The Best Things You Shouldn’t Miss in Abu Dhabi!
A lot of people who visit the United Arab Emirates would rather spend most of their time in Dubai and only visit Abu Dhabi for a day, or even worse, they would rather not go there at all.
I believe this is a shame because the main city also has many interesting things to offer.
Actually, there are even more cultural things to do than in Dubai!
Indeed, Abu Dhabi is the calmer, more traditional, and more peaceful city between the two. Dubai, on the other hand, is very flashy and has a lot of fun things to do at night.
Still, there’s lots to see and do to keep you busy for days!
Based on what I did in Abu Dhabi, here is a list of 10 things you should do there.
They should give you ideas for your next trip there.
You can choose to add or remove some suggestions based on the number of days you have. What matters most is that you have a great trip that you will never forget!
Exciting Activities in Abu Dhabi That Anybody Can Enjoy!
1. See the beautiful Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
A trip to Abu Dhabi would not be complete without a stop at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
Seriously, if you only have a short amount of time and can only do one thing on this list, make it the mosque.
I thought the mosque was one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.
It has 82 domes, 1,000 columns, 24-carat-gold chandeliers, and the world’s biggest hand-knotted carpet. It is also one of the world’s largest mosques and a true work of architecture.
One of the biggest chandeliers in the world hangs from the top of the main prayer hall.
The beautiful glasswork in the windows is another thing that will catch your eye right away as you look around the mosque. Amazing works of art are made from colorful patterns of carved and sandblasted glass.
People come to see the mosque all the time, but don’t forget that it’s also a place of prayer. So, it’s important to act in the right way.
In my full guide to visiting Sheikh Zayed Mosque, you can find out when it’s open, what to wear, and other helpful details!
2. Admire Known Works at The Louvre Abu Dhabi
A trip to The Louvre should also be on your list of the best things to do in Abu Dhabi, especially if you care about art.
This museum is on Saadiyat Island. It can use the same name as the famous Louvre in Paris because of a special deal.
The famous gallery museum opened in 2017 and has a fixed collection of more than 700 true masterpieces. It also has around 300 works on loan from other museums, like The Louvre in Paris.
Based on time and theme, the display takes you through different countries and times, from prehistoric times to the present.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi is popular with tourists because it has a great collection of art, including works by Picasso and Leonardo da Vinci. Yes, its design is also beautiful.
The 180-meter dome of the museum was built by an Austrian company and is in the style of a traditional Islamic building. It is made up of 10,000 separate parts.
Modern materials and cutting-edge engineering were used to give the museum a modern look, even though it was built using ancient Islamic art and building.
Something that has never been put together before!
The Louvre Abu Dhabi is open from 10 am to 6:30 pm, Tuesday through Friday, and from 10 am to 8:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday.
It’s very popular, so even if you get there at the start time, it’s usually very busy. To avoid waiting in line, I strongly suggest that you purchase your tickets online ahead of time. It pays off for sure!
3. Lunch Views from Aptitude Café & Eatery
After looking at all the beautiful art at The Louvre for a few hours, you might be really hungry. Good for you, there’s a cute café close where you can get tasty food and cool drinks!
It’s not hard to find Aptitude Café because it’s right next to The Louvre.
When I wanted to take some good pictures inside the museum, we just happened to find it by accident. We decided on the spot to have lunch there because we were already very hungry.
On the menu, you can find hot meals, breakfast items, sweet pastries, and unique coffee drinks. It’s open every day from 9 am to 10 pm, except Mondays when the museum is closed.
Another great thing about Aptitude Café is that it has a beautiful view of The Louvre and serves delicious food, including many veggie options. It’s the perfect place to relax and hang out after a fun day at the museum.
4. Look at the beautiful Qasr Al Watan
The Louvre and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque aren’t the only famous buildings in Abu Dhabi that have beautiful designs.
The grand palace Qasr Al Watan is right next to the high-class luxury hotel Emirates Palace. It is the main palace of the president of the United Arab Emirates, and it opened to the public in 2019.
You can take a tour of the whole palace to learn about royal culture and the many centuries of history and custom that have shaped the country.
From the outside, the huge building with its white granite and limestone front might stun you, but wait until you go inside!
When you walk inside, you’ll find a very fancy room with Islamic designs on the arches and domes and beautiful tilework on every wall.
Also, a huge chandelier with 350,000 crystals hangs from the ceiling.
There are two parts to the palace: the eastern wing and the western wing.
A lot of artifacts and other important things are kept in the eastern side. You can also learn more about the UAE’s political, social, and cultural past by going to a library with more than 50,000 books.
Not at all. The western wing is where the UAE Cabinet meets, international committee summits happen, and formal events hold their banquets.
Like other popular Abu Dhabi attractions, it’s best to buy tickets ahead of time to avoid having to wait a long time. You can also go on a guided trip that includes the palace if you’d rather.
A ticket to Qasr Al Watan costs AED 65 for adults and AED 30 for kids. It’s open every day from 10 am to 6 pm.
5. Get a coffee at Emirates Palace
Next on the list of must-do things in Abu Dhabi is one of the more expensive ones. At least if you look at how much you pay and how much you get back.
But since this might be your only trip to Abu Dhabi, why not make the most of it, even if it costs a bit more?
