In this article, we’re off to Abu Dhabi, the sun-kissed capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). That’s right — the capital of the Emirates is not Dubai, it’s Abu Dhabi! This city is a common stopover, especially for those flying with Etihad since they offer a free 2-night stay with their layover program. The good news is that you can fit a lot into one day here!

Depending on your trip and preferences, I suggest 1-3 days for Abu Dhabi. With just 1 day, you’ll try to take in the major landmarks of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Emirates Palace, the Presidential Palace (Qasr Al Watan) and the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

If you have more time, I suggest a day or half-day excursion for dune bashing in the desert, and some time to enjoy Abu Dhabi’s beaches, mangroves, beach clubs, and/or theme parks, depending what you like. I share more suggestions here for an extended itinerary.

In this article, I’ll break down exactly how to make the most of 1-day in Abu Dhabi, hour-by-hour. My suggestions include the costs I paid in December 2023 so that you can plan your budget before your visit to this rather expensive capital city. Abu Dhabi is not a budget destination and I didn’t pinch pennies here (too pressed for time!), but I’ll give you lots of tips on how you can spend less than I did.

Remember, you can always customise these itineraries to suit your preferences or schedule, and you can reach out to me on Instagram DMs with questions while planning your trip. Let’s go!

IN THIS ARTICLE:

• Modern History of Abu Dhabi

• Getting Around Abu Dhabi

• 1 Day in Abu Dhabi Itinerary & Costs (DIY)

  • Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

  • Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental

  • Presidential Palace Qasr Al Watan

  • Louvre Abu Dhabi

  • Saadiyat Island Dhabi Drone Show

  • Bovini’s restaurant

• Budgeting for Your Day in Abu Dhabi

• Guided Day Tours in Abu Dhabi (with prices)

• What to Consider for Your Itinerary

• What to Skip in Abu Dhabi

• Where to Stay in Abu Dhabi

• Postcard From Lynne: My Honest Take on Abu Dhabi

🏙️ Modern History of Abu Dhabi

For those who appreciate depth beyond the sparkle, Abu Dhabi's allure lies in its modern history of transformation. The city's rapid urbanization, political shifts, and economic advancement provide a fascinating narrative of how it became the metropolis we see today.

In just 60 years, Abu Dhabi has transformed from a modest fishing and pearling village into a city of 1.5 million, with a stunning skyline, seaside, and desert landscapes. Before the 1960s, it had no high-rises, modern infrastructure, or paved roads, and limited access to education or healthcare.

Oil exploration in the 1950s changed the UAE's course, generating revenue for rapid development. The leadership of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan from 1966 onwards played a pivotal role in urban transformation, improving living standards and creating today's cosmopolitan metropolis.

This shift from traditional Bedouin lifestyles to an affluent cosmopolitan hub shows how drastically the city has evolved.

🚘 Getting Around Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is quite spread out and has limited public transportation options, so you’ll need to get around by Uber taxis or a car rental. Both options are quit expensive in the UAE. There are public busses, but they will take too long for you to enjoy the city’s landmarks in just a day.

I arrived to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station from Dubai, and my Uber to downtown cost me AED 19-23, depending on the time of day.

To avoid dealing with parking and losing too much time being lost, figuring out a new car and city in a short time, I chose to take Uber everywhere I couldn’t walk to. I include those exact costs below to give you an idea of what to expect if this is the option you choose. Ubers tended to come pretty quickly — I was never waiting much longer than 5 minutes.

Note that the landmarks I’ll suggest here aren’t very close to each other, so you will inevitably need wheels to get from place to place. I walked from Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental to the Presidential Palace (Qasr Al Watan), and while feasible, it was extremely hot out.

Alternatively, as I’ll share below, you can book a day tour with an air conditioned coach and guide that will hit the same (or similar) stops.

1 DAY ITINERARY FOR ABU DHABI

If you only have one day in Abu Dhabi, then you should take in the major sights the city is home to, such as Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan (the Presidential Palace) and the Louvre. You can squeeze in a couple more things if you have a full day, like the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental and a nice dinner.

Let me break it down for you along with the prices I paid so you can understand what a day in Abu Dhabi might look like for you!

• 8 - 8:30 AM: Breakfast at hotel

• 9 - 10:30 AM: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

• 11 - 11:30 AM: Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental

• 12 - 1 PM: Presidential Palace Qasr Al Watan

• 1:30 - 3:30 PM: Lunch / Rest

• 4 PM: Louvre Abu Dhabi

• 6 PM: Drone Show

• 8 PM: Dinner at Bovini’s

🚗 The 30 minute gaps in the itinerary are meant as time to get from one place to the other — 30 minutes will be more than enough time to get to/from each place using Uber or driving.

