Day 6 : Abu Dhabi in a day: the best route.
Sunday, 20 October 2019
With this guide to Abu Dhabi in one day we want to show you all the places you can visit in the city in one day, including most of the must-see places in Abu Dhabi.
After the flight to Dubai, we did a tour of Dubai in one day, in which we visited some of the must-see places in Dubai, followed by a tour of Dubai in two days, which took us to the oldest districts of the city, the tour of Dubai in 3 days, during which we enjoyed a visit to the desert, one of the best tours and excursions in Dubai and yesterday we completed the visit to the city with the Dubai tour in 4 days, today we continue with the trip to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Rub' al Khali in 9 days visiting a new city: Abu Dhabi.
In our case we have opted for a rental car in the United Arab Emirates to make this journey and get to know Abu Dhabi in one day, but you can go perfectly by public transport or opt for a tour like this day trip with a guide in Spanish or this tour in Spanish that includes the Grand Mosque and the Louvre.
For more information, be sure to read the post How to get from Dubai to Abu Dhabi (tour or on your own).
We leave the Damac de Vogue, which has been our accommodation in Dubai these days to take a taxi that for 40AED leaves us at the airport, in less than 20 minutes and where we go directly to the Hertz counters, which is the car rental company we have chosen through Auto Europe, which is the car rental search engine that we always use in our trips and with whom we have also contracted the premium insurance, so that in case something happens, we are fully covered.
Car hire in Dubai
In case you want to make a trip to the Rub Al Khali desert or do a tour of the things to do in Abu Dhabi in one day in a more free way, without needing transport, a good option is to rent a car, as we have done.
Here are some basic information to make this process much quicker and easier.
Remember that to rent a car in the United Arab Emirates it is not necessary to have an international driver's license. If you do have one, it is a good idea to bring it with you.
The process once you are at the collection office is quite slow, so although it is very effective, it is important to allow extra time.
If you pick it up at Dubai airport, you should go to the office in the arrivals hall of the airport, where there are different offices of all the rental companies, and do all the paperwork there.
Then you will have to leave the terminal and go to the covered car park just in front and go to the office of your company, where after handing in the papers, they will give you the keys and do a check of the car with you.
Remember to take photos of the car at this point so that in case of any problems, you will have proof of the car's condition at the time of handover.
Although you can rent the car with the basic insurance, we recommend you to take the extra SUPER COVER insurance with Auto Europe, so that in case of any mishap, you will get your money back.
Always carry a credit card, as debit cards and cash are not accepted for car hire.
Car rental offices at Dubai Airport
Tips for driving in the UAE
In addition to the tips we've given you on car rental, we'd like to give you some tips on driving in the UAE.
The first and most important thing to know is that they drive on the right, as in Spain, and in general terms, driving is quite similar to ours.
However, remember to respect the speed limits as the locals tend to drive very fast and break the speed rules. Don't get used to it and always follow the signs.
Driving in central Dubai is usually fairly quiet, although there is a lot of traffic almost all day, especially in the early morning and late afternoon, so if you're going to be travelling somewhere you need to get to, it's important to plan ahead.
If you're going to tour Abu Dhabi in a day, as we did, it's best to start with the sights furthest from the city centre. Parking is available at all the major sights in the cities, usually free of charge, but there is a charge if you have to park on the street.
In our experience it is essential to carry a GPS, either online or off-line, as although the roads are very well signposted in most places they are very large roads with many lanes and to get to the most touristy places you have to make a lot of detours.
Petrol is very cheap and there are plenty of petrol stations, both in the cities and along the tourist routes. Although it can vary, the price for 30 litres is around 55AED.
Renting a car in the United Arab Emirates
Once we have our car, we start the 140-kilometre drive from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, which takes about 1:30 hours, enjoying unique views of the city as we leave it and a large arid stretch as we drive away from it until we get closer to Abu Dhabi.
The first stop to make in Abu Dhabi in one day is none other than the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, one of the must-see places in Abu Dhabi, which we have to confess we have fallen in love with from afar.
