5 Things To Do in Abu Dhabi

While Abu Dhabi is traditionally looked at as a smaller and older city than it’s big flashy sister city of Dubai, it definitely holds its own. As the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it holds a sense of history and governmental grandness. A day or two is sufficient for a leisurely exploration, but if you’re seeking adrenaline-pumping thrills at Warner Brothers World or Ferrari World on Yas Island, consider extending your stay for these attractions. 

Transportation In Abu Dhabi

After arriving at Abu Dhabi International Airport, there are a few ways to get into the city. Either a public bus, taxi or pre-arranged pick up from your hotel/resort. We opted for the public transportation bus as it is an affordable journey to the Corniche. The buses don’t take cash. Instead you’ll have to purchase a ticket inside the airport on your way out to the bus. Keep in mind that seating is limited on these coach buses, so once the seats are full, they do not allow standing room so you’ll have to wait for the next bus. Once in the city, taxis and ride-hailing apps like Careem offer convenient transportation options throughout. Walking is also feasible thanks to decent sidewalks through most of the city. 

Where to Stay 

This all depends on what you want to do. If you want to walk around and explore the city, then we recommend staying anywhere along Corniche Street or within a few blocks as you can walk anywhere from here. There is every style of hotel from cheap rooms to luxury penthouses. If you want to sit on a beach and enjoy resort life, you are in luck. Abu Dhabi is actually an archipelago made up of over 200 islands. Many amazing resorts have features like private islands or beach front villas (Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas ), offering everything from nature tranquility (Jannah Eastern Mangroves Suites) to wild thrills and excitement of Yas Island. So choose the style of resort you want and enjoy!

5 Things To Do in Abu Dhabi 

1. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

No visit to Abu Dhabi is complete without marveling at the architectural masterpiece of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. It’s farther away from the city and the main drag Corniche area but it’s worth the drive. It’s free to enter. You need to register for a ticket either before you come or when you arrive. You actually enter via an escalator going down underground. It will drop you in a mall first with a few fast food restaurants and shops that sell abayas (a robe like garment worn to cover the wrists and ankles). If you don’t have a ticket yet, turn right at the bottom of the escalators and go to the end of the food court. There will be 10 iPads set up where you can register for free tickets. The signs are not good pointing you to the iPads but the hosts at the info desk will know where to send you. Then walk all the way back, past the escalators to the far other side to find the entrance. This side has lots of signs to point you to the entrance. The dress code is VERY STRICT. See their website for clarification and definitely wear what they suggest. We saw many people get turned away because of improper clothing (not covering wrists, ankles, and hair for women). They also don’t allow food or drink so don’t stock up before you go. 

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is incredible. It’s stunning and gorgeous with white marble and intricately decorated stone flowers and geometric patterns. Take time and go slowly through here appreciating all the architecture. There are many wonderful photo opts as well. Remember you are in a mosque so follow the signs and rules. You are allowed to walk through many areas but if you are a non-Muslim, you are not allowed to go into the prayer halls during prayer times. Don’t worry, someone will inform you not to enter if you forget.

2. Abu Dhabi’s Corniche

Back to the city, the Corniche offers a pleasant beachside walk. At almost 9 km long, there is a lot to explore. Starting on the south side, the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental has one of the most stunning entrance and hotel lobbies. It’s worth checking out and taking a walk through even if you aren’t staying here. Continue up the street to The Founder’s Memorial which is a very peaceful park with sculptures and a giant memorial dedicated to the founder of the UAE. Head out to the peninsula for Marina Mall Abu Dhabi, a beautiful mall and Emirates Heritage Village which is an immersive experience showcasing UAE’s past including a souq, a mosque, a place to watch people make pottery and spices. It’s free and worth it to check out. 

