In spite of the fact that Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it is not as popular as Dubai. It’s funny how some people think that Dubai is a country. They even get more surprised if you would tell them that UAE is the country and Abu Dhabi is its capital. That’s how famous Dubai is. However, little do most people know that Abu Dhabi also has its own charm and is equally attractive as Dubai.
To be honest Derick and I visited Dubai twice already and during those visits we thought there’s nothing much to see in Abu Dhabi so we just stayed in Dubai. It was only recently that we finally had the chance to explore the capital and we were glad that we did so. The city is stunningly beautiful. They have attractions that you cannot find anywhere else in the world.
For some reasons, after our visit, I can say that Abu Dhabi now has my vote over Dubai. If you want to know why and how we spent our 3 days in Abu Dhabi continue reading.
Day One: Louvre Abu Dhabi, Emirates Palace & Sheikh Zayed Mosque
Louvre Abu Dhabi
We started our sojourn by visiting the Louvre first. The museum opens at 10 o’clock in the morning. Here, It’s a good idea to visit early as the place gets very crowded after lunch. Louvre Abu Dhabi has many interesting pieces from renowned artist. I assure you that it is really worth visiting. (Read: The Louvre Abu Dhabi: What To Expect?)
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Another iconic structure that Abu Dhabi is very proud of, is their Grand Mosque. The Sheikh Zayed Mosque is the largest mosque in the country. It is actually one of the most visited landmark in the city. Many visitors and tourist admire the architectural design and intricate details of the structure. My favorite attraction here is the seven imported chandeliers made of Swarovski crystals. It is really impressive!
Emirates Palace
Just like Dubai, Abu Dhabi also has its own share of superlatives. One of that is the remarkable Emirates Palace. This ultra luxurious hotel became an iconic landmark in the city because of its grand architecture and extraordinary interiors. The hotel is open to the public. Non-hotel guests are welcome as long as they comply with a dress code (No shorts, sleeveless and slippers). Formal and smart casual attires are encourage.
Etihad Towers
Are there any fan of the Fast & Furious here? Are these buildings familiar? The Etihad Towers actually appeared in Furious 7 where Vin Diesel and Paul Walker stole a Lykan HyperSport vehicle and drove it through three of the towers. So if you visit Emirates Palace, you will also see these towering structures just right across the place.
Day Two: Ferrari World & Relaxing Spa Treatment
Ferrari World
To experience the world’s fastest roller coaster (Formula Rossa) was the reason why Derick and I visited Ferrari World. For adrenaline junkies and speed aficionados, Ferrari World is the place to be. (Read: A Day At Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, UAE)
Bodylines Fitness & Wellness Club (Yas Island Rotana)
Aside from the pleasure of exploring places and discovering something new, travel is also a way to relax and rejuvenate. That’s why Derick and I made sure to allot time to pamper ourselves during vacations. After our long day at Ferrari World and exploring Yas Mall, we enjoyed the couple’s massage in our hotel.
Day Three: Ralaxing day at the pool
Our last day in Abu Dhabi was basically a lazy day at the hotel as we enjoyed our comfy bed, watched the spectacular sunrise and indulged in a sumptuous breakfast. After which we had a relaxing morning by the pool, before our transfer to another hotel in Dubai.
Recommendations
Where To Stay: Yas Island Rotana Hotel
Finding the perfect accommodation is the key to have an enjoyable and relaxing vacation. We were very thankful to have found Yas Island Rotana as they provided us both a comfortable and a hassle free stay. We highly recommend this hotel if you choose to stay in Yas Island Abu Dhabi. You will surely get your money’s worth and will be taken cared of at the same time.
Read our experience: Fun & Relaxing Vacation At Yas Island Rotana – Abu Dhabi, UAE
Where To Eat: Rangoli Modern Indian Cuisine
Food and travel always go hand in hand. So why not try new cuisines and discover new flavors. This restaurant introduced me to Indian flavors which I have never tried before. Our experience here was way beyond exceptional. I can’t wait to dine here again. So better check it out when you’re in Abu Dbahi. (Read: RANGOLI Modern Indian Cuisine: A Must-Try Restaurant In Abu Dhabi, UAE)
Alternative Places To Visit
Yas Marina Circuit
- Visit Yas Mall and Marina Mall
- Yas Water World
- Yas Beach
- Abu Dhabi Corniche
We explored the city on our own and hired taxi cabs as our transportation from point A to point B. It was kind of expensive but it was convenient for us since we were totally in control of our time.
