by Aravind Sivaraj / [CC BY-SA 3.0

A. About Abu Dhabi

Nickname: Manhattan of the Middle East

Cosmopolitan Abu Dhabi has metamorphosed in a few decades from a small Gulf trading center into a glamorous and futuristic urban destination.

The city delights visitors with ultramodern architecture, outstanding museums and hotels, beautiful beaches and palaces, and extravagantly themed shopping malls.

Best Things to do in Abu Dhabi

The Good:

Located on the Persian Gulf coast towering over the Arabian Desert enjoys a fantastic location.

Furthermore, the city is very safe, clean, and offers excellent shopping. 

Also very convenient: Everybody speaks English, and you will meet people from all over Asia and Africa.

Finally, home foremost to a stunning mosque, but also to impressive new museums, palaces, and hotels, there are numerous sights to discover in Abu Dhabi.

The Not-So-Good:

Apart from the corniche, there are hardly any pedestrian zones in Abu Dhabi. 

Though Abu Dhabi scores well for its climate over the entire year, you should avoid the extreme heat in summer with hot months over 40°C (104°F).


B. Best Things to Do in Abu Dhabi 2023 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)

In total, we count almost twenty-five sights in Abu Dhabi. The following sights contribute to a decent score of 6.25/10 in this most important category:

# Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque 8 4.1 out of 5 stars

This outstanding snow-white marble mosque combines traditional and modern architectural elements of various Muslim countries and is certainly one of the most beautiful mosques in the world

Opened in 2007 after 20 years of construction the large Sheikh-Zayed Mosque can hold up to 40,000 people.

Modern Mosque Completed: 2007 | Constructions Cost: US$545 million | Height: 85 m / 279 ft | Capacity: over 41,000

Best Things to do in Abu Dhabi

by FritzDaCat / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Louvre Abu Dhabi 7 3 out of 5 stars

Designed by star architect Jean Nouvel, the Middle East's most spectacular museum presents under an adorned giant dome art in all its diversity, in the course of time, and in the mirror of distinct cultures. The permanent collection of the museum with many (rotating) major works of the Louvre and the Musée d'art moderne is amazing, and the museum features are also temporary exhibitions of extremely high quality.

Museum | Modern Architecture Gallery Space: ca. 8,000 m2 (86,000 ft2) | Established: 2017 | Construction Cost: 108 million euros

Best Things to do in Abu Dhabi

by Phpeter / CC BY-SA 4.0

# Ferrari World Abu Dhabi 6 3 out of 5 stars

Home to the world’s fastest rollercoaster, this indoor amusement park offers a wide range of attractions and activities related to cars.

Amusement Park Opened: 2010 | Number of Attractions: 22 | Number of Rollercoasters: 5

Best Things to do in Abu Dhabi

by Jazon88 / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Qasr al Watan (Presidential Palace) 6 3 out of 5 stars

A part of the magnificently pompous and elegant presidential palace including the "The Great Hall" and a very impressive chandelier with 350,000 pieces of crystal are open to visitors.

Presidential Palace and Garden Open to the Public: year-round | Opened: 2019

Best Things to do in Abu Dhabi

by smadore

# Emirates Palace (Hotel) 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

This "beyond 5-star luxury" hotel was considered the most expensive hotel in the world until 2010.

Built and furnished like a residence castle in Arabesque style, with specific features such as columns, lofty ceilings, and a total of 115 domes, this hotel was originally a palace. You can visit the lobby and walk around in certain areas or have afternoon tea to get an impression.

💡 Formerly offered guided tours seem to have stopped with the new ownership.

Hotel Opened: 2005 | Construction Cost: USD$3 billion

Best Things to do in Abu Dhabi

by Валерий Дед / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Corniche 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Stretching 8 km (5 miles), Abu Dhabi's trendy waterfront is a beach, boulevard, and the main artery in one.

Seafront Promenade Length: 8 km / 5 miles

Best Things to do in Abu Dhabi

by Rüdiger Meier / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Al Hosn Palace (Qasr al-Hosn) 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

As the oldest and only historical building in the city, this mighty stone fort acts as a cultural landmark and welcomes visitors today as a history and culture museum.

Fort and Museum

Best Things to do in Abu Dhabi

by Peturrunar / CC BY-SA 4.0

# Observation Deck at 300 Etihad Towers 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

The observation deck on the 74th floor from the highest vantage point in Abu Dhabi at 300 m offers outstanding panoramic views over the city and the Arabian Gulf, although only from the interior.

Skyscraper Completed: 2011 | Total Height: 305.3 m / 1,002 ft | Observation Deck: 281.6 m / 924 ft | Construction Cost: 2.5 bn Dirham

Best Things to do in Abu Dhabi

by P6G47TG / CC BY-SA 4.0

# Emirates Park Zoo 5 2.8 out of 5 stars

Located in a suburb to the northeast, a 30-minute drive from Abu Dhabi, this small zoo is home to about 1,500 animals representing more than 225 species.

Highlights include a pair of white tigers and Siberian bears.

Zoo Opened: 2008 | Species: 225 | Animals: 1,500

Best Things to do in Abu Dhabi

by pelican / CC BY-SA 2.0

# Heritage Village 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

This authentic replica of a Bedouin Oasis Village offers a glimpse of what the capital looked like 50 years ago.

Heritage Village 

Heritage Village Abu Dhabi

by Ijanderson977 / Public domain

Scoring and Icons Legend (Click here for detailed information)

10 = top-10 sight in the world

9 = world-class  

8 = outstanding

7 = excellent 

6 = impressive

5 = interesting

4 = decent

3 = mediocre

2 = bad

1 = abysmal

= World Heritage Site

= Excursion


C. Other notable sights and attractions in Abu Dhabi

- Saadiyat Beach 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

A public beach, hotel beaches, and a beach club invite you to swim at this protected beach on the idyllic island of Saadiyat.

Public Beach Water Temperature: all year 22 (March)-31 (August) °C, 71.6-77°F

Saadiyat Beach Abu Dhabi

by Adman Payne / CC BY-SA 4.0

    • Sheikh Zayed Bridge 5
    • Warner Bros World (Theme Park) 5
    • Corniche Beach 5
    • Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital 5
    • Yas Island 5
    • Yas Waterworld 5
    • World Trade Center Mall 5
    • Marina Mall 5
    • Umm Al Emarat Park 5

D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Abu Dhabi

Hafeet Mountain 6 3.5 out of 5 stars

Mountain Distance from Abu Dhabi: 202 km

Hafeet Mountain

by Arjunmangol / CC BY-SA 3.0

Dubai (139 km from Abu Dhabi) 8

Desert Safari (200 km Abu Dhabi) 6

Sir Bani Yas Wildlife Park (on Sir Bani Yas Island, ca. 200 km from Abu Dhabi) 5


E. Top 10 List of The Highlights in Abu Dhabi (including close-by excursions)

To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend to you when visiting Abu Dhabi for at least two entire days.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque 8

Louvre Abu Dhabi 7

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi 6 

Qasr al Watan (Presidential Palace) 6 

Emirates Palace Hotel 6 

Corniche 5.5

Observation Deck at 300 Etihad Towers 5.5

Al Hosn Palace (Museum)5.5

Emirates Park Zoo 5

Heritage Village 5