How to Spend One Day in Abu Dhabi

Are you looking for the top things to do in Abu Dhabi for one day? It is one of the best places to visit in the UAE and the perfect place to combine your trip with Dubai.

Wondering what to do in Abu Dhabi in 1 day? Visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, explore the Louvre Abu Dhabi, enjoy the spectacular view from the Wahat Al Karama Memorial, and see the Etihad Towers.

This ultimate guide to visiting Abu Dhabi includes how to get there, the best time to visit, and the best things to do in one day.

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Where is Abu Dhabi

The city of Abu Dhabi is located on an island that is surrounded by the Persian (Arabian) Gulf.

Abu Dhabi is the capital and largest emirate of the United Arab Emirates, about a 1.5-hour drive from Dubai.

Is it Worth Visiting Abu Dhabi?

Absolutely! Because Abu Dhabi is a popular layover place, you can easily visit the best sights in one day.

But if you have more time, you can spend a few relaxing days in one of the luxury hotels and combine your trip with Dubai.

Best Time to Visit Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi has a sub-tropical, arid climate, and the weather is warm all year round, making it the perfect destination for tourists.

The best time to visit Abu Dhabi is between December and March, which is the winter season in the UAE.

During these months, the weather is not too hot and humid, perfect for sightseeing and exploring the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The average temperature during this period is around 20°C.

We were in there at the end of May, and it was a hot day. Therefore, if you can spend only one day in Abu Dhabi, we recommend planning your visit from December to March when the temperature is more pleasant for sightseeing.

The hottest months are June, July, and August. The temperature can reach up to 40°C.

Evenings and early mornings are a little cool due to the desert climate. So, if you plan to spend a long time in the UAE, bring jeans and a pullover/light jacket!

Here are all your hotel options in Abu Dhabi.

How to Get to Abu Dhabi, UAE

You can easily get there by plane, bus, car, or taxi. It is the perfect place to start or end your UAE trip.

Abu Dhabi has an International Airport (airport code AUH). Many flights are arriving from Europe, the UK, the US, and other international countries.

Most travelers to the UAE arrive at Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), as cheap flights are available.

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Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights to the UAE.

If flights to Dubai are cheaper, you can fly first to Dubai International Airport (DXB) and then travel to Abu Dhabi. You can take a day trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. The distance between the cities is just 1.5 hours.

Recommended post → How to Get to Dubai

How to Get Around Abu Dhabi

There are many car rental companies at the airport where you can rent a car easily to explore the sights. Renting a car is the best way to explore Abu Dhabi and Dubai at your own pace.

Unfortunately, unlike Dubai, there is no metro in Abu Dhabi. But you can get from one place to another by bus or taxi.

The city center is about a 30-minute drive from the airport (depending on traffic). The best way to reach downtown is to catch a taxi or take a bus. Save money and buy your bus ticket online.

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For the best experience, join a 24-hour hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tour.

Hafilat Card

Buy a Hafilat Card for 10 AED (3 USD), recharge it, and use it to discover the city. You can buy Hafilat cards at the airport, shopping malls, and bus stations.

Public Buses Fees

Local trips (inside the city) 2 AED
Regional trips 2 AED+5 Fils/km
Intercity trips (between cities) 10 AED+10 Fils/km

Good to know
When boarding and alighting, you must hold your card at the card validator, and the fare will be automatically calculated.

Is Abu Dhabi Safe?

Yes! It is a very safe city to travel to! But small thefts and pickpockets can happen everywhere. So always take care of your valuables!

Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.

Best Places to Visit in Abu Dhabi in One Day

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

A visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the best thing to do in Abu Dhabi in one day.

Good morning! Are you ready to explore the sights? If you want to get the most out of your visit to the UAE, we recommend you start your day at the mosque and arrive at 9 AM, right after opening hours.

As one of the most Instagrammable places in Abu Dhabi, it’s not to be missed on a visit to the UAE.

This mosque is magical, and we absolutely loved our visit. You can reach the mosque easily by taxi, bus, or rental car.

For the best experience, book an Abu Dhabi tour, which includes visits to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan, and the Etihad Towers.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is free to visit, but you must register before entering!

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is open daily from 9 AM to 10 PM from Saturday to Thursday. It is good to know that the mosque is open on Fridays from 9 AM to noon and reopens from 3 PM to 10 PM.

The dress code is strict in the mosque, especially for women. If you’re not appropriately clothed, you won’t be allowed to enter the mosque!

Respect the rules, so avoid intimacy, such as holding hands, hugging, or kissing in the mosque!

If you are limited on time in the UAE, book an Abu Dhabi full-day sightseeing tour from Dubai that includes the most popular attractions.

Taking photos is not easy at this attraction, as it is always crowded, and the guards are always nearby! But you can use the designated photo stops.

Read our ultimate guide to visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque here.

Louvre Abu Dhabi

After visiting Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, continue your sightseeing tour and head to the Louvre.