Have you been to Abu Dhabi? What is your favorite attraction in the city? Feel free to drop your comments in the comment section below if you have questions about Abu Dhabi.
We had a two night stopover in Abu Dhabi last summer, on the way back from the Maldives. We stayed on the Corniche, in a hotel that had over 70 floors (and we were near the top – amazing views!) The highlight for us – we had two children with us aged 8 and 10 – was an afternoon and evening Desert Safari … we were taken dune bashing (quite scary!), met camels, rode camels, tried ‘sandboarding’, dressed up in traditional clothes and held falcons for photo opps … and watched the sun set while being entertained by Arabian dancing. Was an amazing action-packed excursion!
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Awesome! What a great way to enjoy your stop over in Abu Dhabi. We actually did the Desert Safari in Dubai with same activities you’ve mentioned. Hopefully next time you can explore Abu Dhabi’s iconic landmarks. Thank you for sharing your experience. 🙂
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Yes, I totally agree. There was a morning tour that took in the Grand Mosque etc, but we were so tired we’d never have been up early enough to join it! Next time though!
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Such a great city. Need to see it again sometime soon 🙂
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Yeah… you may need to see that city again Johnny 🙂 Thanks for dropping by.
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Thanks for this list! Will surely look it up when I go…someday!
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Great! Thank you for reading! 😀
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Thank you for choosing AUH over DXB. see you sa susunod na anhi nimo te 🙂
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Hehehe dili man gud ko ganahan ug crowded na lugar, dali ra ko maluya. Nice ang realax ba! 🙂
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Hindi pala ako nakapunta sa Emirates Palace he he
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Wag ka mag alala, si Amil ang may-ari nyan. Magpasabi ka lang kelan ka dadalaw, tiyak may pa welcome sya sayo hahaha.
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😂😂😂😂😂
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Everything there is built with such grandeur! The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is just so stunning.. I have never seen anything quite like it!
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The mosque is even more beautiful once you see it up close and personal. Hope yu get to see it in the flesh sometime soon. Thanks for dropping by 🙂
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This looks like an amazing itinerary. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Emirates Palace and particularly gorgeous – I think I’d have to go see that architecture!
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Hi Meg. Hope you get to see both of those structures in Abu Dhabi soon. Thanks for dropping by 🙂
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Great suggestions! I can’t believe how amazing the Etihad Towers are! Would love to stop by one day.
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Thanks for the comment. The towers are indeed a sight to behold. We would visit it again given the chance 🙂
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Thanks for the lesson – that whole spiel about Dubai is about as real as it gets but man! The Arabs really know how to live life luxuriously, don’t they? UAE itself sounds like some elitist club. I hope I’ll get the chance to visit the land of the rich, one day. But for now, it’s the cold that calls me.
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I also hope you do get to visit the UAE soon. Thanks for dropping by 🙂
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I have always wanted to visit Abu Dahbi and plan to do it together with one of my Europe tour, planning stopping by in AD for few nights, your DIY come in time. I love the Ferrari visit and would love to have a sit on the beauty and snap some pictures. Love the white mosque too!
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Try your best to make that plan a reality. Just go and visit this city. You’ll not regret it. Thanks for the comment 🙂
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fabulous. The Louvre and the Grand Mosque are two lovely places to visit and of course the Ferrari world.
