The essential guide to visiting Abu Dhabi
White sand beaches, incredible museums, and a diversity of global cuisines await in the UAE’s action-packed capital. Here’s our guide to where to stay, what to eat, and what to know before you visit.
Best time to visit Abu Dhabi
Spring: Maximize the most pleasant sunny weather of the year by kayaking around Jubail Mangrove Park and enjoying beach time on Saadiyat Island, Hudayriyat Island, and the Abu Dhabi Corniche. Amy Subaey, managing director of the adventure group UAE Trekkers, recommends hiking in the towering dunes of the Liwa Desert—the backdrop for movies such as Dune and Dune
Key areas to explore in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi’s most luxurious postcode, Saadiyat delivers five miles of white sand (including the public Mamsha Beach), multiple beachfront hotels, and clear blue waters home to Hawksbill turtles and more fascinating marine life.
Ahmed Al Hashmi, executive director of the Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector at the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD), explains that Saadiyat’s turtle nesting season runs from March to August. “The nests hatch throughout the summer, and you can see turtles in the ocean all year-round. Dolphins are also a frequent sight along the shores of Saadiyat Island.”
Over in the Saadiyat Cultural District, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, and other galleries will soon be joined by the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, and the Zayed National Museum, housed in a jaw-dropping Norman Foster-designed building shaped like a falcon’s wings.
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