Remember that although we are going to visit the city by car, another highly recommended way to get to know Abu Dhabi is by booking any of the excursions from Dubai that we mentioned above or by booking this guided tour of Abu Dhabi with an English speaking guide or by booking the Abu Dhabi tourist bus, to forget about transport and get to know the city in the most comfortable way.
Sheikh Zayed Mosque
Considered the largest mosque in the country, this incredible work of modern architecture was built between 1996 and 2007 and used in its construction more than 9,900 tons of white marble, on which were embedded precious stones forming floral designs of breathtaking beauty.
In addition to these features, there are more than 1000 columns and 80 domes as well as 4 minarets, over 100 metres high, which stand out next to the gleaming white domes, which stand out against the usual clear blue Abu Dhabi sky, under which the remains of President Sheikh Zayed rest.
Sheikh Zayed Mosque
The Sheikh Zayed Mosque is also known as the Grand Mosque of Abu Dhabi and it's not just the outside that is magical. Inside you'll find several Swarovski crystal chandeliers, decorated in gold and the world's largest carpet, which is said to have taken 1200 people more than two years to work on.
Sheikh Zayed Mosque
A visit to the Sheikh Zayed Mosque is free of charge and is organised from the moment you enter the columned area. Outside the mosque you are free to move around freely and we recommend that you spend a reasonable amount of time to walk around the area and see the mosque from all perspectives as it is a true work of art.
Once inside, you will have to follow an itinerary guided by fences, which you will not be able to get out of and which will take you to the most important points, as well as indicating the places where you can stop to take photos.
Inside the Great Mosque
One important thing to remember is that although access to the mosque is free and it is one of the few mosques to which non-Muslims are allowed, a dress code must be maintained:
Men must wear long trousers and shoulders covered.
Women should cover their hair and wear loose clothing that covers their legs and arms.
If you do not have this type of clothing, you can borrow it free of charge before entering the mosque.
Regarding the time to visit, in this Abu Dhabi in a day, we recommend you always visit it during the day and at night, when the lighting and the pools that surround it create a magical atmosphere.
Sheikh Zayed Mosque, one of the places to see in Abu Dhabi in a day
A good option to learn about the history of this mosque and the city is to book this guided tour in English or this private tour, where you choose the itinerary.
Visiting hours: Saturday to Thursday from 9am to 10pm and Fridays from 4.30pm to 10pm.
Price: free of charge
Sheikh Zayed Mosque
Tips for visiting the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi
In addition to the details mentioned above, here are some tips for visiting the Sheikh Zayed Mosque.
If you come by rental car, there are several free underground car parks at the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. All you have to do is follow the signs and, above all, once you've parked, make a note of which entrance you've parked in, as there are several, so it's often easy to get confused.
When you come out you will see that there is a huge underground shopping centre with restaurants, bars and even souvenir shops, so if your visit coincides with lunchtime, you can take advantage of the opportunity to have lunch here.
Although entry is free, to gain access to the Sheikh Zayed Mosque you have to register at a machine where after entering your personal details, you will be given a ticket, which you must show to security in order to gain access to the site.
The visit to the Grand Mosque will take you at least 2-3 hours if you want to take photos, so we recommend you to come early in the morning, when there are fewer people, or late in the afternoon, whenever possible.
Remember that there is a dress code. If you do not meet the requirements, you will be loaned a tunic for women and trousers for men.
In addition to the morning visit, if your one-day tour of Abu Dhabi includes an overnight stay in the city, it is highly recommended that you come again at sunset to enjoy the blue hour at the mosque, as it is an unforgettable moment.
Last but not least, it is very important to maintain respect. If you are given a robe with a hood, it is to cover your head and hair. As much as you might like to be photographed with your hair blowing in the wind, please don't do it. Remember that places are made for people to feel comfortable, not for tourists to take pictures.
Besides this, one of the best things to do in Abu Dhabi in a day is to see the mosque from the Oasis of Dignity observation deck, located in front of the mosque, about a 15-minute walk away.
