What to do in Abu Dhabi in One Day

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and a 1.5-hour drive from Dubai. So if you are in Dubai, you may plan a one-day trip to Abu Dhabi which is one of the best places to be visited on the Dubai itinerary. The spectacular views of the Mosques, the Towers and the Museum are some of the best things to do in a day. You may easily look at the different places of interest in a day with the proper guidelines.

Places to visit in Abu Dhabi in 1 Day

So, if you are wondering what to do in Abu Dhabi in one day, check out these places that can be easily covered in a one-day trip:

1. The Sheikh Grand Mosque

The Sheikh Grand Mosque is a good place to visit on a one-day tour. It is free to visit but you have to register before entering the Grand Mosque.
The architecture at the mosque is marvelous.
The structure was completed in 2007 for this largest mosque in the country which can hold 40,000 worshippers.
It has 82 domes and over 1000 columns and a hand knitted carpet that is the world’s largest.
The details of the building consists of immaculate white marble with mosaics, sculpted with flowers ornately decorated.
Dress code has to be followed for men and women.
Saturday to Thursday the hours of admission are 9 am to 9.30 pm and for Fridays it is 9 am to 11.30 am and from 3 pm to 9.30 pm.
The visiting hours are limited during the month of Ramadan.

2. Qasr Al Watan

The Presidential Palace or the Qasr Al Watan was opened in the year 2019.
You may reach there by taxi or bus from the Emirates Palace.
Going there by car, you can park for free.
The entry to this great palace costs AED 65 for adults and for children (4 to 17 years) it is AED 30.
The tickets are inclusive of the light and sound show, starting at 8 pm.
The Qasr Al Watan is open from 11 am to 6.45 pm. The best time to visit is just after the Palace opens or one to two hours before closing.
The place is more or less crowded because it is one of the major attractions and it needs at least one to two hours to explore the Palace.

3. Abu Dhabi Corniche

The Abu Dhabi Corniche is a beautiful promenade where you can enjoy a stroll or ride a bike.
There are play areas for children, cycle tracks and paths for the pedestrians, cafes and restaurants.
You may walk the 8 kilometres stretch of the coastal promenade.
This is a 10 minutes’ drive from Qasr Al Watan.

4. Wahat Al Karama

This is one of the most beautiful monuments dedicated to the memory of the martyrs in the Emirates.
The monument was opened in 2016 and it is located right opposite to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
People must dress respectfully as there is no dress code.
The Wahat Al Karama is free to visit and the timings are from 9 am to 10 pm.

5. Louvre Abu Dhabi

The Louvre Abu Dhabi is the result of a cultural exchange of a partnership with Louvre in Paris.
It is a 24000 square metre of place standing on the sea off the Saadiyat Island.
It has a marvelous architecture designed by architect Jean Nouvel.
It has aluminium and steel dome with a magical pattern that reflects light from the stars built in.
The admission from Monday to Thursday is from 10 am to 6.30 pm and from Friday to Sunday it is 10 am to 8.30 pm.

6. Saadiyat Island Drone Show

The drone show on the Saadiyat Island is a wonderful show.
You can go down by the waterfront next to the museum and then you can see the drone show over the structure of the Louvre Museum.
The Drone show schedule happens daily from 6 pm to 7.30 pm and 10.30 pm.
The duration of the show is 25 mins for each show.

7. Etihad Towers

This is a complex consisting of 5 skyscrapers and a 20 minutes’ drive from Louvre.
This is a great place to chill out to shop, to eat and to enjoy from such a high point in Abu Dhabi.
You can have an awesome view from the 74^th floor which is in the second tower of Etihad Towers. You may book the Observation Desk tickets in advance.
The Observation Desk at 300 opens everyday from noon to 8 pm.
The entrance fee is AED 95.
The ticket also includes a voucher that you can redeem for food and beverages.

8. Heritage Village

After a short visit to the Emirates Palace you can head to the Heritage Village.
This is a reconstruction of the oasis village in Arabia.
Here you can find public workshops where the craftsmen exhibit all sorts of weaving, pottery making and spinning.
You may have a look at all these ethnic productions and also buy souvenirs from here.
This is also a good place for a good lunch on the most authentic Arabian cuisines.

Paces where you can grab a bite

A few suggestions at the places you may grab a bite are as follows:

Have some light bite at the Observation Deck 300 at the Etihad Towers, Conrad Hotel. This is on the 74^th floor of the five-star hotel.
The Observation Deck also has the best mesmeric views of the city.
You may also take Afternoon teas, cakes, pastries and sandwiches. This has to be booked from before.
You may also have lunch at the Emirates Palace hotel which is just across the road. This is also well noted for authentic Arabian cuisine.

The Best Time to Visit

It is the arid, sub-tropical climate that makes Abu Dhabi have a warm climate all the year around. The best time to visit the place is from December to March. That’s the winter season in Abu Dhabi. When the weather is not too hot and humid, the temperature is 20 degrees Celsius, you may visit a few places worth visiting. The hottest months are June to August, with the temperature shooting up to 40 degrees Celsius, so those months are not feasible for sightseeing.

How to Get there

Abu Dhabi is the perfect place to start or end your trip. You may get there by bus, car, taxi or by plane. Abu Dhabi has an international airport. Flights arrive from the US, the UK, the Europe and many other countries.

How to get around Abu Dhabi

Renting a car is the best way to move around for sightseeing in Abu Dhabi.
There is no Metro in Abu Dhabi, so you can move one place to another by taxi or by bus.
From the airport to the City Centre, it is a thirty minutes’ drive. So, the best way to travel downtown is to catch a bus or a taxi. You may save money and buy online tickets.

Some rules to follow

You have to be appropriately clothed while visiting the mosques.
Avoid any intimacy like holding hands, kissing, hugging.
Taking photos is not easy because the places are always crowded and guards are on the alert.

Conclusion

So, when you are holidaying in Dubai, you have to include Abu Dhabi on your itinerary even it is for one day. It is only 1.5 hours drive from Dubai. Plan your trip, pack your bags and visit at least eight important places in Abu Dhabi to get a crux of the place. Be careful to follow a few rules while you are visiting a mosque in the UAE. Relish the wonderful Arabian and International cuisines that are served at almost all good restaurants in Abu Dhabi. You are going to have some splendid time worthy of remembrance on your one day tour in Abu Dhabi.