⚠️ If you’re more limited on time, I suggest prioritising the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Louvre — plus the drone show, if you can. Alternatively, you can book a half-day guided tour.

☕ 8 AM: Breakfast at Hotel

Since the day will be quite expensive and packed, I suggest keeping it simple this morning with breakfast and coffee at (or nearby) your hotel.

I had a quick latte and a slice of carrot cake (don’t judge me!) from a café in my hotel before heading out, which cost me AED 50.

🕌 9 AM: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

I can’t argue with the architecture of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque — it is definitely the marvel of Abu Dhabi. Completed in 2007, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in the country, capable of accommodating over 40,000 worshippers. When my Uber was approaching it from a distance, I could really appreciate just how grand this mosque truly is. It features 82 domes, over 1,000 columns, and the world's largest hand-knotted carpet.

Take your time to observe its details like the pristine white marble, the mosaics, and — my favourite — the ornate sculpted flowers. Of course, you’ll want to snap a few photos in this gorgeous mosque. Like much of the UAE, it is a bit of a dream for anyone who loves a great photo backdrop. I have tips for women visiting & getting the best photos in my Women’s Guide to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

ADMISSION HOURS:

• Saturday to Thursday: 9 AM - 9:30 PM

• Fridays: 9 AM - 11:30 AM and 3 PM - 9:30 PM

• Free Tours: On the hour, every hour

• Note the limited visiting hours on Friday and during the holy month of Ramadan.

Travelynne Tips:

• At AED 183.50 (~ USD 50 / CAD 68), I spent a lot more than needed here!🥲

• However, technically you don’t need to purchase anything at all from the Grand Mosque, as long as you have the proper attire to visit. Admission is free.

• The dress code here is very strict! Be sure to read the dress code guidelines — or consult my tips for women — and dress appropriately. Otherwise, be prepared to purchase an abaya (cloak) and/or headscarf when you arrive.

• If you’d like to purchase an abaya, you can find tips for saving $$ on an abaya here.

• The e-guide (audio guide) is not worth paying for here. Either join a free guided tour on the hour or just wander around yourself appreciating the beautiful architecture and getting some beautiful photos.

• While Uber or a taxi is convenient, if you’re on a tighter budget you can take a bus to the mosque instead (but this will eat up a lot of your day!)

🧐 11 AM: Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental

While I definitely couldn’t afford to stay at the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental hotel, I was curious enough to drop by for a little taste of what it’s like. This hotel is the epitome of luxury, with gold and marble decor inside, and fountains and gardens outside. The lobbies are open for visitors to take a look around — just play it cool 😉. Be sure to look around outside from the entrance, too, because the palace offers a great view of Abu Dhabi’s urban skyline!

Emirates Palace’s café is Instagram famous for its gold-dusted cappuccino (AED 69). If you’re into that, then check it out — the café is located at the very back and centre when you walk straight through the main entrance.

Or, you can be cheap like I was (hurting after I spent so much at the Grand Palace!), and just peruse for free. I already felt like a boss just walking through in my fancy abaya (paired with my beat up Air Force 1s 😂), so I can only imagine that you must feel like royalty staying there.

ADMISSION HOURS:

• Daily: Lobby areas are free to visit anytime

• You can book a private 1-hour tour to see more of Emirates Palace (150 AED) and it includes a Palace cappuccino, cake or hot chocolate

If you have more time and budget, and you’re looking to have more of an experience at Emirates Palace, of course, you could stay at the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental hotel (~AED 1190++ per night), take a private tour (AED 150), enjoy a 2-hour afternoon tea experience there (AED 245) or get a day pass (starting from AED 400).

🏰 12 PM: Qasr Al Watan (the Presidential Palace)

Qasr Al Watan, also known as the Presidential Palace or the Palace of the Nation, is a relatively recent yet iconic addition to Abu Dhabi's skyline. Opened in March 2019, this working presidential palace offers a peek into governing traditions in the UAE.

I didn’t see any of the working functions of the palace on my visit (it felt more like a museum to me — grand but empty, except for the tourists). Besides the grand corridors, you’ll find smaller rooms off to the sides with museum exhibitions, such as a hall with items gifted to the president, and the library.

Qasr Al Watan is easy to visit and an impressive architectural masterpiece deserving a stop while in Abu Dhabi.

