United Arab Emirates

AI may have contributed to this destination’s text and activity data. Confirm opening days, transport, prices and entry conditions with the relevant operator or authority; automatic live-data updates do not verify these descriptions.

Abu Dhabi

The capital of white mosques and island museums

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Abu Dhabi Plan a trip around United Arab Emirates

Best time to visit: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Currency: AED
Time zone: UTC+4
Country: United Arab Emirates

Photo: Guilhem Vellut, CC BY 2.0

The UAE's capital, calmer than Dubai, with the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre on Saadiyat Island and theme parks on Yas.

Largest cities

Dubai
Abu Dhabi
Sharjah
Al Ain
Ras Al Khaimah

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: United Arab Emirates
Capital: Abu Dhabi
Province population: 4.1M
Population of United Arab Emirates: 10.7M
Country area: 83,600 km²
Official language: Arabic
Currency: United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED) · 1 USD ≈ 3.67 AED
Time zone: UTC+4
Calling code: +971
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 5 m
Plugs: G · 230V
Emergency numbers: 999 · 998
Best time to visit: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	24°	26°	29°	34°	39°	41°	42°	43°	40°	36°	31°	26°
Low	13°	14°	17°	21°	25°	27°	30°	30°	27°	23°	18°	15°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$70
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$165
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$450

Plan a trip to Abu Dhabi

Top things to do

Free
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
White marble domes, the world's largest hand-knotted carpet and pools that glow at sunset. Entry is free with online booking; modest dress required.
- Half day
- Grand Mosque area
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $18
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Art from every era under a vast dome that lets through a 'rain of light'; closed on Mondays.
- Half day
- Saadiyat Island
- Good for kids
- Indoors
- Closed: Monday
≈ $18
Qasr Al Watan
The presidential palace, open to visitors, with its great hall, library and an evening light show.
- Half day
- Downtown and the Corniche
- Indoors
≈ $90
Yas Island theme parks
Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World and Yas Waterworld; most are indoors and air-conditioned.
- Full day
- Yas Island
- Good for kids
- Indoors
Free
The Corniche
Eight kilometres of seafront with a public beach, cycle paths and views of the skyline.
- Half day
- Downtown and the Corniche
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $8
Qasr Al Hosn
The city's oldest stone building, a watchtower and fort, now a museum of Abu Dhabi's history.
- Half day
- Downtown and the Corniche
- Indoors

Before you go

Entry and visas

GCC citizens enter without a visa. Many nationalities get a visa on arrival; Indian passport holders with a valid US visa or green card, or a UK or EU residence permit, can get a pre-approved visa on arrival. Check your nationality on the official UAE portal, u.ae.

Official website

From the airport

Zayed International Airport is about 30 minutes from the centre by taxi; buses and taxis also link Dubai, about 1.5 hours away.

Getting around

Taxis and ride-hailing (Uber, Careem) are the easiest; city buses take the Hafilat card.

Local tips

Book your Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque visit online; women need a headscarf and long sleeves.
The Grand Mosque is open to visitors on Fridays too, with shorter hours around Friday prayers, so check the official visiting hours before you go.
From May to September, plan outdoor time for early morning and evening.
Combine with Dubai: they are close enough for a day trip either way.