This post is about what to do with one day in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. My 24 hours itinerary.
Welcome to Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi is also the largest of the 7 Emirates in terms of land. While Dubai is known for its skyscrapers and luxury, Abu Dhabi has a more relaxed and traditional atmosphere. You can learn so much about the UAE’s history by visiting Abu Dhabi.
I went on a day trip to Abu Dhabi from Dubai. It’s a little over an hour drive. While I recommend spending at least 2-3 days exploring Abu Dhabi, I have noticed a day trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi is the most popular option. So keep on reading for my one day itinerary to Abu Dhabi.
HOW TO SPEND 24 HOURS IN ABU DHABI?
How to get around in Abu Dhabi?
In my opinion, traveling to and within Abu Dhabi is very convenient. I chose to rent a car from Dubai and drive to Abu Dhabi. I’d say driving around Abu Dhabi was so much more easier compared to Dubai. The traffic wasn’t bad at all.
Having said that, if you are not planning to rent a car, there are other transportation options available. Here’s what I was able to research-
- If you are flying in to Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways is going to be the best pick.
- Public buses are the most budget-friendly option, costs around 25 AED from Dubai to Abu Dhabi.
- Taxis are also easily available. A cab ride from Dubai to Abu Dhabi can cost anywhere from 200- 300 AED! You can also book a taxi via the Abu Dhabi taxi app.
- Uber and Careem are also available in the city. Uber rides tend to be the most expensive option. I recommend downloading Careem app.
- Experience Abu Dhabi shuttle bus is another great way to move around within the city. It is a free service that connects the tourist hot spots. You can find out more about this service here.
- Lastly, you can book a guided tour here where transportation is included with your tour.
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What to do with One Day in Abu Dhabi?
While I would have loved to spend more time in Abu Dhabi, I had dedicated only a day trip. I had my bucket list items and was on a mission to see as many things as possible. Sad to announce that I did not get to see everything during my one day trip to Abu Dhabi (no surprise!). However, I did experience a lot of things that made my trip to Abu Dhabi memorable. I can’t wait to go back to Abu Dhabi and will probably plan to spend at least 2-3 days there to fully immerse in everything it has to offer.
These were on my bucket list:
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque– An absolute must visit! It is the largest mosque in the country and is known for its stunning architecture, cultural significance, and role in promoting peace and tolerance.
- Louvre Abu Dhabi– A stunning art museum located on Saadiyat Island.
- Qasr Al Watan– It is the presidential palace of the U.A.E. Another magnificent piece of architecture.
- Abu Dhabi Salt Lake– Loved the pictures of the lakes I saw online.
- Ferrari World– This Ferrari themed park is perfect for a day full of adventure and speed!
- Emirates Heritage Club Village– A reconstructed traditional desert village with some local exhibitions showcasing Emirate’s heritage.
- Afternoon tea at Emirates Palace– Since I was unable to stay the night at the Emirates Palace, I wanted to checkout one of the restaurants there.
- Pic @ Capital Gate– Not much to do here except a cool picture in front of this unique piece of architecture,
What to wear in Abu Dhabi?
I found Abu Dhabi to be a lot more conservative compared to Dubai. You have to be fully covered up especially when visiting Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Qasr Al Watan. I personally got asked to fully cover my head so no hair was showing while at the Mosque.
Keep in mind, you do not have to wear an abaya for your visit, just make sure you are wearing clothing that fully covers your body. Click here to read the dressing guidelines. However, if you chose to wear an abaya, I purchased mine from a small store at the Spice Souk for 30 AED. The trick to finding the inexpensive options is to skip the initial stores and keep going in the souk and don’t be afraid to haggle on the pricing.
Similar dressing rules applied for my visit to Qasr Al Watan (royal palace), however, I did not have to keep my head covered for the entire tour. I wore a black maxi dress underneath my abaya which was pretty comfortable even in the heat. I recommend this dress for your visit. Oh and don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes!
Where to stay in Abu Dhabi?
As mentioned above, I spent just the day exploring Abu Dhabi. However, I did look up some hotels in case I ended up staying there for the night. These were my picks:
- W Abu Dhabi- Yas Island– This 5 star Marriott property just looks stunning! I fell in love with the unique architecture and the fact that it is a 5 star hotel with rooms under $300 per night for my selected dates. The hotel is next to the race track which promises a very unique experience!
- The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal– Another 5 star property, just a few minutes from the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. The location caught my eye as well as the fact that it is a Ritz-Carlton, I know I will get the best customer service.
- Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental– This 5 star resort is the epitome of luxury! It is located on private beach. The prices were pretty steep for this property, I’d say over $600/night. Even though, I did not spend the night here, I did stop at the cafe at the property.
What to eat in Abu Dhabi?
While there are a ton of options to chose from, I could only try out a few places due to the limited time. Since I had my own vehicle, it gave me the flexibility to discover restaurants further away from the touristy spots. Luckily, I enjoyed my dining experience at each one of them. Check them out!
Breakfast
- Cafe Palmier– Loved the breakfast buffet here. Everything tasted so fresh and delicious.
Lunch
- Bella Vita Restaurant by Labelle– Opted for some Italian pizza for lunch, highly recommend this place.
Coffee
- 90 Centigrade cafe– This trendy cafe was perfect to grab an iced mocha and catch a break from sightseeing.
Dinner
- Khayal Restaurant– Located inside the Marriott Hotel Al Forsan, they had a good variety of vegetarian options available.
CONCLUSION- HOW TO SPEND ONE DAY IN ABU DHABI
I truly enjoyed my one day visit to Abu Dhabi. The city offers a unique blend of culture, history, and modernization. While I would have loved to spend at least 2-3 days here, I made the most of my day trip and did as much as possible. I highly suggest visiting Abu Dhabi to experience a different side of U.A.E.
