Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and one of the city of seven emirates. Dubai has the largest population, while Abu Dhabi is second. There are many fun activities in Abu Dhabi.
This article will provide you with a detailed Abu Dhabi city tour itinerary that will help you make the most out of your time here!
Top Things to Do In Abu Dhabi City Tour
1. Visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
It is one of the biggest mosques in the world, and it is truly a wonder to see the central courtyard. It is said to be the world’s largest marble mosaic and covers around 17,000m2. The columns and floors are covered in intricate floral patterns. Each column is also topped with gold.
The interior is equally impressive. Large, beautiful chandeliers light up the massive prayer hall that can hold over 7,000 people. The world’s largest carpet covers the floor.
Its timeless design with its 82 domes makes it appear like it has been around for hundreds of centuries. However, it was only opened in 2007 and has many technological innovations.
Here are some details about the Sheikh Zayed Grand Moque
- How do I get there?: You can easily reach Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque using public transport. Bus 54 and 94 run frequently and take around 30 minutes from Al Wahda bus station.
- Hours of Operation: The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which is open to non Muslims Saturday through Thursday and Friday from late afternoon to early evening, is open to all except Ramadan.
- How to dress to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: Both men and women are asked not to wear shorts or crop tops to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. You must take off your shoes, before entering the mosque, You will be required to remove your shoes before entering the mosque.
- Cultural Tour: To make the most out of your visit, I recommend the fascinating official cultural tour that runs multiple times per day. It gives you a tour of the mosque and introduces you to Emirati culture.
2. Explore Abu Dhabi’s Eastern Mangroves
Many species of bird and marine life are found in the Eastern Mangroves, making it a beautiful place to spend a few hours. You can access the facilities by walking straight through the lobby of the Anantara Eastern Mangroves Hotels and then onto the Eastern Mangroves Promenade.
You can also pay an additional 60 dirhams to have a guide accompany you if you aren’t confident about going into the mangroves on your own.
Swimwear should be worn under clothing. Bring a towel. You can place your stuff in a safe area. However, if your plan is to take pictures with your phone, you should bring a waterproof cover or a GoPro.
You can stop at sandbanks to have a break and take a look around the route if you want. The Abu Dhabi skyline is truly breathtaking.
Some Information about visiting the Eastern Mangroves
- How do I get there? If you follow this itinerary, the fastest way to get to the Eastern Mangroves from Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is to take a taxi to the Anantara Eastern Mangroves Hotel. It will take approximately 10 minutes and cost 20 AED.
- Hours of operation: hours of operation for SUP and kayaking in mangroves are 7 am-7 pm each day.
- Prices: A 2-hour rental of paddleboard board will set you back 120 dirhams, and a 2-hour rental of a double kayak in the same time will set you back 160 dirhams.
3. Visit the Louvre Abu Dhabi
You will also love the Abu Dhabi Louvre if you are a lover of the Paris Louvre, and would happily spend hours there looking at the magnificent halls,
Jean Nouvel, a Pritzker Prizewinner, designed the building and it opened to the public in 2017. The surrounding is well-kept, and the entrance is attractively designed.
The Abu Dhabi collection is small but everything is well-arranged in a maze of galleries.
Every item appears to be presented in an orderly fashion. You can explore the Louvre galleries to learn more about cultural development through the centuries and themes.
Although it is not as big as its brother in Paris the Louvre Abu Dhabi can be visited.
It is a beautiful, educational and worthy place to include on your Abu Dhabi trip itinerary.
Here are some details about the Louvre Abu Dhabi
- How do I get there? If you follow this itinerary, the easiest and most efficient way to get from the Eastern Mangroves into the Louvre Abu Dhabi by taxi is to use the following route. It will take approximately 20 minutes and cost 30 AED. Alternative, you could take bus 26/56 from the Anantara Eastern Mangroves Hotel, and after three stops change to bus94 (departing Al Sa’ah, Sultan Bin Zayed St). It takes less than an hour to complete the journey and costs only 4 AED.
