City guide · United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the seat of the Abu Dhabi Central Capital District and the UAE's second-most populous city, after Dubai.
4 ready itineraries · 3, 5, 7, 10-day plans
Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the seat of the Abu Dhabi Central Capital District and the UAE's second-most populous city, after Dubai. Situated on a T-shaped island, Abu Dhabi extends into the Persian Gulf from the central-western coast of the UAE. thumb|Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the largest mosque in the UAE.
Abu Dhabi offers a lot of historical and cultural sights but it certainly isn't lacking in modern attractions.
- Best for
- First-time visitors who want Abu Dhabi without a car. The 3-day plan stays inside walking range of City.
- Skip if
- Skip Abu Dhabi if you only want a beach week or an airport layover. This cluster is for people who will walk most days.
Pick a trip length
One plan per length — open it and walk the days in order.
- 3days3-day itineraryA long weekend walking Abu Dhabi.Open plan →
- 5days5-day itineraryPopularA first visit to Abu Dhabi with room for one extra neighborhood.Open plan →
- 7days7-day itineraryA slower week in Abu Dhabi, with one day outside town.Open plan →
- 10days10-day itineraryFirst-time visitors who want a full Abu Dhabi trip with day trips.Open plan →
5-day preview
Skim the walking days, then open the full plan.
- 1
Cultural events
Walk Cultural events in Abu Dhabi. Start at Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation, then Manarat al Saadiyat and UAE Pavilion. Stay on foot.
Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation · Manarat al Saadiyat · UAE Pavilion
- 2
Parks
Walk Parks in Abu Dhabi, including Khalifa Park and Umm Al Emarat Park.
Khalifa Park · Umm Al Emarat Park
- 3
Upcoming projects
Walk Upcoming projects in Abu Dhabi, including Lulu Islands and Reem Island.
Lulu Islands · Reem Island
- 4
City
Walk City in Abu Dhabi. Start at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, then Qasr Al Watan and Qasr al-Hosn. Stay on foot.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque · Qasr Al Watan · Qasr al-Hosn · Corniche Road · …
- 5
Day trip toward Dubai
Leave Abu Dhabi for the day. Come back to the same bed.
Dubai · Al Ain · Liwa Oasis
Where to stay
Bases that fit the walking plan.
Parks
2 to 4 nights
Walking this plan
Base here if you want Khalifa Park, Umm Al Emarat Park on foot.
Cultural events
2 to 4 nights
Walking this plan
Base here if you want Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation, Manarat al Saadiyat, UAE Pavilion on foot.
Upcoming projects
2 to 4 nights
Walking this plan
Base here if you want Lulu Islands, Reem Island on foot.
Getting there & when to go
Lock timing and airport basics early.
Best time
Abu Dhabi works year-round for a walking trip. Shoulder months are easier on crowds and hills.
- Shoulder months
- High season
- Low season
- Rain days
Airport
Zayed International Airport (AUH)
thumb|Abu Dhabi route 56 public transport bus. Abu Dhabi offers buses and plenty of taxis to get around. Since the most of the city is located in Abu Dhabi island, traffic is a common occurrence. Taxis are a good way to get around if you don't have a car.
- Public transit from AUH30 to 60 minutes · Local ticket price. Check the operator the week you fly.
- Taxi or licensed ride hail20 to 45 minutes · Treat any number you see online as an estimate, not a quote.
Practical notes
Short reads before you book.
Understand
Abu Dhabi is the capital and seat of the government of the United Arab Emirates, hence it is the go-to destination for any major political event or ministerial headquarters. It is not, however, the commercial or tourism capital of the country — that would be Dubai — but massive investment in aviation and tourism since the 2000s has definitely added a lot things to do in city.
The city was not intended to be the capital of the UAE. The capital of the UAE was supposed to be a planned city between Abu Dhabi and Dubai and was to be called 'Al Karama' (which means dignity in Arabic) as stated in the first version of the constitution.
Get in
| url=https://www.zayedinternationalairport.ae/en/ | email= | address= | lat=24.433056 | long=54.651111 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Zayed International Airport | image=AbuDhabiIntlAirport.JPG | wikidata=Q643562 |lastedit=2024-02-14| content=The UAE's second busiest airport (after Dubai) and the home base of Abu Dhabi's flag carrier Etihad Airways with flights to Australia, Europe and the United States. }} A viable alternative is to fly to Dubai International Airport ( ) in the neighbouring emirate of Dubai and continue onward to Abu Dhabi by bus or by taxi. In combination with Sharjah International Airport ( ) just northwest of Dubai, all three airports in combination of two might allow for a cheap connection from Europe to Asia when self-organising transfer between the different airports.
See the specific airports for details on how to connect between them.
Get around
thumb|Abu Dhabi route 56 public transport bus. Abu Dhabi offers buses and plenty of taxis to get around.
Since the most of the city is located in Abu Dhabi island, traffic is a common occurrence. Taxis are a good way to get around if you don't have a car.
Stay safe
Abu Dhabi was ranked as the safest city in the world 3 years in a row by 2019 by the largest crowd-sourced global database Numbeo. The city is extremely safe, however it never hurts to practice common sense.
Some people may try to scam you through telephone messages or automated voice calls telling you that you won the lottery, that you're in a legal trouble for violating a law, or that a Sheikh has decided to give you free money, or something of that sort. Taxi drivers are monitored and they're very safe.
Related guides
Helpful next pages for Abu Dhabi.