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You are definitely right on that one. Those places are a must visit whenever you’re on Abu Dhabi. Thanks for the comment 🙂
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I’d have to agree with you on how much more popular Dubai is as compared to Abu Dhabi. It’s interesting seeing all those monuments such as the Grand Mosque and the Louvre, and I’d love to check them out when I visit the UAE! 🙂
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Hi Nathan. Hope you do get to visit those sites in Abu Dhabi soon. Thanks for dropping by 🙂
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a beautiful Abu Dhabi with all the stunning mosque and skyscraper. I love how clean this place is and ambling around is seemed so perfect. Your photos are really awesome, it shows how you heart fully captured them. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
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You’re welcome and thanks for the compliment. It is indeed a beautiful city. 🙂
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Wow, Abu Dhabi really give travelers an Arabia-meets-Metropolis feeling. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is just gorgeous. I guess it’s even more beautiful once you see it up close 🙂 Abu Dhabi seems to offer exotic experiences and modern memories !
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You are right… the mosque is so much more amazing when you’re actually there. Thanks for the comment 🙂
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Abu Dhabi looks like heaven! I have always wanted to visit the Shayk Zayed Grand Mosque. Instagram definitely inspired me. I lol when you said people think Dubai is a country.lmao!
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Quite a number of people in my country really do think that. So funny… Nonetheless, maybe you should plan a visit to this city sometime soon. Thanks for dropping by 🙂
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Are you talking about Americans? lol *monkey cover face*
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Hahaha… I’m actually from the Philippines. But I won’t be surprised if quite a number of Americans do think that too… lol *monkey cover mouth with both hands* 🙂
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The Grand Mosque is somewhere I could get lost in. Truly a feat of human construction and design, and likely no where like it on the earth.
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It is such a grand structure. A sight to behold. Thanks for the comment 🙂
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The Grand Mosque is somewhere I could get lost in easily, and I think it’s my main motivation if and when I travel to Abu Dhabi. Such a feat of Human Design and so Creative, just stunning.
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great post! I have been to Abu Dhabi but only for 24 hours. I did a desert safari which I really enjoyed and would recommend. I would like to go back and see the Louvre now that it is open
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Thanks for the comment. A visit to the Louvre is not such a bad idea in your next trip to Abu Dhabi. 🙂
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Yay, those are some very good suggestions. I hope I’ll visit Abu Dhabi next year and your article might help me plan my stay there.
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That’s great. Nice to know that I’ve helped yu somehow withh your Abu Dhabi trip itinerary.. Thanks for the comment 🙂
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As far as Abu Dhabi, I only spent a few hours at the airport. And I had no idea it’s the capital of UAE. Your 3 days itinerary is great. Sounds like you covered all the best places to see in the city. Thank you for sharing.
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You’re welcome. Hope you get to see the city a little longer. Thanks for dropping by 🙂
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Such a great itinerary for Abu Dhabi. Your photos of the cityscapes do capture the spirit of the place very well. The grand mosque almost looks (almost…) as grand as the Taj in your photos!
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Thanks for the compliment. The Sheik Zayed Mosque may not be as grand as the Taj Mahal but it would be a great alternative for those who have not been to India yet 🙂
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Abu Dhabi looks very interesting and many activities to do . Even I was not aware of all these. Thanks for sharing the post. Should consider Abu Dhabi trip now
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You’re welcome. Hope you do visit Abu Dhabi soon. Thanks for dropping by 🙂
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Ooohh, you take such good crisp pictures. I love indian food, but wondered why I could not find proper local dishes there…did you get lucky in eating their own food not ones of the Indians that settled there? I was in Dubai for a day and kinda wondered about that during my food hunts. Settled for an Afghan restaurant when I got too hungry…
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Hi there. The food was great. Frankly speaking I’m not that much into Indian food before, but this fine dining Indian restaurant completely changed my perspective about this cuisine (and lamb too) 🙂 thanks for dropping by.
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Yeah, I love Indian food…was just bummed that I couldn’t find a proper UAE food.. maybe they don’t have one
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Abu Dhabi is a beautiful place, especially the mosque. The itinerary looks just perfect. So did you enjoy Indian food?
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My husband and I did enjoy the Indian food. Thanks for the comment Amrita 🙂
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Abu Dhabi is a beautiful place, I specially liked the picture of the mosque. The itinerary is just perfect. So, did you like Indian food?
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It looks like you guys enjoyed your trip. I have been to Abu Dhahi once, after reading your blog, I think I need to go again and try all your have recommended. Especially the spa and the food hehe. Great photos and advice on things to see and do.
