Abu Dhabi walking tour & city guide

Grand Mosque and Corniche

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, with 82 white domes, marble courtyards inlaid with flowers and one of the world's largest hand-knotted carpets, is open to visitors of all faiths. It is especially magical at sunset. The Corniche is an eight-kilometer waterfront with beaches, parks and cycle paths.

Culture and islands

On Saadiyat Island, the Louvre Abu Dhabi sits under a huge perforated dome that creates a 'rain of light'. Qasr Al Hosn, the city's oldest stone building, tells its history. Yas Island is home to Ferrari World, a Formula One circuit and theme parks.

A day in Abu Dhabi

Most people come for the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, and it deserves its fame. Visit in the late afternoon: the white marble softens in the golden light, and if you stay until dusk the colonnades are lit in shades of blue that follow the phases of the moon.

The next morning, walk or cycle a stretch of the Corniche, eight kilometers of beach and parkland facing the turquoise Gulf. Then head to Saadiyat Island for the Louvre Abu Dhabi, where light filters through a huge latticed dome onto the water like sunlight through palm leaves. Qasr Al Hosn, the city's oldest building, is a quieter stop in the center.

Good to know

Abu Dhabi feels calmer and more spread out than Dubai, so taxis are the easiest way to link the islands. The mosque is free, but you need modest clothing covering arms and legs, and women should cover their hair; abayas are available at the entrance.

Winter, from November to March, is the best time for walking. Many visitors treat Abu Dhabi as a day trip from Dubai, but an overnight stay lets you enjoy the Corniche at sunset and the mosque in two different lights.