by Full Day Abu Dhabi City Tour from Dubai
Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, is a city of grandeur and contrasts that brings into perfect harmony the beauty of modern opulence with rich heritage. You need to take a full day out from Dubai to get to this great city, full of architectural marvels, cultural landmarks, and luxurious experiences. In the lines below, you will get a well-planned itinerary that will help you remember the day trip to Abu Dhabi by making sure that you get the best of your visit to this captivating destination.
6:00 AM – Departure from Dubai:
Preparation and Departure:
Get up early to have as much time on your side as possible. With an early start, you should reach Abu Dhabi within 1.5 to 2 hours if the traffic is not too bad.
Travel Options: You can drive yourself, hire a taxi, or reserve a seat in the guided tour bus. In case you drive yourself, ensure that your vehicle is in good condition and fitted with a GPS device.
Travel Tip: Take a bottle of water, some snacks and your camera along to make the journey comfortable and capture every moment of the way
8:00 AM Arrive Abu Dhabi:
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque:
Your first stop will be at the world-famous Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a beautiful Abu Dhabi landmark. This treasure of architecture is not only noted for its stunning design but for its grandiose structure also.
Built in 2007, the mosque has 82 domes and over 1,000 columns with marble inlay work. On the inside, one will find the largest handmade carpet in the world and some of the largest chandeliers.
Visitor Info: The mosque welcomes visitors of any denomination. Modest dress: Women should cover their heads, and both sexes should have long sleeves and trousers. Guided tours will enable you to appreciate the design and cultural significance of the mosque more.
Photography: White marble and huge courtyards make for some great photographic shots. Light in the early morning presents the best conditions regarding capturing its beauty.
Travel Tip: This tour, with photo opportunity, and the surrounding environment visit should take at least 1.5 hours without rush.
10:00 AM Cultural Venues Exploration:
- Louvre Abu Dhabi:
Your next stop will be the Louvre Abu Dhabi, located at Saadiyat Island. This cultural icon showcases art and other items from around the world to demonstrate that there is indeed a universality about the human imagination which created these items.
Galleries: Ancient civilizations to contemporary art represented by the most illustrious artists; items of artefacts from diverse cultures. The architecture designed by Jean Nouvel with its hypnotic effect of “rain of light” is a marvel on its own.
Visitor Experience: self-drive tour of the museum’s galleries or guided tour to have meaningful appreciation of the different displays; waterfront-view restaurant and bookable.
Photo: Nice views come from the architecture and exhibits of the museum. Check if there are going to be any temporary exhibitions at the museum.
Travel Tip: The Louvre will require a minimum time of 2 hours, in which you can wander around the different galleries and take lunch or have coffee by a window.
12:00 PM Lunch Break:
- Yas Marina:
Great lunch opportunities can be found on the dynamic waterfront, with many dining outlets within walking distance from Yas Marina. The marina provides a quiet ambiance around it during lunch.
Dining Options: There are several fine restaurants and cafes in Yas Marina that offer alfresco dining overlooking the waterfront. You could relax to international and local cuisine here.
Experience: Take a leisurely walk along the promenade of the marina before or after you meal. Luxury yachts and boats do berths here too, that enhance the marina area.
Travel Tip: Plan for an hour for lunch and short stroll around Yas Marina.
1:30 PM More Abu Dhabi:
- Emirates Palace:
Afternoon: After lunch, swing by one of the swankiest Abu Dhabi hotels, the Emirates Palace. It was touted to be one of the most opulent hotels in the area; with its over-the-top gaudiness, it truly is a statement of this city’s excess.
The palace is magnificent, with golden domes and beautiful gardens, along with elegant interiors. It has 114 domes and a great collection of art and antiques.
Visitor Experience: Though you may not be able to use all the facilities of this hotel, you are certainly authorized to see the public areas and take afternoon tea or lunch in one of its luxurious dining rooms.
Photography: The exterior and the interior of the palace are good photography points and even more during sunset when golden hues have a mesmerizing effect.
