When it comes to visiting UAE, we often think whether to go to Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Both these emirates of UAE have some amazing beaches, beautiful waterparks, best adventure parks of the world, iconic buildings and heritage villages. Both the places have so much to offer to visitors that it becomes difficult to decide whether you should stay in Dubai or in Abu Dhabi. So, I am going to make it easy for you to decide between Dubai and Abu Dhabi in this blog post.
How? It’s very simple. The two emirates are located just around 2 hours apart. And as such, you can easily do an Abu Dhabi City Tour from Dubai. Or, a Dubai City Tour from Abu Dhabi. We did the former, as we stayed in Dubai all through our 6 days trip to Dubai. But, you can also split your trip between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Spending around 3 days at both the places. So that you are able to make the most of both. However, if you opt for an Abu Dhabi City tour from Dubai, you can easily cover all the major iconic places that Abu Dhabi has to offer. So, without further delay, let me start the Abu Dhabi City tour from Dubai for you.
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Abu Dhabi City Tour from Dubai
The key to doing a successful Abu Dhabi City Tour from Dubai is to start as early as possible. If you can start by 7:00am or 7:30am, that will be really great. And it will allow you ample time to do a comprehensive Abu Dhabi City Tour from Dubai.
The 2 hours ride from Dubai to Abu Dhabi is quiet smooth on one of the best highways of UAE. Interestingly, sightly after an hour and a few minutes into the trip, you will see the road change color from grey to brownish. And that tells you have actually entered Abu Dhabi!!
Places to see in Abu Dhabi on a City Tour from Dubai
There are several beautiful, stunning places to visit in Abu Dhabi. And there is no way one can cover all the places to see in Abu Dhabi in a day. So, you must choose from the below places which are of interest to most of the people visiting Abu Dhabi.
BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi
The BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi is the most grand Hindu Temple of the United Arab Emirates. It is built and inaugurated in 2020 on land gifted by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The temple is managed by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, a prominent Hindu organization known for its spiritual and social activities worldwide. This temple has a stunning architecture and a huge premise. Thousands of Hindus from across the UAE and middle east flock here on special occasions and holidays. Several cultural and community events, dance performances and spiritual gatherings are held in the BAPS Hindu Temple premises.
While the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi is primarily dedicated to Swaminarayan Sampraday. Several other deities are also worshipped in this temple. Some of them include Radha-Krishna, Ram-Sita, Shiv-Parvati, Hanuman and Ganesh. And also Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami, a close disciple of Swaminarayan Sampraday.
Temple timings : Sunrise to Late evening.
Entry Fee : The entry to BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi is free
It will be good to visit here early in the morning. When the crowd is minimum. Afterwards the crowd increases.
There is a huge parking facility at the premises of the BAPS Hindu Mandir. And it can take upto half an hour to walk all the way to the temple depending on how far from the temple you are parked. So, plan accordingly.
Abu Dhabi Mall
Located in the Tourist Club Area (Al Zahiyah) on Sheikh Zayed Street, Abu Dhabi Mall is one of the most prominent shopping destinations in Abu Dhabi and UAE. The Abu Dhabi Mall offers several international and local brands, fashion boutiques, electronics stores, department stores etc. across home, cosmetics, clothing and electronics categories. Also, the Abu Dhabi Mall has couple of large food courts that have all kind of cuisines from across the globe under one roof.
The Abu Dhabi Mall is also connected to the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. So, one can walk upto the mosque entrance from right inside the Abu Dhabi Mall, saving the time and effort to walk through the scorching sun in the peak summer months.
On our trip to Abu Dhabi, we arrived at Abu Dhabi Mall after visiting the BAPS Hindu Mandir. And then proceeded to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. After returning back from the mosque visit, we had our lunch at the food court at Abu Dhabi Mall. They even had Indian food options available.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the most significant places to visit in Abu Dhabi as well as UAE and the global Islamic community. It’s rich cultural and architectural significance can only be appreciated by visiting here. So, it is a must visit on an Abu Dhabi City Tour. And tops the list of places to see in Abu Dhabi.
