Emirate guide

Abu Dhabi

Museums on the water, festival season at Al Wathba and the largest desert in the Gulf.

Photo: FritzDaCat, CC BY-SA 3.0

Abu Dhabi is the capital and the largest emirate by far, and it offers the broadest range in the UAE: world-class museums on Saadiyat, a Formula 1 circuit and theme parks on Yas Island, protected mangroves, a long Corniche and, inland, the dunes of Liwa and the Empty Quarter. The 2026-27 season is one of the busiest yet, with Frieze Abu Dhabi, the Guggenheim opening on 11 December, the Grand Prix on 3 to 6 December and Sheikh Zayed Festival running until 14 March.

The city itself is easy: wide roads, plentiful taxis and a compact centre. The distances are in the emirate, not the city, so decide whether you are doing a city break or travelling out to Al Ain, Liwa or the desert.

Where to start

Experiences in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi

Heritage & Culture · Romance

Louvre Abu Dhabi: the museum under the dome

A universal museum beneath Jean Nouvel's dome, on the Saadiyat waterfront.

2 to 3 hours$$$$

JFMAMJJASOND

Abu Dhabi

Heritage & Culture · Family

Qasr Al Hosn: Abu Dhabi's oldest building

The white fort the city grew around, with guided tours and a living craft house.

Yas Island: how to spend a day (or two)

Five parks, a Formula 1 circuit and a waterfront: pick two, not five.

A full day per park$$$$

JFMAMJJASOND

Abu Dhabi

Coast & Water · Family

The Corniche and Saadiyat beach: Abu Dhabi by the water

An eight-kilometre promenade, public beaches and the city's best sunsets.

Half a dayFree

JFMAMJJASOND

Abu Dhabi

Coast & Water · Slow & Wellness

Kayaking the Abu Dhabi mangroves

Quiet channels, herons and a city skyline from sea level.

teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi: an art space you walk through

Light, water and mirrors in rooms with no fixed route.

About 2 hours$$$$

JFMAMJJASOND

On this season

Events in Abu Dhabi

Full calendar

Oct1to 30 Nov

On nowComedyMajor

Abu Dhabi Comedy Season

1 Oct to 30 Nov 2026 · Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi

Tickets

Listed

The gilded central dome inside Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi

Oct10to 19 Dec

On nowFestivalMajor

Abu Dhabi Festival 2026, autumn programme

10 Oct to 19 Dec 2026 · Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi

Details

Oct14to 14 Feb

On nowExhibition

Spices and Wonders: Sailing the Indian Ocean

14 Oct 2026 to 14 Feb 2027 · Louvre Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi

Tickets

Details

Date palms and the UAE flag at the Heritage Village in Abu Dhabi

Oct23to 11 Nov

Culture

Traditional Handicrafts Festival

23 Oct to 11 Nov 2026 · Abu Dhabi (venue to be confirmed), Abu Dhabi

Details

Listed

Al Jahili Fort in Al Ain with its crenellated walls and round towers

Oct23to 30 Apr

Art and design

Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial

23 Oct 2026 to 30 Apr 2027 · Abu Dhabi

Details

Listed

Oct24

SportMajor

UFC Abu Dhabi Showdown Week: main card

24 Oct 2026 · Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi

Tickets

Listed

Russell Peters speaking at a podium in a checked jacket

Oct25

Comedy

Russell Peters Live

25 Oct 2026 · Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Zayed Festival 2026-27

30 Oct 2026 to 14 Mar 2027 · Al Wathba South, Abu Dhabi

Details

Abu Dhabi: common questions

How many days do you need in Abu Dhabi?+

Three days covers Saadiyat, the Grand Mosque and Yas Island at a relaxed pace. Add a day for Al Ain or a night in the desert.

Is Abu Dhabi worth visiting if you have been to Dubai?+

Yes. It is calmer and more cultural, with the Louvre and Saadiyat museums, mangroves and the largest desert in the Gulf.

What big events are on in Abu Dhabi in 2026-27?+

Sheikh Zayed Festival (30 October to 14 March), Frieze Abu Dhabi (19 to 22 November), the Grand Prix (3 to 6 December), the Guggenheim opening (11 December) and the Liwa International Festival (11 December to 2 January).

Nearby

Next door

3 places

Al Ain

The Garden City: UNESCO oases, forts and a mountain road.

35 events · 8 places

Dubai

The towers, the old Creek, seasonal parks and the mountains at Hatta.

Part of the Hadath guide to Abu Dhabi and its neighbours.