabi
- Time to see the highlights
- 4 days
At a glance
| Sight | Area | Time needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque | Khor Al Maqta | 1.5–2 hours | Free |
| Louvre Abu Dhabi | Saadiyat Island | 2–3 hours | Mid-priced |
| Qasr Al Hosn | Downtown | 1.5 hours | Low cost |
| Emirates Palace | Ras Al Akhdar | 1 hour | Mid-priced |
| Ferrari World | Yas Island | Half to a full day | Expensive |
| Yas Marina Circuit | Yas Island | 1–2 hours | Mid-priced |
| Qasr Al Watan | Ras Al Akhdar | 2–3 hours | Mid-priced |
| Corniche promenade and beach | Corniche | 1–3 hours | Free |
| Observation Deck at 300 | Ras Al Akhdar | 1 hour | Mid-priced |
| Yas Waterworld | Yas Island | Full day | Expensive |
| Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi | Yas Island | Full day | Expensive |
| SeaWorld Abu Dhabi | Yas Island | Full day | Expensive |
| Saadiyat Beach | Saadiyat Island | Half a day | Low cost |
| Mangrove kayaking at Eastern Mangroves | Eastern Mangroves | 1.5–2 hours | Mid-priced |
| Jubail Mangrove Park | Jubail Island | 1 hour | Low cost |
| Heritage Village | Breakwater | 1 hour | Free |
| Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital | Sweihan Road | 2 hours | Mid-priced |
| The National Aquarium at Al Qana | Khor Al Maqta | 2 hours | Mid-priced |
| Mina Zayed fish and dates markets | Al Mina | 1–1.5 hours | Free |
The 19 best things to do
Religious site · Khor Al Maqta
1.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. Non-Muslim visitors are welcome outside prayer times, and the free visitor centre explains its design and the life of Sheikh Zayed, who is buried beside it.
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
- Book ahead
- 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.
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- After dark
Museum · Saadiyat Island
2.Louvre Abu Dhabi
Jean Nouvel's museum sits under a 180-metre steel dome whose layered latticework scatters light like sun through palm fronds. The galleries tell a single story of human civilisation, placing ancient, Asian, Islamic and European works side by side, with loans from French museums alongside the permanent collection. A dedicated Children's Museum offers hands-on exhibits.
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
3.Qasr Al Hosn
Abu Dhabi's oldest stone building began as an 18th-century watchtower guarding the island's freshwater well and grew into the ruling family's fort. Restored and reopened as a museum, it traces the city's history from pearl diving to oil. The adjoining House of Artisans shows Emirati weaving and crafts, and the Cultural Foundation next door hosts exhibitions.
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
4.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. 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.
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
Theme park · Yas Island
5.Ferrari World
Under a vast red roof, this mostly indoor park is home to Formula Rossa, one of the fastest roller coasters in the world at 240 km/h, plus gentler rides, driving simulators and a gallery of Ferrari cars. Being air-conditioned, it works year-round, including in the summer heat.
Ride Formula Rossa early, before queues build, and bring nothing loose; goggles are provided.
- Time needed
- Half to a full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Active
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Experience · Yas Island
6.Yas Marina Circuit
The Formula 1 circuit, which runs partly under the W Abu Dhabi hotel, hosts the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, usually the final race of the F1 season. Outside race week you can take guided track tours or book driving and passenger experiences, and on set evenings the track opens to cyclists and runners.
If you only want to see the track, a guided tour is far less expensive than a driving experience.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Active
- After dark
- Iconic
Palace · Ras Al Akhdar
7.Qasr Al Watan
A working presidential palace opened to visitors in 2019, Qasr Al Watan has a Great Hall under a vast central dome, ceremonial meeting rooms, a library of Arab manuscripts and exhibits on Emirati governance and science. The white granite and limestone gardens face the sea, and an evening light-and-sound show is projected on the façade.
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
8.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. Corniche Beach has calm, shallow water with lifeguards; some sections, including family areas, charge a small entry fee. In the evening the promenade fills with families and joggers once the heat drops.
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
Viewpoint · Ras Al Akhdar
1.Observation Deck at 300
On the 74th floor of Etihad Towers, about 300 metres up, the observation deck looks over Emirates Palace, the Corniche and the open Gulf. A café serves drinks and afternoon tea beside the windows.
Go about an hour before sunset to see the city in daylight and as the Corniche lights up.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
Theme park · Yas Island
2.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. It is the most popular way to beat the heat on Yas Island from spring to autumn.
Arrive at opening in summer and claim a shaded cabana or lounger before midday.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Active
Theme park · Yas Island
3.Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi
An indoor theme park opened in 2018 with themed lands based on Gotham City, Metropolis, Cartoon Junction and Bedrock, mixing gentle rides for small children with coasters and live shows. Because it is fully enclosed and air-conditioned, it is one of the best family options in the hottest months.
