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The UAE's capital sits on an island ringed by bridges and mangroves. Its story starts at Qasr Al Hosn, the 18th-century fort in the downtown grid; the Corniche beach runs along the north shore, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque stands by the mainland bridges and the Saadiyat museums lie to the north-east. Residents eat around Hamdan Street, Al Khalidiya and the Mina port fish market.
Must-see
The sights to fit in even on a short trip.
- 01Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
- 02Louvre Abu Dhabi
- 03Qasr Al Watan (Presidential Palace)
- 04Qasr Al Hosn
- 05Abu Dhabi Corniche & Corniche Beach
- 06Eastern Mangroves Promenade (Mangrove National Park)
History & museums 21
- Abrahamic Family House
- Al Maqta Fort & Tower
- Al-Aziz Mosque
- BAPS Hindu Mandir
- Cultural Foundation
- Heritage Village
- House of Artisans
- Louvre Abu Dhabi
- Manarat Al Saadiyat
- Mary, Mother of Jesus Mosque
- Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi
- NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery
- Qasr Al Hosn
- Qasr Al Watan (Presidential Palace)
- Sheikh Zayed Bridge
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
- St Joseph's Cathedral
- The Founder's Memorial
- Wahat Al Karama
- Zayed National Museum
- Zayed the Second Mosque
Where to eat 42
- 3Fils Abu Dhabi
- Abu Al Afwal
- Abul Nawas
- Al Akkawi Cafeteria
- Al Aqssa Sweets
- Al Bosphor Shawarma & Restaurant
- Al Dhafra Restaurant
- Al Ibrahimi Restaurant
- Al Mrzab
- Al Sultan Restaurant & Grills
- Almayass
- Bait El Khetyar
- Bandung
- Beirut Sur Mer
- Catch at St. Regis
- Em Sherif Sea Café
- Erth
- Golden Spoon Vegetarian Restaurant
- Goldfish Sushi & Yakitori
- Gulf Pastry
- Hakkasan
- Happy Yemen Restaurant
- House of Tea
- Kamoon
- Karam Al Sham
- Kings Shawarma
- La Petite Maison (LPM)
- Lebanon Flower Bakery
- Li Beirut
- Marmellata Bakery
- Maroosh
- Mijana
- Namak
- NIRI
- Punjab Grill
- Sand & Koal
- Seashell Cafeteria
- Sontaya
- Talea by Antonio Guida
- Tripoli Sweets
- Yadoo's House
- Zahrat Lebnan
Night out 18
- Belgian Beer Café Yas Island
- Brick Rooftop Kitchen & Bar
- Cooper's Bar & Restaurant
- CRAFT by Side Hustle
- Dragon's Tooth
- Eclipse Terrace Lounge
- Hidden Bar
- Jazz & Fizz
- Jazz Bar & Dining
- Library Bar
- Lock, Stock & Barrel Yas Bay
- Ma Buckley's
- McCafferty's Irish Pub
- McGettigan's (Dusit Thani)
- Perlage
- PJ O'Reilly's
- Stills Bar & Restaurant
- The Overlook
Locals only 18
- Abu Dhabi Carpet Souk
- Abu Dhabi Corniche & Corniche Beach
- Al Mina Fruit & Vegetable Market
- Al Wathba Wetland Reserve
- Eastern Mangroves Promenade (Mangrove National Park)
- Iranian Souk
- Jubail Mangrove Park
- Khalidiya Garden
- Lake Park
- Mina Fish Market
- Miss J Cafe
- Parallel
- Plant Souk (Mina Market)
- Reem Central Park
- Society
- The Third Place Cafe
- Umm Al Emarat Park
- Warehouse421
Walking routes 6
- 01Al Hosn to the CornicheFrom the fort that started the city, through the Al Hosn cultural complex, to the Corniche beach promenade.
- 02Mina Zayed Market LoopA loop through the working markets of the Mina Zayed port district: produce and dates, fish, carpets and the Iranian souk, ending at the Warehouse421 art space.
- 03Saadiyat Cultural District WalkThe Cultural District's museums on one stretch of Jacques Chirac Street: pick one or two for a long visit and see the rest from outside.
- 04Grand Mosque to Al MaqtaFrom the Grand Mosque and the war memorial opposite it to the old Maqta crossing, where the watchtower stands below two bridges.
- 05Palace, Memorial & BreakwaterFrom the Presidential Palace along the western Corniche to the Founder's Memorial, then out to the Heritage Village on the Breakwater.
- 06Al Mushrif: Cathedral, Mosque & ParkA short walk through Al Mushrif, where a cathedral and a mosque renamed for Mary stand side by side, ending with a lap of Umm Al Emarat Park's 1.2 km running track.