Experience
Abu Dhabi
The capital of the Emirates, steadier than Dubai, with the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi is the federal capital of the United Arab Emirates and the largest of the seven emirates. It is about an hour and a half by road from Dubai.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, completed in 2007, can hold tens of thousands of worshippers; it is open to visitors outside prayer times, in modest dress.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi, opened in 2017 on Saadiyat Island, sits under a pierced dome by Jean Nouvel that filters the light into a “rain of light”.
What there is to see
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
White marble, courtyards and pools; visits outside prayer times.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Opened in 2017, Jean Nouvel's dome on Saadiyat Island.
Qasr Al Watan
The presidential palace, open to visitors: state rooms and library.
The Corniche
A landscaped seafront, public beaches and cycle paths.
When to go
November to March, as in the rest of the Emirates.
Abu Dhabi: frequently asked questions
Can you visit Abu Dhabi from Dubai in a day?
Yes. The drive takes about an hour and a half and a day is enough for the Grand Mosque, the Louvre and the Corniche.
