Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s cultured capital on the Arabian Gulf, grew from pearl-diving port to modern metropolis in just a few decades. Today it pairs visionary architecture and world-class museums with protected mangroves, golden beaches, and time-honored Bedouin traditions.

Iconic sights include the luminous Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the art-forward Louvre Abu Dhabi, the ornate Qasr Al Watan presidential palace, and the sky-brushing Etihad Towers. Families flock to Yas Island for Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, Yas Waterworld, and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, while Saadiyat Island promises galleries by day and soft-sand sunsets.

October–April brings balmy weather perfect for touring and beach time. Dress modestly when visiting mosques; note Louvre Abu Dhabi is closed on Mondays and Qasr Al Watan sometimes closes for state events. Taxis and ride-hailing are plentiful; the city is spread out, so plan clusters of sights to minimize drive time.

Abu Dhabi

Welcome to a city where call to prayer meets cutting-edge design. Sail the Corniche, sip specialty coffee in Khalidiyah, and end days with a saffron-tinted sunset over the Gulf. Between art, palaces, dune adventures, and dining that ranges from Emirati home cooking to Michelin-starred finesse, your days will be full but unhurried.

• Top sights: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Hosn & House of Artisans, Etihad Towers’ Observation Deck at 300, The Corniche, Saadiyat & Yas Islands.
• Great for families: Yas Island theme parks, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, kid-friendly beaches, interactive museum spaces at Louvre and teamLab Phenomena.
• Local flavor: Emirati breakfasts (chebab pancakes, balaleet), fragrant machboos, and spiced Arabic coffee paired with dates.

Where to stay (curated picks):

• Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental (Corniche icon, private beach, destination dining): Check availability
• The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort (softest sands + serene setting, ideal for culture-and-beach days): Check availability
• Yas Island Rotana (park-hopping convenience with pool time): Check availability
• Premier Inn Abu Dhabi Capital Centre (smart value near ADNEC, handy base for city touring): Check availability
• Al Diar Mina Hotel (budget-friendly, central Corniche access): Check availability
• Prefer apartments or villas? Browse VRBO Abu Dhabi stays or compare hotels on Hotels.com.

Getting to Abu Dhabi: Fly into AUH (Abu Dhabi International). From many global hubs, expect 7–9 hours from Europe and 12–16 hours from North America. Compare fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Taxis from AUH to the Corniche typically take 30–40 minutes (about 70–100 AED), and 15–20 minutes to Yas Island.

Day 1: Arrival, Corniche Stroll, Qasr Al Hosn

Afternoon (arrival): Check in and shake off jet lag with a gentle walk or cycle along the Abu Dhabi Corniche—kilometers of waterfront promenade, pocket beaches, and skyline views. If you fancy a coffee, drop by Joud Coffee (Al Bateen) for single-origin pours or The Third Place Café (Khalidiyah) for cold brews and quiet corners.

Evening: Step into the city’s story at Qasr Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi’s oldest standing structure and former seat of government. Don’t miss the adjacent House of Artisans for traditional weaving and palm-frond crafts. For dinner, choose Meylas (Al Muneera) for soulful Emirati dishes like machboos and regag; or go family-style at Lebanese Flower for mezze, grills, and fresh juices. Nightcap option: watch the skyline glow from the Observation Deck at 300 in Etihad Towers.

Day 2: The Icons—Grand Mosque, Palace, and Louvre (Private Tour)

Maximize your time with a driver-guide who handles logistics while you focus on architecture and art. This all-day tour covers the highlights comfortably.

Featured experience (bookable): Private Abu Dhabi City Tour with Louvre Abu Dhabi Combo — hotel pickup, Grand Mosque, and museum entry included. View details

Insider notes: At the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, dress modestly (shoulders/legs covered; women should bring a headscarf). In Qasr Al Watan, linger in the Great Hall and library—both are spectacular for photos. Louvre Abu Dhabi is closed Mondays; if your Day 2 is Monday, swap with Day 3’s culture block. For lunch, try Umm Al Emarat Park kiosks or a quick shawarma near the Mosque; for dinner, consider Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi (Emirates Palace) for refined Indian or Hakkasan Abu Dhabi for Cantonese classics under palm-fringed lanterns.

Day 3: Saadiyat’s Culture & Coast + teamLab Phenomena

Morning: Start with an Emirati breakfast at Shay Madhboot (eggs with khubz, balaleet) or a beachfront bite at Society Abu Dhabi on Mamsha Al Saadiyat (great for açai bowls and eggs shakshuka). Stroll Mamsha for public art and turquoise waters before a swim at Saadiyat Public Beach or a daybed at Saadiyat Beach Club.

