Grand Mosque & City Tour
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque plus the city's landmarks.
United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi
The UAE's capital trades Dubai's flash for grand landmarks: the white-marble Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi's floating dome and the presidential palace of Qasr Al Watan.
- Metro population
- 1,500,000
- Country
- United Arab Emirates
- Region
- Middle East
Overview
Why visit Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi was a modest pearling and fishing settlement until oil wealth transformed it after the 1960s. As capital of the seven-emirate federation, it grew into a city of wide boulevards, Corniche beaches and island districts planned on a monumental scale.
Its landmarks are among the Gulf's most striking. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, built from gleaming white marble with 82 domes and over a thousand columns, is one of the world's largest mosques. On Saadiyat Island, the Louvre Abu Dhabi's silvery dome filters light into 'rain' over galleries bridging East and West, and the gold-domed Emirates Palace and the presidential palace Qasr Al Watan show off the city's ceremonial side.
For thrills, Yas Island packs in Ferrari World, home of the world's fastest roller coaster, Warner Bros. World and the Yas Marina Formula 1 circuit. Quieter escapes include kayaking the city's mangroves and desert safaris into the golden dunes towards the Empty Quarter.
Things to do
Top things to book in Abu Dhabi
Popular tours and tickets. Compare prices and book ahead to skip the lines.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Skip-the-line entry to the dome museum on Saadiyat.
Ferrari World
Ride Formula Rossa on Yas Island.
Desert Safari & BBQ
Dune bashing, camels and a sunset dinner in the sands.
Plan your trip
Compare prices for Abu Dhabi
Pick your dates once and search hotels, homes, flights and tours on every major site.
Compare two at a time
Side by side in Abu Dhabi
Tour prices change by date and group size, so each site opens with your search ready to check today's price.
Starting prices checked on Nov 9 on each company's site. Prices depend on age, country and dates; confirm before you buy.
We may earn a commission when you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Fun facts
Things you didn't know about Abu Dhabi
- 01
The Capital, Not Dubai
Abu Dhabi, not Dubai, is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and the largest of its seven emirates.
- 02
A Grand Mosque
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque can hold over 40,000 worshippers and contains one of the world's largest hand-knotted carpets.
- 03
The Louvre Of The Desert
The Louvre Abu Dhabi, opened in 2017, was the first universal museum in the Arab world, topped by a 180-metre dome.
- 04
The World'S Fastest Coaster
Ferrari World's Formula Rossa launches riders to 240 km/h, making it the fastest roller coaster on Earth.
- 05
A Palace You Can Visit
Qasr Al Watan, the working presidential palace, opened its great halls and library to visitors in 2019.
- 06
Falcons Get Their Own Hospital
The Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital is the largest of its kind, treating the UAE's national bird.
- 07
A Man-Made Mangrove
The city's Eastern Mangrove park is a protected habitat for flamingos, herons and turtles minutes from downtown.
- 08
Seven Stars?
The Emirates Palace hotel reportedly cost around $3 billion to build and has its own gold-dispensing ATM.
- 09
Oil Made It
Before oil was found in 1958, Abu Dhabi survived on pearl diving, fishing and camel herding.
- 10
An F1 Finale
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina has hosted season-deciding Formula 1 title battles under floodlights.
Random Abu Dhabi fact
Tap the button for a random fact about Abu Dhabi.
FAQ
Quick answers about Abu Dhabi
Where is Abu Dhabi located?
Abu Dhabi is in the United Arab Emirates, in the Middle East.
What is the population of Abu Dhabi?
The greater Abu Dhabi area is home to about 1,500,000 people.
What is Abu Dhabi famous for?
The UAE's capital trades Dubai's flash for grand landmarks: the white-marble Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi's floating dome and the presidential palace of Qasr Al Watan.
Keep exploring
All Middle East citiesMore cities in Middle East
Enjoying Famous Cities?
If these guides helped you plan a trip, or just daydream about one, you can say thanks with a coffee. Every bit keeps the site independent and free.