Where to stay · Abu Dhabi · United Arab Emirates
Where to stay in Abu Dhabi
7 neighbourhoods compared, with the trade-offs hotel listings don't tell you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Peturrunar, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
For a first visit, stay in Corniche and Al Khalidiyah. Beachfront promenade, tower hotels and parks along the island's north-western shore. Best alternatives — budget: Al Zahiyah; nightlife: Yas Island.
Key facts
- First visit
- Corniche and Al Khalidiyah
- Families
- Corniche and Al Khalidiyah
- Budget
- Al Zahiyah
- Nightlife
- Yas Island
Best area for each kind of trip
| Trip type | Area | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-timers | Corniche and Al Khalidiyah | Beachfront promenade, tower hotels and parks along the island's north-western shore |
| Families | Corniche and Al Khalidiyah | Beachfront promenade, tower hotels and parks along the island's north-western shore |
| Couples | Ras Al Akhdar and the Breakwater | Palace hotels and landmark towers at the western tip of the island |
| Budget | Al Zahiyah | Older downtown blocks, Abu Dhabi Mall and inexpensive restaurants on the north-east shore |
| Luxury | Ras Al Akhdar and the Breakwater | Palace hotels and landmark towers at the western tip of the island |
| Nightlife | Yas Island | Theme parks, the F1 circuit, Yas Mall and a waterfront dining strip |
| Food lovers | Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands | Glass towers, The Galleria mall and waterfront promenades beside downtown |
| Solo travellers | Al Zahiyah | Older downtown blocks, Abu Dhabi Mall and inexpensive restaurants on the north-east shore |
| Shopping | Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands | Glass towers, The Galleria mall and waterfront promenades beside downtown |
| Quiet stays | Saadiyat Island | Museum district and a long natural beach about 15 minutes north-east of downtown |
| Beach | Corniche and Al Khalidiyah | Beachfront promenade, tower hotels and parks along the island's north-western shore |
Abu Dhabi neighbourhoods in detail
$$$ · Best for first-timers, families and beach
Corniche and Al Khalidiyah
The Corniche runs for about 8 kilometres beside the sea, with a cycle path, lifeguarded beach sections and lawns where families picnic in the evening. Hotels here put you near Qasr Al Hosn, Marina Mall and the Heritage Village, and the restaurant streets of Al Khalidiyah are a short walk inland. It is the most walkable base in the city during the cooler months.
- Good
- Beach and promenade on the doorstep; Central for downtown sights; Wide choice of mid-range hotels
- Watch out
- About 30–40 minutes by taxi from the airport and Yas Island; Evening traffic on the Corniche road
- Nearby
- Corniche Beach, Qasr Al Hosn, Marina Mall, Heritage Village
$$$$ · Best for luxury, couples and beach
Ras Al Akhdar and the Breakwater
The western end of the island holds Emirates Palace, the Etihad Towers and the Qasr Al Watan presidential palace, with the Breakwater and its Heritage Village facing the Corniche skyline. Hotels here are among the grandest in the Gulf, with private beaches and long pools. It suits travellers who plan to spend much of the day at the hotel.
- Good
- Landmark hotels with private beaches; Next to Qasr Al Watan; Sunset views along the Corniche
- Watch out
- Very expensive; Few independent restaurants within walking distance
- Nearby
- Emirates Palace, Qasr Al Watan, Etihad Towers, Heritage Village
$$$$ · Best for luxury, couples, beach, culture and quiet stays
Saadiyat Island
Saadiyat Island combines the Saadiyat Cultural District, home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, with a long white-sand beach backed by low-rise resorts and a golf course. Hawksbill turtles nest on parts of the beach, which is protected by dunes. It is quieter and greener than the city centre and well placed for both culture and beach days.
