Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. Known for theme parks, high end shopping, and museums, there's no shortage of activities in Abu Dhabi. Here's our guide on how to be a tourist in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Where to stay

A nice area to stay in Abu Dhabi is near Corniche beach. This will give you close proximity to a lot of the activities in the city, as well as provide great ocean views. If you plan on spending more time at theme parks, Yas Island might be a better option so you don't have to drive as far. In that case, the Yas Marina is a nice area with lots of hotels and restaurants.

Getting around

You will need to drive almost everywhere in Abu Dhabi, as nothing is close enough to walk. We definitely recommend renting a car for the entirety of your trip in the UAE, especially if you plan on visiting Dubai so you can drive yourself between the two cities. Having a car will also allow you to drive into the desert which is an amazing experience. They drive on the right side of the road in the UAE, but the biggest difference for Americans is the speedometer will read in kilometers instead of miles, a fairly easy change to adapt to.

Uber is available in Dubai. We also recommend downloading an app called Careem in advance. This is the UAE's version of Uber and will sometimes be cheaper or quicker than Uber so it's worth checking both apps when trying to catch a ride. Public transportation is not recommended in the UAE. You are better off using rideshare apps.

Cruise port

Cruise ships dock at Port Zayad. The port will be lined with taxis or you can request an Uber or Careem. It is approximately a 20 minute drive into the city. You can get a reasonably priced tour to take you to all the major attractions.

Things to do

Al Quaa Milky Way Spot

The number one activity that you have to experience in Abu Dhabi is driving to Al Quaa. You will need to have a rental car to drive out into this desert which is the darkest part of the United Arab Emirates often referred to as the Milky Way spot because of the clear views of the galaxy. Al Quaa is around an hour and a half drive outside of the city of Abu Dhabi. Aim to arrive a little before sunset for breathtaking views of the desert. Once you have almost arrived at Al Quaa, you will run into a gate. Drive up close to the gate, there is a weight sensor that will open the gate when it senses your vehicle. From here, it's a long straight road where you can drive out as far as you want and choose a spot to park on the side of the road to explore the sand dunes and watch sunset. Be sure to bring a camera and get ready to take some amazing photographs. You can download an app called SkyView so when it gets dark, you know which stars and planets you're looking at.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

It is free to enter the Grand Mosque, but you will have to reserve a time slot on their website in advance. Parking is also free. Once you park, you'll look for the entrance to the shopping mall and take the escalator down. Once inside the mall, follow signs for entrance to Grand Mosque. You'll be guided through security and have to scan your barcode with your 15 minute window entrance time. Be sure to check the hours before visiting, they often close in the middle of the day for prayer and you don't want to rush your visit because you arrived too close to that time.

There is a dress code. For women, arms and legs must be covered by loose fitted clothing. Women must also cover their heads with a scarf or abaya. Men must wear long pants and a long sleeve shirt. If dressed inappropriately, they sometimes offer free clothing rentals, or you can purchase something at a reasonable price in the adjacent mall.

The Grand Mosque features stunning architecture making it well worth a visit. There is a clear path to follow to make your way through the mosque during your visit if your main interest is taking in the sights. However, if you're interested in learning more about the religion at the Grand Mosque, you might consider a guided tour. 

Stunning architecture at Grand Mosque

Louvre Museum

It's not French, but Abu Dhabi does have its own version of the Louvre. Parking is free for visitors. Be aware the museum is closed on Mondays. You should plan to spend around an hour and a half at the Louvre.

The Louvre is worth a visit to marvel at the architecture and learn about the cultural history and connections between civilizations. You can also witness 120 artistic masterpieces.

The Grand Mosque and Louvre can easily be conquered in the same day. If you're interested in a guided tour to enhance your learning, you can book a combined tour here.

Ferrari World

Ferrari world is home to the world's faster roller coaster, along with 40 other attractions. The majority of Ferrari World is indoors and offers a variety of thrill rides and family friendly rides. Parking is free at Ferrari World and connects to Yas mall which you'll have to walk through to get to the entrance. Yas mall is also a good place to grab dinner after a long day at Ferrari World.

If conquering the world's fastest roller coaster is on your bucket list, then a visit to Ferrari World is a must do. Formula Rossa is a thrilling ride that hits speeds of 149 mph and requires the use of safety goggles. If you don't feel the need to ride Formula Rossa, then we wouldn't consider Ferrari World a must visit theme park. It's ideal for younger children, but doesn't offer enough excitement to be worth a ticket.

Warner Brothers World

Warner Brothers World is the world's largest indoor theme park and features attractions based on Harry Potter, DC comics, Bugs Bunny, Scooby Doo, the Jetsons, the Flintstones, and more. Plan to spend most of the day exploring Warner Brothers World, or at least 4 hours. Free parking is offered for visitors. If you're a fan of cartoons and theme parks, then spending the day immersing yourself in Warner Brothers World is a must do theme park while in Abu Dhabi.

