Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
A vast white-marble mosque with more than eighty domes, glittering chandeliers and reflecting pools. Visitors of all faiths are welcome outside prayer times; modest dress is required.
Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Louvre Abu Dhabi stand in the UAE's capital, while Yas Island is where the theme parks are.
Attractive locations
Louvre Abu Dhabi
A museum of art and civilisations beneath a huge latticed dome that casts a pattern of light, set at the water's edge on Saadiyat Island. Its galleries compare cultures from across the world.
Qasr Al Hosn
The oldest stone building in the city, a white fort that once served as the ruler's home. It now tells the story of Abu Dhabi through exhibits and displays about its people.
Saadiyat Island
A cultural island with beaches and a growing cluster of museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Some beaches here are protected nesting sites for turtles.
Yas Island
An entertainment island holding theme parks, a water park, a marina and a Formula 1 racing circuit. Families and motorsport fans use it as a base for several days.
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
A theme park with a red roof and rides themed on Ferrari cars, including one of the world's fastest roller coasters. It suits thrill seekers and families.
Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi
An indoor theme park on Yas Island with rides and shows based on film and cartoon characters, shielded from the heat in air-conditioned halls.
Airports
Zayed International Airport AUH
It is about 26 km in a straight line from Abu Dhabi.
Al Maktoum International Airport DWC
It is about 92 km in a straight line from Abu Dhabi.
Al Ain International Airport AAN
It is about 125 km in a straight line from Abu Dhabi.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the United Arab Emirates (Dubai, Abu Dhabi) page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan19.9 °C11 mm
- Feb20.6 °C5 mm
- Mar23.2 °C13 mm
- Apr26.9 °C6 mm
- May30.8 °C3 mm
- Jun32.8 °C3 mm
- Jul34.7 °C1 mm
- Aug35.3 °C1 mm
- Sep33.6 °C5 mm
- Oct30.8 °C1 mm
- Nov26.6 °C6 mm
- Dec22.5 °C9 mm
Driest months: Jul, Aug, Oct. Wettest months: Jan, Mar, Dec.
Costs
Prices here are about 63% of US prices (World Bank, 2024). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Festivals and events
sport
Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Yas Marina)
Yas Island hosts the final race of the F1 season. With hotels filling up and prices rising, early planning is advisable.
Official sitesport
Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Yas Marina)
Yas Island hosts the final race of the F1 season. With hotels filling up and prices rising, early planning is advisable.
Official siteWho can help
Emergency
Police 999. Ambulance 998. Fire 997.
local government
UAE Police emergency number (999)
Helps with: The UAE government portal lists 999 for police, callable from anywhere in the country.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the UAE, including visitors, who needs police help in an emergency.
Phone: 999
local government
UAE ambulance (998) and Civil Defence (997)
Helps with: The UAE government portal lists 998 for an ambulance and 997 for the fire department (Civil Defence). This listing gives the ambulance number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the UAE, including visitors, who needs an ambulance.
Phone: 998
local government
Abu Dhabi Tourism Police
Helps with: The UAE government portal lists two phone lines for Abu Dhabi's tourism police, aimed at tourists who need help in Abu Dhabi. The second line is +97125127777.
Who qualifies: Tourists and other visitors who need help in Abu Dhabi.
Phone: +97128002626
embassy
Foreign embassies and consulates in the UAE (official directory)
Helps with: For a lost passport or serious trouble, contact your own country's embassy or consulate. The UAE foreign ministry's directory lets you pick a country to see its missions' locations and contacts.
Who qualifies: Citizens of each country, through their own embassy or consulate.
See all information for United Arab Emirates (Dubai, Abu Dhabi)