8 of the best things to do in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi might be the capital of the United Arab Emirates, but when it comes to tourism, it is its glitzier cousin Dubai that pulls in the masses.

While visitors flock to Dubai in search of white beaches, glowing tans and a whole lot of gold (whether on top of food, or physical riches), tourists looking to uncover the country’s cultural heritage are headed to the capital.

There, they will find some of the Middle East’s best museums and art galleries, unexpected nature and wildlife experiences, and really great food.

Looking to count yourself among them soon? Here are the best things to do in Abu Dhabi.

8 of the best things to do in Abu Dhabi

You will struggle to find a more exciting area in the capital than Saadiyat Cultural District, the Abu Dhabi neighbourhood home to many of the city’s museums and art galleries. While many of the big hitters (like the Zayed National Museum, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and the Natural History Museum) won’t open until the end of 2025, there’s still lots to explore. Start with the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the largest art museum in the Arabian Peninsula, home to works by Piet Mondrian and Katsushika Hokusai as well as pages from the blue Qur’an. Even the building itself is a work of art, having been designed by Jean Nouvel with a large dome inspired by Arabic Mashrabiya, a kind of lattice found in traditional architecture.

Elsewhere in the district, you’ll find Abrahamic Family House. Opened in early 2023, the complex features a mosque, church and a synagogue, all of equal size with varying designs. Architecturally stunning, you can learn more on a guided tour. In the winter months, don’t miss the coffee pop-up from local brand Ethr in the sky garden.

For a deeper dive into Abu Dhabi’s cultural scene, head to Manarat Al Saadiyat. The first gallery to open in the neighbourhood, the space hosts numerous events throughout the year like the Abu Dhabi Art Fair. You can also learn art here, rather than just view it, with numerous workshops as well as a pottery studio within Taparelle, the French-Italian restaurant on-site.

More information: louvreabudhabi.ae / abrahamicfamilyhouse.ae / manaratalsaadiyat.ae.

Dianne’s insider tip: Stick around at Louvre Abu Dhabi for sunset at Art Lounge. The bar, located under the museum’s dome, offers spectacular views over the city.

The UAE has a penchant for building things that are the biggest, the tallest, the widest, and whatever other superlatives you can think of. So it should hardly come as a surprise to you that one of its greatest attractions, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, broke records when it opened as it is home to the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet, spanning 5,630 square metres. The building itself is also suitably grand, with 82 domes of varying sizes and a lighting system that’s connected to the lunar cycle, illuminating the mosque to varying degrees from crescent to full moon.

The mosque no longer provides free abayas to rent, but you can purchase one in the shop for AED45 (£9.70). Tours are available throughout the day, but you should be aware that you won’t be able to visit during Friday prayers.

More information: szgmc.gov.ae

Dianne’s insider tip: If you’ve ever seen a photo of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque reflected in a pool of water, it was snapped from Wahat Al Karama, located just across the road. The war memorial, dedicated to Emirati servicemen who have lost their lives, features 31 massive leaning tablets, symbolising unity and strength, as well as a shallow pool within the memorial plaza.

While you might associate Abu Dhabi with the vast desert to its south (more on that in a moment), the emirate is also blessed with plenty of greenery in the form of mangroves. There are more than 70 sq km of mangrove trees across the emirate, and kayaking around Jubail Mangrove Park is a popular tourist activity. Should the tide be out rendering water-based activities impossible, you can also walk along the 2 km boardwalk.

Other popular kayaking spots include the Eastern Mangroves and Reem Island, a residential neighbourhood you might recognise for its Marina Bay Sands-esque Gate Towers.

More information: jubailisland.ae

Dianne’s insider tip: If you have time for a day trip, head out to Mamsha Al Mugheirah, located around a 90-minute drive from the city. You’ll most likely have the mangrove walk there to yourself, and once you’re done, you can explore the food trucks nearby. The area is also home to Bab Al Nojoum Al Mugheirah, a resort where you can stay in converted airstreams. 

Read next: Exploring Al Ain, Abu Dhabi’s ‘Garden City’

The UAE itself may only be just over 50 years old, but Bedouin tribes have lived in the area for thousands of years. A visit to the House of Artisans will offer you the chance to uncover more about the arts and craft heritage of these tribes, with displays and workshops showcasing Sadu, a type of weaving, and Talli, a form of decorative embroidery.