Although it’s not as big as the Louvre Museum in Paris, Abu Dhabi also has the Louvre, which is located on Saadiyat Island. You can easily take the bus (No. 94) from Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to the Louvre.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to visit! But if you’re a museum lover or like unique attractions, be sure to add it to your list! The museum opened to the public in November 2017 and is one of the best places to visit in the UAE.

The Louvre Abu Dhabi is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to midnight at the time of writing. Closed on Mondays (except in December)!

Galleries and exhibitions close at 6:30 PM on weekdays and 8:30 PM on weekends.

The entrance tickets must be booked in advance! Buy your tickets here.

The Louvre Abu Dhabi entrance fee is 63 AED (17 USD). Free admission for those under 18s.

Etihad Towers

Just a 20-minute drive from the Louvre is the famous Etihad Towers, a complex of 5 skyscrapers. The perfect place to eat, shop, or enjoy the view from the highest point in Abu Dhabi.

Are you looking for the best view in the city? Then, visit Observation Deck at 300, which is located on the 74th floor in the second tower of the Etihad Towers. Book your Observation Deck visit here.

The Observation Deck at 300 is open daily from 10 AM to 8 PM, and the entrance fee is 95 AED (26 USD).

The ticket includes a voucher of 55 AED (15 USD), which can be redeemable for food and beverages.

If you’re on a budget, enjoy the view from Emirates Palace, and don’t miss the nearby sight of the Founder’s Memorial.

Emirates Palace

One of the best places to visit is the Emirates Palace. From there, you have a fantastic view of the Etihad Towers, and it’s well worth spending a few hours wandering around.

Did you know that Emirates Palace is one of the most expensive luxury hotels in the world?

Some parts of Emirates Palace are free to visit, but dress respectfully!

For a unique experience, try a delicious cappuccino at Le Café, with 24-carat gold flakes on top of the foam.

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Are you looking for another unforgettable experience in the UAE? Then, visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in the evening lights.

Keep reading → Best Ways to Get to Dubai

Qasr Al Watan

One of the highlights of your visit to the UAE is the Qasr Al Watan Presidential Palace, which opened to the public in 2019. Learn more about the UAE, its traditions, culture, and history.

The Qasr Al Watan is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. The best time to visit is immediately after opening hours or arrive 1-2 hours before closing time! Join a city tour that includes a visit to Qasr Al Watan.

You can easily get there by bus or taxi from Emirates Palace. If you arrive by car, you can park for free.

The entrance fee to Qasr Al Watan is 65 AED (18 USD) for adults and 30 AED (8 USD) for children (aged 4-17 years). The tickets include the Palace in Motion sound and light show, which usually starts at 8 PM.

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As it is one of the most beautiful attractions in the UAE and is usually crowded, spend at least 1-2 hours exploring and be patient with taking photos.

Wahat Al Karama

It’s time to finish the sightseeing, so if you have time, visit Wahat Al Karama.

Wahat Al Karama is a beautiful monument dedicated to the Emirati martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the service of their country. The monument opened in 2016 and is located right across the highway, opposite the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

There is no strict dress code like in the mosque, but dress respectfully!

We were lucky, as our flight to India left early in the morning, so we could visit the Wahat Al Karama monument in the evening and enjoy the beautiful view.

But if you can’t get there in the evening, you should visit this attraction during the day.

The Wahat Al Karama is free to visit and open daily from 9 AM to 10 PM.

We hope you enjoyed your time in Abu Dhabi, and if you would like to add to the list of other places to visit, leave us a comment below the post.

Map of the Most Instagrammable Places in Abu Dhabi

Where to Eat in Abu Dhabi

There are a lot of good places to eat in the city, and these are our recommendations.

Best restaurants in Abu Dhabi

Villa Toscana (Italian restaurant)
Cipriani (Delicious Italian dishes on Yas Island)
Meylas Emirati Restaurant – AlMuneera (Middle Eastern restaurant)
Buddha-Bar Beach (The best dining experience!)
Zuma (Japanese restaurant)
Cabana Beach Bar & Grill (Beautiful beach view with fantastic food)
Coya (Peruvian restaurant)

Where to Stay in Abu Dhabi

Although the city is a popular destination, accommodation options are available for all budgets. You can choose from budget hotels to mid-range hotels and luxury resorts.

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In high season (from November to March), we recommend you book your accommodation in advance!

Best hotels in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Luxury: The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Canal
Mid-Range: Marriott Hotel Downtown
Budget: Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi

more hotels In Abu Dhabi

How many Days do you Need in Abu Dhabi?

Most people only spend 24 hours in Abu Dhabi! But if you have more time, you can easily spend 2-3 days exploring the city’s other attractions.

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Add an extra day to your UAE Itinerary and take a day trip to Dubai.

We hope our one day in Abu Dhabi guide will help you plan your next trip to the UAE. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.

Travel Resources

Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Train/Transfer – Bookaway

How to Spend One Day in Abu Dhabi