Back to map
A

Abu Dhabi

658 attractions · United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates

Things to do in Abu Dhabi

658 attractions · United Arab Emirates

Photo: Marko Kudjerski from Toronto, Canada, CC BY 2.0

Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates · 24.478, 54.369

About Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and sits on a T-shaped island extending into the Persian Gulf. The city balances rapid modernization with deep-rooted traditions, evidenced by the historical significance of Qasr Al Hosn and the contemporary architectural scale of the UAE Presidential Palace. Beyond its urban core, the city emphasizes ecological preservation and public leisure, highlighted by the vast green expanses of Umm Al Emarat Park and the coastal biodiversity found at the Mangrove Marine National Park. It serves as a global cultural hub, anchored by the iconic Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Good to know

  1. 1

    The city is composed of more than 200 natural islands.

  2. 2

    Abu Dhabi holds approximately 9% of the world's proven oil reserves.

  3. 3

    The city was originally a small fishing village before the discovery of oil led to its rapid transformation starting in the 1960s.

  4. 4

    Falconry is a deeply ingrained cultural tradition, and the city even operates a specialized Falcon Hospital to treat these birds.

  5. 5

    The local government mandates that all new buildings must meet specific sustainability standards known as Estidama.

Plan your visit to Abu Dhabi

Best time to visit

November to March, when temperatures are mild and suitable for outdoor activities and beach visits.

How many days

3-4 days, which allows enough time to explore the major cultural institutions, city parks, and coastal areas without rushing.

Getting around

Most visitors rely on taxis, ride-sharing apps, or rental cars, as the city is spread out and car-centric, though a bus network exists.

Where to stay

The Corniche area is ideal for proximity to the beach and parks, while Yas Island or Saadiyat Island are preferred for leisure and cultural accessibility.

Budget

Expensive; visitors should expect high costs for luxury accommodation, dining, and private transport.

Top things to do in Abu Dhabi

The 658 most popular places in Abu Dhabi.

Filtered by
  1. 1 Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
    Temples Very popular

    Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

    The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates, featuring 82 domes of varying sizes and...

  2. 2 Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
    Amusement parks Very popular

    Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

    Ferrari World Yas Island is the world's first Ferrari-branded theme park, featuring the record-breaking Formula Rossa, t...

  3. 3 Louvre Abu Dhabi
    Museums Very popular

    Louvre Abu Dhabi

    Louvre Abu Dhabi is an encyclopedic museum located on Saadiyat Island, designed by architect Jean Nouvel. Its most disti...

  4. 4 Warner Bros. World™ Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
    Amusement parks Very popular

    Warner Bros. World™ Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

    Warner Bros. World™ Yas Island is the world’s largest indoor theme park, encompassing 1.65 million square feet under a s...

  5. 5 Sheikh Zayed Festival
    Places of interest Very popular

    Sheikh Zayed Festival

    The Sheikh Zayed Festival is an annual cultural and heritage event held in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, honoring the UAE's foun...

  6. 6 Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi
    Parks Very popular

    Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi

    Yas Waterworld is a themed water park on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, featuring over 40 rides, slides, and attractions. The pa...

  7. 7 Emirates Park Zoo and Resort
    Zoos Very popular

    Emirates Park Zoo and Resort

    Emirates Park Zoo and Resort is a combined zoological park and accommodation facility located in the Al Bahyah area of A...

  8. 8 UAE Presidential Palace
    Places of interest Popular

    UAE Presidential Palace

    Qasr Al Watan is a functioning presidential palace in Abu Dhabi that opened its doors to the public in 2019. The site se...

  9. 9 Umm Al Emarat Park
    Parks Popular

    Umm Al Emarat Park

    Umm Al Emarat Park is one of Abu Dhabi’s oldest and largest urban parks, spanning over 14 hectares in the Mushrif area....

  10. 10 Al Qana
    Places of interest Popular

    Al Qana

    Al Qana is a 2.4-kilometer waterfront social dining and entertainment destination located along the Al Maqta channel in...

  11. 11 Qasr Al Watan
    Historical places Popular

    Qasr Al Watan

    Qasr Al Watan is a functioning presidential palace in Abu Dhabi, serving as the official seat of the United Arab Emirate...

  12. 12 Emirates Heritage Village
    Museums Popular

    Emirates Heritage Village

    Emirates Heritage Village is a reconstructed traditional oasis village showcasing life in pre-oil Abu Dhabi. The site fe...

