Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates)
Abu Dhabi is the calmer, grander capital of the United Arab Emirates, an island city of wide corniches, mangroves and white beaches that has quietly assembled one of the most remarkable collections of things to see anywhere in the Gulf.
Its signature sight is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a field of white marble domes and reflecting pools that glows gold at sunset, and just along the coast the presidential palace of Qasr Al Watan opens its great domed halls to visitors. Out on Saadiyat Island, the Louvre Abu Dhabi sits beneath a floating lattice dome that scatters a rain of light across its galleries, joined by the new Zayed National Museum and the walk-through digital worlds of teamLab Phenomena. Across the water on Yas Island is the region’s great playground: Ferrari World and its record-breaking coaster, Warner Bros. World, SeaWorld and a freshly expanded Yas Waterworld, all within a short ride of one another. Beyond the city, the dunes begin, with safaris that end at desert camps under the stars. This guide shows you how to book the mosque, the museums and the parks the right way, how many days you need, how to move between the islands, and where to stay, from a gold-domed palace on the Corniche to a beach resort on Saadiyat and family-friendly bases beside the Yas parks.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
A universal museum beneath a floating lattice dome on the water, where a rain of light falls over galleries that tell the story of humanity from the first villages to the present. Allow half a day and book a timed ticket.
Zayed National Museum
The UAE’s national museum, opened on Saadiyat Island in December 2025: the story of the land and its people from ancient settlements to the founding of the nation, told through the life and values of Sheikh Zayed.
SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
An indoor marine-life park on Yas Island with huge aquariums, ocean-themed realms, rides and shows, plus a research and rescue focus. A cool, family-friendly day with no orca shows.
Abu Dhabi Desert Safari
Dune drives in a four-by-four, camel rides, sandboarding and sunset over the sand, ending at a desert camp with a barbecue dinner and entertainment. The classic Abu Dhabi half day out of the city.
The white marble mosque that defines Abu Dhabi: dozens of domes, vast courtyards inlaid with flowers, reflecting pools and a prayer hall of chandeliers and hand-knotted carpet. Book your visit online and come for the late afternoon light.
A universal museum beneath a floating lattice dome on the water, where a rain of light falls over galleries that tell the story of humanity from the first villages to the present. Allow half a day and book a timed ticket.
The working presidential palace of the UAE, opened to visitors: a gleaming white-and-gold complex on the coast with a vast domed Great Hall, a library of rare manuscripts and an evening light show across its facade.
A walk-through world of digital and physical art on Saadiyat Island, where light, water, mist and sound respond to you as you move. Timed tickets, bare feet in places and a very different kind of museum.
The UAE’s national museum, opened on Saadiyat Island in December 2025: the story of the land and its people from ancient settlements to the founding of the nation, told through the life and values of Sheikh Zayed.
The red-roofed indoor theme park on Yas Island, home to Formula Rossa, one of the fastest roller coasters on earth, plus racing simulators, family rides and Ferrari history under one air-conditioned roof.
An indoor theme park where Gotham City, Metropolis and the Looney Tunes towns come to life, with superhero coasters, cartoon rides for little ones and character meet-and-greets, all under one roof.
An indoor marine-life park on Yas Island with huge aquariums, ocean-themed realms, rides and shows, plus a research and rescue focus. A cool, family-friendly day with no orca shows.
The big outdoor waterpark of Yas Island, themed on an Emirati pearl-diving legend and newly expanded in 2026 with 11 new slides and attractions. Bring sunscreen and arrive early.
Dune drives in a four-by-four, camel rides, sandboarding and sunset over the sand, ending at a desert camp with a barbecue dinner and entertainment. The classic Abu Dhabi half day out of the city.
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
$$$$West Corniche
Abu Dhabi’s landmark palace hotel on the West Corniche: domes, gold leaf and marble halls, a long private beach, two outdoor pools and a famous spa, next door to Qasr Al Watan.
Check rates →
$$$Saadiyat Island
A five-star beach resort on Saadiyat Island’s long white-sand shore, with rooms, suites and private villas, big pools and a short drive to the Louvre, teamLab and the Zayed National Museum.
Check rates →
$$$Yas Island
The hotel that straddles the Yas Marina Formula One circuit beneath a glowing lattice canopy, with marina views, rooftop pools and nightlife, minutes from Ferrari World and the Yas parks.
Check rates →
$$Corniche and Downtown
A polished five-star tower on the Corniche in downtown Abu Dhabi, with French flair, sea views, a spa and good dining, steps from the waterfront promenade and the old city centre.
Check rates →Yas Island
The former Centro Yas Island, reborn as part of IHG’s Yas World Resort: a 259-room value pick by the Yas Marina Circuit, with an outdoor pool and the theme parks a couple of minutes away.
Check rates →The practical primer for a first visit to Abu Dhabi: what to book ahead, how to move between the city, Saadiyat and Yas islands, how many days you need, and where the Grand Mosque, the museums, the theme parks and the desert fit.
How to choose your base in Abu Dhabi, from a palace on the Corniche and a downtown tower to a beach resort on Saadiyat and value and design hotels beside the Yas Island theme parks.
