What once was drowsy fishing village has now become a place that is racing to break all world records. It’s a cluster of cultural history with super yachts floating amidst palm huts and lavish villas. Glitz and glamor catch your eye but the warm local traditions draw you in to stay just a little bit longer.
It surprises me that a lot of people completely overlook Abu Dhabi when they’re traveling to the UAE and go directly to Dubai. And while that may be understandable (skyscrapers? Man-made islands?! An entire indoors ski area?!), Abu Dhabi deserves its own recognition. The city gives you the best chance for an unparalleled immersion experience in the Emirati culture and is the ultimate break from the hustle and bustle of Dubai. Adventure and culture feature strongly on the menu as well – there are desolate sandpits for camel rides and safaris, and some of the best amusement parks in the world.
Whether you’re there because you chose to have a day trip to Abu Dhabi or you’re having a long layover – here is how to make use of a full day in Abu Dhabi.
Morning
Okay, listen up. You will be waking up early. And by early I’m talking 7/8 am. It’s just an absolute waste of time to be in Abu Dhabi and not try and fit in all the major attractions in one day.
Breakfast
Before you embark on an exploration journey around Abu Dhabi, a hearty breakfast is essential. Brunch is almost sacred around Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and indulging in a hot Arabic breakfast is on my top lists of ways to start your day.
- Al Saadah Bakery – literally translating to the “happiness bakery”, this place is where you get to revel in hot sesame and cheese sandwiches, have traditional breakfast dishes and try out the renowned
- BU Trinity – If you’re looking for something a bit cooler – a bit more on the hip side – then you’ve got to try the extensive brunch menu at BU.
- Café Arabia – Try some home-cooked meals at this cozy breakfast place. I do recommend it for the food but I certainly don’t recommend it if you’re planning on going out for the rest of the day. Let’s just say – the sumptuous buffet will leave you unable to move. 10/10, would do again.
Post-Breakfast Exploration!
Now before you start exploring palaces and edifices that look like they’ve just been just stolen out of a sci-fi movie set, I recommend starting with the traditional part of Abu Dhabi. Make your way around the Fish Market and the Dhow Harbor and get a gist of what Abu Dhabi used to look like years ago. This is the place where traditional wooden boats, local fishermen and the background chatter and laughter of locals really puts you in the Arabian mood.
If you’ve got some free time on your hands, spend some time with the locals. They’re known to be some of the friendliest and they will most definitely be offering you some tea. Take it, play some cards, and listen to their stories – bets on the fact that they’ve been there before Abu Dhabi even became the playground for the rich & the famous. If you’re not a huge fan of socializing, take a Dhow Cruise along the harbor.
After you’ve spent some time at the Dhow Harbor, take a short taxi ride to Corniche Beach and enjoy a dip in the azure waters of the Gulf. If you’re not really in Abu Dhabi to go to the beach, then head straight to the Heritage Village. The place will give you more of a traditional glimpse into the past of UAE. It’s basically a simulation of old Abu Dhabi, where you can walk amidst souks, learn about some of the most complex traditional skills and get your self a souvenir or two (or five).
Afternoon
Alright, it’s time for the biggest star of the show – The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – one of the eight largest mosques in the world, and definitely one of the most beautiful. This is, without a doubt, Abu Dhabi’s most impressive landmark. The sun rays reflecting unto the imposing edifice, the soaring marble pillars, the arches reflected unto the pools – there is an otherworldly ethereal beauty about this place. Spend some time wandering around the place, taking in the magnificence of it all and get ready to immerse yourself in it all.
You’ll be spending at least an hour there. This place can easily hold up to 40,000 people (I am just giving you an idea of how big this is!). Here are some things you can’t miss out on at the mosque:
- The Columns – Really? You can’t miss out on the columns? Yes. They are the best attraction in all of the mosque and reflect incredible craftsmanship. All made out of semi-precious stones embroidered into the marble.
- The carpet – Okay, maybe you didn’t expect me to tell you “Oh you need to go to Abu Dhabi to look at this sick carpet!”, but yup, here I am. This is the largest carpet in the world and most definitely worth seeing. Also – carpets are a maaaajor pillar in Arabic architecture so you’re bound to see it everywhere in Abu Dhabi.
- The Chandeliers – One word: extravagant! The 7 chandeliers in the mosque are made out of Swarovski crystals.
Make sure you’re dressed appropriately. Wear long, loose-fitting clothes that cover up all of your skin. If you didn’t pack for this – that’s fine. The mosque will give you a free Abaya to wear.
Now, you’ll have two options of things to do depending on your personality, what you want to do in general and if you’re with kids or not.
You can either spend your afternoon at Ferarri World and Yas Viceroy or you can visit the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Emirates Palace and then have lunch.
Option 1: Ferrari World & Yas Viceroy.
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This is the ultimate place for all you adrenaline-seekers out there. With 20 attractions and rides all inspired by Ferarri (along with the fastest rollercoaster in the world, if you dare), this is a great place to juxtapose spending your morning just exploring attractions. There are also a few food outlets there, but seriously – don’t grab lunch before riding Formula Rosa. Not a good idea.
Ferrari World is located in the Yas Island so it only makes sense to explore the rest of the island while you’re there. Enjoy the Yas Viceroy Hotel, take a peek at the racing circuit where the Formula 1 takes place, and maybe have a cup of coffee there.
Option 2: The Louvre Abu Dhabi and Emirates Palace.
This would be my pick for you. The Louvre Abu Dhabi is on a whole other level of mind-blowing! Even if you’re not into art, the architecture of this place is something straight out of Ex-Machina. Geometrical openings representing palm leaves, magnificent rain of light effects, a gorgeous dome, and water snaking its way through the museum – this place is a must-visit.
Now let’s talk about the galleries – the objects are loud int 23 different sequences that highlight different themes. It really delves into the history of humanity and the gallery will take you on a journey through all religions, humanity, regions and will shed light on how we are all connected – even if it’s through the most minuscule of ways.
If budget is no concern for you, check out the Emirates Palace Hotel for some glamor and grandeur. I am not even exaggerating when I say “glamor and grandeur”. You can have breakfast served on silver trays and gold-flecked chocolate, or you can have a 24k gold Karat cappuccino with actual flakes of gold on it!
Evening
Now it’ll be time to unwind – the best place to do that is definitely Stratos. This award-winning restaurant serves incredible food and drinks but also has some of the best panoramic 360-degree vistas of all of Abu Dhabi.
Where to stay in Abu Dhabi.
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Luxury:
If budget is not a problem for you and you want to treat yourself to something special, then stay at the St Regis Saadiyat. The hotel has a very central location, a long sandy beach, and incredible restaurants. Think of it as the Hamptons but Emirati style!
Mid-range:
The Intercontinental Abu Dhabi. This hotel has been there since forever and is perched between the Corniche and the Emirates Palace. It’s also where some of the most exciting nightlife happens.
Budget:
If you’d rather splurge on something else, then Novotel is a great hotel to stay at that is cheap, central, and gives you a great value-for-money.
If you’re coming from Dubai, this is how to get to Abu Dhabi.
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Bus.
You can take the bus from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Dubai for 25 DHS. Buses come every 20 minutes, and the first bus departs at 6 am, while the last leaves at 11 pm. If you’re going to be flying Etihad then you can take a free bus to Abu Dhabi – just make sure you book in advance.
Car/Taxi.
These are definitely not the cheapest options but they’re definitely the fastest.
This is how you spend 24 hours in Abu Dhabi. If you’ve got more time, you can always take part in desert safaris or 4×4 wheel adventures and maybe even spend a whole day relaxing by the beach!