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Nice to know that this article has somehow convinced you to visit Abu Dhabi again. My husband and I did have a great time exploring that city. Thanks for the comment 🙂
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Wonderful pictures that make me want to visit Abu Dhabi right away! Especially the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Louvre Museum seem wonderful places to visit. We are both architecture buffs, so Abu Dhabi seems a great place to visit. And it should be possible on a stopover. I am already checking the options!
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Hi Natascha… I think visiting both the Sheokh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Louvre Museum on a long stopover in Abu Dhabi is doable. But it would be a lot better if you could stay in the city for a couple of days. Thanks for dropping by 🙂
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Oh wow! Dubai has changed a lot in the last 15yrs since my last visit. I have to go again and see the amazing new structures!
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Hi there… 15 years? for sure a lot would have changed by then. By the way, the city in the article is not Dubai. It’s Abu Dhabi, UAE’s capital. Thanks for the comment 🙂
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Beautiful, neat and clean post. To the point. I loved the pictures. I haven’t been to Abu Dhabi yet and will surely follow your itinerary. 😊
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Thanks for the compliment. Hope you do get to see Abu Dhabi soon. Happy travels 🙂
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Honestly love your blog. The photos are STUNNING and they layour really compliments it.
Those Etihad towers look like something out of a CGI movie. So incredible the contrast between those historic buildings and the new.
Thanks for the share.
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You’re welcome Sulie. The structures you see in the pictures are even more stunning up close and personal. Thanks for dropping by 🙂
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Honestly love your blog. The photos are STUNNING and they layout really compliments it.
Those Etihad towers look like something out of a CGI movie. So incredible the contrast between those historic buildings and the new.
Thanks for the share.
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I have to admit, we were only going to Dubai as a lay-over on the way home from our round the world trip, but now after reading this I’m tempted to spend a few days in Abu Dhabi, especially to experience the world’s fastest rolercoaster! 🙂
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That would be great. Enjoy your stay in Abu Dhabi and thanks for dropping by 🙂
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Gorgeous Abu Dhabi! The structures are indeed amazing and very impressive. I did watch Fast and Furious.. It was thrilling seeing the characters drive through the towers.. Are they open for sight-seeing?
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I’m not quite sure about the towers, but most of the popular structures in Abu Dhabi are open to the public. Thanks for dropping by Marvi 🙂
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Great post! Though, I have to admit that I’m not too big a fan of a pool day . It feels almost like a wasted day – though not if it’s your intention! For me, it hardly ever is. In which case, I’d like to ask, are there any museums or historical land marks that give insight to lesser known aspects or eras?
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Museums and historical land marks about the lesser known aspects of Abu Dhabi? Frankly speaking, I’m not quite certain. In Dubai, you’ll find some 🙂 It’s always nice to have a lazy day during a trip. It gives us time to enjoy our accommodation and the adjoining areas as well. So its not totally wasted 🙂 Thanks for the comment 🙂
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i live in Dubai so every time someone comes to UAE that’s more or less teh places we take them too as well..i luv ur mosque picture..so beautiful..
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Abu Dhabi seems so remarkable and definitely worth exploring, Joy! This is one of the most comprehensive itineraries I’ve read for there. Would 3 days be enough to see all of the highlights in Abu Dhabi?
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Hi Agnes. Yes, three days woud be enough. As you’ve read in the article, we even had a lazy day at the end of our trip. Thanks for the comment 🙂
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Dubai is definitely on my bucket list. The pictures really did it on this article. Blown away on all fronts. Thanks for sharing!
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Hi Alex. The pictures in the article is not from Dubai. Its from Abu Dhabi, UAE’s capital city. Anyway, thanks for the comment 🙂
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This place looks extraordinary, thank you for the great photos they are inspiring!
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You’re welcome. The place looks even better up close and personal. 🙂
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Very beautiful photos! we were actually living in Abu Dhabi as expats at that time you wrote this. I do miss it but now back home to NZ.
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I see… Abu Dhabi is really beautiful. My husband and I would definitely pay this city a visit again.
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