- Good
- Beach resorts near the Louvre; Calm and uncrowded; Natural dunes and clear water
- Watch out
- High room rates; You need taxis for almost everything else
- Nearby
- Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Beach, Manarat Al Saadiyat
$$$ · Best for families, nightlife and first-timers
Yas Island
Yas Island, about 10 minutes from Zayed International Airport and 25 minutes from downtown, is built around leisure: Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World, SeaWorld, the Yas Marina Circuit and Yas Mall. Hotels range from mid-range to resort, and the free Yas Express buses link them with the parks. Yas Bay Waterfront adds restaurants, bars and the Etihad Arena concert venue.
- Good
- Walk or shuttle to the theme parks; Close to the airport; Good mid-range family hotels
- Watch out
- About 25–30 minutes from the Grand Mosque and downtown; Feels purpose-built rather than local
- Nearby
- Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World, Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Mall
$$$$ · Best for luxury, shopping and food lovers
Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands
These two islands just off the north-east of the main island form Abu Dhabi's newer business district. The Galleria on Al Maryah Island has upscale shops and terrace restaurants along the waterfront promenade, and several international luxury hotel brands sit beside it. Bridges make downtown a short taxi ride away.
- Good
- Polished hotels and dining; Short ride to downtown; Waterfront promenades for evening walks
- Watch out
- Business-district feel at weekends; No real beach
- Nearby
- The Galleria Al Maryah Island, Al Reem Island, Corniche
$$$ · Best for couples, families and first-timers
Khor Al Maqta
The area between the bridges at the southern entrance to the island has resort hotels along the Khor Al Maqta creek, the canal-side Souk Qaryat Al Beri and views of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The mosque, Al Qana's aquarium and the road to Yas Island are all within 10–15 minutes. It is a practical base for a short stay that focuses on the mosque and Yas.
- Good
- Grand Mosque views; Between downtown and Yas Island; Waterside restaurants
- Watch out
- Little to walk to outside the resorts; Taxi needed for downtown sights
- Nearby
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Souk Qaryat Al Beri, Al Qana
$$ · Best for budget, solo travellers and food lovers
Al Zahiyah
Long known as the Tourist Club Area, Al Zahiyah is a dense grid of older towers, budget and mid-range hotels and South Asian, Lebanese and Filipino restaurants. Abu Dhabi Mall anchors the district, and the Corniche and Al Maryah Island are close by. It offers the best value for travellers who prefer city life to resort life.
- Good
- Lowest hotel prices on the island; Cheap, varied food; Central bus connections
- Watch out
- Older, plainer hotels; Busy traffic and limited greenery
- Nearby
- Abu Dhabi Mall, Al Maryah Island, Corniche
Areas compared
| Area | Price | Nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Corniche and Al Khalidiyah | $$$ | Corniche Beach, Qasr Al Hosn, Marina Mall, Heritage Village |
| Ras Al Akhdar and the Breakwater | $$$$ | Emirates Palace, Qasr Al Watan, Etihad Towers, Heritage Village |
| Saadiyat Island | $$$$ | Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Beach, Manarat Al Saadiyat |
| Yas Island | $$$ | Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World, Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Mall |
| Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands | $$$$ | The Galleria Al Maryah Island, Al Reem Island, Corniche |
| Khor Al Maqta | $$$ | Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Souk Qaryat Al Beri, Al Qana |
| Al Zahiyah | $$ | Abu Dhabi Mall, Al Maryah Island, Corniche |
Getting to your hotel
Zayed International Airport (AUH) is about 30 km from the Corniche; taxis take about 30–40 minutes to downtown and about 10–15 minutes to Yas Island, and public buses run to the city centre. Some travellers fly into Dubai International instead, about 130 km and 1.5–2 hours away by road.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best area to stay in Abu Dhabi for first-time visitors?
Corniche and Al Khalidiyah. The Corniche runs for about 8 kilometres beside the sea, with a cycle path, lifeguarded beach sections and lawns where families picnic in the evening.
+Where should families stay in Abu Dhabi?
Corniche and Al Khalidiyah: Beach and promenade on the doorstep.
+Which area of Abu Dhabi is best for a budget stay?
Al Zahiyah ($$): Older downtown blocks, Abu Dhabi Mall and inexpensive restaurants on the north-east shore.