Back on the Corniche, the Corniche Beach and Abu Dhabi Beach take up most of the rest of the Corniche. The beach is split into different sections. Some are free entrances and some are paid entrances. Follow the signs to know which is which. Also there is a section reserved for just families. Either way it’s a great place to make a day at the beach! Do be prepared as most of the shops, restaurants, and even little market stores are further inland so you’ll have to cross the Corniche Road or bring everything you need with you. 

The final section up north has a beautiful walking path and many places to sit and watch the sunset. Definitely recommend you catch a sunset at the Corniche as the colors are stunning over the water. 

3. Al Mina Peninsula

This little peninsula of Al Mina seems unassuming but there are some pretty cool things out here. It’s not completed yet so you’ll have to walk around the construction sites for now. The Mina Market is a large fresh fish market selling the local morning catch. It is a fun place to eat because you can pick your fresh fish from the variety of vendors and then a restaurant on the outside of the market will cook it up to perfection for you. If you do venture out this way, the Dates Market does have some pretty delicious dates. All the stores will offer you a free taste of their goods before you buy. Be aware that it will feel like you just walked into rows of stores in an unfinished construction site. 421 Arts Campus is a free small art museum that’s worth a look around. They have rotating displays of art work so check their site for what’s on display. And they have a cute coffee shop in the museum if you need a coffee break. 

Nestled at the peninsula’s end is a small modern strip of cute shops and restaurants called Souq Al Mina. It’s about a 2 km walk/drive through old abandoned warehouses which will make you question if you are going to the right place, you are, don’t worry. Here we recommend a restaurant called Brisket for amazing American BBQ. For a refreshing pick-me-up, try the kombucha flight at Yala. 

4. Saadiyat Island 

Saadiyat Island is where Abu Dhabi’s museum, education, cultural institutions and collections live. There are three very impressive sites right now and 4 more coming soon. 

Be sure to visit the breathtaking Louvre Abu Dhabi. In an unprecedented collaboration, the renowned Louvre from Paris has lent its name to this art museum in Abu Dhabi for a 30-year period. The architectural marvel of the building’s exterior is matched only by the awe-inspiring treasures housed within. A visit to the Louvre Abu Dhabi offers a welcome respite from the scorching heat, providing a cool and shaded sanctuary to explore during the hot days.

Berklee Abu Dhabi is the UAE branch of the famous Berklee College of Music in Boston. There are world renowned musicians practicing and honing their craft every day. Check to see if a show or performance is available. Just across the street is the Manarat Al Saadiyat which is not only an art museum but a public cultural space hosting two of the biggest art events in the area. 

Future projects include Zayed National Museum, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, and TeamLab. So keep an eye out for new and exciting openings and exhibits! 

5. Yas Island

Looking for an adventure land for kids and adults? Look no further than Yas Island. This place literally has it all. Pick from any of the amazing 9 hotels on the island so you are close to the action. 

Etihad Arena and Du Arena host big name concerts like Beyonce, Madonna, Rolling Stones, and many comedy shows. Yas Marina Circuit which hosts the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Ferrari World is a car themed theme park with the world’s fastest rollercoaster. You can even drive a Ferrari if you want to spend the money! Yas Waterworld is a water park with tons of rides, the largest surfable sheet wave in the world, and tons of slides and pools. Warner Brothers World is a theme park, organized into 6 themed lands based on movies like Gotham City, Metropolis, Cartoon Junction, and Bedrock. With thrilling rides, you can spend a whole day here! SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is a great place to get up close and personal with the sea animals with over 100,000 marine animals split into 8 different zones. Clymb Abu Dhabi includes the world’s tallest indoor climbing wall and the world’s widest wind tunnel. 

And if this isn’t enough, the Yas Mall, the Yas Links Golf Course, and the Yas Gateway Park, will definitely have something for everyone. As you can see, Yas Island has thrills for days and so much to explore! 

In conclusion, these five things to do in Abu Dhabi cater to a diverse array of tourists, offering something for everyone. Whether you’re craving a lively concert scene or seeking serenity at an all-inclusive beach resort, this city has you covered.