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Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi travel guide

Capital city of the United Arab Emirates

Flights from$2,402 round trip
Things to do58 experiences
Best time to visitDecember to March
Nearest airportAZI · 4 mi from centre
Time zoneUTC+4
Population1,570,000

About Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the seat of the Abu Dhabi Central Capital District and the UAE's second-most populous city, after Dubai. Situated on a T-shaped island, Abu Dhabi extends into the Persian Gulf from the central-western coast of the UAE.

Cheap flights to Abu Dhabi

The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $2,402 from Atlanta, travelling 17 Dec – 10 Jan. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.

Airlines travellers compared most often: Austrian Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines.

Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.

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Places to visit in Abu Dhabi

  1. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

    Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

    Religious · 6 mi from centre

    A vast white marble mosque with dozens of domes, an enormous carpet and glittering chandeliers. Dress modestly, and visit near sunset to see the mosque change color as the lights come on.

  2. Louvre Abu Dhabi

    Louvre Abu Dhabi

    Museum · 6 mi from centre

    An art museum on Saadiyat Island beneath a huge latticed dome that creates a rain of light. The collection spans world history, so plan at least two to three hours.

  3. Qasr Al Watan

    Qasr Al Watan

    Landmark · 6 mi from centre

    A working presidential palace open to the public, with grand halls and exhibits on governance and Arab science. Stay for the evening light and sound show projected on the facade.

  4. Ferrari World

    Ferrari World

    Entertainment · 13 mi from centre

    An indoor theme park on Yas Island featuring one of the world's fastest roller coasters. Go on a weekday for shorter lines, and combine it with nearby Yas Waterworld.

  5. Corniche

    Corniche

    Beach

    A long waterfront promenade with landscaped parks and a public beach with lifeguards. It is pleasant for cycling or walking in the evening when the heat eases.

  6. Qasr al-Hosn

    Qasr al-Hosn

    Historic

    The city's oldest stone building, a fort that was once home to the ruling family. Exhibits trace the city's growth from a pearl-diving settlement, and the visit takes about an hour.

  7. Mangrove National Park

    Nature

    A protected mangrove forest along the city's eastern coast, home to herons and crabs. Explore it by kayak with a guided tour, ideally around high tide.

Things to do in Abu Dhabi by type

58 tours, tickets and experiences across 9 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.

How long
  • 3-6 hours 9
  • 1-3 hours 7
  • Over 6 hours 5
  • Up to 1 hour 1
Good for
  • Couples 10
  • Youth 10
  • Senior 7
  • Families with kids 5
  • Families 4
  • Adult only 1
Ways to go
  • Private 4
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Top experiences in Abu Dhabi

Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 58 available.

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Where to stay in Abu Dhabi

Popular hotels in Abu Dhabi, out of 185 properties you can book.

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Best time to visit Abu Dhabi

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Abu Dhabi is December to March, when average daytime highs are around 76–83°F and rain falls on about 2 days a month.

MonthTemperature (°F)Rain days
Jan 64° – 76° 0
Feb 65° – 76° 3
Mar 68° – 83° 1
Apr 74° – 92° 1
May 81° – 99° 1
Jun 85° – 103° 0
Jul 89° – 105° 0
Aug 90° – 107° 1
Sep 86° – 102° 0
Oct 82° – 95° 0
Nov 74° – 87° 0
Dec 67° – 79° 2

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Abu Dhabi weather forecast

  • Wed 21 Oct 99° 81° 0%
  • Thu 22 Oct 97° 82° 0%
  • Fri 23 Oct 96° 82° 0%
  • Sat 24 Oct 94° 85° 2%
  • Sun 25 Oct 94° 87° 2%
  • Mon 26 Oct 93° 83° 2%

Know before you go

Currency
United Arab Emirates dirham (AED)1 US dollar ≈ د.إ3.67
Language
Arabic
Calling code
+971
Driving
On the right
Time zone
Asia/DubaiUTC+4

Getting to Abu Dhabi

These are the airports closest to central Abu Dhabi. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

  • AZI Al Bateen Executive Airport4 mi (7 km) from the city centre
  • AUH Zayed International Airport16 mi (26 km) from the city centre
  • DHF Al Dhafra Air Base17 mi (27 km) from the city centre
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Getting around Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi offers buses and plenty of taxis to get around. Since the most of the city is located in Abu Dhabi island, traffic is a common occurrence.

