Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, the wealthiest of the seven emirates, is the seat of the UAE’s government. This booming cultural and commercial metropolis features an abundance of world-class and one-of-a-kind amusement parks and attractions.

Overview Attractions and Activities Adventurous Activities Food Final Comments

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE, and, in addition to containing one of the country’s most treasured landmarks (Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque), is also home to the fastest roller coaster in the world, incredible amusement parks, and a world-class race track, among others.

My first full-time job (in the oilfield) allowed me to live, train, and work in Abu Dhabi for months on end. I have grown very fond of this city and the many friends I have met here. It is a place definitely worth visiting. This Abu Dhabi Adventure Guide covers all that Abu Dhabi has to offer (especially if you wish to be away from its more crowded, extravagant, and loud cousin Dubai).

Note: I highly recommend looking at the United Arab Emirate’s main destination page. It has an overview of the entire country (various cities, some history, synopsis, climate, communication, navigation, costs, ratings on cost/food/popularity, attractions/activities, cultural considerations, unique considerations, etc.) alongside some interesting facts about the country as a whole.

Recommended Duration of Visit

3 days (ideal), 2 days (doable)

Click for some interesting facts about Abu Dhabi

Contrary to appearances, Abu Dhabi (not Dubai) is the wealthiest of the 7 emirates because it controls most of the oil reserves in the UAE.
Abu Dhabi was designed by a Japanese architect (Dr. Katsuhiko Takahashi).
There are more Indians than Emiratis in the UAE, and most of the Indians live in Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi is the second most populous country in the UAE.

Before You Go

Flights: Consider Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airlines when flying into this country. Those airlines are some of the best in the world in terms of quality and pricing. This is largely due to the fact that they are federally subsidized.

Lodging: Many hotels can be found for great prices here (about 200 AED for two beds in a relatively luxurious room). I’ve managed to do fine by just checking out hotels.com (pretty last minute, too). Just keep in mind that hostels are not very common in Abu Dhabi and the UAE in general.

Activities Planning: This Abu Dhabi guide website will accommodate all your activity booking needs. In the sections below, I’ve included links to either book reservations or gather more information as well.

Overview

Climate: Equally as hot as Dubai. Summer clothing is best. November to April have lower temperatures (although March is usually when temperatures start rising). Full onset of summer is around May to August.

Communication: English is widely spoken. There are more Indians than Emiratis in the UAE—with the majority of them residing in Abu Dhabi—so knowledge of Hindi is highly advantageous.

Navigation: Abu Dhabi lies roughly on a T-shaped island. The top of the T is where the beaches are. Ferrari World, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, and Abu Dhabi Airport are towards the mainland (towards the bottom of the T). Similar to Dubai, walking can be a pain if it’s really hot outside. Taxis, Careem (the local ridesharing service), or Uber. Metros are easily accessible as well, and there is an abundance of English translations and speakers should you get lost.

Special Considerations

The UAE is still quite conservative by most Western standards. Here are a few rules to observe.

Do not take alcohol outside of established zones—hotels, bars, restaurants, and clubs.
Do not spit on the ground, swear, or make rude gestures at others in public.
Do not dress inappropriately in or near places of worship.
Refrain from performing acts of extreme sexiness in public (although public displays of affection are often ok for tourists, limit or avoid it)..
And, for the love of all that is good, do not get caught with drugs (unless you enjoy spending time in prison, of course).

General: Alcohol and alcohol-related activities are very expensive (easily 3 times or more expensive than places like the United States). Unlike in Dubai, there are fewer attractions closer together, so plan your days accordingly. Lodging and transportation are not terribly expensive, especially for a place of this caliber. Food and attractions/activities will be where most of the costs are.

Currency: United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED). Currency Converter.

World Expo (“Connecting Minds. Creating the Future.”): In 2013, Dubai was awarded the honor to host the World Expo 2020—a massive international exhibition designed to showcase the achievement of nations. With 190 participating countries, the main site of the expo will be between Dubai and Abu Dhabi (equidistant from Dubai International Airport and Abu Dhabi International Airport). If you are unsure which countries you want to visit in your lifetime, why not try and get a taste of almost all of them as each country brings something unique to the exhibition? And, if the Expo is your focus, then staying in Abu Dhabi is also a good choice. You can switch between Dubai and Abu Dhabi as well since the Expo is equidistant from both cities’ airports.

Things to Do: Attractions and Activities

My apologies in advance for the scarcity of photos. I, unfortunately, lost my memory card containing most pictures from Abu Dhabi =(.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: A trip to Abu Dhabi would be incomplete without a visit to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. This majestic mosque, resembling the palace in Aladdin, is large enough to accommodate over 40,000 worshippers.

