Things to Do in Abu Dhabi

An 8km waterfront promenade with beaches, cycle paths, shaded gardens, and playgrounds. The public beach is clean and well-maintained, with separate family and singles areas.

🕐 Open 24 hours (beach lifeguards until sunset)

💡 Rent a bike from the Byky station near Emirates Palace for 15 AED per hour. The stretch near the Etihad Towers has the best sunset views.

An 8km waterfront promenade with separate cycle and pedestrian paths, children's play areas, and a long stretch of public beach. Gardens, fountains and cafes line the route.

🕐 24/7 (beach: sunrise to sunset)

💡 The public beach is free on weekdays before 10am; after that it's 10 AED for non-residents. Rent a bike from the Byky stations at 15 AED per hour—best done in the late afternoon when it's cooler.

A 2km stretch of clean white sand with calm shallow water, shaded lawns, and a long promenade. Free public access between the paid beach clubs.

🕐 Daily 08:00–22:00 (beach closed for cleaning 22:00–08:00)

💡 Bring your own towel and umbrella—rentals cost extra. Swim before 11am to dodge queues. Nearby cycle hire is 15 AED/hour.

An 8 km seafront promenade with cycle lanes, playgrounds, and public beaches. Free to walk or cycle; the public beach sections require a small fee for loungers.

🕐 24 hours; beach sections 08:00–sunset

💡 Rent a bike from the Cyacle station (around 20 AED per hour) and ride from the marina to the breakwater for skyline views. Early mornings are quietest.

An 8km public beachfront with a paved promenade, cycle paths, children's play areas, and public beaches. The water is clean and calm. Free entry to the beach, with showers and changing rooms available.

🕐 24 hours (beach areas 8:00-20:00 daily)

💡 Rent a bicycle from one of the Cyacle stations (10 AED per hour, need deposit) and ride the full length. For better swimming, head to the free public beach at the eastern end near the Hiltonia club – less crowded.

A 2km stretch of white sand beach with calm, lifeguard-patrolled waters, shaded picnic tables, and a separate cycle-and-walk path along the waterfront. Showers and changing rooms are free.

🕐 Open 24 hours; lifeguards on duty 8am–8pm in winter, 8am–6pm in summer.

💡 Skip the paid sections (Areas 1, 3, and 4) — Area 2 is free, less crowded, and has exactly the same water quality. Bring a towel and sunblock; beach umbrellas can be bought cheap from the adjacent Spinneys supermarket.

A quieter, family-friendly public beach with calm water and a wide grassy strip for picnics. Wooden boardwalks, basic washrooms, and a small playground make it good for a half-day outing.

🕐 Daily 7am–10pm (swimming not permitted after sunset).

💡 Come on a weekday afternoon — it’s almost empty. No cafe on-site, so bring water and snacks. The best shade is under the palm trees near the eastern end of the beach.

A 2 km stretch of clean public beach with cycle paths, playgrounds, and cafes; lifeguards on duty.

🕐 24 hours daily; swimming areas closed overnight

💡 The free public sections between gates 3 and 5 are quieter midweek; bring your own towel and sunscreen as rentals cost extra.

The oldest stone building in Abu Dhabi, originally a watchtower built in 1761. Now a museum documenting the city's transition from pearling village to capital. The fort walls contain a small exhibition on pearl diving.

🕐 Tue-Sun 09:00-20:00, Mon closed

💡 The outdoor courtyard and tower are free to walk around any time; the indoor museum costs 30 AED but is worth it for the interactive pearl-diving simulation. Check their calendar for free cultural performances on weekends.

One of the world's largest mosques, with white marble, reflective pools, and intricate floral mosaics. Daily tours are free.

🕐 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily except Friday morning

💡 Go just before sunset to see the lighting change; women must cover hair, arms, and legs—abayas are available at the entrance.

One of the world's largest mosques, with white marble domes, reflective pools, and intricate floral mosaics. Guides lead free tours explaining Islamic architecture and culture.

🕐 Saturday–Thursday 09:00–22:00, Friday 09:00–12:00 & 15:00–22:00

💡 Go late afternoon when the marble warms in the sun; stay for evening lights and call to prayer. Free abayas and headscarves provided at entrance.

The city’s oldest stone building, built in the 1790s as a watchtower and later the ruler’s residence. Inside, exhibits trace Abu Dhabi’s evolution from fishing village to oil-era capital through artefacts and oral histories.

🕐 Tue–Sun 10am–8pm, closed Mon.

💡 Entry is free only on Cultural Foundation days (check the website for the monthly schedule). On standard days it costs 30 AED, but the adjacent Cultural Foundation courtyard and its free rotating art exhibitions are always worth a stop.

A reconstructed desert settlement with a souk, pottery studio, and weaving looms. Demonstrations of pearl diving and traditional cooking.

🕐 Saturday–Thursday 09:00–22:00, Friday 15:00–22:00

💡 Quick visit—30 minutes is enough. Combo it with Marina Mall across the road. No food stalls inside; eat at the mall's food court.

A reconstructed desert village with Bedouin tents, a souq, and craft demonstrations (pottery, weaving, metalwork). Set on a sandy beach with views of the city skyline.

🕐 09:00–16:00 Sat–Thu; 15:00–21:00 Fri (closed for lunch 12:00–14:00)

💡 Go late afternoon to catch the sunset over the Marina Mall side. The on-site falaj irrigation system and date-press are easy to miss—look for the small signs. Free, but donations welcome.

A reconstructed traditional oasis village with Bedouin tents, a souk, and a small museum. Craftspeople demonstrate pottery, weaving, and metalwork. It sits on the Breakwater, giving clear views of the city skyline.

🕐 Sat-Thu 9:00-16:00, Fri 15:00-21:00

💡 Combine with a walk on the nearby Breakwater jetty – free entry, and you can watch dhows and yachts in the marina. The souk sells real goods (spices, textiles) at tourist prices; haggle, but don't expect bargains.

A reconstructed desert oasis camp with Bedouin tents, a souk, and exhibits of pearl diving, falconry, and date farming. Craftspeople demonstrate pottery, weaving, and metalwork.

🕐 Sat–Thu 9am–4pm, Friday 3pm–9pm.

💡 Arrive before 11am to avoid coach crowds. Grab a free cup of Arabic coffee and dates from the hospitality tent, then take the path behind the village for a direct view of the Abu Dhabi skyline.

A reconstructed traditional village showing pearl diving, pottery, and weaving with artisan workshops and a souk.

🕐 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday to Thursday; 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM Friday

💡 Visit on a Friday for free falconry displays and Arabic coffee tastings; ends at 4 PM.

A covered market selling fresh and dried dates from across the UAE, plus local honey and nuts. No admission fee.

🕐 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM daily

💡 Taste a few varieties before buying—the Medjool dates are the sweetest; haggling is expected for bulk purchases.

A reconstructed desert village that shows pre-oil life: Bedouin tents, a souk, a falcon demonstration, and a traditional dhow. Artisans in residence make pottery and weave textiles.

🕐 Sat-Thu 09:00-16:00, Fri 15:00-21:00

💡 Go on a Friday morning for the free falconry display at 10:30am. The date stall inside sells fresh dates cheaper than the supermarket.

A reconstructed desert village on Breakwater Island with Bedouin tents, a souk, and workshops showing pottery, weaving and metalwork. Overlooks the city skyline and marina.

🕐 Sat-Thu 9:00-16:00, Fri 15:00-21:00

💡 Free entry, but extra for the falcon demonstration (usually 30 AED). Visit late afternoon and watch the sunset from the nearby Marina Eye ferris wheel—it costs 30 AED and gives great views of the Corniche.