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Things to do in Abu Dhabi range from world-class museums and Formula 1 to quiet mangroves and desert oases, and the capital moves at a calmer pace than Dubai, which is exactly why we love it. Whether you live in the emirate, are visiting for a long weekend or are coming over from Dubai for the day, the easiest way to plan is by district. The listings above show everything currently on in Abu Dhabi. Below, we share our guide to the Saadiyat Cultural District, Yas Island, the Corniche and the city centre, and the day trips to Al Ain that show a completely different side of the emirate.
Saadiyat Island is home to one of the most ambitious cultural districts in the world. Louvre Abu Dhabi, under its famous floating dome, mixes art from every era and civilisation, and the light falling through the dome is a sight in itself. The Zayed National Museum, which opened in December 2025, tells the story of the UAE and its founding father, Sheikh Zayed. Nearby, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi offers immersive digital art you walk through, and the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi covers everything from dinosaurs to the formation of the Earth. Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, focused on modern and contemporary art, is the district’s newest addition, so check its official site for opening details before you plan a visit. Saadiyat also has some of the emirate’s nicest beaches, so we often pair a museum morning with an afternoon by the sea. Book museum tickets online in advance, and check the official sites for current prices and opening hours. Our art and culture page lists the talks and exhibitions on across the capital.
Yas Island is where Abu Dhabi does thrills and big nights. It brings together Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, so families can easily fill two or three days here. Yas Marina Circuit hosts the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, usually as the final race of the season in late November or early December, and offers track experiences through the rest of the year. Etihad Arena on Yas Bay hosts many of the biggest concerts, comedy shows and sporting events in the country, while the Yas Bay waterfront is lined with restaurants and bars for a night out. Hotels fill quickly on race weekend, so we book well ahead. See our sports events page for what is coming up.
The Corniche is Abu Dhabi’s long waterfront promenade, with beaches, cycle paths, parks and views of the skyline. It is at its best in the early evening, when families come out for a stroll. Nearby, Qasr Al Hosn is the oldest stone building in the city and a good first stop to understand how Abu Dhabi grew from a fishing and pearling settlement. Next door, the Cultural Foundation hosts exhibitions, theatre and children’s programmes. Further along the coast, Qasr Al Watan, the presidential palace, is open to visitors and has an evening light and sound show. Heritage Village on the breakwater gives a glimpse of traditional life, with views back across the water to the Corniche.
No visit to the capital is complete without the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world, with white marble domes and vast chandeliers. A small entry fee for visitors was introduced in 2026, with some groups such as worshippers still free, so check the official website before you go. Dress modestly, with arms and legs covered, and women need a head scarf inside. For nature, Abu Dhabi has a surprising green side. Jubail Mangrove Park has boardwalks through the mangroves, and kayak tours explore the Eastern Mangroves, where you might spot herons and crabs. Mornings and late afternoons are the best times to go.
Al Ain, the Garden City, sits inland near the Oman border, roughly a 90-minute to two-hour drive from Abu Dhabi city or Dubai. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it feels completely different from the coast. Wander the shaded palm groves of the Al Ain Oasis, where the ancient falaj irrigation system still runs, then visit Al Jahili Fort and the Al Ain Palace Museum, the former home of Sheikh Zayed. Al Ain Zoo is a favourite with families, and the drive up Jebel Hafeet, the UAE’s second-highest peak, is spectacular at sunset. In winter, the cooler air makes it a perfect weekend escape.
Abu Dhabi city is roughly a 90-minute drive from central Dubai, depending on traffic and where you start, and intercity buses run between the two. Within the emirate, taxis are easy to find and most places are best reached by car or taxi. The best season for outdoor plans runs from late October to April. In summer, temperatures regularly pass 40°C, so we stick to museums, malls and indoor theme parks in the daytime. Weekends and public holidays are busiest at the Grand Mosque and on Yas Island, so a weekday visit is calmer. For family ideas, see our kids and family events page, and for more of the UAE, try things to do in Dubai or plan a full weekend away.
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We list 56 events in Abu Dhabi in the next few weeks, including CinemaNA: Promised Sky 2026 in Abu Dhabi (3 Nov), Al Wahda vs Al Khaldiya SC: AFC Champions League Two 2026 in Abu Dhabi (4 Nov), Fire, Fantasy and Dance 2026 in Abu Dhabi (5 Nov). Tickets start from AED 10, and 2 are free. Every listing links to the official ticket page.
Yes, Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island is one of the UAE’s most rewarding cultural visits, with galleries that trace human history from ancient civilisations to contemporary art beneath Jean Nouvel’s floating dome. Plan around two to three hours. Book tickets online in advance, check the official site for current prices and hours, and combine it with the nearby Zayed National Museum or Saadiyat Beach.
At Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, all visitors must wear loose, non-transparent clothing that covers the arms and legs to the ankles, and women must cover their hair with a head scarf. Tight clothing, shorts and short sleeves are not permitted. Shoes are removed before entering the prayer halls. The mosque introduced a small visitor entry fee in 2026, so check the official website before visiting.
Yas Island in Abu Dhabi has four major theme parks: Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, home to some of the world’s fastest roller coasters, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. Multi-park passes are available, and Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World and SeaWorld are indoors, making them a good summer choice. See our kids and family events page for more ideas.
The Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is usually held at Yas Marina Circuit in late November or early December, often as the final race of the season, and is known for its day to night race under floodlights. Race weekends usually include after-race concerts at Etihad Park. Hotels and tickets sell quickly, so book early. Our sports events page lists the dates.
Yes, Al Ain makes an excellent day trip, roughly 90 minutes to two hours by car from both Abu Dhabi city and Dubai. The UNESCO-listed city offers the shaded palm groves of Al Ain Oasis, Al Jahili Fort, the Al Ain Palace Museum, Al Ain Zoo and the winding drive up Jebel Hafeet. It is most pleasant from November to March, when temperatures are cooler.
The Abu Dhabi Corniche is a waterfront promenade of around eight kilometres with public beaches, cycling and walking paths, playgrounds and cafés, plus views of the city skyline. It is busiest and most pleasant in the early evening, especially from October to April. Qasr Al Hosn and the Cultural Foundation are a short walk inland, and Heritage Village sits on the breakwater nearby.
The most popular place to kayak in Abu Dhabi’s mangroves is Eastern Mangroves, where guided tours paddle through calm channels with herons, crabs and occasionally turtles. Jubail Mangrove Park on Jubail Island also has boardwalks and kayak trips. Tours are usually timed around the tide, and early mornings or late afternoons are best to avoid the heat. Book with a licensed operator.
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