Yas Waterworld

Yas Waterworld is the perfect way to spent a hot day in the desert for waterpark enthusiasts. From thrilling rides to a lazy river, there is something for everyone to enjoy at Yas Waterworld.

If you want to visit two parks in one day on Yas Island, you can get a multi park ticket here. It will grant you access to Ferrari World, and then your choice between Warner Brothers World or Yas Waterworld.

Sea World Abu Dhabi

Sea World Abu Dhabi is located on Yas Island, near Ferrari World and Warner Brothers World. This Sea World location breaks the world record for largest indoor marine life theme park and is well worth a visit while in Abu Dhabi. On site parking is free for visitors. There are over 100,000 animals and 75 rides and interactive experiences. It's a great place to see amazing marine life and experience some thrilling rides.

Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental

When arriving at Emirates Palace by car, you will have to get past security first. Typically, only visitors who explain to the security guard their agenda will be allowed to park, so be prepared to answer questions upon arrival. If you plan on eating at a particular restaurant and have a reservation, you should be allowed to park. If you don't have any dining reservations at Emirates Palace, there is not much to do. All the doorways leading to the beach are guarded and the only way to get to the beach area is by golf cart with a valid restaurant reservation, which can be pricey. Overall, there is not much that you can view at Emirates Palace, which is why we wouldn't consider it a must visit if exploring on your own. However, it might be more beneficial with a guided tour. You can book a combined tour of Emirates Palace, the Louvre, and Grand Mosque here.

Desert Safari

While in the UAE, a desert safari is an essential excursion. This one includes 4 x 4 dune bashing, sand boarding, camel riding, henna tattoos, belly dance show, and bbq dinner buffet. Also including transportation, this tour is an amazing value for the price. We absolutely loved every minute we spent in the desert and highly recommend this tour.

Restaurants

Stars N Bars

Our favorite restaurant in Abu Dhabi is called Stars N Bars. This restaurant only has two locations in the world, the second being Monte Carlo. It is an extremely lively atmosphere with live music, good food, and a great time. You'll definitely run into other American tourists at this restaurant. Overlooking Yas Marina, the view from Stars N Bars has gorgeous views of all the yachts docked. It's also close to the theme parks, so it's a perfect spot for dinner after a long day riding roller coasters. When you arrive at the marina, the only option for parking is valet, but it is complimentary. We highly recommend a night out at Stars N Bars.

Things to know

Currency

The currency in the United Arab Emirates is the dirham (AED). Credit card is widely accepted in Abu Dhabi, but it is a good idea to have some some cash on you in case needed.

Language

Arabic is the official language of the UAE. However, English is widely spoken in Abu Dhabi and you should have no problem getting by speaking only English.

Plugs

The United Arab Emirates uses plug type G. You can buy an international plug adapter here. 

Safety

The United Arab Emirates maintains strict laws for their citizens making it a very safe country for tourists with minimal crime. This is also the case for solo female travelers. We felt surprisingly safe for a Middle Eastern country, even as a female.

The United States considers the United Arab Emirates a level 2 threat due to potential of terrorism or missile attacks. Keep in mind that the UAE is surrounded by countries like Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and Iran which means that the UAE is at risk for terrorism. While the USA and UAE have good relations, the surrounding countries do not like Americans. During our trip to the Middle East, the US bombed Yemen. We did not have any problems, but pretended to be Canadian out of precaution. Just be aware of the region of the world you are in and current events.

Tipping

Tipping is not necessary, but appreciated for good service. It is common to tip around 10% at restaurants. Generally, it is up to your own discretion if you choose to tip.

Dress code

While there is technically no dress code in Abu Dhabi unless visiting a mosque, it is best to respect their culture and dress modest. Women should cover shoulders, knees, and not wear anything tight or low cut. Men can wear shorts and t-shirts as long as they are not tight.

Abu Dhabi is a big tourist destination, so they are understanding of people showing more skin than they would. However, during Ramadan, rules are strict for everyone. Ramadan is typically celebrated during the months of March and April and it is essential to dress modest during this time. There are also other rules that apply during Ramadan which wouldn't normally be the case such as no eating, drinking, or smoking in public.

I ordered a solid jumpsuit in multiple colors that covered my shoulders and knees and wore them everyday. It's comfortable and loose fitting so is good for the heat. This is the perfect jumpsuit so you don't have to worry about if your outfit choices are respectful to the culture. You can order the jumpsuit pictured below on Amazon here. 

Speeding tickets

The UAE is covered with speed cameras automatically sending tickets to those who speed. In Abu Dhabi, if you are going 1 km/h over the speed limit, you will be fined. Considering fines start at a hefty 600 AED, it's best to avoid speeding.

Random laws

• No cursing or yelling in public

• No public display of affection

• No cross dressing

• No drinking alcohol in public

Breaking these laws can actually lead to up to 10 days in jail in the UAE. We advise you to be aware of the cultural differences to avoid any problems.

We hope you enjoyed our guide on how to be a tourist in Abu Dhabi. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions!

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