- Hours of Operation: The Louvre Abu Dhabi is available from 10 AM to 8 PM on Saturdays through Wednesdays, and 10 AM to 10 PM on Thursdays and Fridays.
- Ticket Prices Regular tickets are 63 AED. A youth ticket (between 13 and 22 years) is 31.5 AED. Children under 13 years old get free.
4. The Emirates Palace
It is one the most expensive hotels worldwide. You can spend several nights here, or even more, if you have 400 rooms.
Even if you don’t have the funds to spend a night at the Emirates Palace, you can still enjoy a free visit.
Beautiful interiors are decorated with gold, pearl, marble, Swarovski stones and chandeliers. There are also stunning fountains and magnificent gardens. Absolutely stunning is the golden central dome!
The hotel spans 1 km and features a private beach with turquoise waters and white sand. The complex also has 14 restaurants that serve international cuisines from Asia and Europe.
The signature drink is a cup of coffee that has been beautifully presented and sprinkled with real 23-carat Gold flakes. This is not a cheap cappuccino ($60), but it’s a great experience that you won’t forget.
Details about visiting the Emirates Palace
- Directions to the Emirates Palace: Bus 10 and 34 both stop close by.
- Hours of Operation: Although the hotel is open 24 hours a days, it’s best that you visit the hotel during the day if your not a guest.
5. Visit the Presidential Palace of the UAE (Qasr Al Watan).
The Qasr Al Watan Wing and surrounding gardens were opened to the public by the President and Ruler in March 2019.
Tourists were granted a glimpse inside the palace walls for the first time. They could learn more about Arabian and modern Emirati culture.
Abu Dhabi is a popular destination for tourists. They flock to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to view the stunning marble-tiled courtyard, white minarets and gold-laced corridors.
The Presidential Palace, however, takes this opulence up a notch and is definitely one of the top places to see in Abu Dhabi.
The Presidential Palace, located right next to the Emirate Palace Hotel is an enormous structure that features a jaw-dropping Great Hall (see image above). It is decorated with intricate marble tilings and gold trim which is well-known throughout the UAE.
You can also find information about the functions of the various parts of the palace, as well as about the Sheikhs (rulers), from each of seven Emirates (kingdoms), that make up the United Arab Emirates.
You will have the opportunity to tour the Qasr Al Watan Library, the Presidential Banquet Hall and other areas where Emirati dinners are held and international diplomats are hosted.
Every evening, the palace hosts an interactive light show.
Information about Qasr Al Watan
- Directions to the Presidential Palace: Bus 10 and 34.
- Hours of Operation: Open daily between 11 and 10 pm.
- Tickets & Prices: Admission is 60 AED per adult and 30 AED per child aged 4-17 to see the palace, gardens and fountains. For the gardens, it costs 25 AED and 12 AED respectively for adults and children.
6. Visit The Observation Deck at 300
It can be found on the 74 th Floor in Tower 2 at the Etihad Towers. The observation deck offers 360-degree views over Abu Dhabi.
It is an excellent place to see the skyline of Dubai and the Arabian Gulf, including the Presidential Palace and other major attractions.
Visitors can choose to wander around the area or take a seat at one the tables available and enjoy refreshments and snacks from the cafe.
This is also a great spot to enjoy afternoon tea in the afternoon. You should take a walk around the area before you choose a table.
Even though the observation deck can get crowded at night, it is worth visiting in the afternoon to see the sunset.
Some details about the Observation Deck at 300
- From the Emirates Palace: It’s only 20 minutes walk to the Observatory Deck.
- Hours of Operation: The Observation Deck is open every day from 10 am to 7 pm.
- Prices for tickets: The entry fee for the hotel is 95 AED. This includes a 55 AED credit coupon that can be used to purchase food and drinks. If you’re staying at the hotel, however, admission is free
Also Read: The Best Places to Buy a Hobie Kayak in UAE