It’s less than three kilometers away from the grand and famous 7-star hotel Emirates Palace. A natural private beach that is also one of the best beaches in the Middle East is right outside the hotel. Famous people stay there when they’re in Abu Dhabi.
The number of very expensive luxury cars you’ll see in front of the building is also very high. You can name them: Lamborghini, Maserati, Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, and loads more.
I don’t even want to talk about how much the rooms cost, not even for the cheapest room for one night.
But you can still get into the hotel as a guest, and it’s even free! Le Café for a cup of coffee, if your price allows it, is something you should DO.
From the very beginning, I will tell you that the prices of the coffee are not comparable to those found anywhere else in Abu Dhabi. Despite the fact that Abu Dhabi is not the most cost-effective city in the world, the prices of coffee at Emirates Palace are on an entirely different level.
I paid a proud $15 for a coffee, even though we didn’t even get to try their famous 23K gold-flaked Palace Cappuccino.
I also had some sweets to eat and my coffee was great. Still, paying the bill hurt a lot.
But I can say that it was well worth it for me. Le Café isn’t the kind of spot you’d frequent very frequently.
It’s very fancy and expensive, and it’s on every list of “Best Café in Abu Dhabi” and “Best Afternoon Tea in Abu Dhabi.” There are times when you feel like a famous person!
Also, make sure you give yourself enough time because you want to enjoy that coffee for as long as possible!
6. Take lots of pictures of the famous Etihad Towers.
Do not miss the next thing you should do in Abu Dhabi; it’s easy and doesn’t cost you anything.
Getting ready to take a picture of another one of Abu Dhabi’s most famous landmarks? Only bring your camera!
The impressive Etihad Towers are right across from Emirates Palace, on the other side of the main street. There are five skyscrapers in this building complex. The tallest one is 305 meters high.
Five towers are being built. Three are for living, one is for work, and one is home to the five-star Conrad at Etihad Towers hotel.
The observation deck at 300 is on floor 74 of the second building. It is the highest point in Abu Dhabi. It gives you a clear view of the city and lets you take pictures of the scenery, Corniche Road, and the Arabian Gulf.
Still want to stay on the ground? You can also go to The Avenue and look at the shops there. It is home to some of the most exclusive shops in the world.
To buy something, though, without spending a lot of money, go to the next place. It’s a nice place to shop without spending a lot of money.
7. Go shopping at Marina Mall
There are a lot of shopping malls in Abu Dhabi, mostly in the middle of the city. Marina Mall is one of them. It is on Corniche Road, next to the harbor, not far from Etihad Towers and Emirates Palace.
This mall has all the stores you could ever want. It has more than 400 stores, a food court, hospitals, coffee shops, a movie theater, a Mercedes-Benz showroom, and a hypermarket.
The Marina Eye is a huge Ferris wheel that can be seen from all over the city. It is right outside the mall. It has 42 pods, some of which are high-end and should make the 5-minute ride even more enjoyable.
Marina Mall has so many fun things to do that you could spend the whole day there without getting bored, even if you don’t ride the Ferris wheel.
8. Have a drink at Brick Rooftop Kitchen & Bar
I don’t know about you, but for me, fancy food and drinks are the best way to end a long day of exploration. Both should be in the same place if possible.
The best place in Abu Dhabi to get this is at Brick Rooftop Kitchen & Bar.
This garden-themed restaurant with a rustic look is on the 12th floor of Aloft Abu Dhabi. Besides food and drinks, you can also enjoy beautiful views of the city at night.
The menu at Brick has foods from around the world, but they are all made in one of the two brick ovens, which is something they all have in common.
They are named Henry and Henrietta, which is pretty cool.
Brick is the best place to end your day in Abu Dhabi because it has great food, interesting drinks, a cool vibe, friendly staff, and, of course, stunning views.
9. Pizza di Rocco has the best pizza in Abu Dhabi.
Pizza di Rocco is another great place to eat a good meal, whether it’s lunch or dinner.
Pizza di Rocco is an award-winning Italian pizzeria that serves traditional, original pizzas baked in a Neapolitan-style oven that was made by hand.
In addition to having spots all over the city, the restaurant also delivers food.
We went to the branch at Etihad Plaza, which is a cute little place where you can watch the pizza being made with your own eyes.
There are a lot of great vegan meals to choose from, like different kinds of pizza and pasta.
The prices at Pizza di Rocco are also very low compared to many other places in the UAE.
Don’t forget to go to Pizza di Rocco if you’re hungry for delicious Italian food. It’s definitely one of the things you can’t miss in Abu Dhabi!
10. Spend the night at the Fairmont Hotel Bab Al Bahr
Finally, don’t miss the chance to stay at The Hotel Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, which is Abu Dhabi’s best hotel.
Not only do I think it’s the best hotel in the city, but the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr has also won the 2022 Hotel of the Year Award for being the “Best Luxury Business & Leisure Beach Hotel Worldwide”!
This is because the five-star hotel on the beach has large rooms and suites, a big pool with lots of sunbeds and a pool bar, more than five restaurants, shops, and beauty centers, and one of the best breakfast buffets I’ve ever seen!
The rooms that face the sea also have stunning views of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which is Abu Dhabi’s most famous architectural wonder.
As you wake up in the morning and pull back the curtains, the most beautiful building in the world is the first thing you see.
That’s really wonderful, right?
I can say for sure that it is!