ADMISSION HOURS:

• Daily: 10 AM - 5:30 PM

• 🗲 SKIP THE ADMISSIONS LINE 🗲 Get your ticket ahead with GetYourGuide!

⛱️ 1:30 PM: Lunch / Rest at Corniche Beach

Depending what your energy level is like, you can head back to your hotel for lunch and a rest, or go have lunch in the Corniche area to enjoy Abu Dhabi's beachfront.

Here are some lunch places to consider:

• $$ Syrian House or Broasted & Shawerma Alzain near Corniche will have lower priced options for lunch. You can get a shawerma sandwich for less than AED 15 (~ USD 4 / CAD 6).

• $$$ Catch @ St-Regis for higher-end seafood near the sea or Azura for panoramic gulf views — both have great reviews on cocktails, too, but will cost a pretty penny — around AED 150-200 per main dish (~ USD 41-55 / CAD 56-75).

If you have time, consider taking a walk, dip or rest at Corniche Beach after eating — it’s a nice city beach with a walkway for pedestrians the entire length. If you want to swim at Corniche Beach, that area charges AED 10 (AED 5 for children) for access.

I actually skipped lunch 🤦‍♀️ (does a granola bar count?) because I was pressed for time — but this itinerary should allow you to have a leisurely lunch or rest if you want it! I ran to my hotel room and changed out of my hot abaya before heading to the Louvre.

🖼️ 4 PM: Louvre Abu Dhabi

After a relaxing day enjoying Abu Dhabi’s waters, head to the Louvre Abu Dhabi around 4 PM. Last entry is at 6 PM and it closes at 6:30 PM on weekdays, so this should give you enough time to explore, including any temporary exhibitions you’re interested in. I arrived late and only had 1-hour, which felt just a bit rushed, so this should leave you with plenty of time.

I’ll bet you recognize the name of this museum, as it’s the result of a cultural exchange partnership with the beloved Louvre Paris. Imagined by architect Jean Nouvel, the 24,000 sqm Louvre Abu Dhabi looks like it’s standing in the sea off Saadiyat Island. Its iconic 8-layer stainless steel and aluminium dome creates a mesmerizing pattern, reflecting light through 7,850 ‘stars’ inside.

ADMISSION HOURS:

• Monday - Thursday: 10 AM - 6:30 PM

• Friday - Sunday: 10 AM - 8:30 PM

While the museum itself is relatively small, its curated treasures won’t disappoint. Everyone can find something they’ll recognise or love in the Louvre Abu Dhabi. For me, some of the museum's highlights include Leonardo da Vinci's "La Belle Ferronnière," treasures from ancient Egypt, the full Ottoman armour of a horse and rider from the 15-16th century, and a room of globes and maps from different periods. I look forward to hearing what you enjoy!

If you have some time to kill before sundown, you can hang out under the dome (there are cafes open until 6 PM) or by the water outside of the museum.

Travelynne Tips:

• ✨ Skip the lines by buying your ticket online

  • For convenience, you can get a combo ticket with Qasr Al Watan, like I did, which comes with a free 1GB eSIM!

• Sunset lovers will enjoy the view here if your visit aligns, like mine did!

• Short on time? Start with the temporary exhibits, since they close before the permanent ones.

• The Louvre Abu Dhabi app can help add some colour to exhibitions while you explore, thanks to its easy-to-follow audio guide.

• You can take a kayak tour around the Louvre Abu Dhabi for a unique experience.

• Aspiring artists can book an easel at the museum every Sunday from 1-4 PM for AED 150.

🎆 6 PM: Saadiyat Island Drone Show & Cocktails

After the sun dips below the horizon, and the museum closes, it’s time to follow the music upstairs to the Louvre Abu Dhabi’s chic rooftop bar: the Art Lounge. Here, you can sip on artfully crafted cocktails (or dinner — but I have another suggestion for that below), all while the sky above you comes alive with the mesmerizing Saadiyat Island Drone Show.

The Art Lounge is not the cheapest place, but I loved the ambience there, next to the water with an excellent DJ and views of the drone shows, so if you can swing it, go! From here, the drone show will come in and out of sight throughout the evening, moving subtly and artfully across the sky. For a different perspective, or to save money, pop down by the waterfront next to the museum to see the drone show fly over its beautiful structure.

SAADIYAT DRONE SHOW SCHEDULE:

• Daily: 6:00 PM, 7:30 PM, 9:00 PM and 10:30 PM

• Duration: ~ 25 mins each

THE ART LOUNGE HOURS:

• Mon: CLOSED

• Tues - Sun: 3 PM - 12 AM

• Sat: Open from 1 PM for brunch

💸 If you’re on a tighter budget, then you can enjoy the drone show from the Louvre Abu Dhabi Garden instead and get a bite to eat elsewhere (for a cheap dinner, go for shawerma which you can find for ~ AED 12).

