Abu Dhabi guide: where to live, eat and walk

The UAE has long been a priority holiday destination for Russian tourists. Especially if we are talking about the emirates, where the conversations of our citizens can be heard from every square meter of the city. However, in recent years, Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, the largest and richest emirate, has also been gaining popularity. It’s also significantly different from the other six. There is a lot of greenery and many more attractions worth spending time. But first things first.

You can reach Abu Dhabi from Moscow with a direct flight with Air Arabia. Five hours of flight and you’re at the airport. Sheikh Zayed. By the way, even at check-in I learned that the airline flies not only to the capital of the emirates. You can travel not only to neighboring emirates but also to other countries on these comfortable planes, where you can order your favorite dishes from world cuisines and accumulate points for each trip.

The city center is half an hour away by car, but you can also get there by public transport – for example, by bus, which will take an hour longer, but there is no metro here. By the way, if point B coincides with the Experience Abu Dhabi bus route, you can go there from the airport for free.

Abu Dhabi is a city on the coast of the Persian Gulf, where many islands are connected by bridges. The coastline stretches for several kilometers and is divided into areas owned by paid and free beaches, as well as hotels. And the water itself is so clean that even the city’s Corniche beach has been awarded Blue Flag certification as one of the best in the world.

We’ve researched the most interesting places in Abu Dhabi and compiled a list of must-visit places. So in this material we tell you where to go, where to live and eat if you find yourself in the most beautiful emirate.

what to see

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Sheikh Zayed Mosque is the most important attraction not only of this city but of the entire UAE. Although it is operational, it is also open to tourists. Note that clothing is strict here. Choose a covered look that covers your arms and legs completely, and don’t forget to grab a scarf to cover your head. The scale of the attraction is truly impressive – 82 snow-white domes, marble walls and columns. Inside, there is the world’s largest carpet weighing 47 tons, and seven chandeliers made of gold leaf and millions of Swarovski crystals. By the way, we strongly recommend that you come here both during the day and in the evening. After sunset, the place reflects the atmosphere of a real oriental night.

Louvre Abu Dhabi

The only branch of the Paris Louvre in the world is located here in Abu Dhabi. And although the Mona Lisa is not here, there is another, no less famous work by da Vinci in the Arabian Louvre: La Belle Ferronière. The museum’s permanent collection includes approximately seven hundred works of art from all periods and civilizations, from prehistoric times to the present. The Louvre also collaborates with partner museums every year. For example, this year the Louvre Abu Dhabi, in partnership with the Musee d’Orsay in Paris, opened a new exhibition called “Post-Impressionism: Beyond the Visible”, which runs until February 9, 2025. The exhibition will include more than a hundred works by Van Gogh, Cezanne, Gauguin, Seurat and many other artists.

By the way, the museum itself resembles a modern art exhibition. It was built on the artificial island of Saadiyat. Its roof resembles a perforated metal dome, through which the sun’s rays penetrate the walls in a kaleidoscope pattern. And if there were to be a title for the world’s most Instagrammable* museum, it would definitely be the new Louvre. Moreover, in 2025, four more equally important projects will open next to the Louvre: Guggenheim Museum, Natural History Museum, TeamLab Phenomena and Zayed National Museum.

House of Abraham

Perhaps the newest attraction on the map of Abu Dhabi is the House of Abraham, where three religions live. According to the concept, “House” brings together three buildings of worship of religions that believe in one God: mosque, church and synagogue. The traditions of Islam, Christianity and Judaism date back to Abraham, the patriarch of the Semitic tribes; This is where the name of the project comes from. By the way, entrance to the “Home” is free, but you must book your visit in advance.

Warner Bros. World

Warner Bros. Theme Park World is the world’s largest indoor amusement park. Inside is a universe of movie company heroes, from Batman and Superman to Scooby Doo and Bugs Bunny. If you think that the place is only for children, you are very wrong. Personally, we returned to our childhood for the whole day and enthusiastically explored the houses of our favorite characters recreated in the park and went on all the rides. The shops, which are located in a separate area in the park and display products from every movie and cartoon, are also a different kind of pleasure. It is absolutely impossible to leave empty-handed.

Sea World

Another entertainment option in Abu Dhabi is a trip to the world’s largest aquarium. The five-story Sea World is divided into eight thematic zones: single ocean, Persian Gulf, rocky coast, micro-ocean, tropics, Arctic, Antarctica and endless ocean. Each of them represents the animals that live in this region. By the way, there are more than one and a half hundred thousand species here. And even if you generally have a calm attitude towards marine life, this park will definitely not leave you indifferent. We recommend you spend at least a few hours to thoroughly explore all areas. Additionally, in addition to the aquarium, Sea World also has a separate movie theater with 4D animation and even its own small amusement park.

