Welcome to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, a futuristic, spectacular city on the shores of the Persian Gulf. The city offers its visitors a fascinating blend of past and future, rich culture and glittering modernity.
Between towering skyscrapers and ancient mosques, you’ll discover a whole world of attractions: The Grand Mosque: an architectural masterpiece crowned with white domes and magnificent minarets. Warner Bros. World theme park: a whole world of beloved characters, roller coasters and shows for the whole family. Ferrari World: an extreme experience for adrenaline lovers, with high-speed roller coasters and challenging tracks. Al Hosn souk: a stroll through old alleyways where you’ll find stalls of spices, fabrics, jewelry and more. Yas Island: a beautiful man-made island with sandy beaches, luxury hotels, water parks and attractions for every age.
Whether you’re looking for an indulgent holiday, exciting adventures or a cultural journey, Abu Dhabi is the perfect place for you.
The United Arab Emirates
Many people have asked me whether Abu Dhabi is a country. In short, no.
The country Abu Dhabi is in is called the United Arab Emirates, or UAE, and its citizens are called Emiratis.
There are 7 emirates: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain, with Abu Dhabi as the capital.
Although Abu Dhabi is the capital, the best-known and most visited emirate is Dubai.
Visa for Abu Dhabi
Citizens of many countries (including the EU, the UK, the US, Canada, Australia and more) can enter the United Arab Emirates (Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the other emirates) for tourism or business without arranging a visa in advance. Check the current rules for your passport before you travel.
A visa-free stay is usually 30 days from the date of entry (90 days for some nationalities).
Where to stay in Abu Dhabi?
I researched the accommodation question and came to the conclusion that the United Arab Emirates is not like a trip to a European city. There is no central street worth staying on; everything is built as separate complexes with large distances between them. So you need to get around by public transport or car. So if you’re looking for where to stay in Abu Dhabi, in terms of location the place should be chosen according to its proximity to your interests, beaches, shopping, history or attractions.
Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana
The Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan, of the Rayhaan Hotels & Resorts by Rotana chain, sits beside the blue waters of the Arabian Gulf, in a convenient location next to the magnificent Presidential Palace. It is a 5-star property offering 443 suites and guest rooms in a modern design that blends with contemporary Arab cultural values, in an alcohol-free environment. Room rates: $100 to 200. Click here: for bookings and more details.
W Abu Dhabi
The W Hotel offers a unique design, half on land and half on the water. You can enjoy several lounge and dining areas, modern guest rooms with mood lighting and free internet. The hotel looks directly onto the Formula 1 race track. The hotel provides a luxurious, indulgent stay. Room rates: $150 to 500. Click here: for bookings and more details.
The St. Regis Abu Dhabi
The St. Regis, located in the heart of Abu Dhabi’s lively Corniche, offers a blend of authentic Arabian hospitality with more than a hundred years of the renowned St. Regis tradition. The hotel is a 5-minute drive from Marina Mall, a 7-minute drive from the mall at the sophisticated World Trade Center and a 15-minute drive from the iconic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The hotel provides a luxurious, indulgent stay. Room rates: $450 to 1,500. Click here: for bookings and more details.
Emirates Palace
The Emirates Palace hotel sits on a 1.3 km private beach on the shores of the Persian Gulf, overlooking its own natural private bay. The design in silver, gold and glass mosaic recalls the rich history of hospitality of the Arabian Peninsula. Many guides have described this hotel as a must-see attraction when visiting Abu Dhabi. If you don’t want to stay there, you can sit in the hotel’s restaurant (modest dress required). Note that the restaurant prices are very high (a cappuccino costs 40 dirhams). Room rates: $400 to 11,000. Click here: for bookings and more details.
Attractions in Abu Dhabi
Yas Waterworld: A water park covering 15 hectares (37 acres), full of adrenaline-packed rides for the whole family. Plenty of cool, wet attractions, great for hot days. Click here Book your ticket in advance. Jubail Mangrove Park: Right next to Abu Dhabi is one of the most important nature reserves in the Emirates. A great place for nature lovers looking for a break from the city. The reserve has a walking trail about 2 kilometers long, where you can meet a variety of fish, birds and other animals. Open every day from 8:00 to 18:00. Entry is free. Qasr Al Watan (the Presidential Palace): A huge, beautiful palace designed down to the smallest detail, everything gilded, gleaming and over the top. Entry is paid (about 65 dirhams). The Heritage Village: The United Arab Emirates is a very young country; before oil was discovered, Bedouins lived in the area. This open-air museum shows what Abu Dhabi looked like before the discovery of oil. In the museum you’ll find local crafts and buildings designed as they were in the past, as well as displays of ancient Islamic traditions. Entry is free. Qasr Al Hosn: The oldest stone building in the country, dating from the 18th century. It was originally built as a watchtower by the Bani Yas tribe to protect the coastal trade routes and the surrounding settlements. Entry to the fort grounds is paid, but you can walk around it for free.
Museums
Museums worth visiting on a trip to the city.
- Louvre Abu Dhabi: Louvre Abu Dhabi is a museum of art and culture. Click here Book a ticket in advance (lets you skip the queue).
- Emirates National Auto Museum: A car museum with over 200 models.
- Ferrari World Abu Dhabi: Ferrari World displays their luxury cars, all of their models, and you can even drive them. Click here Book a ticket in advance.
More attractions:
Abu Dhabi tourist map
I made the map with Google Maps.
I wrote a guide on how to make maps in Google Maps || I wrote a guide on how to use a ready-made map.
Have you been to Abu Dhabi?
Feel free to add your recommendations in the comments.