Sheikh Zayed Mosque
Oasis of Dignity
This is one of the places you don't usually visit, but at least for us, it is one of the must-see places in the city. Located opposite the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, you can walk across the bridge in about 15 minutes or drive about 2 kilometres as you have to make a detour, this is a place that offers a unique perspective of the mosque and is usually very uncrowded.
As with the mosque, we also recommend coming here twice: during the day and at sunset, as the views are sure to be one of the unforgettable moments of your trip to the UAE.
Hours: all day
Price: free
Free parking is available on one side.
Oasis of Dignity
It's almost 12 noon when we leave the Grand Mosque of Abu Dhabi to continue our Abu Dhabi Day Tour, now heading to the Louvre, 23 kilometres away, where we arrive 30 minutes later.
Recommended travel cards
Remember that to avoid paying commissions and to always have the current exchange rate, we recommend you use the Revolut card and the N26 card, which are the ones we use, are free and will save you a lot of money.
You can find more information in this article on the best cards for commission-free travel.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi
Opened in 2017, thanks to the collaboration of the Louvre in Paris and 16 French museums, this museum has quickly become another of the places to see in Abu Dhabi in 1 day.
Located on the island of Saadiyat, where several more museums are expected to be built, this beautiful building, which cost more than 500 million euros, is one of the most beautiful museums in the world, designed by Jean Nouvel, which highlights its dome with 180 metres in diameter and almost 8000 stars that let in light, making the museum illuminate in a natural way, something that gives the interior rooms a unique atmosphere. You can book your ticket in advance from this page, which includes entry to the Qasr Al Watan Palace.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Although there is no single standout piece in the Louvre Abu Dhabi, it is the museum as a whole that is worth a visit and, of course, its more than 600 pieces are of incalculable value, telling the chronological story of the history of mankind.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
In addition to visiting the galleries, you can eat in the cafeteria or restaurant or buy something in the beautiful shop.
Opening hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 8pm. Thursdays and Fridays from 10am to 10pm and closed on Mondays.
Price: 63AED.
Free parking.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
From here and after a 2 and a half hour visit and lunch in the cafeteria, we decided to continue with the Abu Dhabi in a day by going to the Corniche area, 20 kilometres away, where we arrived late in the afternoon, at 15:30h.
Corniche, another of Abu Dhabi's one-day must-sees
Known for being one of the most fashionable areas of Abu Dhabi, this 8-kilometre long avenue runs along the beach and is lined with some of the city's most emblematic buildings. Keep in mind that temperatures here, as in Dubai are usually very high, so walking or walking the 8 kilometres is practically unfeasible, so we recommend you focus on the area of Corniche Beach, which is one of the most popular beaches in the city and where if you want you can take a dip and from here, walk or drive to the points of which we will speak below.
Corniche
Etihad Towers
The Etihad Towers are a complex of 5 towers, located on the Corniche promenade and opposite the Emirates Palace, among which are some of the tallest buildings in the country, such as Tower 2 with 80 floors and 305 meters high where in 2011 opened the Jumeirah Etihad Towers Hotel, where you can climb to the 74th floor, where there is a viewpoint that connects directly to the hotel and from where there are unique views of the city.
Etihad Towers
Emirates Palace Hotel
Located on the shores of the Persian Gulf, the Emirates Palace is known to be one of the most luxurious hotels in the world as well as being the most expensive hotel in the world as it cost over 3 billion dollars to build.
In addition to the luxury of its 90 suites, some of which are decorated with gold objects, the hotel has a helipad and a private beach of more than 1 kilometre.
Although the prices of the basic rooms are usually 400 euros and the most expensive ones reach 12000 euros, if you don't want to pay that amount, you can access its hall for free or href="https://www.civitatis.com/es/abu-dhabi/cena-emirates-palace/?aid=2396638″ rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">book a dinner at the fantastic buffet restaurant Le Vendome or at the Asian food restaurant Hakkasan.
