Abu Dhabi travel guide
United Arab Emirates
The UAE's capital is calmer and greener than its neighbour Dubai, spread across islands with mangroves, beaches and a long Corniche. Its landmark mosque and museums make it more than a stopover.
Essentials
- Language
- Arabic; English is widely spoken
- Currency
- UAE dirham (AED)
- Plugs
- Type G, 230 V
- Emergency number
- 999 for police, 998 for ambulance, 997 for fire
- Tipping
- Check for a service charge; if there is none, around 10% in restaurants is common.
Rough daily budget
Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:
- Backpacker: $55-85, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
- Mid-range: $140-230, with a private room and restaurant meals.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Where to stay in Abu Dhabi
- Corniche and downtown: the city's seafront park, beaches and older tower blocks with everyday restaurants.
- Saadiyat Island: the Louvre Abu Dhabi, quiet beaches and a growing cultural district.
- Al Mina: the port area with the fish market, date market and dhow harbour.
Getting around Abu Dhabi
Metered taxis are plentiful and fairly cheap, and ride-hailing apps work well. City buses run on the rechargeable Hafilat card, but the city is spread out and walking in the heat is limited.
Best time to visit Abu Dhabi
November to March, warm and sunny without the extreme summer heat.
Top things to do in Abu Dhabi
- Visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, with its marble courtyard and domes
- See the Louvre Abu Dhabi beneath its vast latticed dome
- Tour Qasr Al Watan, the presidential palace open to visitors
- Kayak through the mangroves of the Eastern Mangroves area
- Explore Qasr Al Hosn, the city's oldest stone building
What to eat in Abu Dhabi
- Machboos: spiced rice cooked with meat or fish, a staple Emirati dish
- Balaleet: sweet, saffron-scented vermicelli topped with a thin omelette
- Luqaimat: crisp dough balls drenched in date syrup
- Shawarma: spit-roasted meat wrapped in flatbread, sold late into the night
Day trips from Abu Dhabi
- Al Ain: palm oases, forts and the drive up Jebel Hafeet, around 90 minutes to two hours by road
- Dubai: the skyline, old creek and souqs, roughly 90 minutes by road
- Liwa Oasis: some of the tallest dunes in the region, around two and a half to three hours by road
Local etiquette
Dress modestly in public places and malls, and fully covered at mosques, where women are asked to cover their hair. Public affection, swearing and rude gestures can bring fines, so keep behaviour low-key.
Staying connected
Tourist SIMs and eSIMs from the main operators are sold at the airport and in malls, and Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels and malls.
Staying safe
Crime is low, and the greater risks are heat exhaustion in summer and fast driving on the highways. Laws on drugs, alcohol and public conduct are strict, so check what applies before you travel.
A local tip
Visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque towards sunset, when the white marble turns gold, and book a free time slot online beforehand.
Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.
Meet people in Abu Dhabi on Waypacker
Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Abu Dhabi for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Abu Dhabi, you could be one of the first hosts.
Questions about Abu Dhabi
- What currency is used in Abu Dhabi?
- Abu Dhabi uses the UAE dirham (AED).
- What is the emergency number in Abu Dhabi?
- In Abu Dhabi, call 999 for police, 998 for ambulance, 997 for fire.
- When is the best time to visit Abu Dhabi?
- November to March, warm and sunny without the extreme summer heat.
- How much does a day in Abu Dhabi cost?
- Roughly $55-85 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $140-230 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
- Is Waypacker free to use in Abu Dhabi?
- Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
- Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?
- Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
- Can I meet locals in Abu Dhabi without staying with anyone?
- Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
- Will anyone see my exact location?
- No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.