Asia / United Arab Emirates
Places to go. A little room to wander.
THE SHORTLIST
Abu Dhabi
By the time it is completed, it will be a residential, commercial and educational haven. The Reem Island skyline has impressive number of tall buildings. However, the north side of the island is still quite sparse. Despite this, there are many facilities available and Reem Island is a good place to live.
Allow about 60 minutes · planning estimate
Abu Dhabi
The city's main avenue, it curves around the coastline along Abu Dhabi's spectacular waterfront that stretches for miles from the breakwater near Marina Shopping Mall almost up to the Mina Zayed port. The shoreline is lined with a walkway for the entire length, skyscrapers, lovely beaches, parks, and other landscaped areas. There are many activities like go-kart riding, playgrounds and even stages for shows. Come in the evening and you'll feel as if all of Abu Dhabi has come here for their evening walk.
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
Abu Dhabi
Even though it's a hotel, Emirates Palace is a very popular tourist attraction. Inside, you'll get to see all the luxury and glamour of one of the most expensive hotels in the world plus, you'll have some picture opportunities. Additionally, you can get to try the very popular Palace Cappuccino, sparkled with 23-karat gold flakes for 75 dirham.
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
Al Ras Al Akhdar
Opened to the public in 2019, this is the presidential palace for diplomatic visits. As one would expect from UAE, the palace is very opulent and features great Islamic architecture. Inside you will find a banquet hall, a library, a museum containing diplomatic gifts and several dining outlets.
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
Second Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed
The 8th largest mosque in the world, boasts a total of 82 domes. Make sure to ask the bus driver to tell you when you get there. The public bus stop is 100 m before the mosque and after that is no stop for the next 5 km. The Mosque Centre offers several free tours of the mosque every day. Times vary on a daily basis, so check their website. As it is a place for worshippers, dress conservatively.
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
A note before you go. Start with Reem Island, then decide whether Corniche Road deserves a separate visit rather than rushing both. The suggested days are an editable grouping, not a timed tour. Visit allowances exclude transfers, meals and queues; confirm the exact entrance and current visiting arrangements for Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque before setting off.
Reference material retrieved 2026-10-19. Suggested days and time allowances are editorial starting points. Check the linked visitor information for opening hours, access, and reservations.
BEFORE YOU SET OFF
Abu Dhabi offers buses and plenty of taxis to get around. Since the most of the city is located in Abu Dhabi island, traffic is a common occurrence. Taxis are monitored using GPS and are not allowed to give above certain speeds. These change depending on where the taxi is. Newer-looking black cabs also go around town sometimes. You can recognise them with their coloured signs on the top, displaying text in English and Arabic. You are not expected to tip taxi drivers, but gratuity will be extremely appreciated. Hafilat card. No cash is accepted by the drivers.
Reem Island and Corniche Road are about 7.1 km apart in a straight line. Use the route link to compare the actual streets or transport connections before putting both in the same morning; the measurement is not a walking distance or a transfer estimate.
A LITTLE STRUCTURE. ROOM FOR DISCOVERY.
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Time estimates cover visits only. Add time for meals, travel, queues, and breaks. Map links open Google Maps with your selected stops.
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Geographic reference: GeoNames, CC BY 4.0.
This city guide includes selected, abridged material by Wikivoyage contributors, adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0. The adapted guide text is available under the same license; photographs and website design retain their separate terms. Selected and abridged reference descriptions; operational prices and timetables omitted. Elsewhere added the shortlist, geographic grouping and planning notes.
Reference material retrieved 2026-10-19. It is community-edited background, not firsthand reporting or a live opening-hours service.
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