The House of Artisans is part of a complex that also includes Qasr Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi’s oldest stone building, and the Cultural Foundation, which first opened in 1981. If you’re visiting in January, don’t miss the Al Hosn Festival, with live musical performances, and if you’re in town for Ramadan, the area around Qasr Al Hosn often has late-night coffee shops and food trucks.

More information: qasralhosn.ae

Dianne’s insider tip: Al Musallah Prayer Hall next to Qasr Al Hosn is home to Erth, the world’s first-ever Michelin-starred Emirati restaurant. Sit outside and admire the views of the water feature and surrounding skyscrapers, and be sure to order the margooga ravioli.

If Saadiyat Cultural District is Abu Dhabi’s most exciting neighbourhood, Mina Zayed is its coolest. The port district is currently being transformed as part of the MiZa project, with a number of warehouses being converted into spaces that can be rented out by small and medium sized creative businesses.

Explore independent gallery 421 for contemporary art from Emirati and Middle Eastern artists, or attend themed pop-up events at MiZa’s The Alley, which have previously includes vinyl souks, roller skating rinks, and iftars. If you’re feeling creative yourself, attend a class at Make, and if you need to get some work done, head to co-working space Madar_39.

More information: 421.online / @mizaabudhabi / @makeabudhabi / m39.ae

Dianne’s insider tip: Mina Zayed is also a bit of a foodie destination. If you’re a fan of fresh seafood, head to the Fish Market, where you can pick out your own seafood and take it into one of the restaurants inside to be cooked as-you-like-it. Alternatively, the Souq Al Mina development is home to Marmellata, where you’ll be able to order the best pizza in the UAE… provided you don’t mind queueing. 

Speaking of foodie destinations, there are several to choose from in Abu Dhabi, offering a mix of local and international favourites. Mamsha Al Saadiyat boasts amazing views of Soul Beach, and has options like Japanese yakitori restaurant NIRI (named among the 50 Best Restaurants in the Middle East), pizzeria Antonia, French eatery Raclette and Lebanese spot Beirut Sur Mer.

Yas Island might be best known for its F1 track and theme parks, but there are some superb restaurants here, too. At Yas Marina, grab Mediterranean dishes at Mika or Italian plates at Cipriani; at Yas Bay Waterfront, our favourites include Korean restaurant NURI, the ever-lively Mexican spot Barbossa, and ramen bar Daikan Izakaya.

Al Qana, located across the creek from the grand mosque, is a good choice for an evening stroll followed by sushi at Otoro, Arabic cuisine at Tazal or Mediterranean food at Oii. NB: While many restaurants in Abu Dhabi serve alcohol, and the emirate is even home to the GCC’s first ever brewery, CRAFT, Al Qana is an unlicensed area.

Dianne’s insider tip: While Uber does work in Abu Dhabi, to book local taxis (silver cars with yellow signs on top) you should download Yango instead. Your ride will be cheaper, and likely arrive faster.

Conservation work since the 1970s has turned Sir Bani Yas Island into a paradise for humans and animals alike. More than 17,000 animals, including Arabian Oryx, gazelle, giraffes and deer roam free here, and you can book in for a safari tour to see them for yourself.

As for the human part of paradise, the island is home to a trio of five-star resorts: Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara, Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villa Resort and Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Yamm Villa Resort. Game drives followed by pampering in the spa? Well worth the three-hour drive from the city…

More information: anantara.com

Read next: 5 reasons to visit Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

Several Abu Dhabi locations have been immortalised in film, from Zayed International Airport in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023) to Etihad Towers in Furious 7 (2015). But if there’s one in particular that left an impression, it’s the Liwa Desert, thanks to its starring role in Dune. For the second movie, stars Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya spent a month filming amongst the rolling sand dunes which served as a stand-in for the planet Arrakis, and we can guarantee the sandscape is even more impressive in person.

You can book in for an overnight camping experience, or simply drive to see the giant Liwa sign, which is the world’s tallest landmark sign at 23.5 m tall (what did we say earlier?)

Dianne’s insider tip: Each December, the Liwa Desert plays host to Liwa Village. While it’s mostly fun for families, with lots of kids’ activities, there’s also live music from local singers and a souk where you can buy food and knickknacks from local vendors.