The mosque is named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father and first President of the UAE. A perfect blend of beautiful whitewashed structure, very sober and beautifully carved work and perfect use of golden and grand features at places as ascent decor elements. To me, the architecture of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque represented the vision for cultural diversity, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence of Sheikh Zayed. Along with embodying values of openness, tolerance, and respect for other cultures and religions, which are fundamental to the UAE’s identity.
The architecture of Sheikh Zayed Mosque draws elements from Mughal, Moorish and Arab architectural designs. The marble work, floral designs, calligraphy and the dominate domes and minarets all come together and blend like the perfect elements of one single architecture.
The mosque has dedicated spaces for men and women for prayers, contemplation and worshipping. For people of all faith and religion there are guided tours and educational programs to promote interfaith understanding and cultural exchange.
Opening hours of Sheikh Zayed Grand Museum
Sheikh Zayed Grand Museum is open from 9:00am to 10:00pm on all days of the week. Except on friday when it remains open from 9:00am to 12:00pm.
Entry Fee of Sheikh Zayed Grand Museum
The entry to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is free. Although you need to obtain a ticket (like a token) to enter here.
Before entering the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, visitors have to go through a security check. Food items are not allowed inside the mosque. So, there are locker rooms available right before the queue to the security check, where you can deposit your bags.
Emirates Palace
An Abu Dhabi City tour can definitely not complete without a quick visit to the Emirates Palace – the ultimate landmark of luxury in Abu Dhabi. It is a five-star hotel managed by the Kempinski Group. And it is particularly known for it’s stunning surroundings, beautiful landscaping and opulent architecture. Inspired by Arabian architecture, every element of the design and architecture of the Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi speaks of luxury at it’s best. Even the decor elements are all very carefully selected, perfectly blending elements of Islamic aesthetics and modern luxury hotels. Marked with domes, intricate mosaics, lush gardens, and expansive courtyards.
The Emirates Palace is open in parts to walk-in visitors. So, like us, you can plan to stop here for a quick and refreshing pit-stop on your Abu Dhabi City Tour. Visitors can admire its architecture, stroll through its landscaped gardens, enjoy high tea or dining experiences, or simply take in the luxurious ambiance. For those interested to book an accommodation at the Emirates palace – they provide several accommodation options including rooms, suites, and even private villas. And also pamper their guests with multiple restaurants serving diverse cuisines, cafes, bars, swimming pools, a spa, fitness center, conference and event spaces, and private beach access.
Not just a hotel, the Emirates Palace is also a hub of various events, exhibitions, and concerts held in Abu Dhabi. It has also served as a location for several movies and other features from across the globe.
Entry fee to Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi
Entry to Emirates Palace is free of cost in case you want to just walk around and admire it’s luxurious settings.
Heritage Village Abu Dhabi
Another very interesting place to include in your Abu Dhabi City Tour is Heritage Village Abu Dhabi. It is a beautiful recreation of the village life of olden days in the region. It is located on the Corniche Breakwater. And it is very well managed by the Emirates Heritage Club. The primary elements of the Heritage Village include Souk (old style markets of UAE), a mosque, a camp and artisans working on traditional crafts such as pottery, weaving, glassblowing and metalwork. Sometimes, there are live exhibitions to show the visitors the artisans working. There are various exhibitions held here from time to time here to demonstrate and promote the local artisans work.
There is a small museum within the village that showcases artifacts from the UAE’s pre-oil era like traditional clothing, jewelry, tools and artefacts used in daily life in olden days etc.
The houses inside the Heritage Village Abu Dhabi include reconstructions of palm-leaf houses (arish), tents, and other structures typical of the desert environment. Overall it makes for a very good learning experience for families, kids and adults alike. Wherein they can learn about the olden days and historical settings of the Arab culture, with the perfect backdrop of the Arabian Gulf and several beautiful cafes and restaurants.