Qasr Al Watan Presidential Palace

Another must-see is the Qasr Al Watan Presidential Palace. This is the case when you are in a place where official receptions of the UAE government are held. Everything was done according to the best Arab traditions; there was white marble all around and plenty of gold inside. By the way, this gives you the feeling of being in an oriental fairy tale. We recommend you take a break from architecture by visiting the huge library with over 50 thousand books in its collection. If you suddenly decide to stay in the palace longer than planned, be sure to check out the room where all the diplomatic gifts given to the President of the UAE are collected.

Qasr Al Hosn Fort

Although there are many modern buildings in Abu Dhabi, there is one place that can take you back in time. Therefore, we do not recommend that you miss the opportunity to look at the oldest building of the capital of the Emirates, which witnessed the transformation of a fishing village into one of the most developed cities in the world. Qasr Al Hosn was built in 1790 and the castle was originally the residence of the ruling family. It later hosted the national advisory council created by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of the UAE.

House of Craftsmen

Here in Qasr Al Hosn fort is a famous artisan house in Abu Dhabi. In modern terms, this is where regular workshops are held. Here local craftsmen create local products with their own hands, which can be purchased as souvenirs. And if you think all this is not real, know that the prestigious French association Comité Colbert, whose members include Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Hermès brands, started collaborating with the masters of the “House of Craftsmen” in 2019. However, in addition to shopping, be sure to attend a coffee ceremony where you can taste real Arabic coffee with dates.

Enjoy canoeing at Jubail Mangrove Park

The mangrove forest in Abu Dhabi is such a state that you forget for a moment that you are even in the Emirates. Jubail Park is only half an hour from the city but there are no skyscrapers or traffic jams, just lots of green trees. The most popular form of entertainment here is canoeing. To put it very simply, it is traveling in a narrow boat that resembles a canoe. A few hours of such a walk through the mangrove forest – and there is no need for a psychologist. We recommend coming here to catch the sunset. Have time to take hundreds of photos with the golden hour tag.

Where to live

Fairmont Bab Al Bahr

If you’re looking for a place to stay in the city centre, don’t hesitate to book Fairmont Bab Al Bahr. Guests can benefit from the private beach and swimming pool. But its main advantage is, of course, the view of Abu Dhabi, and more precisely, the view of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, which we mentioned above. Those who prefer active recreation will definitely like that all the entertainment is within walking distance. Foodies will appreciate the wide range of food offered at the hotel’s restaurants.

Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island

Still, those who prefer a beach holiday will prefer Rixos Saadiyat. The hotel is located on Saadiyat Island, where the Arabian Louvre is located, right on the coast of the Persian Gulf. It is believed that the best beaches in the Middle East are located here. The project is made in a modern style with traditional oriental details such as arches and marble patterns. Thus, you can safely consider yourself an Arab princess during your trip. If you value the opportunity for private relaxation on holiday, take a closer look at the Club Prive format, which consists of individual villas on hotel grounds.

Conrad Etihad Towers

If you feel 100% urban and are refreshed by the energy of big cities, Conrad Etihad Towers hotel is just for you. Located in one of the skyscrapers on the Corniche, its rooms offer panoramic views of Abu Dhabi. By the way, there is also an observation terrace on the 75th floor. Be sure to take the opportunity to watch the sun set at one of the highest points of the city. There is also an Italian restaurant called Nahaam, which is an ideal place to dine with beautiful views.

where to eat

Oii Restaurant & Cafe

If you are looking for a place where you can not only have a delicious meal but also have a wonderful evening, be sure to book a table at Oii Restaurant & Cafe. The project itself was included in the Michelin Guide this year, but at the same time, the cuisine itself here is in a sense understandable to every guest. Meanwhile, the history of the project deserves a modern adaptation of “Eat.” Pray. Love.” The project was opened by a local woman who has traveled a lot around the world and knows the cuisine of each country. And so, she specially compiled a menu of her favorite dishes in her restaurant.

Cafe Milano

Italian Café Milano is located in the Four Seasons Hotel on Al Marya Island. The main feature of the restaurant is its terrace overlooking the bay. Be sure that you will definitely forget that you are in Abu Dhabi during lunch or dinner because the atmosphere of this place will transport you to Capri. The project itself is made in a minimalist style: on the walls there are photographs from Milan shows and photographs of vintage clothes, and the interior is completely in light colors. The menu includes classics of Italian cuisine: homemade pasta, fresh seafood, desserts. Overall, an ideal place to treat yourself to a gastronomic journey without leaving the Emirates.

Dinner in the dark at Fresh Basil

If you have never participated in gastronomic entertainment before, be sure to take the opportunity to try this format for the first time in Abu Dhabi. Fresh Basil restaurant at Bab Al Qasr hotel offers a chef’s set menu dinner in pitch darkness. Your task is to fully trust it, the project team and, of course, your own buyers. In complete darkness and silence the senses work completely differently. So the three-course menu will have to be estimated first. The chef only reveals the details of the dinner at the end of the evening.