Karl WP Beyer - Abu Dhabi for short visits
- Day trip to the oasis city of Al Ain
The emirate, which is roughly comparable in area to the German federal state of Bavaria, Abu Dhabi (73.060 square kilometers) consists mainly of sandy desert. Unimaginable amounts of oil and natural gas lie beneath the desert. The extraction of raw materials is the reason for the country's constant wealth today and will probably continue to do so for the next 150 years. The citizens of the emirate and their visitors have the top sights of Abu Dhabi City to thank for the coveted raw materials. The metropolis, which has a population of 1,2 million, has a number of fantastic crowd pullers.
Abu Dhabi for short visits
For visitors who are short on time, such as those arriving on cruise ships, we recommend the following sights depending on their interests. They fit well with one or two-day cruise ship stays and can easily be explored on your own.
Sheikh Zayed Mosque
For us, the most impressive building in the capital is the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, which was inaugurated in 2007. It is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates and one of the largest in the world. The church can accommodate up to 40.000 visitors. The prayer hall alone holds 7.000 people. The mosque looks like a fairy tale from 1001 Nights.
Abu Dhabi - Sheikh Zayed Mosque
The four 107-meter-high, slender minarets are unmissable. They stand at the four corners of the 17.400-square-meter courtyard. It is said that the area is the largest marble work of art in the world. The courtyard has space for 31.000 believers. 82 marble domes of different sizes tower over the mosque. The main dome rises 75 meters above the prayer hall. Its diameter is estimated at 32,20 meters.
A three-aisled column arcade leads from the inner courtyard to the mosque. In the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, visitors are allowed to keep their shoes on during their tour. Guests move along defined paths that are covered with carpets. The statistics name a total of 1.096 columns decorated with amethysts and jasper stones. The gigantic mosque stands on an area of 56 hectares. The magnificent building is named after Emir Zayid bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first President of the UAE.
Access to the mosque is separate from the mosque on Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street. A huge, underground entrance area with restaurants, a mall and an entrance control awaits the visitors. After passing the admission control, electric sidewalks transport people along the "tolerance path" several hundred meters long to the vicinity of the mosque.
| Location | The Sheikh Zayed Mosque is located about 25 kilometers from the Abu Dhabi cruise terminal. We recommend taking a taxi from the cruise terminal. The cost from the cruise terminal is approximately 20 to 25 euros including a tip. go to Google Maps |
| opening hours | Saturday to Thursday from 9:00am to 22:00pm (last entry: 21:30pm) and Friday from 16.30:22pm to 00:XNUMXpm Visitors are offered free one-hour guided tours. |
| Admission | Free |
| Tours | A half-day tour is recommended for visiting the mosque from Dubai. Sheikh Zayed Mosque from Dubai |
The Fort Qasr Al Hosn
The oldest building in the city is the Qasr Al Hosn Fort, located in the Al Hisn district. The fortress was the former seat of the Al Nahyan ruling family, the seat of government and the seat of the Emir's advisors. Since the end of 2018, the extensive complex has served as a museum.
The fortress was built in the 1790s. The most striking feature of the fort is the watchtower. Qasr Al Hosn consists of two areas: the inner fort and the outer palace. The latter was built in the 1940s.
The fort surrounded by skyscrapers, the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation and a beautiful expanse of water are located on an area of several hectares.
Using everyday objects, documents and photos, the museum describes the development of the sheikhdom from a fishing and pearl trading settlement in the 18th century to a global city. The "National Consultative Council Building" on the site with its large meeting room is worth a quick visit.
Abu Dhabi - Fort Qasr Al Hosn
Boardroom of the National Consultative Council Building
House of Artisans
The entrance fee to the fortress includes access to the separately located House of Artisans. The staff at Qasr Al Hosn practically encouraged us to visit the facility. And they were right to do so; the house is definitely worth a visit.
Abu Dhabi - Handicrafts at the House of Artisans
Abu Dhabi - House of Artisans
The artisans maintain the heritage of Arab traditions. We see traditional weaving techniques practiced by Bedouin women such as Al-Sadu or Khoos, Talli (decorative embroidery) and artistic braiding carried out by men. The design of the interior is also impressive.