  13. 13 Corniche Beach
    Beaches and ponds Popular

    Corniche Beach

    Corniche Beach is an 8-kilometer-long waterfront stretch in Abu Dhabi offering turquoise water, manicured gardens, and d...

  14. 14 Qasr Al Hosn
    Historical places Popular

    Qasr Al Hosn

    Qasr Al Hosn is the oldest stone building in Abu Dhabi, serving as the city's original watchtower constructed around 176...

  15. 15 Al Bateen Beach
    Beaches and ponds Popular

    Al Bateen Beach

    Al Bateen Beach is a serene coastline retreat in Abu Dhabi known for its calm waters and views of Hudayriat Island. The...

  16. 16 BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi
    Temples Popular

    BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi

    The BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi is the first traditional stone Hindu temple in the Middle East, inaugurated in Februa...

  17. 17 The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi
    Zoos Popular

    The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi

    The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi is the largest aquarium in the Middle East, spanning over 10 zones and housing more than...

  18. 18 St. Joseph's Cathedral
    Temples Popular

    St. Joseph's Cathedral

    St. Joseph's Cathedral serves as the seat of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia in Abu Dhabi. The current buildi...

  19. 19 The Lake Park
    Parks Popular

    The Lake Park

    The Lake Park is a prominent landscaped urban green space located in the Al Danah district of Abu Dhabi. It features a c...

  20. 20 Marsana Beach
    Places of interest Popular

    Marsana Beach

    Marsana Beach is a curated waterfront destination located on Hudayriyat Island in Abu Dhabi, designed as a community hub...

  21. 21 Family Park
    Parks Popular

    Family Park

    Family Park is a prominent public recreational space situated along the Abu Dhabi Corniche coastline. It features extens...

  22. 22 Capital Park
    Parks Popular

    Capital Park

    Capital Park is an established urban green space located in the Al Danah district of Abu Dhabi, UAE. Spanning a central...

  23. 23 Khalidiyah Park
    Parks Popular

    Khalidiyah Park

    Khalidiyah Park is a centrally located urban green space in the Al Khalidiyah district of Abu Dhabi, featuring manicured...

  24. 24 CUBE Challenges Abu Dhabi
    Playgrounds Popular

    CUBE Challenges Abu Dhabi

    CUBE Challenges Abu Dhabi is an immersive, interactive gaming destination located on Level 2 of Reem Mall on Al Reem Isl...

  25. 25 Khalifa Park
    Parks Popular

    Khalifa Park

    Khalifa Park is a sprawling public green space in Abu Dhabi featuring landscaped gardens, water features, and the Murjan...

  26. 26 Zayed Cricket Stadium
    Venues Popular

    Zayed Cricket Stadium

    Zayed Cricket Stadium is the premier international cricket venue in the United Arab Emirates, located within the Abu Dha...

  27. 27 Jubail Mangrove Park
    Parks Popular

    Jubail Mangrove Park

    Jubail Mangrove Park is a self-contained sanctuary featuring vast natural mangrove forests integrated into the coastal e...

  28. 28 Reem Central Park
    Parks Popular

    Reem Central Park

    Reem Central Park is a one-million-square-foot waterfront recreational space located on Al Reem Island. The park feature...

  29. 29 Mangrove Marine National Park
    Parks Popular

    Mangrove Marine National Park

    Mangrove National Park (Jubail Mangrove Park) preserves a significant portion of Abu Dhabi's total mangrove forest popul...

  30. 30 Khalifa City Market
    Places of interest Popular

    Khalifa City Market

    Khalifa City Market serves as a primary neighborhood hub for residents in the Khalifa City district of Abu Dhabi. The fa...

Explore by category

Jump straight to what you're into.

Abu Dhabi on the map

Top attractions plotted across the city.

Open full map
Open full map

Frequently asked

How many attractions are there in Abu Dhabi?

Aventuro lists 658 curated attractions in and around Abu Dhabi, sorted by popularity.

What's the top attraction in Abu Dhabi?

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the most popular place to visit in Abu Dhabi right now.

What kind of attractions does Abu Dhabi have?

The largest category is temples, with 485 places to explore.

Which other cities are worth visiting nearby?

Travellers also explore Jumeirah, Ajman, Al Ain.