About Abu Dhabi

Ideal Trip Duration: 2-3 Days

Nearest City to Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi

Best Time to Visit Abu Dhabi: November to March

Peak Season: December to January

At a distance of 127 km from Dubai, 155 km from Sharjah, and 560 km from Qatar, Abu Dhabi is the capital and the second-most populous city of the United Arab Emirates after Dubai. It is also the capital of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and among the popular destinations to visit as part of the Dubai Tour Packages.

The largest of the seven emirates of UAE, the city of Abu Dhabi is located on an island in the Persian Gulf, off the Central West Coast. Abu Dhabi is the home of the United Arab Emirates Government and the Supreme Petroleum Council. The city is home to the President of the UAE, who is a member of the Al Nahyan family. It is the country's center of politics and industry, and a major culture and commerce center. Abu Dhabi accounts for about two-thirds of the roughly $400 billion UAE economy.

One of the richest cities in the world, Abu Dhabi is a perfect example of a modern Gulf oil-city that has evolved from being a fishing village to a megacity in just a few decades. With its rich past tracing back to 3000 BC, Abu Dhabi was a modest village in a desert housing stone huts and hundreds of palm trees. The new shining city of Abu Dhabi started evolving with the discovery of oil during the 1950s, which happened to be 10% of the world's oil reserve. Abu Dhabi's rapid development and urbanization, coupled with the massive oil and gas reserves and production and relatively high average income, have transformed it into a large, developed metropolis.

Abu Dhabi is a collage of magnificent architecture, stunning beaches, traditional and cultural monuments, adventure-sport destinations and premium ultramodern shopping plazas. The city has preserved its distinct Arabian culture amidst its glitz and glamour. The desert city is also home to some of the most beautiful mosques and rustic old towns displaying its rich desert-trader past. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Emirates Park Zoo, Ferrari World, Etihad Towers, Qasr Al-Hosn Fort, Al Jahili Fort, Al Ain Palace Museum, Saadiyat Public Beach, Sir Bani Yas Island, Heritage Village, Yas Mall, Heritage Village, etc. are some of the must include places in Abu Dhabi Tour Packages. The city is also known for its shopping and adventure opportunities like Desert Safari, Sky-diving, Kayaking, and wakeboarding, etc.

The nightlife of Abu Dhabi is equally active and jazzy with its many fantastic options for bars and clubs. One can enjoy live music, themed bars and some very luxurious clubs in Abu Dhabi. Although there are strict rules to follow while purchasing alcohol, serving alcohol is not an issue at these various bars and clubs. However, those on a visitor's visa are hardly asked for the license even when purchasing alcohol. For men, there is a strict dress code in bars. They cannot enter if they're wearing sandals, flip-flops or shorts. There are special Ladies' nights at various bars and clubs where free drinks are served to women.

The cultural capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi hosts an array of varied festivals and events throughout the year. Eid ul Fitr, Eid ul Adha, Abu Dhabi Festival, National Day Festival, Abu Dhabi International Dance Festival and Abu Dhabi Shopping Festival are some of the famous festivals celebrated in Abu Dhabi.

Arabs are very particular about their dress code, which is followed almost similarly throughout the United Arab Emirates. Foreigners are free to practice their religion and dress in a liberal manner as long as it is modest and does not reveal too much skin. Public display of affection is not accepted anywhere in UAE, although the presence of people from various ethnic groups has to lead the acceptance of other social customs such as a man and a woman holding hands. However, it is advised to avoid any such practices just to be cautious.

Abu Dhabi International Airport has well flight connectivity with around 85 cities in about 49 countries. It is the second busiest airport in UAE after Dubai airport, offering great connectivity from almost all parts of the world. Several direct flights connect Abu Dhabi to India. One can reach Abu Dhabi by taxi or bus from Dubai or any other place in the UAE. Local transport in Abu Dhabi is well-planned and offers a number of options to move around locally in the city such as buses, taxis, ferries, and hydroplanes.

Like other Emirates, the weather of Abu Dhabi also remains hot all-year-round. However, November to March is the best season to visit Abu Dhabi when the temperature is cool and suitable for sightseeing. The summer season lasts in Abu Dhabi from April- September while June, July, and August are the hottest months with high temperatures combined with unpleasant humidity.

...read more

Other Info
Internet Availability: Good
STD Code: 00-971-2
Languages Spoken: Arabic, English, Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, & Somali
Major Festivals: Eid ul Fitr, Eid Al Adha & Abu Dhabi Festival
Notes/Tips:
None

How to Reach Abu Dhabi

By Air

Nearest Airport: Abu Dhabi - Abu Dhabi International Airport (1 Kms)

By Train

Nearest Train Station: Dubai (127 Kms)

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station (32 Kms)

Top 11 Places to Visit in Abu Dhabi

Pilgrimage

#1 of 26 Places to Visit in Abu Dhabi

At a distance of 19 km from Abu Dhabi Airport, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a sacred mosque located in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. This is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates and among the prime places to visit in Abu Dhabi.