The fort surrounded by skyscrapers, the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation and a beautiful expanse of water are located on an area of several hectares.
| Location | The Qasr Al Hosn Visitor Center is on Al Hisn Street. go to Google Maps |
| Website: | Qasar Al Hosn |
| opening hours | Daily from 9:00am to 20:00pm; Fridays from 14:00pm to 20:00pm |
| Admission | Adults AED 30 (EUR 7,50). Buy a ticket in advance to avoid the queue. |
The Presidential Palace Qasr Al Watan
We believe that the Qasr Al Watan, the 380.000 square meter "Palace of the Nation", is also a building of the utmost importance. The palace is the seat of the Cabinet and the Supreme Court of the United Arab Emirates. State visitors are received and summit meetings are held in the snow-white, magnificent building, which was completed in 2015.
Abu Dhabi's Presidential Palace from a bird's eye view
The Qasr Al Watan houses the offices of the President, Vice President and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. The palace is located in the middle of extensive, opulent parkland with water basins, fountains and sightlines. The building is made of limestone and granite on the outside. Marble walls dominate the interior. Parts of the palace have been open to the public since March 2019. A visit to the complex is highly recommended.
Abu Dhabi - Presidential Palace
Onlookers begin their tour in the Great Hall. A dome with a diameter of 37 meters - one of the largest in the world - crowns the center of the palace. Visitors are constantly in danger of overlooking details. The ceiling structures, the artistic archways and the diverse art installations are remarkable. The splendor is indescribable.
In the west wing, visitors can see the huge banquet hall and the reception hall. The "Presidential Gifts" section is also open to the public. In this room, the exquisite gifts of state guests can be admired. The room leads off from the east wing, in the center of which stands the artistically crafted sculpture "The Power of Words".
Two other areas of the palace in the east wing are worth mentioning: the “House of Knowledge” and the “Library”, of which only the high entrance area is visible.
The "House of Knowledge" contains a collection of rare works of art, books, manuscripts, historical maps and antiques. Visitors only see the huge entrance area of the library, which contains around 50.000 volumes. A souvenir shop with high-quality souvenirs and a café round off the visit to Qasr Al Watan. Those who are curious should also set aside some time for the surrounding gardens and the view they offer.
| Location | Al Ras Al Akhdar Peninsula; in the west of the city. go to Google Maps |
| opening hours | Daily from 11:00am to 19:00pm The library is closed on Saturdays. |
| Website: | Qasr Al Watan |
| Admission |
Adults AED 60 (EUR 15). |
Access to the palace is via the visitor center. Visitors are not permitted to enter the palace grounds on their own. Shuttle buses transport visitors from the reception area to the presidential palace in a continuous loop.
Abu Dhabi - Presidential Palace Visitor Center
Dubai City is famous for its fountain show in front of the Burj Khalifa. Abu Dhabi shines in front of the Presidential Palace with a light and sound show called "Palace in Motion". The event takes place every half hour after sunset in front of the palace.
Saadiyat Museum Island
From the cruise ships, visitors can see the 26 square kilometer island of Saadiyat opposite. The island has been a huge development project for decades. Living space for 145.000 people is being created on the island. Several cultural institutions and three outstanding museums will be part of the residents' environment in the future. The Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Abrahamic Family House have been completed and opened so far.
Abu Dhabi - Saadiyat Island
Louvre Abu Dhabi
The museum cooperates with the Musée du Louvre in Paris. The cooperation provides for loans from French museums for the first ten years. In addition, temporary exhibitions with French museums are planned for the first 15 years. In addition, France is supporting the Louvre Abu Dhabi in building up its own art collection. These privileges can cost Abu Dhabi a high three-digit million amount in euros.
The building complex of the museum consists of 55 ashlar buildings placed next to and one on top of the other. A transparent-looking dome construction with a diameter of 180 meters stretches over the structure like the shell of a turtle.
The collection establishes relationships between the masterpieces of different peoples and their cultures. The exhibits cover the period from antiquity to the present day. Lovers and connoisseurs of European painting will also get their money's worth. Artists of renown and reputation are represented. Our opinion of the Louvre Abu Dhabi: Even on the third visit to the museum complex, there is still something new to discover.
| Location | go to Google Maps |
| Website | Louvre Abu Dhabi |
| Admission |
Adults AED 60, tickets for those aged 13-22 are AED 30. |
| Activity |
Experience the Louvre in Abu Dhabi from a unique perspective on a XNUMX-hour kayak tour around |
The Abrahamic Family House
The Abrahamic Family House is an interdenominational meeting place for people of Christian, Islamic and Jewish origin. The three religions refer to Abraham as their common father. Each of the faiths has been assigned its own place of worship. The buildings have identical floor plans and heights. However, the exterior and interior design of the buildings differ.
