Planning to spend one day in Abu Dhabi, and looking to see as much as possible? There are so many things to see and do around the city. This 1-day itinerary will help you make the most out of your stay in Abu Dhabi.
Though neighboring Dubai earns all the airtime nowadays, Abu Dhabi has an identity all of its own. The capital of the United Arab Emirates, this city-state prides itself on being a modern, multicultural center of the country.
Here there are a number of newly built cultural centres that are anchoring the city in its creative and cosmopolitan credentials. From its very own branch of the Louvre (and one planned to echo the Guggenheim), art and history have found a home here.
But it’s not all about the modern day. Abu Dhabi is rich with Islamic history and its own heritage as a humble fishing village that never feels too far away. Add to that malls, theme parks, and even a string of natural attractions, and a day spent in Abu Dhabi can truly be an action-packed one.
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One Day in Abu Dhabi? Where to stay:
Four Seasons Abu Dhabi: Located at Al Maryah Island, the Four Seasons Abu Dhabi provides a distinctly polished place to spend a few nights in the city. Boasting over 200 rooms and suites, this sprawling property comes packed full of sophisticated amenities from its six restaurants (including a steakhouse and cocktail bar), to its wellness center and high-end gym, you’ll never be stuck for things to do. There’s also a swimming pool with views across the water and Abu Dhabi’s skyline.
Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
The Abu Dhabi Edition: For something boutique and fashionable, book into The Abu Dhabi Edition. This five-star hotel comes complete with two restaurants, a chic spa, and two swimming pools, to name just a few of its amenities. Late-night party animals can even dance the night away in their very own three-story nightlife. Rooms here are decidedly sleek, with a variety of sizes and styles available; each of them feels impeccably curated and impossibly comfortable (you can even have your very own apartment).
Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Things to Do in Abu Dhabi in a Day
We visited Abu Dhabi on a day trip from Dubai with a guided tour and we managed to see a couple of the below attractions.
Depending on how you are visiting, on your own or on a guided tour, you can choose some of the below activities depending on your interests.
If you are opting for a guided tour I recommend the following:
If you are already in Abu Dhabi:
I recommend this tour that visits the Grand Mosque, Royal Palace, and Etihad Tower as it is ideal as some of the sights need transportation to move in between. Click here for more information and to book the tour.
If you are opting for a guided day tour from Dubai I recommend the following two options depending on your interests: We chose the second option as we wanted to see the Louvre Museum, but it depends on what you want to see.
– The Abu Dhabi Premium Full-Day Sightseeing Tour visits the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Etihad Towers, and the Qasr Al Watan.
– The Abu Dhabi Full-Day Trip with Louvre & Mosque visits the Sheikh Zayed Mosque and the Louvre Museum.
Founders Memorial
Situated at the Marina Breakwater, the Founders Memorial is a modern structure that was six years in the making. This art installation is dedicated to the life and work of the founder of the United Arab Emirates himself, Sheikh Zayed. Named “The Constellation”, this stark, geometric sculpture is a combination of shapes suspended on cables; when seen from the right angle, it displays a portrait of Sheikh Zayed.
The location of the memorial itself is also attractive, as it’s set among landscaped gardens planted with native and medicinal plants. It’s best to come here in the evening when the monument is illuminated. You can also go on 30-minute tours of the memorial (available through the visitors’ center; free).
Etihad Towers
Etihad Towers is the famous collection of five skyscrapers that rise high above the ground in the city’s central business district. While they look impressive looking up at them, the vista is even more spectacular from the viewpoint, which is located in the Jumeirah building on the 74th floor.
The glass-walled entrance can be found right next to the main entrance of the hotel. Enter the lift and you’ll be whizzed up to a height of 300 meters (984 feet), to the aptly named viewpoint Observation Deck at 300. The panoramic view from up here is astounding and best enjoyed with a snack or coffee from the cafe located here too.
The UAE Presidential Palace (Qasr Al Watan)
With its gleaming white granite and limestone facade, this sprawling palace complex was inaugurated in 2017. Known in Arabic as the Qasr Al Watan (literally “Palace of the Nation”), it’s an intricately decorated structure, topped with a dome and adorned throughout with opulent chandeliers.
But it’s not just for the president. A portion of the palace is now open for the public to enter (60 DHS; tickets available online in advance) and see behind the gates of this majestic building. It has hosted presidents, prime ministers, and royalty from across the globe, and is the location of various offices for Abu Dhabi’s rulers.
Abu Dhabi Heritage Village
The interesting history of Abu Dhabi can be discovered with the walled compound of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Village. Here you learn all about the culture of the emirate and its fortunes before oil wealth flooded into the country.
Visitors can take a look at displays that illustrate everyday life according to traditional standards, including clothing, examples of heritage palm-leaf houses, ancient irrigation systems, and photographs of Abu Dhabi decades ago. Set in a reconstructed old fort, there’s also an example of a wind tower used as a pre-AC way of cooling houses.
Dhow Harbour
For a glimpse of the old world of Abu Dhabi, spend some time strolling along the Dhow Harbour. The old fishing boats (dhows) still provide an important service for the many fishermen who work daily here.
Even though there’s a backdrop of skyscrapers, this part of Abu Dhabi feels very much unchanged for decades — perhaps even hundreds of years. Take some time and stroll around, soaking up the local life here; there’s never a dull moment.
