One Day in Abu Dhabi – 5 Fun Things to Do!
Abu Dhabi is the UAE’s capital city and it’s just bursting with unique things to do. But if you’ve only got one day in Abu Dhabi, that’s okay. You can easily pack in at least a few Abu Dhabi bucket list activities into your 24-hour itinerary!
But trust me, after getting a tiny taste of this one-of-a-kind Middle Eastern city, you’ll want to come back to see, do, and eat all of the things you missed the first time around! As a Dubai expat and frequent visitor to Abu Dhabi these are a few of the must-do things that I recommend to my friends and family who are planning to spend a day in Abu Dhabi.
I included the opening hours of each of these attractions as well as the minimum amount of time you’ll need to explore each one. Depending on which ones pique your interest the most, you can cobble together the perfect Abu Dhabi day trip for you!
From kayaking through expansive mangroves to marveling at the country’s largest mosque to soaking up the sun on one of the city’s best beaches, your 24 hours in Abu Dhabi are bound to be memorable. I recommend getting an early start to pack as many of these Abu Dhabi bucket list items in as possible.
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Getting Around Abu Dhabi
You have multiple ways of getting around Abu Dhabi: buses, taxis, or a rental car. I will say that Abu Dhabi’s attractions are fairly spread out, so you will need a car to get around efficiently. For reference, the attractions on this list are anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes from each other.
Since you’ll only have a quick 24 hours in Abu Dhabi, you can easily get around with taxis. If this is your plan, I recommend downloading the Careem app and ordering taxis through there. I prefer getting taxis through Careem versus Uber because it’s more affordable. You can also hail taxis from most parts of the city fairly easily.
Because you’ve only got one day in Abu Dhabi, I wouldn’t recommend relying on buses during your visit – it would take way too long to get around.
One Day in Abu Dhabi – 5 Fun Things to Do
1. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – 2 hours
Hours: Daily, 9 am to 10 pm; closed noon to 3 pm on Friday
Time needed: 1-2 hours
No Abu Dhabi day trip would be complete without visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque because this place needs to be seen to be believed. If you’ve only got one day in Abu Dhabi, this should be first on your list! This is the largest mosque in the UAE and the third-largest in the world and you’ll know it when you see it because it’s absolutely massive.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque contains 1,192 pillars, 82 domes, and four towering minarets and can accommodate up to 40,000 visitors. Take a look inside the prayer halls and you’ll also glimpse the largest hand-knotted carpet in the world and the second-largest chandelier in the world.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is absolutely free to visit but you’ll want to make sure you’re dressed appropriately. For ladies, this means your legs, arms, and hair should be completely covered, and make sure you’re wearing loose-fitting clothing. Don’t worry too much if you don’t fit the dress code because you can purchase an inexpensive abaya at the shop at the entrance to the mosque.
The mosque is open to visitors daily from 9 am to 10 pm, except on Fridays when it closes for Friday prayer from noon to 3 pm. You’ll want at least an hour or two to get through the security line, walk around, take photos, and soak it all in!
Insider tip: For even more amazing photos of the mosque, head across the highway to Wahat Al Karama where you can take in views of the mosque reflected in the shallow pool.
2. Kai Beach, Saadiyat Island
Hours: 7 am-sunset
Time needed: 2+ hours
If you’ve got one day in Abu Dhabi and you want to see one of the UAE’s best beaches head over to Kai Beach on Saadiyat Island. This exclusive 500-meter stretch of white sand is lapped by clear, turquoise waters, creating a postcard-perfect setting.
Entry is AED 125 for adults on weekdays and AED 175 on weekends and holidays and includes sunbeds and umbrellas (kids 5 and under enter for free). You can also order food and drinks from the on-site MLT food truck if you’re feeling peckish.
Entry to Kai Beach is less expensive than the more coveted Saadiyat Beach Club, which is right next door. But if you want to make a day of it – or spend more than a couple of hours at the beach – and don’t mind shelling out more dirhams, this posh beach club gives you luxurious amenities like a chilled 650-square-meter pool surrounded by cabanas and multiple restaurants.
3. Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island
Hours: 10 am to midnight with galleries and exhibitions closing at 6:30 pm Monday-Thursday and 8:30 pm Friday-Sunday
Time needed: 2+ hours
The Louvre is definitely an Abu Dhabi bucket list item. The concept was dreamed up by France and Abu Dhabi with the agreement that the Louve Abu Dhabi can exhibit a range of art, artifacts, and more from museums throughout France, as well as use the Louvre name, until 2037.
Inside this massive museum, you’ll find pieces spanning both time and borders dedicated to everything from ancient Egyptian relics and neoclassical sculptures to modern paintings, religious pieces, and so much more.
The building itself is part of the draw. What makes this structure so unique is that it’s surrounded by water, making the main stainless steel and aluminum dome and the 55 small, white buildings that surround it appear to be floating on water. The dome itself is an architectural marvel and features 7,850 “stars” that let light filter inside.
Art aside, you’ll want to allot some time to wander around the mazelike walkways that emanate off the main dome. They’ll lead you to all sorts of picturesque areas. It’s also well worth timing your visit with sunset, if possible, because this is an absolutely magical spot for it.
If you’ve got the time, it’s also possible to sign up for one of the 60-minute kayaking tours allowing you to paddle your way around the waterways surrounding this spectacular building!
4. Jubail Mangrove Park, Jubail Island
Hours: 7 am to 9 pm
Time needed: 1 hour
If you want to experience the UAE capital’s natural side during your Abu Dhabi day trip, check out Jubail Mangrove Park on Jubail Island (right next to Saadiyat Island). You can easily explore the park in less than an hour, making it a fairly quick stop if you’re doing Abu Dhabi in one day.
For AED 15 per adult and AED 5 per child, you can walk around the 2-kilometer wooden boardwalk that will lead you into the mangroves. I highly recommend checking the tide chart before you visit in order to time your trip with high tide. During high tide, you’ll have the chance to see crabs, fish, and turtles swimming in the crystal-clear waters. Plus, the reflections of the plants on the water are simply stunning.
This is also a tranquil spot to go birding and if you time your visit right, you might even get to witness the wild flamingoes that migrate here during the winter months. If you allot some more time here, it’s also possible to go kayaking through these beautiful mangroves for an unforgettable experience!
5. Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe, Yas Island
hours: 9 am-9 pm, daily
time needed: 1 hour
If you’ve only got 24 hours in Abu Dhabi and you want to get a taste of Emirate cuisine, I recommend heading over to Al Fanar Al Fanar Restaurant & Café in Yas Mall on Yas Island. The menu is long and brimming with traditional local dishes. If you do manage to get there before noon, I highly recommend ordering the Build Your Breakfast Tray, which serves two people.
We ordered ours with shakshuka and balaleet (sweet vermicelli with cardamom, saffron, and an omelet) as mains, with six sides ranging from labneh and zaatar to cream with honey to khabisah (a sweet dessert), as well as two traditional types of flatbreads.
But if you’re not in time for breakfast, you’ll find a range of local dishes to choose from, from chabab (Emirati pancakes infused with saffron, cardamom, and turmeric) and machboos (a meat and yellow basmati rice dish) to a bedouin mutton stew and an Emirati-style lamb kebab. For a sweet finish, order the date pudding or the legaimat (fried dough balls with date syrup!).
Alternate things to do during your one day in Abu Dhabi:
Dine at Yas Bay Waterfront: Grab dinner and drinks at Yas Bay Waterfront. This place is lined with bars and restaurants, many of which boast gorgeous water views.
See a Show at Etihad Stadium: As the largest indoor entertainment venue in the Middle East, there’s always a concert, comedy show, or sporting event happening at Etihad Stadium!
Marvel at Qasr Al Watan: Qasr Al Watan (or the Presidential Palace) is not only a great place to learn about the history and culture of the UAE, but this place is another one of the top architectural marvels in Abu Dhabi. You have to see it to believe it!
Go to a Free Beach at The Cornish: The Cornish is a popular place to go for a bike ride along the waterfront promenade, get Abu Dhabi’s skyline views, and go to the beach (for free!).
Tour the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital: For a truly unique UAE experience, an in-depth tour of the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital will give you an inside glimpse into the world of falcons and their important role in local history and culture.
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