Best Tourist Places in Abu Dhabi: Top Attractions & Excursions

Choosing the best tourist place in Abu Dhabi depends on what you love: faith and architecture, art, adrenaline or open desert. This guide ranks the capital's top attractions and the most popular excursions in Abu Dhabi, with timings and tips for each. For the big picture on planning, visas and seasons, start with our complete Abu Dhabi travel guide.

Top 10 Tourist Places in Abu Dhabi

1. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Widely considered the best tourist place in Abu Dhabi, the mosque holds up to 40,000 worshippers and features 82 white marble domes and one of the world's largest hand-knotted carpets. Entry is free but must be booked online. Visit around sunset to see the marble change colour.

2. Louvre Abu Dhabi

Jean Nouvel's floating dome creates a "rain of light" over galleries that trace human history from prehistory to today. Allow three hours and add a kayak tour beneath the dome if available.

3. Qasr Al Watan

This working presidential palace opens its Great Hall, library and gardens to visitors. Stay for the evening light and sound show projected onto the facade.

4. Yas Island Theme Parks

Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, Yas Waterworld and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi sit within minutes of each other. A multi-park pass is the best value for two or more parks.

5. Saadiyat Cultural District

Beyond the Louvre, explore teamLab Phenomena, the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum, then relax on Saadiyat Public Beach.

6. The Corniche

An 8 km waterfront promenade with Blue Flag beaches, cycle paths and skyline views. Best at sunrise or after 5 pm.

7. Qasr Al Hosn

The city's oldest stone building, once a watchtower and royal residence, now a museum of Abu Dhabi's history.

8. Mangrove National Park

Kayak or paddleboard through calm channels and spot herons, crabs and occasionally turtles. Tours run from Eastern Mangroves and Jubail Island.

9. Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental

Even if you are not staying, visit for afternoon tea and a look at the gold-leaf interiors.

10. Heritage Village

A free open-air recreation of a traditional oasis village, with craft demonstrations and views back to the city.

Best Excursions in Abu Dhabi

These excursions in Abu Dhabi take you beyond the city limits and are easy to add to any itinerary.

Many of these excursions can be bundled at a lower price inside an Abu Dhabi tour package.

Best Places by Traveller Type

• Families: Yas Island parks, Natural History Museum, Saadiyat Beach.
• Couples: Louvre at sunset, dhow cruise, Emirates Palace afternoon tea.
• Culture lovers: Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan, Qasr Al Hosn, Zayed National Museum.
• Adventure seekers: Desert safari, Liwa dunes, Formula Rossa at Ferrari World.

Not sure how to fit them together? Our day-by-day planner for first-time trips in Abu Dhabi groups these sights into efficient daily routes.

Frequently Asked Questions