Travel Tip: Take out at least 1 hour to see the architecture of this palace and probably relax with a snack or coffee
3:00 PM History and Culture:
- Qasr Al Hosn:
Next, you will be taken to the oldest building in Abu Dhabi, its historical landmark—Qasr Al Hosn. The former watchtower is now turned into a museum narrating the actual story of the city.
History: A sensitively restored fort now houses today’s displays about Abu Dhabi’s development and Bedouin life.
Visitor Experience: The fort and the various exhibits displayed therein explain how this city evolved from a mere fishing village to a modern city.
Travel Tip: Qasr Al Hosn should be visited for a minimum of one hour to get the history of this city.
4:00 PM Cultural Experience:
- Heritage Village:
It is a heritage village that is actually a living museum and takes one through experiences of traditional Emirati life, juxtaposed with Abu Dhabi along the Corniche.
Exhibits: The village features reconstructions of traditional buildings, craft demonstrations, and displays about Bedouin life. Witnessing traditional weaving, pottery, and metalwork.
Visitor Experience: The visitor can take a walk in the self-containment and experience firsthand information concerning the UAE’s pre-oil era, getting first-hand experiences with the conventional lifestyle of Bedouins.
Souvenirs: In the self-containment area, there are numbers of shops that sell traditional handicrafts and souvenirs.
Travel Tip: Spend a minimum of 1 hour observing the traditional exhibits and even buying some souvenirs.
5:00 PM Unwind/Relax
- Corniche Beach:
Relax at the end of the day at Corniche Beach, where you’ll find an attractive beach with marvelous vistas over the Arabian Gulf.
Infrastructure: The beach itself is clean, complemented with shade houses, a children’s playground, and sports pitches. There are also walking and cycling tracks along the shorefront.
Activities: Take a casual swim, spend the afternoon lounging on the beach, or bike-run along the Corniche. This beach encapsulates the feeling of laziness later in the day when you are strolling around enjoying the views.
Lunch: Many of the cafes and restaurants fronting the Corniche offer lunch with lovely water vistas.
Travel Tip: Take about 1 hour here to relax and enjoy the beach. If you are not swimming, then take a stroll along the waterfront. Watch the sunset.
6:00 PM Back to Dubai:
After having viewed the best of Abu Dhabi’s sights and sounds, it is back to Dubai. Assuming normal traffic conditions, this drive back to Dubai should take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
Relax: Take this time to unwind and reflect on the day’s experiences. If you’ve booked with a tour group, enjoy the journey back with fellow travelers and share stories of the day.
Arrival in Dubai: Be expected to be back in Dubai around early evening. If not too tired, you might want to enjoy some leisure dinner or evening activity that Dubai has in store.
Travel Tip: Do consider possible traffic delays and always check on road conditions prior to your travel back.
Further Tips for Your Abu Dhabi City Tour:
Dress Code: Show respect to the locals; dress modestly. Especially when visiting religious places, ladies are required to cover their heads in mosques while both sexes are to wear long-sleeved trousers.
Climate: Abu Dhabi is hot and dry. Wear comfortable outfits and apply sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun. Drink a lot of water throughout the day.
Currency: The UAE Dirham is the local currency. It will come in handy to have some cash with you for small purchases, even though credit cards are largely accepted.
Language: Although Arabic is the official language, English is mostly understood, and spoken too, in tourist places and spots.
Conclusion:
An all-day tour to Abu Dhabi from Dubai gives a view of the capital city of UAE, where an interesting display awaits at the iconic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Louvre Abu Dhabi Cultural Treasure. Then, there’s the luxury Emirates Palace and the serenity of Corniche Beach Abu Dhabi combines a rich blend of history, culture, and modernity.
This itinerary is going to take you through the best of Abu Dhabi’s present heritage and achievements. From architectural wonders to indulgent luxury and relaxation on beaches, Abu Dhabi gives you a day full of exploration and delight.
Pack your bags, wake up early, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in Abu Dhabi!