Abu Dhabi - Abrahamic Family House
Zayed National Museum
At the end of 2025, if everything goes according to plan, the Zayed National Museum will open its doors. The future national museum of the United Arab Emirates will focus on the culture and history of the UAE. The museum is named after the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father and first president of the UAE. Five elements of the museum are already on display. These are the five solar thermal towers. They remind viewers of falcon wings. Falcons were a passion of the sheikh.
Abu Dhabi - Zayed National Museum
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi
Another highly visible construction project on Saadiyat Island is the branch of the New York Guggenheim Museum. The collection will most likely be dedicated to modern and contemporary art from West Asia, North Africa and South Asia. The designs available to the public suggest that it will be an attractive, futuristic building. Construction work is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025, but this seems doubtful to us in view of the progress of the construction. Recently, the year 2033 has been mentioned.
Guggenheim Guggenheim Abu Dhabi - As of December 2024
Abu Dhabi's Corniche
The term “corniche” generally means beautiful coastal or riverside roads. Abu Dhabi's Corniche is a waterfront road more than eight kilometers long. The Corniche is lined with a promenade with benches and green spaces. The adjacent beach is sometimes more than 100 meters wide. City dwellers like to spend a day on the beach, especially in the Arabian winter. The public bathing areas offer everything you need to relax: distance, sun loungers, parasols and pleasantly warm sea water. Cruise ships offer their guests guided bike tours on the Corniche.
Location: go to Google Maps
Etihad Towers – See Abu Dhabi from above
In the west of Abu Dhabi, the Conrad Hotel in the complex of the five Etihad Towers offers a view of the metropolis, the Presidential Palace and the Emirates Palace Hotel. The "Observation Deck at 2" is located in tower 74 on the 300th floor. From a height of almost 300 meters, visitors can enjoy an unforgettable panoramic view of the city.
| Location | Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers - West Corniche Road go to Google Maps |
| Website | view the hotel on booking.com Free access to the "Observation Deck at 300" is included for hotel guests. Opening hours: daily between 10:00 and 20:00 |
| Admission |
You have to pay for the outlook: 2022 AED (95 euros) will have to be spent in 24,00. Visit including afternoon tea: |
The Emirates Palace - the best hotel in town
As already mentioned, visitors to the Observation Deck at 300 look down on the palatial 7-star Emirates Palace Hotel in front of it. The best hotel on the square is run by the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and presents itself in all modesty as "a place like from 1001 Nights".
Abu Dhabi - Emirates Palace Hotel
Guests can choose between 302 magnificent rooms and suites. They frequent seven restaurants, a café, three atmospheric bars and a private beach. The Emirates Palace is located in a huge park. That's all you need to have an unforgettable stay in Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi - Emirates Palace Hotel
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Staying at the Emirates Palace is an expensive treat. The lobby and the restaurants can be visited without additional costs |
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| Location | West Corniche Rd. go to Google Maps |
| Website | view the hotel on booking.com |
Abu Dhabi - Emirates Palace Hotel - Cafe
Abu Dhabi - Emirates Palace Hotel - Café delicacies
The Founders Memorial
The life and legacy of Sheikh Zayed is commemorated on an area of 33.000 square meters. As the first president of the United Arab Emirates, he had a significant influence on its development. In the middle of a landscaped garden designed with native flora, visitors can see "The Constellation" in the 30-meter-high pavilion; the colossal, three-dimensional portrait of the sheikh. It consists of strings and more than 1.000 geometric figures. Depending on their location and viewing angle, visitors perceive the image of the ruler.
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We refrain from presenting a photo. |
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| Location | Intersection of West Corniche Road and Al Marsa Street. go to Google Maps |
Al Mina district
In the sprawling Al Mina district is the Marsa Mina cruise terminal and dhow harbor with fishing boats, traditional dhows and a restaurant ship. Adjacent to Dhow Harbor is Abu Dhabi's traditional fish market.
