Many of us often find ourselves in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for a layover especially if you’re travelling between Asia and Europe or America. A while back, we did decided to extend our layover and stayed a night in Abu Dhabi on our way back from Italy to Singapore. Here are our picks from a list of things to do in Abu Dhabi.
In This List Of Things To Do In Abu Dhabi
1. Louvre Abu Dhabi
Louvre Abu Dhabi is a world-class museum and a must-see for art lovers, and it’s also a great spot for people watching. You can also find plenty of shopping and dining options nearby. This world-renowned museum houses an impressive collection of art and artefacts from around the world.
In case you were wondering if this museum is related to the Louvre museum in Paris, yes it is. The Louvre Abu Dhabi was a result of an agreement between the UAE and France which allows the use of Louvre’s name in Abu Dhabi until 2037.
Entrance fee: AED 63, free for children under 18
Opening hours: 10am – 6.30pm, closed on Mondays
Address: Saadiyat – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
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2. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
If you only have time to visit 1 location in Abu Dhabi, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque should definitely be the one.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the most magnificent architectural achievements in the world. The mosque is the largest in the United Arab Emirates and can accommodate over 40,000 worshipers. The mosque is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in the UAE, with over 1.5 million visitors per year.
Females will have to wear a robe and head scarf before entering the mosque. Free tours are also available on site.
We visited in the evening and it was during prayer time so some areas were closed to visitors. This mosque was the first I’ve been in and it actually sparked my interest in the architecture and design of mosques, which prompted my visit to the Wilyah Mosque in KL. I really recommend checking out the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and experience the beauty for yourselves.
Note: Currently, you’ll need to pre-book your visit online and obtain a pass before visiting.
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: Daily 9am – 10pm, except Fri 9am – 12pm and 3pm – 10pm
Address: Al Rawdah – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
3. Yas Mall
Yas Mall is a massive shopping centre with over 350 stores, from shopping and dining to arts and culture. Beside being relatively near the Abu Dhabi airport (about 15 minutes drive), there are also a number of attractions in the vincinity or Yas Mall, such as Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi. If you have more than a couple hours in Abu Dhabi, these theme parks could be fun to visit.
Opening hours: Fri – Sat 10am – 12am, Sun – Mon 10am – 10pm
Address: Yas Island, Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
Getting around Abu Dhabi
Taxi
The most convenient and straightforward way to get around Abu Dhabi is via taxi. You can flag down a taxi or book one via the Abu Dhabi taxi app. Uber and Careem are also available in Abu Dhabi. Taxi fares in Abu Dhabi are reasonable and costs about AED 1.82 per kilometre, with a base price of AED 12. For context, it would cost about AED 36 for a 15-minute ride from the airport to Yas Mall.
Public Buses
Public buses in Abu Dhabi operate round-the-clock. To pay for your bus journey you’ll need a Hafilat Smart Card, which is a pre-paid card that you can use onboard any public bus. Hafilat Smart Cards can be bought at bus stations, shopping malls and convenience stores. Do note that the minimum amount to load into a Hafilat Smart Card is 10 AED. Each journey costs AED 2 and 5 fils per kilometre.