There are strict dress codes for places of worship. If you have to ask yourself whether or not your outfit is too sexy, then it’s too sexy. In general, cover as much skin as possible (no shorts, skirts, crop tops, wifebeaters, tank tops, etc.). The afternoon and evenings are usually good for photos, and you might even get to see some lights if it’s dark enough. Friday mornings are reserved for worshippers.

Shangri-La Hotel, right across the water, has an excellent view of the mosque. You can lounge around the pool and enjoy the wonderful scenery.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 2 – 3 hours.

Yas Island: This island is a multi-purpose entertainment, leisure, and shopping center. It features the Yas Marina Circuit, Warner Bros. World, Ferrari World, du Arena (open-air concert venue), Yas Beach, and Yas Waterworld, among others.

On Yas Island, I am particularly fond of Stars N Bars (restaurant) and Iris (lounge). These places have a nice view right by the water. You may even see (or get invited to) the numerous yachts occasionally docked nearby (because you will be right next to the Yas Marina). In addition to the nice view, you’ll be near the entrance of the island and only need to continue inwards to see what it has to offer (Ferrari World is only a few minutes away).

Cost: Variable depending on the attraction. Recommended Duration of Visit: 2 – 3 hours.

Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi: I bet you didn’t think there was such a thing—but here it is. Opened on July 25, 2018, Warner Bros. World is an indoor amusement park exclusive to Abu Dhabi. It features a plethora of rides and an array of characters (Looney Toons, The Flintstones, and Justice League, among others) alongside immersive environments such as Metropolis, Gotham, and Justice League’s Hall of Justice. The dedication to detail and fan service is excellent, making this billion-dollar theme park a must-see attraction during your time in Abu Dhabi. Buy Warner Bros World tickets here.

I recommend the 2 Day Any 2 Parks package (the 1 day any 2 parks is barely any cheaper). The single ticket for Warner Bros. World alone will cost 295 AED and not worth it if you are planning to visit another attraction.

Warner Bros. World is a couple of minutes north of Ferrari World on Yas Island. You can plan a whole day on this island, starting at the base. For example: Spend some time at Iris or Stars N Bars at the entrance of the island while checking out the marina, head to Ferrari World next, and then Warner Bros. World.

Cost: 295 AED. Recommended Duration of Visit: 2 – 3 hours.

Ferrari World: This indoor Ferrari-themed amusement park, located on Yas Island, features Formula Rossa—the fastest roller coaster in the world. There is also a wide assortment of rides ranging from a tour of a miniature Italy to teacup rides. Naturally, there will be chances to drive a Ferrari. Buy Ferrari World tickets here.

You can get a small discount on ticket prices if you book 3-15 days in advance. However, I recommend booking the 2 Day Any 2 Parks package with Warner Bros. World that lets you choose Ferrari World as the other amusement park.

Cost: 295 AED. Recommended Duration of Visit: 1 – 2 hours.

Saadiyat Island: Saadiyat Island focuses more on commercial and cultural endeavors. Its primary attractions include the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat Beach.

I prefer the significantly larger beach on this island (Saadiyat Beach) compared to Yas Beach. Unless Yas Beach, Saadiyat Beach is right next to the ocean and is only a couple minutes away from Downtown Dubai.

Cost: Variable depending on the attraction. Recommended Duration of Visit: 2 – 3 hours.

The Louvre Abu Dhabi: Inaugurated on November 2017, the Louvre Abu Dhabi marks the first time the French government chose to extend the Louvre by loaning hundreds of artwork (Van Gogh, Matisse, and Monet, among others) overseas. With a cost of over $1 billion (USD) and around 24,000 square meters in size, it is the largest museum in the Arabian Peninsula. Buy the Louvre Abu Dhabi tickets here.

60 AED is one of the more expensive general admission prices. Tickets are cheaper for those under 22 years old or children under 13 years old.

Cost: 60 AED. Recommended Duration of Visit: 2 – 3 hours.

Emirate’s Palace: Emirates Palace, the hotel that’s not exactly a palace but just looks like one, is a five-star hotel with designs emphasizing Islamic architecture (i.e. it has over 100 domes). As of 2019, it is the third most expensive hotel ever built (behind the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas and the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore). In addition to restaurants, fountains, gardens, and a club, the hotel has special rooms reserved only for the royal family (hence the “Palace”). Its sheer opulence is worth seeing.

On, getyourguide.com, you can book package tours that include this place for around 300 AED+. A tour of only Emirate’s Palace should be a fraction of that. Here is one that includes the Sheikh Zayed Mosque and Emirates Palace in one package. Or you could, you know, walk in for free if you want to pass on tour guides.

Cost: Free to enter. Recommended Duration of Visit: 2 – 3 hours.

