Guided Tours & Things to Do in Abu Dhabi

It is enforced at the gate, not loosely. Women need ankle-length, loose clothing with wrists covered and hair covered; men need long trousers and sleeves. Nothing sheer, tight, or carrying visible slogans. Abayas and shaylas are lent free at the entrance, but the queue for them is long at busy times, so it is faster to arrive dressed correctly. Full detail in our Grand Mosque guide.

Not in the morning. Friday morning is reserved for worshippers and the mosque does not admit visitors then; it opens to visitors in the afternoon. Every other day it is open through the day. Ramadan runs on reduced hours, so if your dates fall in Ramadan, check with us before booking rather than after.

No — it closes on Mondays. The rest of the week it opens late morning and runs into the evening, with last entry before closing time rather than at it, so a late-afternoon slot is tighter than it looks. Two hours covers the galleries at a walking pace; three is better if you want to sit under the dome, which is the part most people remember. Book the general admission ticket or the express guided tour if you would rather have the context, and read our Louvre Abu Dhabi guide for what to look for once you are inside.

Yes, and it is one of the most common things visitors do. The drive is about 90 minutes each way, which is real time out of your day rather than an aside. A realistic day covers the Grand Mosque and one other major site — usually Qasr Al Watan or the Louvre — plus the Corniche. Trying to add Yas Island on top is what makes people feel they saw nothing properly. Our Abu Dhabi day trip from Dubai guide sets out what actually fits.

It depends on who is going. Ferrari World has the record-breaking coasters and suits thrill-seekers and older children. Warner Bros World is fully indoors and air-conditioned, which matters enormously in summer, and works best for younger families. SeaWorld is the newest and the most educational. Yas Waterworld is the one for a hot day. A multi-park pass is better value than separate tickets if you are doing more than one. Read our Yas Island parks guide before choosing.

Both, and that is what makes it interesting. It is a functioning presidential palace that hosts state business, with part of it opened to the public — which is why entry is ticketed and timed, and why areas occasionally close at short notice for official visits. Inside are the Great Hall under the dome, the House of Knowledge, and the gifts from visiting heads of state. Modest clothing is expected, though not the full mosque dress code. See our Qasr Al Watan guide.

The scenery is similar but the experience is quieter. Abu Dhabi safaris run further from the city and are less crowded, and some pair the dunes with a camel farm rather than only a camp — the Bedouin camp dinner safari and the BBQ and Tanoura show option are the two shapes it takes. The same cautions apply as anywhere: dune bashing is rough and is not advised in pregnancy or with back, neck or heart conditions. Our Abu Dhabi desert safari guide covers the differences.

Two days is the honest answer for the city itself. Day 1: the Grand Mosque and Qasr Al Watan, then the Corniche in the evening. Day 2: either the Louvre and the Heritage Village, or a full day on Yas Island if you are travelling with children. Add a third for the desert or Al Ain. The UAE itineraries combine it with Dubai.