Emirates Palace Hotel
Qasr Al Watan
This impressive palace, located just a few metres from the Etihad Towers and the Emirates Palace Hotel, is another must-see on a one-day tour of Abu Dhabi. Used until a few years ago only for official events, nowadays you can visit its impressive interior, where you can see the dome of the Great Hall and its traditional decoration in which you can also see some important pieces such as the legendary Birmingham Koran, the first modern map of Arabia or some pre-Hispanic codices as well as an impressive library.
In addition to the interior, the exterior of Qasr Al Watan and the gardens are also incredible and another must-see in the city. Note that the visit will take at least an hour, so if you want to visit other places, it's perfect to fit it in during the middle of the day to avoid the heat.
Visiting hours: daily from 10am to 8pm. Last admission one hour before closing time.
Free parking.
Qasr al Watan, one of the places to see in Abu Dhabi.
Once we have finished visiting this area of the Corniche, we return to the car park where we have left the car to go to another of the places that have been most recommended to us for this Abu Dhabi in one day, which in this case is none other than a shopping centre, the Marina Mall, where we park for free in its outdoor car park.
Marina Mall
This is one of the best known shopping centres in Abu Dhabi, along with Yas Mall. In our experience, it is not worth the visit unless you have an hour to spare, as it is less spectacular than Yas Mall and much less so than any of the other malls you have seen in Dubai.
From here and being already 17h, we take the car again to drive the almost 30 kilometres that separate us from the Sheikh Zayed Mosque and the Oasis of Dignity where we live what we can say, has been the highlight of this trip.
Visit Sheikh Zayed Mosque and the Oasis of Dignity at sunset and at night.
Both visits, as we mentioned at the beginning of the post, are a must on any one-day tour of Abu Dhabi. Bearing in mind that the time of sunset depends on the time of the year, we recommend you to check it on any app and arrive at the Oasis of Dignity about 30 minutes before this time to start watching the dance of colours that takes place before sunset and, above all, marvel at one of the most impressive images you can see in the city.
Sunset from the Oasis of Dignity
After sunset, we recommend you stay here for another hour to watch the mosque light up and the famous "blue hour" appear , a magical moment which, together with the sunset, we are sure, will be unforgettable.
This area is not usually crowded and it's huge, so you won't have any trouble finding a spot in front of the mosque to enjoy the spectacle.
Sunset from the Oasis of Dignity
Once you have enjoyed the sunset our suggestion is to take the car and drive back to the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, where you will have to go through the whole entrance process and visit it again in the evening.
We can assure you that it changes completely and will be another unforgettable experience. Besides the fact that at this hour there is practically no one there, you will see the mosque illuminated in an impossible blue, which seems to compete with the white marble and the call to prayer, to be the real protagonists.
Night at the Sheikh Zayed Mosque
Allow 2-3 hours to visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque and the Oasis of Dignity at sunset and in the evening, so you'll probably be finished visiting the area by about 9pm.
Sheikh Zayed Mosque
If you still have some energy left and want to continue with Abu Dhabi in 1 day, our suggestion is to go to Yas Marina, where you can park for free, the trendiest area of the city, where you can finish the night having dinner or a drink, surrounded by the most festive atmosphere.
Inside the Sheikh Zayed Mosque
Yas Marina
Located on Yas Island, this area is to Abu Dhabi what Dubai Marina is to Dubai. This is where most foreigners gather, looking for the atmosphere and fun that is sometimes hard to find in the rest of the city.
On this waterfront promenade you can enjoy views of the impressive Yas Viceroy building, envy some of the country's most luxurious yachts, dine at one of the restaurants or see the famous Formula 1 racing circuit.
Yas Marina
And after this last visit to the city and having completed the tour of Abu Dhabi in one day, we return to the Corniche, where we leave the car in the car park of the Eclipse Boutique Suites, our accommodation in Abu Dhabi for the night, where, like the previous days, we fall like children.
Map of the route through Abu Dhabi in one day
We leave you the map with the location of all the places and things to do in Abu Dhabi in one day, including the most touristic points of the city.
In addition to all the places mentioned above, if you have an extra day or more time, we recommend you review the post 12 must-see places in Abu Dhabi where you can find many more ideas to complete your route through Abu Dhabi in one day.