Since the setting of Heritage Village Abu Dhabi is very similar to the Heritage Village in Dubai that we visited on our Dubai City Tour. So, we skipped this one on our Abu Dhabi City Tour.
Entrance to Heritage Village Abu Dhabi is free of cost.
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
One of the most famous theme parks of Abu Dhabi and the UAE – if you have more time at hand. Do include Ferrari World in your Abu Dhabi City tour. This theme park offers combination of thrilling rides, interactive attractions, and exhibits dedicated to the famous Italian automobile brand – Ferrari. Some of the major rides and thrills and unique experiences that Ferrari World has at offer include –
- Formula Rossa: Known as the world’s fastest roller coaster – onboard which you get the feel of racing in a Formula 1.
- Flying Aces : World’s tallest loop and steepest cable lift.
- Junior Grand Prix: A tailored go-carting experience for young ones.
- Bell’Italia: An interesting miniature recreation of Italy with all it’s beautiful landmarks.
- Ferrari Driving Experience across Yas Island.
- Made in Maranello : to take you through the Ferrari construction process.
- Interactive and Educational exhibits like Galleria Ferrari and Speed of Magic.
- A theater experience in the form of Cinema Maranello
- Several dining and shopping centres.
Overall it offers many family activities, rides for people across all age groups and a lot of close experience with Ferraris. Overall, to experience Ferrari World, one should definitely dedicate one complete day.
Entry Fee of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi :
- Adult Single Day Ticket: AED 345
- Child Single Day Ticket (for children under 1.3 meters in height): AED 265
- Quick Pass (for faster access to rides): AED 150
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi also offers many packages and discount offers from time to time. For the most accurate and updated information, and checking out the currently running discounts, you can visit the official Ferrari World Abu Dhabi website (Ferrari World).
Yas Island
The Yas Island in Abu Dhabi is nothing less than a complete destination in itself. If you want to include the Yas Island in your Abu Dhabi City Tour, then at least reserve 3-4 days dedicated to this place itself. For, Yas Island has a plethora of things to do including indulgent shopping, theme parks visit, fine dining, golfing, entertainment and leisure. One can also enjoy staying in some of the most luxurious resorts of UAE.
The main attractions of Yas Island include :-
- Theme parks like Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld and Water Bros.
- Yas Marina Circuit – Formula 1 circuit also offers various driving experiences, karting, and cycling sessions
- The Yas Mall, several fine dine restaurants and cafes
- Yas Marina – a vibrant place for nightlife and cultural activities and exhibitions.
- CLYMB Abu Dhabi: Home to the world’s tallest indoor climbing wall and widest indoor skydiving flight chamber.
- Some of the luxury hotels in Yas Island include W Abu Dhabi, Radisson Blu Hotel, Hilton Hotel, Yas Hotel, Yas Island Rotana and Crown Plaza Abu Dhabi.
- Yas Links: An 18-hole championship golf course.
- Several cycling and running tracks.
- SeaWorld Abu Dhabi : marine-life theme park set to open in near future.
- Yas island is also home to several beautiful beaches of Abu Dhabi.
Saadiyat Island
Another beautiful island of Abu Dhabi and a must visit on the list of places to see on an Abu Dhabi City Tour is Saadiyat Island. Some of the prominent places to visit on Saadiyat Island include Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum – two most prominent museums of UAE, Guggenheim – the largest home to contemporary art in Abu Dhabi. Luxury hotels and resorts to stay in, residential blocks that are a pleasure to walk through, several prominent restaurants, hotels and cafes for the best of dining experience. And leisure activity spots like the Saadiyat beach, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club andManarat Al Saadiyat – a cultural centre to hold exhibitions, workshops and art & culture related events.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Have you visited the world famous Louvre Museum in Paris, France? If you haven’t, here’s your chance to have a very similar experience right in the centre of Abu Dhabi. The Louvre Abu Dhabi is a renowned art and civilization museum located on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, UAE. It has a very extensive art collection. Which calls for definitely prioritising it in your list of places to visit on your Abu Dhabi City Tour.