🍽️ 8 PM: Dinner at Bovini’s

I highly recommend treating yourself to dinner at Bovini Restaurant & Cafe near Corniche Street and downtown. I stumbled by this restaurant on my first night in Abu Dhabi, while walking aimlessly around the area my hotel was in. I got hungry, opened Google Maps, and saw that there was a nearby restaurant with hundreds of 5-star reviews on Google.

Bovini’s is a Lebanese Italian fusion restaurants and one of my favourite meals ever! The ambiance is warm and beautiful, their menu is difficult to choose from with so many delicious choices (plus daily specials), and the presentation is creative! What’s more, the staff were very welcoming, helpful and generous.

I was almost the only one in the restaurant (it was kind of early for dinner), but the chef came over to talk to me and help me choose what to try. I started with a to-die-for passionfruit mojito mocktail (which came in the coolest glass ever) and had a perfectly-grilled fresh seabass with root vegetables. When I said I was too full for desert, they surprised me anyway with a tiramisu to take away! (Please don’t expect this, I think we just had a really nice interaction and I was alone after an intense week working in Dubai, and they were kind enough to make this gesture for me 😊).

I paid AED 148 for everything (~ USD 40 / CAD 55), which isn’t cheap but also not absurd considering how much I loved the ambiance, service and food. I think this is well worth the experience.

Check them out on Instagram and, if you go, let me know what your experience is like by commenting below!

💸 Budgeting for a Day in Abu Dhabi

As you saw above, Abu Dhabi is not the cheapest city to visit. In fact, I easily spent nearly AED 750 in a day (over USD 200) — not including my hotel. My hotel downtown was pretty basic and cost AED 311 (~ USD 66) per night. There are ways to do this day for a smaller budget and, of course, there are multiple ways to do it for a much larger budget.

Lowest & Highest Budget Options

CHEAPEST VERSION = AED 300 (~ USD 82 / CAD 110)

The cheapest version of this day will come up to about AED 300. You can also opt for cheaper foods, like getting groceries or shawarma (~ AED 12-15), while I budgeted here with AED 50 for each meal.

HIGHER END = AED 800 (~ USD 218 / CAD 293)

The higher end will come up to at leastAED 800, including food and a couple of cocktails in the evening. You can easily rack up a higher bill if you want to do, eat and drink more — I was relatively modest with this budgeting.

My Expense Breakdown

Have a look at what I spent, then see my tips below for how you could save more based on my mistakes 😉:

Saving Money in Abu Dhabi

There are a few ways you can spend less than I did here:

• Travelling with someone

  • I was travelling alone, so all transportation and accommodation costs were borne by me, as opposed to splitting with others. Splitting with others will considerably help lower your budget.

• Wearing mosque-appropriate attire

  • You don’t have to buy an abaya — you can wear your own clothes as long as you follow the dress code. However, if you’d like to buy an abaya, you can also get one for less than half the price by purchasing from a Carrefour supermarket instead of on-site at the mosque.

• Bringing food with you

  • Sit-down restaurants are quite expensive, so getting snacks/food from Carrefour or a convenience store can save you money, or you can opt for shawerma and other cheap foods.

🚍 Guided Day Tours in Abu Dhabi

When you’re limited for time, day tours can be a great way to squeeze a lot in while taking away the stress of getting yourself from one place to another — especially in a place like Abu Dhabi where there isn’t much public transportation.

My favourite place to book guided tours and tickets is GetYourGuide — they are reliable and have excellent customer service if needed. Plus, most tours are populated with reviews you can check to decide if it’s a good fit for you!

If you want a guided tour, I suggest you get your Louvre tickets here and then book a 5-hour tour to cover the other landmarks, such as one of these:

• FROM ABU DHABI: GRAND MOSQUE, ROYAL PALACE AND ETIHAD TOWER - includes observation deck at Etihad Tower (4.9/5⭐)

  • Cost: AED 195 (~ USD 53 / CAD 73)

• FROM ABU DHABI: SHEIKH ZAYED MOSQUE AND QASR AL WATAN - includes photo stop at Emirates Palace and Etihad Towers (4.5/5⭐)

  • Cost: AED 227 (~ USD 62 / CAD 85)

✔️ What to Consider for Your Day in Abu Dhabi

My suggested itinerary focuses on the city’s main cultural landmarks, but you might be interested in exploring other aspects of this city instead— maybe the desert excursions and dune bashing, theme parks on Yas Island, beaches, mangroves or beach clubs like the popular Saadiyat Beach Club or the less expensive Nation Riviera Beach Club.