Afternoon: Dive into immersive art-science at the new teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi in the Saadiyat Cultural District. It’s a mesmerizing, interactive world—plan 1.5–2.5 hours. Featured experience (bookable): Teamlab Phenomena Abu Dhabi Tickets — timed entry, ideal for families and creatives. Book now

Evening: If you didn’t visit yesterday, return to Louvre Abu Dhabi for a golden-hour gallery wander beneath Jean Nouvel’s “rain of light” dome. Dine at Fouquet’s Abu Dhabi for a chic French brasserie experience, or keep it coastal with wood-fired pizza at Antonia on Mamsha. For a sophisticated night out, book a late table at Hakkasan Abu Dhabi (crispy duck salad, jasmine tea-smoked wagyu), then savor a quiet beach stroll.

Day 4: Yas Island Thrills—Ferrari World, Warner Bros., and Yas Bay

Morning: Head to Yas Island for a theme-park day. If you’re chasing records, start at Ferrari World for Formula Rossa (the world’s fastest coaster). Families can pivot to Warner Bros. World for Batman, Looney Tunes, and Scooby-Doo rides under one roof.

Afternoon: Cool off at Yas Waterworld (Master Blaster slides, lazy river) or explore SeaWorld Abu Dhabi with vast marine habitats and animal encounters. Featured experience (bookable): Yas Island 2 or 3 Parks Combo tickets — mix-and-match parks for the best value. See combo options

Evening: Sunset over Yas Marina is a vibe. Grab drinks and tapas at Diablito, share cicchetti and veal Milanese at Cipriani Yas Island, or head to Yas Bay for beachfront beats at Café del Mar and hearty pub fare at Lock, Stock & Barrel. If you stayed near the parks, a short taxi ends the night.

Day 5: Mangroves, Souks & an Arabian Desert Finale

Morning: Paddle through the Eastern Mangroves on a guided kayak (2 hours; typical rates ~150–250 AED pp). Look for herons and the occasional flamingo; it’s a calm, nature-first contrast to the skyline. Coffee stop: Blacksmith Coffee Company for nitro or pour-overs.

Afternoon: Browse crafts and perfumes at the Souk Qaryat Al Beri, or window-shop the luxury arcades at The Galleria Al Maryah Island. For seafood with a sea breeze, book a late lunch at Finz (Beach Rotana)—grilled octopus, local catch, and waterfront views.

Evening (farewell desert safari): Cap the trip with dunes, camels, and a barbecue under the stars. Featured experience (bookable): Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari BBQ, Camel Ride, Entertainments — hotel pickup, dune bashing, sandboarding, henna, shows, and dinner included. Reserve your spot

What to wear: Closed-toe shoes and a light layer for breezy nights. Bring a scarf or buff to keep sand out of hair; cameras love the rose-gold light at sundown.

Departure day tip: For long layovers, consider an AUH lounge pass for showers, snacks, and Wi‑Fi; leave 2.5–3 hours before flight time due to potential traffic at peak hours.

Eating & Drinking Cheatsheet

• Breakfast/coffee: Shay Madhboot (Emirati), The Third Place Café (quiet study vibe), Joud Coffee (specialty roasts), Society Abu Dhabi (beachy brunch).
• Lunch: Antonia (Roman pizza al taglio, Mamsha), Meylas (Emirati comfort), Lebanese Flower (fast, flavorful mezze), Finz (seafood).
• Dinner: Hakkasan Abu Dhabi (Cantonese finesse), Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi (inventive Indian), Cipriani Yas Island (Italian classics), Diablito (tapas & marina views).

Local logistics: Taxis are metered and plentiful; ride-hailing is widely used. Friday is a working day in the UAE (weekend is Sat–Sun). During Ramadan, many restaurants open after sunset; museums adjust hours—plan accordingly.

Book essentials in advance: flights via Trip.com or Kiwi.com, stays with Hotels.com or VRBO, and timed-entry activities like teamLab and desert safaris.

Summary: In five days, you’ll trace Abu Dhabi’s arc from pearling fort to modern capital, balancing palaces and galleries with mangroves, beaches, and desert dunes. The city is generous with space and sunsets—arrive curious, pace yourself, and let the Gulf breeze set the tone.