The museum was designed by the Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel. And it was developed through a collaboration of UAE and French government. Its most striking feature is the massive dome that spans 180 meters in diameter, creating a “rain of light” effect as sunlight filters through its intricate geometric pattern. The dome and the overall design of the museum are inspired by traditional Arabic architecture and the interplay of light and shadow found in Islamic art. It’s collection includes pieces from ancient civilizations, medieval manuscripts, and modern art across themed galleries. As well as temporary exhibitions.
The Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi offers several educational programs, including workshops, lectures, and guided tours and a special Children’s museum with special exhibits and activities tailored for children.
Timings of Louvre Abu Dhabi
- The Louvre Abu Dhabi is closed on Mondays
- From Tuesday through Sunday the Louvre Abu Dhabi is open from 10:00 AM to midnight.
- Galleries and Exhibitions at Louvre Abu Dhabi close at 6:30 PM on weekdays and 8:30 PM from Friday to Sunday
- The museum cafe is open 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM on weekdays, except Mondays. And Aptitude Cafe is open daily from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
- Art Lounge is open from 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM daily.
You can reserve 2.5-4 hours for visiting the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Qasar Al Watan
The name “Qasar Al Watan” means “Palace of the Nation”. The place is a working presidential palace as well as a cultural hub open to public. The palace has a stunning architecture reflecting rich Arab elements, including intricate details, including ornate ceilings, mosaics, and carvings. At the centre of the palace lies a Great Hall, with its magnificent dome and grand chandelier. The palace hosts several books, manuscripts, artifacts that signify the Arabian contribution to the shaping of the world, as we know it today. “Palace in motion” – An evening light and sound show that tells the story of the UAE’s history and heritage through stunning projections and music – must not be missed when visiting here.
The major attractions inside Qasar Al Watan Abu Dhabi include –
- Presidential Gifts: A collection of diplomatic gifts
- The Presidential Banquet : A replica of state banquet halls
- Spirit of Collaboration : A room for official meeting of international leaders
- Palace Gardens: A beautiful and expansive garden surrounding the Qasar Al Watan
Normally, Qasar Al Watan is open from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM all days for public visit.
Mangrove National Park
The only ecological area and mangrove forest of it’s type in Abu Dhabi, the Mangrove National Park is a must visit if you want to get a taste of nature amidst the luxury and man-made wonders of Abu Dhabi. It’s a costal biodiversity hub. And also a habitat for a variety of species, including fish, crabs, turtles, and birds like flamingos, herons, and other migratory birds. One can kayak, paddleboat, boardwalk, go on guided tours and take walking trails across this mangrove forest. Several environmental conservation and educational programs are conducted in this region.
PS: How to Obtain Dubai Visa for Indian Tourists
Early mornings and late afternoons are ideal times to visit, as temperatures are cooler and wildlife is more active.
Dubai Safari World
Technically, the Dubai Safari World lies in Dubai and not in Abu Dhabi. But because of it’s strategic location along the Dubai-Abu Dhabi highway, you can include it on the day of your Abu Dhabi City tour. And you can visit here from both Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Known as Dubai Safari Park or Dubai Safari World, it is a wildlife park rich in wildlife like lions, giraffes, elephants, zebras, crocodiles, and many more. It was open to public in 2017. And since then it holds several interactive experiences and educational programs aimed at raising awareness about wildlife conservation and environmental sustainability.
What places we saw on our Abu Dhabi City Tour from Dubai
We visited the BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi followed by the Abu Dhabi Mall. From the mall, we went to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. And after visiting the Mosque, we came back to the Abu Dhabi Mall for lunch. Post lunch we visited Emirates Palace and Heritage Village. We covered these places in a relaxed way on our trip to Abu Dhabi. And we had started from our hotel by 10:00am. If you start early, you can easily accommodate 1-2 more attractions in your list of Abu Dhabi City Tour from Dubai. But more than that might be too much stretch for a day trip. So, do plan to stay at least for a couple of days in Abu Dhabi to cover some of the other places to see in Abu Dhabi.