By taxi

Taxis are a good way to get around if you don't have a car. Abu Dhabi's taxis are relatively cheap. The main taxis are silver with yellow signs on the top. Flag fall costs 5 dirham, 5.50 dirham at night (10PM to 6AM) (2017) and the minimum fare is 12 dirham. You can flag one down from anywhere in Abu Dhabi. Alternatively, you can book a taxi in Abu Dhabi by calling 600535353 or by using the Abu Dhabi Taxi app, for a 4-dirham booking fee.

By bus

The main bus station in Abu Dhabi is near Hazaa Bin Zayed Road, adjacent to Al Wahdah Mall and Al Nahyan Stadium. You can get buses here going to the different points within the city as well as inter-city buses. The bus stand also serves as a taxi stand, for inter-emirate taxis. The inter-city buses and airport buses are easy to locate at the bus terminal, and well signposted. The route services depart from various stops in the vicinity, and not all enter the bus terminal proper.

By car

If you do decide to take the plunge and rent a car, beware that the street numbering system is unusual, and it can take weeks to get used to it. U-turns are allowed at almost every intersection from the left-most lane. When the left lane signal turns green, you simply have to swing a U-turn and come back. Whatever other flaws drivers here may have, they do not run red lights.

Abu Dhabi travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Abu Dhabi?

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Abu Dhabi is December to March, when average daytime highs are around 76–83°F and rain falls on about 2 days a month.

What is the weather like in Abu Dhabi?

August is usually the warmest month in Abu Dhabi, with average highs of 107°F (42°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 64°F (18°C). The wettest month is typically March, with about 35 mm of rain.

Which airport is closest to Abu Dhabi?

Al Bateen Executive Airport (AZI) is the closest airport, about 4 miles (7 km) from the centre of Abu Dhabi. Other nearby airports include Zayed International Airport (AUH, 16 mi) and Al Dhafra Air Base (DHF, 17 mi).

How much are flights to Abu Dhabi?

The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Abu Dhabi in the last 30 days was $2,402 from Atlanta, travelling 17 Dec – 10 Jan.

What currency is used in Abu Dhabi?

Abu Dhabi uses the United Arab Emirates dirham (AED). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ د.إ3.67.

What time zone is Abu Dhabi in?

Abu Dhabi uses the Asia/Dubai time zone (currently UTC+4). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.

How do I get around Abu Dhabi?

Abu Dhabi offers buses and plenty of taxis to get around. Since the most of the city is located in Abu Dhabi island, traffic is a common occurrence.

What are the best places to visit in Abu Dhabi?

Top sights in Abu Dhabi include Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Watan and Ferrari World. A vast white marble mosque with dozens of domes, an enormous carpet and glittering chandeliers. Dress modestly, and visit near sunset to see the mosque change color as the lights come on.

What are the top things to do in Abu Dhabi?

Popular experiences you can book in Abu Dhabi include Louvre Museum - Open date Ticket, 4x4 Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner at Abu Dhabi Camp and Yas Island Abu Dhabi - SeaWorld Abu Dhabi - Ticket. Destina Holidays offers 58 tours and activities here.

What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Abu Dhabi?

The most popular types of experiences in Abu Dhabi are outdoor activities & adventure (26), tickets & attraction passes (11), art & culture (9) and amusement parks (8). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.

Where should I stay in Abu Dhabi?

Popular areas for hotels in Abu Dhabi include Abu Dhabi. Well-reviewed options include Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche and Jannah Burj Al Sarab.

How many hotels can I book in Abu Dhabi?

Destina Holidays currently lists 185 properties in and around Abu Dhabi, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.