Abu DhabiUnited Arab Emirates
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Dubai's quieter, more cultured sibling — home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, and Saadiyat Island's pristine beaches. Abu Dhabi pairs world-class architecture with a more refined pace.
Best Time to Visit
November to March
Daily Budget
$80-200/day
mid-range tier
Weather
Arid. Mild winters (18-26°C). Extremely hot summers (38-48°C). Very little rain. Sandstorms possible March-May.
Top Things to Do in Abu Dhabi
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque — 82 white marble domes and the world's largest hand-knotted carpet
- Louvre Abu Dhabi — Jean Nouvel's floating dome museum on Saadiyat Island
- Yas Island — Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, and the F1 circuit
- Qasr Al Watan — the Presidential Palace open to visitors
- Mangrove kayaking in the Eastern Mangroves
Travel Tips
- 1.The Grand Mosque is free but book a timed slot online
- 2.Friday brunch is an Abu Dhabi institution — all-you-can-eat at top hotels
- 3.Taxis and buses are the main transport — no metro system yet