Essential Things to Do in Abu Dhabi For First-Timers
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Post updated: February 24, 2026
With so many bucket-list attractions, Dubai might get most of the attention, but the UAE’s capital city is nothing to scoff at. With over 200 islands, 650,000 square kilometers of desert, and dozens of architectural marvels, there are so many incredible things to do in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi is the largest emirate in the UAE, so the more time you have to spend here, the better. Although it may sound cliché, there truly is something for everyone!
Wondering what to do in Abu Dhabi? Culture vultures will love perusing art at the Louvre, nature lovers will enjoy kayaking through natural mangroves, beach bums will be thrilled by the white sand beaches and turquoise waters, and architecture buffs won’t be able to get enough of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Presidential Palace.
And that’s just scratching the surface. If you’re planning a trip to the UAE’s capital and you’re not sure where to start, this guide’s got you covered with all of the essential things to do in Abu Dhabi for first-timers to help you make the most of your big trip to the UAE!
Things to do in Abu Dhabi
Marvel at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the top places to visit in Abu Dhabi. Plus, it’s totally free to enter! As the largest mosque in the UAE and one of the largest in the world, you’ll spot this majestic mosque from miles away.
With a gleaming white marble facade, this massive mosque boasts four 106-meter-tall minarets, 82 domes, 1,000 columns, and 1,192 pillars. Inside, you’ll get to see the largest hand-knotted carpet in the world, as well as seven larger-than-life chandeliers adorned in gold and Swarovski crystals.
Both men and women will have to adhere to the strict dress code. Ladies, you should wear loose-fitting clothing that covers everything from your wrists to your ankles, as well as a scarf or hijab to cover your hair. You can always purchase a cheap abaya at one of the indoor shops just before the entrance. Men can wear long pants and a T-shirt or longsleeve shirt.
Hours: Daily, 9 am to 10 pm; closed noon to 3 pm on Fridays for Friday prayer.
Cost: Free
Photograph the mosque from Wahat Al Karama
Those in the know pair their visit to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque with Wahat Al Karama across the street. This is where you’ll find the very best photo-ops of the Grand Mosque reflected in the shallow pools. It’s especially picturesque during sunset.
Wahat Al Karama is a war memorial built to honor all the Emirati soldiers who have lost their lives, and it’s absolutely free to visit. To reach Wahat Al Karama from Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, just use the covered footbridge to cross the highway.
Hours: 9 am-10 pm
Cost: Free
Peruse art or kayak at the Louvre
When it comes to iconic things to do in Abu Dhabi, the Louvre is high on the list. Located on Saadiyat Island, the waterfront setting of this architectural marvel is simply spectacular. The Louvre Abu Dhabi has partnered with France to exhibit a range of art, sculptures, artifacts, and more from French collections and beyond until 2037.
You’ll want to allot at least a few hours to explore the museum, where you’ll find collections of everything from ancient Egyptian art and artifacts to neoclassical sculptures, modern art, and religious relics and texts. Collections aside, the building is a work of art.
Be sure to explore all of the building’s nooks and crannies because you can get spectacular ocean and city views from some of the upper-level viewpoints. I highly suggest you stay for sunset because the view from the domed outdoor area, with its 7,850 naturally illuminated “stars,” is nothing short of magical (see above!).
For one of the most unique activities in Abu Dhabi, you can even paddle around the waterways surrounding the Louvre on a kayaking tour!
Hours: 10 am to midnight with galleries and exhibitions closing at 6:30 pm Monday-Thursday and 8:30 pm Friday-Sunday
Cost: AED 63 (US$19)
Be awed by Qasr Al Watan
Qasr Al Watan is actually the working Presidential Palace. It’s not only a great place to learn about the history and culture of the UAE, but it’s also one of the top architectural attractions in Abu Dhabi. You have to see it to believe it.
Not only is the architecture stunning but you’ll learn a little bit more about the culture, heritage, and government of the UAE through the interesting exhibits. You’ll also have the chance to check out old artifacts, from books to gifts from world dignitaries. It’s possible to wander around on a self-guided tour or sign up for a guided tour.
If you stay after sunset, you can also check out the Palace in Motion light show, which takes place every 30 minutes after 8 pm.
Hours: 10 am to 5:30 pm
Cost: AED 65 for adults. Book Garden & Admission Tickets to Qasr Al Watan.
Go beach hopping
As an archipelago, it’s no secret that one of the best things to do in Abu Dhabi is to spend the day at the beach. From free beaches to swanky beach clubs and private islands, there’s a lot to choose from in the UAE’s capital city.
For one of the most popular places to visit in Abu Dhabi, the Corniche Beach is always a solid pick. But if it’s a quintessential beach club experience you’re after, Kai Beach and Saadiyat Beach Club on Saadiyat Island are your best bet. Both are located on one of the most prime stretches of white sand beach and turquoise waters in Abu Dhabi.