Marina Mall: Located in one of Abu Dhabi’s prominent districts and only a short distance from Emirate’s Palace, the Marina Mall is one of Abu Dhabi’s largest malls, with tons of activities and shops. Normally I do not recommend malls as an attraction, but the malls in this country are just so damn incredible.

The mall is on a peninsula, so take this chance to stroll along the marina residences or admire the sea and yachts as well. There is even a small beach there (Breakwater Beach).

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 2 – 3 hours.

Things to Do: Adventurous Activities

Al Forsan International Sports Resort

Al Forsan “aspires to be an internationally recognized and top-rated world-class sports and leisure destination” by providing a remarkably wide range of activities—motor sports, water sports, paintball, shooting, equestrian, and general sports (tennis, basketball, volleyball, etc.), among others. The most adventurous of these activities are outdoor highspeed go-kart racing and wakeboarding (I highly recommend partaking in both). I spent a lot of time here, and I loved every moment of it (even the ones that made me bleed and gave me bruises). Click here for pricing and more information. Cost: Variable (go-kart is usually 120 AED for 15 minutes).

I highly recommend planning ahead and scheduling a relaxing day following your visit to Al Forsan. The activities might kick your ass pretty hard and leave you quite exhausted. Booking online isn’t really necessary unless you are planning to race go-karts for quite a bit.

Go-kart racing and wakeboarding at Al Forsan is much more dangerous than it sounds. For go-kart racing, observe the rules very carefully (I’ve seen someone get knocked out of their vehicle). For wakeboarding, it might take a few dozen tries to even be able to stand for longer than a couple of seconds. The lines can get pretty long too, but going earlier in the day will help tremendously.

Desert Safari

The dunes of Abu Dhabi are some of the largest and most beautiful in the world, offering a type of nature that is unfamiliar to many. Consequently, the desert safaris here are quite superior to those in Dubai (and they are also less crowded). The views are breathtaking and the surroundings are serene. A desert safari is definitely an adventure that you should not miss. Book your safari with Дюны Святой Марии. Just kidding. Book here. Cost: 250 AED+ (depending on package).

Some resorts are surrounded by incredible sand dunes (i.e. Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort). If venturing out is not for you, then a view from these resorts are the next best option.

Plan your day around the desert safari. Most of them are later in the day (so you can watch the sunset). Many packages include meals, barbecue, campfire entertainment, belly dancing, sandboarding—and camels. Some can take a couple of hours, while some can last the whole day.
Bring protective gear (sunglasses, face masks, sunscreen, etc.) and a pair of sandals.

Food

As mentioned previously, most of the UAE’s Indian population resides in Abu Dhabi, so Indian food is an excellent choice (I recommend the butter chicken where you can find it). Lebanese food is also a solid option (try the man’oushe when you can). Naturally, you can’t go wrong with shawarma or kebab here and there either.

As for specific places, Stars N Bars (on Yas Island) is a lovely restaurant with a great view. There is one place that I recommend checking if you’re looking for a combination of relaxation, food, atmosphere, and view—Shangri-La Hotel.

Although a bit on the expensive side (what’s wrong with splurging a little bit now and then anyway?), the Shangri-La buffet had a wide assortment of incredible food from all over the world (Arabic, Indian, American, Japanese, and Chinese, among others). Their dessert section is outrageous, as illustrated by individual candies on their own respective picks alongside caramel, vanilla, and chocolate fountains.
The best part of the experience is the view across the water. Lounge by the pool and gaze romantically at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque across the shining, shimmering, splendid water at night and you will see the resemblance to Aladdin’s palace.

Shangri-La Buffet

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Final Tips and Comments on Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi has numerous charms, many of which eclipse or rival those of Dubai (like the excessive cost of alcohol)—the cousin that usually steals all the attention. I highly recommend paying this wonderful city a visit, especially when it is only about an hour from Dubai. There are definitely many things worth seeing. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a must-see attraction. Emirate’s Palace, despite not being a 7-star hotel like the Burj Al Arab, is the third most expensive hotel in the world (I honestly don’t even know how they do their star ratings). Al Forsan International Sports Resort will cover all your need for adventure and adrenaline. Warner Bros. World, Ferrari World, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi are remarkable one-of-a-kind places to visit. And the sand dunes of Abu Dhabi are beautiful—easily the best choice for desert safaris.

Similar to Dubai, if you can resist the urge to drink the night away, your costs will be significantly reduced, because the alcohol is wildly expensive in this country.

On a final note, make sure to share this page so others will know more about Abu Dhabi!

Abu Dhabi

Before You Go

Overview

Things to Do: Attractions and Activities

Things to Do: Adventurous Activities

Food

Shangri-La Buffet

Final Tips and Comments on Abu Dhabi

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