These are all great options to look into if you have more time in Abu Dhabi, too.

Check out my other Abu Dhabi articles to learn more:

• Dune Bashing: A Must-try Desert Experience in Abu Dhabi

• A Woman’s Guide to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

• Beaches, Clubs & Mangroves: Where To Beat The Heat in Abu Dhabi

• Taking the Bus Between Dubai & Abu Dhabi

❌ What to Skip in Abu Dhabi

In my experience, the Emirates Heritage Village has seen better days. It was open and busy with visitors when I was there, however most exhibits were closed or run down. The animal section had two gazelles in a small enclosure, and an unhappy donkey and camel on short leashes posing for photos with cranky kids.

The village aims to imitate a traditional oasis with a souk, mosque, Bedouin tents, and craftspeople weaving, doing metal and wood work, and making pottery. It’s meant to offer a glimpse into the Emirati way of life before the skyscrapers. But many workshops were barren, the museum exhibit was lackluster, and the “souk” sold generic made-in-China souvenirs.

The highlight for me was its waterfront location, allowing a pleasant break on a bench with a view of the skyscrapers across the water. However, I wouldn't recommend this stop until serious improvements are made.

📍 Where to Stay in Abu Dhabi

Where I Stayed

I stayed at the Golden Tulip Downtown Abu Dhabi. The room itself was nice and the service was good, the hotel just didn’t include breakfast and while there is a pool and gym, the set up is a bit strange. Since it was just for a place to sleep, this hotel was great for me. The price was right, it was central and felt safe.

I booked a standard room (26 m²/280 ft²) with a king bed and paid AED 311 (~ USD 66).

Best Areas for Short Stays

There are a wide range of options for luxury hotels in Abu Dhabi. Luxury hotels are worth considering if you plan to hang out by the pool and relax all day. However, since you’re spending the day sightseeing, there is no use in paying premium prices for high-end resorts.

I suggest opting for a mid-range or budget hotel in the Corniche or downtown area:

🚭 NOTE: Smoking & Windows in Hotel Rooms

Take note that Abu Dhabi has many hotels still offering smoking rooms, as well as windowless rooms. Look carefully at your booking to ensure you have non-smoking and a window, if these are important to you. They are to me!

📬 Postcard From Lynne: My Honest Take on Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is a city that has an undeniable wow factor, with its gleaming palaces and modern architecture, especially considering this urbanization has all happened since the 1960s. But I'll be honest with you: I felt conflicted here. While the city's wealth and grandeur are certainly impressive, I couldn't shake the feeling that much of its cultural roots had been overshadowed by the glitz. I spent a few days exploring Abu Dhabi, even venturing into the desert, but I found myself longing for more authentic Bedouin or Emirati culture. Sadly, it was harder to find than I had hoped.

Normally, I’m captivated by landmarks for their cultural and historical significance, but perhaps partially because Abu Dhabi is a young city, its buildings lack that depth. They're undoubtedly stunning, but I found myself asking, "What for?" I tried to learn more about the "why" behind the places I visited, but I struggled to find much meaning.

It's clear that the UAE has a lot of appeal for tourists who seek glitz and glamour. And while there are plenty of interesting and unusual activities here, I can't quite understand the drive to have the biggest, highest, deepest, and priciest everything. I'd love to feel more of the cultural and historical depth that I look for when I travel.

Don’t get me wrong — I enjoyed my visit. I think that Abu Dhabi or Dubai are worthwhile places to visit on an extended layover for 1-3 days. It’s really interesting to see such modern cities and they certainly have some beautiful landmarks.

If you’ve visited, I would love to hear your thoughts on these reflections!

Questions? Thoughts? Corrections? Reach out!

Do you have questions about Abu Dhabi? Did I make a mistake? You can comment below or reach out to me on Instagram DMs with questions while planning your trip.

NOTE: All prices listed in this article are approximate and subject to change. Conversion rates provided here were calculated on April 30th 2024 and fluctuate daily — they were provided to help provide a quick rough estimate for readers familiar with the US and Canadian dollar.

Continue preparing for your trip to Abu Dhabi:

HEADS UP: Some links on Travelynne are affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if you purchase select experiences from my links. This helps me invest more time and resources into creating helpful travel content like this article. Learn more about my offerings and how to support Travelynne on my booking page, where you can book tours, transportation and accommodations.