Al Mina Fish Market
Being on the coast, Abu Dhabi’s fortunes have not just been tied to oil, but also to maritime trade — and fishing too. Over at Al Mina Fish Market, situated in the Dhow Harbour, you’ll find a colorful contrast to the sparkly skyscrapers of the business center of the city. Come here early in the morning and you’ll be treated to displays of overflowing catches of the day, loud bartering, and a whole lot of activity.
If you come at lunchtime you can buy fish, and take it to various stations — the filleting station, the spicing station, and the cooking station — and take away a Goan-style fish curry or some simply grilled fish to eat along the waterfront.
The Waterfront Corniche
Those in need of a breath of fresh air should head to the waterfront Corniche. Along this waterside stretch of the city, you’ll find a promenade, beaches, and places to sit and soak up the view (not to mention eateries and cafes too).
A good way to explore the Corniche is by hopping on a bike and pedaling along its whole length, something made easy to do thanks to the bike hire station. It’s a great place to see local life, as families and friends come out to stroll and play in the parks in the evening.
Marina Mall
Marina Mall is the place to go in Abu Dhabi for shopping. Made up of over 400 stores, this gleaming retail hub is a massive, modern shopping complex that’s packed with a whole lot of things to do — not just shopping. It would be easy to spend a day here.
From its bowling alley to its Ferris wheel, not to mention its sprawling food court and the viewpoint out over the city (more on that next), Marina Mall seemingly has it all. It’s a good place to come if you’re looking to pick up some interesting local souvenirs too, not just designer brands.
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
This enormous theme park is a must-visit for anybody with an interest in Formula One racing. Covering 37 acres, it’s a wonderland of Ferrari-themed rides and amusements, but above all, it’s home to Formula Rossa — the world’s fastest roller coaster. Riding this allows thrill-seekers to jump from 0 kph to 240 kph in under five seconds!
There’s also a Ferrari driving experience, a turbo track where you can experience zero gravity, and another roller coaster that features the world’s biggest loop. Aside from all this, it’s a particularly good place to visit in the summer months; it’s an indoor attraction, so you can bask in the air-conditioning.
Click here for more information and to book your Ferrari World Admission Tickets.
Yas Marina Circuit
More F1 adventures can be had at the Yas Marina Circuit. This is where the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix takes place and, even if you’re not in town for the Grand Prix itself, you can still hit the track with a behind-the-scenes tour.
Even if you don’t take the tour, the track is actually open throughout the week in the evenings for fitness enthusiasts to pedal, walk, or jog around the track. If you’ve just got one day in Abu Dhabi and you’re a keen runner, going for a casual jaunt around the track is a nice way to round things up (or you can just watch the others).
Warehouse 421
Opening its doors in 2015, this cultural center takes up space in a former warehouse. You’ll find Warehouse 421 in the port area, where it plays host to regular exhibitions that illustrate the UAE’s emerging creative and artistic talents.
Aside from exhibitions, Warehouse 421 also puts on a frequently changing program of workshops and film screenings. This is a very good place to understand more about the emerging youth culture of Abu Dhabi, away from all the glitz and glamour.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
A branch of the landmark Paris institution, Abu Dhabi’s very own Louvre may not be as large but it is stunningly impressive. If not only in terms of architecture; it was designed by Jean Nouvel, an award-winning architect.
Inside art and artifacts from throughout human history can be found, uniquely grouped by theme and in chronological order, rather than by the country or region in which it originates.
Click here for more information and to book your Louvre admission tickets.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
It’s hard to miss the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque — it is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates after all. The enormous complex covers over 30 acres in area and is large enough for over 40,000 worshippers to visit at any one time.
The structure is topped by over 80 marble domes, held up by more than a thousand pillars, and surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens. It’s here that Sheikh Zayed’s final resting place is located too, though visitors can’t go inside.
It’s also open for non-Muslim visitors to take a peek inside (one of the only places in Abu Dhabi to allow this). You can go on a free 45-minute tour which gives you a deeper insight into Islamic life in the city. Make sure to wear appropriate clothing.
Mangrove National Park
Set across 19 square kilometers, this compact but intriguing national park hugs the coastline of Abu Dhabi just outside the city center. The focal point of this particular park is the mangrove, a particularly important plant in the ecosystem of coastlines across the world — and in Abu Dhabi too.
The aim of the national park is to protect the biodiversity found within the mangrove environment, which is home to over 60 species of bird, fish, and other sea and land creatures. You can explore it via boardwalks or head out on the water on a kayak with a guide. However one of the main draws here is the greater flamingo, who arrive here in large numbers between April and July.
Umm Al Emarat Park
Considered to be the heart of the city, Umm Al Emarat Park opened up in 1982. The sprawling urban park was once the domain of women and children only but is now open for everybody to enjoy the natural landscapes that have been created here. The idea of the park is to preserve the culture and natural history of the UAE.
There’s an admission fee, but it’s worth it. This is a city park with a difference, featuring not just well-managed paths and manicured greenery to enjoy, but also a whole host of forward-thinking designs and attractions. These include a shade house (you can get great views from here), a memorial to Sheikh Zayed, and also its very own petting zoo.