Things to do in Abu Dhabi
- The city is composed of more than 200 natural islands.
- Abu Dhabi holds approximately 9% of the world's proven oil reserves.
- The city was originally a small fishing village before the discovery of oil led to its rapid transformation starting in the 1960s.
- Falconry is a deeply ingrained cultural tradition, and the city even operates a specialized Falcon Hospital to treat these birds.
- The local government mandates that all new buildings must meet specific sustainability standards known as Estidama.
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.
Highlights of Abu Dhabi
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Museums
See the iconic floating dome architecture and an extensive collection of global art history.
Places of interest
Explore the intricate craftsmanship and formal halls of the nation's working administrative headquarters.
Parks
Walk through diverse botanical landscapes including a shade house and evening light displays.
Museums
Visit reconstructed traditional desert dwellings to understand pre-oil life in the region.
Beaches and ponds
Relax on the public beachfront overlooking the Persian Gulf with a dedicated view of the city skyline.
Historical places
Tour the city's oldest stone building which served as the residence for the ruling Al Nahyan family.
Parks
Kayak through extensive native mangrove forests that provide a critical natural habitat for local marine life.
Top things to do in Abu Dhabi
The 571 highest-rated places in Abu Dhabi, ranked by travellers.
1
Temples
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates, featuring 82 domes of varying sizes and...
2
Amusement parks
Ferrari World Yas Island is the world's first Ferrari-branded theme park, featuring the record-breaking Formula Rossa, t...
3
Museums
Louvre Abu Dhabi is an encyclopedic museum located on Saadiyat Island, designed by architect Jean Nouvel. Its most disti...
4
Amusement parks
Warner Bros. World™ Yas Island is the world’s largest indoor theme park, encompassing 1.65 million square feet under a s...
5
Places of interest
The Sheikh Zayed Festival is an annual cultural and heritage event held in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, honoring the UAE's foun...
6
Parks
Yas Waterworld is a themed water park on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, featuring over 40 rides, slides, and attractions. The pa...
7
Zoos
Emirates Park Zoo and Resort is a combined zoological park and accommodation facility located in the Al Bahyah area of A...
8
Places of interest
Qasr Al Watan is a functioning presidential palace in Abu Dhabi that opened its doors to the public in 2019. The site se...
9
Parks
Umm Al Emarat Park is one of Abu Dhabi’s oldest and largest urban parks, spanning over 14 hectares in the Mushrif area....
10
Places of interest
Al Qana is a 2.4-kilometer waterfront social dining and entertainment destination located along the Al Maqta channel in...
11
Museums
Emirates Heritage Village is a reconstructed traditional oasis village showcasing life in pre-oil Abu Dhabi. The site fe...
12
Beaches and ponds
Corniche Beach is an 8-kilometer-long waterfront stretch in Abu Dhabi offering turquoise water, manicured gardens, and d...
13
Historical places
Qasr Al Hosn is the oldest stone building in Abu Dhabi, serving as the city's original watchtower constructed around 176...
14
Beaches and ponds
Al Bateen Beach is a serene coastline retreat in Abu Dhabi known for its calm waters and views of Hudayriat Island. The...
15
Temples
The BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi is the first traditional stone Hindu temple in the Middle East, inaugurated in Februa...
16
Temples
St. Joseph's Cathedral serves as the seat of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia in Abu Dhabi. The current buildi...
17
Parks
The Lake Park is a prominent landscaped urban green space located in the Al Danah district of Abu Dhabi. It features a c...
18
Zoos
The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi is the largest aquarium in the Middle East, spanning over 10 zones and housing more than...
19
Parks
Family Park is a prominent public recreational space situated along the Abu Dhabi Corniche coastline. It features extens...
20
Parks
Khalidiyah Park is a centrally located urban green space in the Al Khalidiyah district of Abu Dhabi, featuring manicured...
21
Parks
Khalifa Park is a sprawling public green space in Abu Dhabi featuring landscaped gardens, water features, and the Murjan...
22
Venues
Zayed Cricket Stadium is the premier international cricket venue in the United Arab Emirates, located within the Abu Dha...
23
Parks
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Parks
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Museums
26
Parks
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Parks
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Venues
29
Places of interest
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Museums
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Abu Dhabi on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Abu Dhabi
November to March, when temperatures are mild and suitable for outdoor activities and beach visits.
3-4 days, which allows enough time to explore the major cultural institutions, city parks, and coastal areas without rushing.
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.
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.
Expensive; visitors should expect high costs for luxury accommodation, dining, and private transport.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 571 curated attractions in and around Abu Dhabi, ranked by traveller ratings.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the highest-rated place to visit in Abu Dhabi right now.
The largest category is temples, with 456 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Jumeirah, Al Ain, Ajman.
Explore more of United Arab Emirates
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