Families with young children can spend most of the day in Cartoon Junction and Bedrock, where rides have lower height limits.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Rainy day
Aquarium · Yas Island
4.SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
Opened in 2023, this indoor marine-life park on Yas Island is organised into ocean realms, from the Arctic to a tropical reef and Abu Dhabi's own coastal waters, with a large central aquarium, rides and shows. It is the first SeaWorld park without orcas and includes a marine research and rescue centre.
Check the day's show schedule on arrival and plan the realms around the shows you want to see.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
Beach · Saadiyat Island
5.Saadiyat Beach
Several kilometres of fine white sand backed by protected dunes make Saadiyat the city's most natural 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.
Combine a morning at the Louvre Abu Dhabi with an afternoon here; the two are about 10 minutes apart by taxi.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Nature
Nature · Eastern Mangroves
6.Mangrove kayaking at Eastern Mangroves
The mangrove channels along the island's eastern shore, protected as Mangrove National Park, are best explored by kayak or paddleboard. Guided trips from the Eastern Mangroves promenade pass herons, crabs and young fish in the roots, with the city's towers rising behind. Tours run year-round, timed for the tide.
Book a sunrise or late-afternoon tour; in summer the midday glare off the water is intense.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Active
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
Nature · Jubail Island
7.Jubail Mangrove Park
Raised wooden boardwalks wind through the mangrove forest on Jubail Island, between Saadiyat and Yas, with signs explaining the coastal ecosystem. It is a low-effort way to see mangroves, crabs and wading birds, and suits families with children and pushchairs.
Visit at high tide, when water fills the channels beneath the boardwalk and wildlife is more active.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
Historic site · Breakwater
8.Heritage Village
A reconstructed oasis village on the Breakwater shows life before oil: palm-frond barasti houses, a souq, falaj irrigation channels and craftspeople working on pottery and weaving. Entry is free, and the seafront walkway gives one of the best views back across the water to the Corniche skyline.
Come in the late afternoon and stay for the skyline lighting up across the water.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Kids
- Views
Experience · Sweihan Road
9.Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital
The emirate's specialist falcon hospital treats thousands of birds a year, and its guided tours take visitors through the examination rooms and free-flight aviary, where you can hold a falcon on a gloved arm. It is an insight into falconry, one of the most respected Emirati traditions.
It is near the airport, so it fits well on an arrival or departure day.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Book ahead
- Visits are by guided tour only; book ahead through the hospital.
- Kids
- Off the beaten path
- History
- Nature
Aquarium · Khor Al Maqta
10.The National Aquarium at Al Qana
On the Al Qana waterfront near the Grand Mosque, the aquarium follows marine life from the UAE's own coasts out to the world's oceans, with sharks, rays and turtles in large walk-through tanks. The surrounding Al Qana promenade has restaurants and a cinema.
Pair it with an evening visit to the Grand Mosque, about five minutes away by taxi.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
Market · Al Mina
11.Mina Zayed fish and dates markets
Around the old port at Mina Zayed, the fish market sells the morning's hammour, kingfish and prawns, and counters nearby will clean your purchase and fry or grill it for a small fee. Neighbouring stalls sell dates, fruit and plants. It is the city's most local food experience.
Go in the morning, when the catch is freshest, and agree the cooking price before you hand over your fish.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- Off the beaten path
- Free
Pick by interest
| Interest | Best picks |
|---|---|
| Art and museums | Louvre Abu Dhabi |
| History | Qasr Al Watan, Qasr Al Hosn, Heritage Village and Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital |
| Views | Corniche promenade and beach, Observation Deck at 300 and Heritage Village |
| Outdoors and nature | Corniche promenade and beach, Yas Waterworld, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat Beach |
| Food and markets | Mina Zayed fish and dates markets |
| After dark | Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan and Yas Marina Circuit |
| With children | Corniche promenade and beach, Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi |
| On a rainy day | Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Watan, Qasr Al Hosn and Ferrari World |
What to book ahead
- 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.
- Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital: Visits are by guided tour only; book ahead through the hospital.
Plan the rest of your trip
Questions travellers ask
+What is the number one thing to do in Abu Dhabi?
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.
+What can you do for free in Abu Dhabi?
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Corniche promenade and beach, Heritage Village and Mina Zayed fish and dates markets. More free things to do.
+What is there to do in Abu Dhabi when it rains?
Head indoors to Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Watan, Qasr Al Hosn and Ferrari World.
+What is there to do in Abu Dhabi at night?
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan and Yas Marina Circuit are best after dark.