Reckoned to be one of the largest mosques in the world, Grand Mosque serves as an impressive landmark to the beautiful city of Abu Dhabi and the key place of worship for daily, Friday and Eid prayers. The mosque was built by the first president of UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to convey historic consequence and to embody the Islamic message of peace, tolerance, and diversity. The construction of the mosque began in 1996 and was completed in 2007.

Designed by Syrian architect Yousef Abdelky, the architecture of this marvelous masterpiece is influenced by Alexandrian, Mughal, and Persian mosque of Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi in Egypt and Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan. Its archways are quintessentially Moorish, .....

...read more

Adventure

#2 of 26 Places to Visit in Abu Dhabi

At a distance of 11 km from Abu Dhabi International Airport, Ferrari World is an indoor theme park located on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. It is the largest indoor theme park in the world and among top places to visit in Abu Dhabi as part of the Dubai Tour.

Counted among the top amusement parks of the world, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi was constructed in 2010 to celebrate 'the spirit of the Ferrari brand.' It is the world's first Ferrari 'themed' park and has the record for the largest space frame structure ever built. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi was named the 'Middle East's Leading Tourist Attraction' at the World Travel Awards 2015 & 2016. In 2017 & 2018, it was named as the 'Middle East's Leading Theme Park' at the World Travel Awards as well as the 'Middle East's Best Theme Park ' by the Middle East and North Africa Leisure and Attraction Council (MENALAC) for 2018, in addition to receiving the World's Leading Theme Park at the World Travel .....

...read more

Nature

#3 of 26 Places to Visit in Abu Dhabi

At a distance of 18 km from Abu Dhabi International Airport, Emirates Park Zoo is a wildlife park located just off the highway to Dubai, at Al Bahia locality of Abu Dhabi. It is one of the top places to visit in Abu Dhabi.

The Emirates Park Zoo opened up as a small feeding farm in 2008 and is Abu Dhabi's first private zoo. It was expanded into a full-blown zoo in 2012. Since then the management has worked hard at maintaining the zoo to high standards and adding attractions to bring in more visitors over the years. The Emirates Park Zoo is home to more than 1,400 species of animals, including birds, reptiles, mammals and other wildlife. It is one of the best places to take your kids in Abu Dhabi and provides for lively entertainment for the adults too.

The zoo is divided into different zones namely Camel Farm, Crocodile Pool, Hippo House, Birds of Prey, Mammal Cave, Equine Enclosure, Giraffe Park, Bird Park, Reptile House, Snake Alley, and Bear Cave. There is also a Primate .....

...read more

Museum

#4 of 26 Places to Visit in Abu Dhabi

At a distance of 37 km from Abu Dhabi Airport, Louvre Abu Dhabi is an art and civilization museum, located on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi. It is the most spectacular museum in the Middle East and among the prime Abu Dhabi Tourist Places.

The iconic Louvre Abu Dhabi is the first universal museum in the Arab World that translates the spirit of openness of cultures. The museum was inaugurated on 8th November 2017 by French President Emmanuel Macron and United Arab Emirates Vice President Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum along with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The museum is part of a thirty-year agreement between the city of Abu Dhabi and the French government. The museum is part of a USD. 27 billion tourist and cultural development for Saadiyat Island, a complex which is planned to include three other museums, including a Guggenheim Museum and the Zayed National Museum.

The Louvre was designed by French architect Jean Nouvel and was constructed below .....

...read more

Miscellaneous

#5 of 26 Places to Visit in Abu Dhabi

At a distance of 36 km from Abu Dhabi International Airport, Observation Deck at 300 is a vantage point located at Etihad Tower, Abu Dhabi. It is the highest vantage point in Abu Dhabi and among the must-visit Abu Dhabi Tourist Places.

Observation Deck at 300 is located on level 74 of Tower Two of the Jumeirah at Etihad Towers complex. Being the highest vantage point in Abu Dhabi, it can provide a 360-degree panoramic view of the city's skyline, the Corniche, and the Arabian Gulf. As the name suggests, the Observation Deck is located 300 meters above ground, which makes it the highest vantage point in the city. Visitors will get great views of Abu Dhabi from the Observation Deck at 300, so bring a camera! The sunsets are also pretty spectacular, so consider timing your visit so that you're at the top when the sun dips below the horizon.

There is an entry fee for non-guests of the hotel, but the ticket price can be redeemed for food and drink from the observation deck's restaurant, .....

...read more

Wildlife

#6 of 26 Places to Visit in Abu Dhabi

At a distance of 27 km from Abu Dhabi International Airport, Mangrove National Park is a fantastic ecological environment located near Abu Dhabi Coastal area. It is one of the best places to experience nature in all its glory in Abu Dhabi.

Protected by the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD), the Abu Dhabi Mangrove National Park covers over 19 sq. km of protected coastal mangrove forests. The park comprises of a whopping 75% of the total mangrove forested area in the United Arab Emirates and is a biodiversity hotspot that includes mangrove forests, salt marshes, mudflats, and algal communities. Most often found growing in the sea waters of tropical and sub-tropical coastal areas, the indigenous trees of the mangroves act as a natural windbreak, protecting the region against tidal surges, purify the surrounding water and provide a healthy eco-system for the animals and marine creatures that call it home.

