Abu Dhabi is a city of contrasts, where centuries-old traditions comfortably coexist beside forward-thinking institutions. While its cosmopolitan sister, Dubai, dazzles with its high-energy pace, Abu Dhabi offers a quieter, more contemplative city experience, from the burgeoning Saadiyat Cultural District to grand governing palaces like Qasr Al Watan. This guide highlights some of the capital’s best activities, each offering a unique window into what makes Abu Dhabi one of the most enriching cities in the world.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
In recent years, Abu Dhabi has evolved from a quiet, financial capital into a buzzing city of culture, replete with incredible galleries, creative collectives, and world-class venues. At the heart of this transformation is the Louvre Abu Dhabi, distinguished by its dazzling mashrabiya dome on the water’s edge on Saadiyat Island. Inside, the museum presents a beautifully curated collection that bridges epochs and continents, spanning the likes of Rembrandt, Da Vinci, and Picasso, alongside local and contemporary artists.
Beyond the canvas, Louvre Abu Dhabi features a fantastic display of archeological finds from humankind’s earliest artistic endeavours. Highlights include the enigmatic Dancing Shiva from 10th-century India, the striking marble bust of Emperor Augustus from 27 BCE Rome, and the Falcon Statue, a relic of the Arabian Peninsula from 2000 BCE.
When the senses are sated with colour, history, and form, visitors can refresh with Afternoon Tea at the stunning Museum Café, socialise in the laid-back speakeasy Marta Bar, or indulge in an exquisite menu designed by Michelin star-winning chef Pierre Gagnaire, in gastro Fouquets.
Later this year, visitors will be able to explore the long-awaited Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, which is positioned close to Lovure Abu Dhabi in the coveted Saadiyat Cultural District.
Mangrove National Park
In the heart of the city lies an unexpected sanctuary: the mangroves. Perfect for the cooler winter months, Abu Dhabi’s mangroves form a natural labyrinth of lush greenery and calm waterways. The Mangrove National Park makes up approximately 75% of the total mangrove forest area in the UAE, and it’s home to herons, turtles, and even dolphins. Visitors can explore this beautiful ecosystem by kayak, stand-up paddleboard, or eco-boat tour, wading through narrow channels framed by salt-tolerant trees that play a crucial role in protecting the coastline. The five-star Anantara Eastern Mangroves Hotel awaits on the edge of the Mangrove National Park with fantastic restaurants, spacious suites, and a spa.
Equally impressive is Jubail Mangroves Park—an expansive 5,000-hectare stretch of coastal estuaries and mangrove forests. Here, visitors can enjoy a peaceful sunrise kayak or spend an afternoon strolling the boardwalk, keeping an eye out for the park’s native gazelles and flamingos. These parks are a gentle reminder of Abu Dhabi's roots—where the desert meets the sea, and nature thrives against the odds.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Islam is at the heart of Abu Dhabi, and there is no better place to learn more about Islamic culture and architecture than the captivating Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Its pristine white domes and expansive courtyards are a testament to both design and devotion, drawing inspiration from Mughal, Persian, and classical Islamic architectural traditions. Inside, the vast prayer hall is home to one of the world’s largest hand-knotted carpets and a chandelier of Swarovski crystals, but nothing here feels ostentatious – every element seems to belong, working in harmony to create a space that invites reflection.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is much more than a place of worship, it’s also a place to learn. The mosque library is a fantastic institution that houses literature relating to Islamic civilisation, from art and architecture to science and mathematics. The mosque is also home to the inspiring Light and Peace museum, which further showcases the breadth of Islamic history through artefacts, sensory experiences, and artwork.
Visitors of all backgrounds are welcomed at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, with guided tours that offer insight into its design, history, and cultural importance. Whether you visit at midday, when the marble seems to glow under the Abu Dhabi sun, or at dusk, when the mosque is bathed in soft golden light, it’s an experience that stays with you long after you leave.
Qasr Al Watan
Qasr Al Watan, meaning ‘Palace of the Nation’, is the presidential palace of the UAE. It opened its doors to the public in 2019 to provide an intimate glimpse into the history and culture of the UAE. The palace’s grand design is a spectacle in itself, with its gleaming domes, intricate mosaics, and vast Great Hall. Qasr Al Watan houses a number of unique exhibits showcasing the nation’s governance and diplomacy, including the Hall of Gifts, which displays symbolic items exchanged with other nations, and the grand Presidential Banquet Hall, which is where dignitaries from around the world are typically hosted.
For lovers of literature, the palace’s public library is a treasure trove of knowledge, housing over 50,000 books on topics ranging from history and science to art and culture. In the evenings, Qasr Al Watan takes on a dreamlike quality, with the Palace in Motion light show bringing the façade to life, and the tranquil gardens and reflective pools offering a peaceful space to wander.
Whether you’re delving into the exhibits or simply soaking up the atmosphere, Qasr Al Watan is an essential stop in Abu Dhabi for anyone looking to understand the heart and soul of the UAE.
Ferrari World
If there’s one nation synonymous with speed and fast cars, it’s the UAE. Fittingly, one of the best year-round activities in Abu Dhabi is a trip to Ferrari World, an indoor theme park on Yas Island that celebrates the spirit of the legendary car maker. This emblematic red-roofed structure is home to the world’s fastest roller coaster, Formula Rossa, which catapults riders at an incredible speed of 240 km/h in just 4.9 seconds.
For car enthusiasts and motorsport aficionados, Ferrari World has a number of exhibitions exploring the brand’s storied history. It also showcases a range of classic and contemporary cars and has driving simulators for those who want to try their hand at Formula 1. After a day of speed and spectacle, visitors can recharge at one of the park’s Italian restaurants, or pick up some branded merchandise in the gift shop.
Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi
For a family-friendly activity in Abu Dhabi that’s thrilling but not quite Ferrari-fast, there is the nearby Warner Bros World on Yas Island. This huge indoor theme park brings famed characters and stories to life across six ‘lands’, from the prehistoric streets of Bedrock to the neon-lit skyline of Gotham City. Rides range from the Batman: Knight Flight, which takes riders on a high-tech journey through Gotham, to the dizzying Tom and Jerry Swiss Cheese Spin. The park’s youngest visitors are sure to make lasting memories, with plenty of live shows and meet-and-greet opportunities with legendary characters like Bugs Bunny, Scooby-Doo, and the Flintstones.
Dining at Warner Bros World is an experience in itself, with an abundance of themed restaurants set in each land, such as Bronto Burgers and Ribs in ‘Bedrock’, and the Hall Of Doom eatery in ‘Gotham’. This indoor theme park marked the world’s first branded Warner Bros park, and it’s a fantastic year-round activity in Abu Dhabi.
