Abu Dhabi
The UAE capital as a relaxed day trip from Dubai: the Grand Mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Watan and an easy afternoon on the Corniche.
In this guide
When to go and how to time the day
November to March brings highs of 24 to 30°C, which makes the mosque courtyards and the Corniche pleasant on foot. In summer, start early and spend the middle of the day inside the Louvre Abu Dhabi or Qasr Al Watan.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque welcomes visitors most of the day, but on Fridays it opens to tourists only after midday prayers, so we avoid Friday mornings. It is at its most beautiful in the late afternoon, when the white marble turns gold, and after dark under its lunar lighting. During Ramadan, visiting hours are shorter and we plan the day around iftar.
Day trips from Dubai
The drive takes 75 to 90 minutes each way on the E11, depending on traffic and where you are collected. Our Abu Dhabi city tour covers the mosque, Qasr Al Watan, a drive along the Corniche and a stop at the Heritage Village, guided by Fatima Zahra Benali or Mohammed Tahir. Culture lovers can swap the palace for the Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island; families often prefer an afternoon at Yas Island's theme parks.
With two days, stay one night and add Al Ain: the UNESCO-listed oasis, the camel market and the switchback road up Jebel Hafeet, about 90 minutes inland from the capital.
Things to do
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, with its 82 domes and one of the world's largest hand-knotted carpets
- Qasr Al Watan, the presidential palace, and its evening light and sound show
- Louvre Abu Dhabi under its latticed dome on Saadiyat Island
- Qasr Al Hosn, the city's oldest stone building and the birthplace of the capital
- Kayaking in the Mangrove National Park at the eastern edge of the city
- Saadiyat Beach for a quiet afternoon swim
- Yas Island theme parks, waterpark and the Yas Marina Circuit
- Al Ain Oasis and Jebel Hafeet on an extended day
Practical tips
At the mosque, women need loose clothing covering arms and legs, plus a headscarf; men need long trousers. Our guides carry spare abayas, but bringing your own is more comfortable. Shorts and sleeveless tops are not allowed inside Qasr Al Watan either. Drink plenty of water, wear shoes you can slip off quickly and carry ID, as some sites check it at entry. The tour includes lunch at a local restaurant, halal like all food in the emirate.
Things to book in Abu Dhabi
A full day in the capital with a licensed guide: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan, the Corniche and a Louvre Abu Dhabi stop, with pickup from Dubai.
A small-group day in the Hajar Mountains: kayaking on the turquoise Hatta Dam, the heritage village, a honey bee garden and the mountain roads, with lunch.
Cross into Oman at Dibba and spend the day on a wooden dhow in the fjords of Musandam, with two swim stops, snorkelling, dolphin chances and lunch on board.
Abu Dhabi: questions we are asked
Do visitors need a separate visa for Abu Dhabi?
How long is the Abu Dhabi tour from Dubai?
What should we wear to the Grand Mosque?
Is Abu Dhabi worth an overnight stay?
Is the Abu Dhabi tour suitable for children?
What is the weather like in Abu Dhabi in April?
Travellers back from Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque was breathtaking, and Saeed explained the marble inlay, the carpet and the chandeliers in a way that made us look properly. Then Qasr Al Watan, the Louvre Abu Dhabi from outside and a drive along the Corniche. Abayas were provided for my wife at the mosque.
A great day with a knowledgeable guide. The drive from Dubai is long though, around ninety minutes each way, and with traffic on the way back it was closer to two hours. The mosque at golden hour and the library inside Qasr Al Watan made it worthwhile.
My parents were visiting from Cairo and the Grand Mosque was the one thing they asked for. Fatima found my mother a quiet corner to pray and walked slowly with my father the whole day. Heritage Village, fresh dates and a long look at the Corniche from the breakwater.