Location: go to Google Maps
Al Kasir Island
At the end of the Corniche and in front of the Emirates Palace Hotel, a road leads to the island of Al Kasira. From afar, you can see the highest and most impressive building on the island: the 5-star Fairmont Marina Abu Dhabi Hotel. The building has two towering towers that are connected by a gigantic arch. The hotel is a little like the “Atlantis” on Dubai's Palm Jumeirah Island.
Abu Dhabi - Fairmont Hotel
Abu Dhabi - Fairmont Hotel
Other attractions on the island are the Marina Mall, which opened 20 years ago. Its landmark is the "Tower", a tower with a viewing platform and a rotating restaurant. Next to the mall is the Ferris wheel "Marina Eye". The tourist attraction is far from the height of the "Ain Dubai“. We still imagine a ride on this Ferris wheel to be entertaining.
Abu Dhabi - Al Kasira Island - Marina Mall with Ferris wheel
Abu Dhabi - Al Kasira Island - Marina Mall
The tall mast with the flag of the UAE cannot be overlooked. It stands on Al'Alam Street between the “Emirates Heritage Village” and the “Abu Dhabi Theater”. The Heritage Village is the reconstruction of a traditional oasis village. It includes a souk, a mosque and a camp. Handicrafts are on sale in the souk. The Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation theater offers contemporary performances. In between, the facility functions as a cinema.
Abu Dhabi - theater and flagpole
Abu Dhabi - Emirates Heritage Village
Next to the theater is the “Skyline View Point”. The name is program. Visitors enjoy uninterrupted views of Abu Dhabi's skyline from a breakwater.
Abu Dhabi - Skyline View Point
Location: go to Google Maps
Yas Island
Yas Marina Tour
Formula 1 enthusiasts know the "Yas Marina Circuit". A Formula 1 Grand Prix race is held on the circuit every year. Visitors "experience" the race track up close, possibly even as a driver or passenger in a sports car.
Superyachts from all over the world gather in the "Yas Marina" for the race. The futuristic and extravagant 5-star hotel "W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island" is worth seeing. The hotel, built halfway over the water, also spans the racetrack.
| The cruise terminal and the race track are 32 kilometers apart. | |
| Location | go to Google Maps |
| Activity 1 |
Visit one of the most modern Formula 1 racetracks on a guided tour of the Yas Marina Circuit. |
| Activity 2 |
Slip into the role of a racing driver. Drive an Aston Martin GT4 and enjoy 20 minutes of adrenaline pumping driving around the circuit. Before the ride you will receive a briefing from a professional. |
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
Another attraction on the island is Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, a Ferrari theme park. This huge theme park features the world's fastest roller coaster, a go-kart track based on a real Formula 1 race track and much more.
| Location | go to Google Maps |
| Admission |
Tickets for Ferrari World cost around 70 euros |
Yas waterworld
The 15 football field large Yas Waterworld shines with rides, slides, a roller coaster and other highlights.
| Location | go to Google Maps |
| Admission |
Tickets for Yas Waterworld cost around 60 euros. |
Miscellaneous on Yas Island
There is also a section of beach, “Yas Beach”. If you want to use your visit to Yas Island for shopping, you might want to visit the “Yas Mall”, the second largest shopping center in the UAE.
Day trip to the oasis city of Al Ain
Cruise companies offer day trips to the oasis city if enough guests decide to take a day trip to the university city of Al Ain, 170 kilometers from Abu Dhabi. Al Ain borders Oman. What makes it special is that a high fence made of NATO wire divides the city, and police officers monitor the border crossing. AL Ain, Abu Dhabi's second largest city, has 500.000 inhabitants (according to the last available estimate in July 2015). The city administration's regulations only allow the construction of buildings with a maximum of six floors in the center. People live in the outskirts. The city's leaders are pursuing the idea of creating a "garden city of the Arabian Gulf." The effort to green the cityscape is correspondingly high.
Al Ain - Flower Clock
Al Ain - Central Mosque
Of tourist interest - in addition to the impressive landscape - are the historic Al Jahili Fort, the Al Ain Palace Museum, the Al Ain Oasis and the country's camel market located just outside the city gates. Because of its cultural sites, UNESCO added Al Ain to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Al Ain camel market - dromedary with young animal
We provide further information about a possible trip to Al Ain below Day trip to the oasis city of Al Ain.
UUpdate January 2025