If you’re dreaming of a luxury beach vacation in Abu Dhabi, it’s well worth looking into staying in one of the amazing resorts on Saadiyat Island.
Tour the Falcon Hospital
Touring the Falcon Hospital is easily one of the most unique things to do in Abu Dhabi. Falcons play a huge role in both Emirati culture and history. Back in the day, they were trained by Bedouins to hunt for food, an essential skill used to survive nomadic life in the harsh desert.
Today, falcons are a symbol of national pride in the UAE, with falconry, falcon racing, falcon festivals, and even falcon beauty pageants all helping to preserve the legacy of falcon culture. The Falcon Hospital in Abu Dhabi also plays a major role in the conservation efforts of falconry. They work hard to rehabilitate wild falcons and raise awareness about the importance of their conservation.
If you’re wondering what to do in Abu Dhabi that’s a bit more cultural, touring the Falcon Hospital is endlessly fascinating. Guided tours last two hours and you’ll get the chance to visit the museum, see and even hold a falcon, and learn all about these incredible creatures.
Tours: The 2-hour tours take place at 10 am and 2 pm Sunday through Thursday.
Cost: AED 178.50 for adults. Book tickets through their website.
Get out in nature in Jubail Mangrove Park
There are so many natural attractions in Abu Dhabi and Jubail Mangrove Park is one of the coolest. This place is located on Jubail Island, which is right next to Saadiyat Island, where you’ll find the Louvre. I love this place because the picturesque wooden walkways allow you to walk out into the mangroves to get gorgeous views of this unique ecosystem.
This is one of the best cheap things to do in Abu Dhabi. For just a few dirhams, you can meander around the 2-kilometer wooden boardwalk, allowing you to get up close and personal with the mangroves and their natural inhabitants.
You should definitely check the tide chart before you visit. Things are at their most picturesque during high tide, when you can see the plants reflecting in the crystal clear waters, as well as watch the resident crabs, fish, turtles, and birds flitting about.
Visit during the winter months, and chances are good that you’ll spot migratory flamingos dotting the landscape. For another cool experience, sign up for one of the kayaking tours.
Hours: 7 am to 9 pm
Cost: AED 15 per adult. Check out the different activities on offer at Jubail Mangrove Park on their website.
See a show at Etihad Stadium
If you’re staying in Abu Dhabi for a few days, be sure to see what’s on at Etihad Stadium. Located on Yas Island, Etihad gets some seriously good acts. I’ve seen quite a few comedy shows here, including Dave Chappelle and Maz Jobrani.
But there are also endless concerts, sporting events (including lots of UFC events), and other performances happening here all the time. The best part is that the venue is surprisingly intimate and the prices are surprisingly reasonable for an expensive destination like Abu Dhabi.
Wine & dine at the Yas Bay Waterfront
While you’re at Etihad, you might as well grab dinner and drinks along the Yas Bay Waterfront. There are numerous excellent bars, restaurants, and nightlife venues here, including Café Del Mar beach club, White Abu Dhabi nightclub, and Asia Asia pan-Asian restaurant. You can also take a stroll along the lovely waterfront boardwalk at sunset.
Try Emirati Food at Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe
If this is your first time in Abu Dhabi, you simply have to sit down for an Emirati meal. Al Fanar Restaurant & Café is one of the most famous Emirati restaurants in the UAE, and you’ll find a branch in Yas Mall on Yas Island. For a true local culintary experience, I recommend heading there in the morning and ordering the Build Your Breakfast Tray, which serves two people.
It comes with shakshuka (poached eggs and a spiced tomato sauce) and balaleet (sweet vermicelli with cardamom, saffron, and an omelet) as mains, with six sides ranging from labneh and zaatar to cream with honey to khabisah (a sweet dessert), as well as two traditional types of flatbread.
But if you’re not in time for breakfast, you’ll find a range of local dishes to choose from, from chabab (Emirati pancakes infused with saffron, cardamom, and turmeric) and machboos (a meat and yellow basmati rice dish) to a bedouin mutton stew.
Take a Big Bus Tour
The top attractions in Abu Dhabi are fairly spread apart. So if you don’t want to rent a car or pay for taxis to take you from place to place, getting tickets for the hop-on, hop-off Big Bus is a great option. There are a few routes and ticket options to choose from but it’s a great way to tick off all the essential places to visit in Abu Dhabi while hopping on and off the bus whenever you want.
To give you a general idea, the Red Route will take you to places like the Louvre, the Abu Dhabi Promenade, a few beaches, the Emirates Palace, and Qasr Al Watan (Presidential Palace), while the Green Route will take you from Abu Dhabi Mall to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