Filled with a variety of flora and fauna, the park is a real haven for nature .....

...read more

Adventure

#7 of 26 Places to Visit in Abu Dhabi

At a distance of 40 km from Al Ain and 112 km from Abu Dhabi, the Desert Safari Tours and other related activities are performed in the Al Khaznah desert region of Abu Dhabi. It is one of the most popular things to do in Abu Dhabi especially for adventure lovers.

Capturing a view of the sunset and the sunrise through the eternal sands of Abu Dhabi's deserts is an experience everyone must have once in their lifetime. After Rub Al Khali (Empty Quarter) at Al Dhafra, the breathtaking patch of dunes at Al Khaznah is quite popular for desert safari in Abu Dhabi. Long stretches of sand valleys combined with some huge dunes make it the best spot to try your hand at activities such as Dune Bashing, Quad Biking and Sand Boarding apart from the Safari tour in your SUV. Al Khaznah also offers the quintessential Bedouin life experience at Arabian Nights Village as well as Al Badeyah desert camp.

A typical Abu Dhabi desert safari comprises a host of enchanting activities in which one could .....

...read more

Shopping

#8 of 26 Places to Visit in Abu Dhabi

At a distance of 2 km from Emirates Palace and 37 km from Abu Dhabi International Airport, Marina Mall is a shopping mall located on Marina Island in Abu Dhabi. It is one of the largest and most luxurious shopping arcades in Abu Dhabi.

Opened in the year 2001, the Marina Mall is an amalgamation of a commercial and entertainment venue. The structure of the mall is inspired by a circus tent with modern interiors. The mall is a 122,000 sq. m space housing more than 400 retail stores, a hypermarket, banks, specialty stores, some offices, and a Mercedes Benz car showroom. It is located in close proximity to the Emirates Palace. It is home to a large number of local and international brands, but most high-end ones. This is also the perfect destination to indulge in some entertainment and a number of fun activities like bowling, billiards, table tennis, shooting, and video games.

In front of Marina Mall is the huge Marina Eye, a giant Ferris wheel. Established in 2015, the huge wheel .....

...read more

Heritage

#9 of 26 Places to Visit in Abu Dhabi

At a distance of 6 km from Etihad Towers and 36 km from Abu Dhabi International Airport, Qasr Al Hosn is a stone fort located along Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street in Abu Dhabi. It is the first permanent structure of Abu Dhabi and among the top places of heritage in Abu Dhabi.

The Qasr Al Hosn is the ancestral home of Emirate's ruling Al Nahyan family. It is a part of a larger historic complex that also includes the National Consultative Council building and the Cultural Foundation. It is the oldest and most significant building in Abu Dhabi, holding the city's first permanent structure, the watchtower. Built-in 1760, it was used as the watchtower for defending the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi Island. The tower was later enlarged into a small fort in 1793 Shakhbut bin Dhiyab Al Nahyan and became the permanent residence of the ruling Sheikh. The tower got its present shape after the major extension in the late 1930s.

Nicknamed the 'White Fort', Qasr Al Hosn comprises .....

...read more

Heritage

#10 of 26 Places to Visit in Abu Dhabi

At a distance of 144 km from Abu Dhabi, Al Jahili is a historic fort located at Al Ain, Abu Dhabi. It is one of the historic structures of UAE and among the popular places to visit while holidaying in Abu Dhabi.

Al Jahili is one of the largest forts in the UAE and was built by Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan. The construction of the fort began in 1891 and was finally completed in 1898. The fort is one of the most remarkable buildings in UAE, which was erected in order to protect the city and its prized palm groves. After the death of its founder in 1909, the fort became the residence of his elder son Khalifa bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan and was later used by the Trucial Scouts. The building fell into disrepair by the early 1950s, when British forces came to Al Ain and requisitioned the fort as a base for a unit of the Trucial Oman Levies. Barracks and other buildings were added to the earlier fort and tower.

The fort is located in the southern part of the city of Al Ain close .....

...read more

Museum

#11 of 26 Places to Visit in Abu Dhabi

At a distance of 1 km from Al Jahili Fort and 145 km from Abu Dhabi, Al Ain Palace Museum is a historical fort that has been developed into a museum. Also known as Qasr Al Ain, It is one of the popular museums in UAE and among the must include places in Abu Dhabi Packages.

Al Ain Palace Museum is situated in the Sheikh Zayed Palace of Al Ain, within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The palace is one of the best-reinstated forts in the Abu Dhabi emirate. The Bedouin-style palace was originally built in 1937 on the western side of the Al Ain Oasis, the largest oasis in Al Ain. The former UAE President, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his family lived here until 1966. The palace was converted into a museum in 1998 and opened to the public in 2001.

The original structure comprised a private residence for the ruler and his family within a complex of courtyards. The architectural design of Al Ain Palace is typical of historical buildings of the UAE. It features .....

...read more