General tips on visiting Abu Dhabi
When is the best time to visit Abu Dhabi
Winter months, from November to April are considered best to visit Abu Dhabi. As the temperature during the day is also tolerable, with a maximum of around 30-33 degrees. But, if you primarily want to do indoor activities. Then you can visit Abu Dhabi all round the year, even during the summer months.
What does it cost to visit Abu Dhabi
The major cost of visiting Abu Dhabi will be incurred around accommodation, dining and food, shopping, transportation, attraction tickets and shopping. A typical mid-range trip to Abu Dhabi for one person might cost around INR 10,000/- (~ US$ 150) per day. This is assuming occasional taxi hire, fine dine, mid-range hotel stay and including a mix of free and paid activities and attractions. This price can go up if you plan to have dedicated taxi each day, stay in more high end hotels, fine dine once every day etc. and shop significantly. Also, it can reduce further if you do the following –
- Use public transport to commute when in Abu Dhabi and to nearby cities like Dubai
- Don’t shop on your trip or pick only a couple of low cost souvenirs like magnets.
- Book an apart hotel or an airbnb and cook several of your meals whenever possible, at your accommodation.
- Shop grocery from local stores and fruits from local fruit markets like locals do.
- Try to maximise on free things to do in Abu Dhabi and only include few paid attractions in Abu Dhabi like one water park, one museum etc.
- Plan your trip in shoulder season when the prices and the crowd is less. Like plan a trip in April or October.
How to reach Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is one of the most conveniently and superbly connected places from the rest of the globe. In short, you can reach here conveniently through any means of communication like –
- By Air: Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) serves as the main gateway to the city. It’s well-connected to major cities around the world, with numerous airlines offering both direct and connecting flights to Abu Dhabi.
- By Car: If you’re traveling from within the United Arab Emirates or neighboring countries, you can reach Abu Dhabi by car through well connected and smooth highways.
- By Bus: Several bus companies operate intercity bus services connecting Abu Dhabi with other cities in the UAE and neighboring countries through the main Al Wahad Bus station and several other bus stands across the city
- By Taxi: You can hail a taxi on the road, or, book one using several apps like uber, careem etc.
- By Private Transfer: You can as well rent a car or book a private vehicle through a touring agency or local agency in Abu Dhabi.
What cloths to pack for Abu Dhabi
Lightweight and breathable, moderate clothing is preferred in Abu Dhabi.
- Mosques require you to cover up your head and wear full sleeves tops and full pants.
- It’s still respectful to dress modestly, especially in public areas and when visiting religious sites.
- Avoid revealing clothing. You can pack swimwear for beaches and hotel pool areas.
- And a light jacket or sweater for winter evenings or desert safaris at night.
- Dining at upscale restaurants may require formal attire.
- And last but not the least, wear comfortable shoes for walking.
What kind of food is available in Abu Dhabi
From the world’s most luxurious fine dine to street side stalls, from the local to international cuisine that include continental, Arab, Indian, Chinese, South East Asian and European cuisines, you will find all type of food options in Abu Dhabi. There are many multi-cuisine and many specialised cuisine restaurants. And the food courts in the malls of Abu Dhabi will give you all options under one single roof.
PS: We visited Abu Dhabi as a part of our 7 days Dubai Trip. Here’s our complete guide to plan a trip to Dubai. It includes all the information on places to visit, best areas and hotels to stay in Dubai, things to do in Dubai etc. Along with visiting the Heritage Village Dubai, we also visited Legoland Dubai, did a desert safari in Dubai and explored the Dubai Mall, scaled the heights of Burj Khalifa and also explored the city of Dubai. You will find all the information in our trip itinerary with day by day plan.