The Ultimate 2-Day Abu Dhabi Itinerary
If you’ve got 2 days to spend in Abu Dhabi, you’re in for a treat. The Emirati capital city’s allure goes beyond its sparkle, with a fascinating modern history of rapid urbanization and economic advancement. In just 60 years, Abu Dhabi has transformed from a modest fishing village into a stunning metropolis with a skyline that rivals the best in the world. Whether you’re on a layover or just short on time, this guide will help you make the most of your visit!
Personally, I think 2 days is the perfect amount of time to experience Abu Dhabi’s highlights, maybe adding a third day if you’d like a day to chill at a beach club.
Abu Dhabi’s modernity is undeniable, with elegant skyscapers visible from most of its landmarks across the city.
🕌 DAY 1: Exploring the City
For those looking to maximize their time in Abu Dhabi, I have a detailed article titled “The Ultimate 1-Day Itinerary for Abu Dhabi, UAE (with costs!)”. This guide breaks down a perfect day in Abu Dhabi, focusing on the city's major landmarks such as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Emirates Palace, Qasr Al Watan (Presidential Palace), and the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Here’s the quick version to help you plan your first day of exploring Abu Dhabi:
Morning: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
You can wear your own modest clothing or purchase an abaya to enter the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi
Start your day with breakfast at your hotel before heading to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a marvel of modern Islamic architecture. The mosque is free to enter, but remember to dress appropriately or be prepared to purchase an abaya on site. For detailed tips on visiting as a woman, check out my special guide:
Mid-Morning
Next, visit the luxurious Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental. While staying here might be out of reach for many, you can still enjoy the opulent surroundings and perhaps indulge in their famous gold-dusted cappuccino.
Not gonna lie, at this point I was so hot and tired 😅
Afternoon
After exploring the Emirates Palace, head to Qasr Al Watan, the Presidential Palace. This grand site offers insight into the UAE's governance and boasts stunning architecture. A combo ticket with the Louvre can save you some time and money.
I love this gorgeous Arabic language sculpture inside Qasr Al Watan
Late Afternoon & Evening
Spend the latter part of your day at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. The museum’s collection and stunning architecture make it a must-visit.
While I arrived later than I had wanted to, I was greeted with an amazing sunset!
Aim to catch the Saadiyat Island Drone Show after your museum visit for a unique evening experience.
My favorite surprise during my short stay in Abu Dhabi - a beautiful drone show seen from the rooftop bar at the Louvre!
End your day with dinner at Bovini’s Restaurant, known for its excellent service and delectable dishes. It’s the perfect way to wrap up a packed day of sightseeing.
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🏜 DAY 2: Desert Adventure
For your second day, experience the thrill of a desert safari and dune bashing. This adventure is a must-try for anyone visiting Abu Dhabi. I have a detailed article on “Dune Bashing: A Must-Try Desert Experience in Abu Dhabi” that covers all you need to know. I suggest you book a half-day desert safari through an app like GetYourGuide. I booked the "From Abu Dhabi: Dune Bashing Desert Safari" tour, which offers an exciting and comprehensive desert experience. The tour usually starts with a hotel pick-up in the early afternoon.
Morning
Spend your morning at leisure — maybe at your hotel pool, strolling down the Corniche waterfront and beach, taking a mangrove or Louvre kayaking tour, or chilling at one of Abu Dhabi’s bougie beach clubs. If you’re staying in a nice hotel, you can take advantage of the facilities there, otherwise, you can opt for outdoor activities, like:
Option 1 — Corniche
If you want to take it easy on your wallet for the morning, then grab your bathing suit, towel, a good book, and an iced coffee and pastry from a cafe, and make your way to Abu Dhabi’s most iconic beach: Corniche Beach.
Corniche offers something for everyone, from a family area to restaurants and hotel bars, to water activities like jet-skiing, paddle-boating, or SUPing. If you get tired of beach bumming, you can get lunch nearby, stretch your legs by taking a walk along the waterfront, or take an Uber or taxi to the Abu Dhabi Dates Market to explore an incredible variety less than 10 minutes away.
Option 2 — On the Water
If you’re looking for something more active, or you’re visiting in the ultra-hot months of July and August, consider something like this 2-hour Guided Kayak Tour in the mangrove forest, or hop on a self-driving speedboat. If you opt for the mangrove, you can also walk around the park’s boardwalks afterward.
Option 3 — Beach Club Chill
If your budget allows, you can treat yourself to a day pass at one of Abu Dhabi’s beach clubs. Nation Riviera Beach Club is a good option for those who want to be on Corniche Beach on a smaller budget (starting at AED 160 per adult for a weekday pass) or the popular Saadiyat Beach Club on Saadiyat Island.
Early Afternoon
Your desert adventure begins with a drive to the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, where the real fun starts. The tour involves dune bashing, a thrilling ride over the sand dunes in a 4WD Land Cruiser. Our driver, Zahoor, was an expert, making the experience both exhilarating and safe.
Mid-Afternoon
After the adrenaline-pumping dune bashing, the tour continues to a traditional Bedouin-style desert camp. Here, you can try activities like sandboarding, henna painting, camel riding, and enjoying traditional Arabic tea and coffee.
Late Afternoon
Climb a dune to watch the sunset over the desert – a truly unforgettable experience. The camp also offers a BBQ dinner, complete with live entertainment such as belly dancing and a tanoura performance.
Evening
End your day with stargazing in the tranquil desert before heading back to your hotel. The tour concludes with a relaxed drive back to Abu Dhabi, where you'll be dropped off at your hotel around 9 PM.
TRAVELYNNE TIPS:
What You’ll Spend (it’s not cheap!): The United Arab Emirates overall is not a cheap travel destination. For a day of sightseeing in Abu Dhabi, you can expect to spend a minimum of AED 300 (~USD 82 / CAD 110) if you are very frugal (ex. eating shawarma instead of sit-down restaurants), or upwards of AED 800 (~ USD 218 / CAD 293) if you are treating yourself.
Book Tours in Advance: Especially if traveling during the peak season (November—April), you’ll find popular attractions like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and desert safaris can fill up quickly. Booking ahead ensures you get your preferred times and can save money.
Dress Appropriately: Religious sites like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque have strict dress codes. Women should bring a scarf to cover their heads, and everyone should wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees. Outside of religious sites, you can dress normally.
Stay Hydrated: The desert climate can be intense, especially during the summer months. Carry a refillable water bottle and drink plenty of fluids throughout the day to stay hydrated.
Check Ridesharing Apps: Getting around Abu Dhabi is convenient with ride-sharing apps like Uber and local favorite Careem. They are reliable and, in my opinion, safer than taxis in general. You can find my rideshare safety tips for women here.
🎢 Alternative Ideas: Dubai, Saadiyat Island or Relaxing
If you have more time or you don’t like some of these ideas, you could also consider using a day in Abu Dhabi to:
Take a day trip to Dubai
Visit a theme park on Saadiyat Island
Simply chill at a beach or beach club
🚍 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)
🚘 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.
😴 Where to Stay in Abu Dhabi
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:
And there you have it – an action-packed 2 days in Abu Dhabi! From the stunning architecture and cultural landmarks to the exhilarating desert adventures, this itinerary ensures you won’t miss out on the best the city has to offer. Happy travels, and don’t forget to share your own Abu Dhabi adventures with me on Instagram!
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KEEP PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO ABU DHABI:
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