What isn't appealing about visiting Abu Dhabi right now? The second most populous city in the U.A.E. checks off every box when it comes to appeal. The recent opening of the only Louvre outside of France brought global attention to a dynamic arts and cultural scene that's only growing. As travelers continue to make food a focal point of their trips, Abu Dhabi delivers in spades: its wide-ranging offerings span street food and casual neighborhood gems to award-winning dining experiences. And, as a city consistently ranked as one of the safest in the world, it's a major draw for families and female travelers.
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Abu Dhabi Travel Guide
Plan Your Abu Dhabi Trip
Featured
How to Turn an Abu Dhabi Layover into a Mini-Vacation
Museums, adventures, private islands—with so much to do, you'd be crazy not to spend a few days here.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi Just Opened an Art Gallery on a Highway
For art lovers on the go.
Etihad Launches Two New Services for Passengers with Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
They're the first carrier in the region to offer in-flight nurses and access to their staff doctors.
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15 Best Hotels in Abu Dhabi
Rooms that will make you feel like royalty.
Editor Hotel Recommendations
The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi$$$ | United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat IslandEverything about the property feels thought-through, from the expanses of terraced manicured grass, to the palm trees lining the walkways.Read full review
Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Resorts$$$ | United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi,Unhindered views of this scene and the horizon line beyond, including resident pink flamingos.Read full review
ERTH Hotel$ | United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Khor Al Maqta, Al Khaleej Al Arabi - Road
Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi$ | United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, 925 Sultan Bin Zayed The First Street (Al Muroor Road).jpg)
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas$$$ | United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi,Positioned within a cluster of big-name properties on Saadiyat Island, this is the “it” destination for beach goers.Read full review
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas$$ | United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island
Rosewood Abu Dhabi$ | United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Zayed I StreetThe country's first Rosewood is loaded with style and sophistication.Read full review
Emirates Palace$$$ | United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, W. Corniche Rd.Dripping in gold and boasting the largest dome in world, the five-star property is larger than Buckingham Palace.Read full review
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The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand CanalUnited Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi,An extravagant property overlooking the Grand Canal.Read full review
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The Best Things to Do in Abu Dhabi
14 Best Things to Do in Abu DhabiA desert city full of oases.
6 Best Day Trips from Abu DhabiAll the travel adventures you want—all within three hours away.
9 Best Things to Do With Kids in Abu DhabiAn emirate for all ages.
11 Best Spas in Abu DhabiThere's no more refreshing way to beat the heat.
10 Best Museums in Abu DhabiOur guide to one of the hottest cultural scenes in the Gulf right now.
Editor Recommendations
Abu Dhabi Heritage VillageUnited Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Near Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi Theatre Road, Corniche, Breakwater RoadAn immersive look into the region’s heritage and desert lifestyle.Read full review
N2N GalleryUnited Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain Tower, Khalidiya entrance through Costa CoffeeIn addition to classes, this tiny but notable gallery showcases sculpture, graphic art, and paintings by mostly European artists.Read full review
Emirates National Auto MuseumUnited Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, South of Abu Dhabi, Hamim Road, Off E11, Al DhafraBeyond the city center, this auto museum houses an impressive collection of vintage cars and military vehicles.Read full review
Tosa SpaUnited Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, International Departures, Terminal 1/Sky Park Plaza, Terminal 3 at Abu Dhabi International AirportFunctional and effective, this spa is right in Abu Dhabi International Airport.Read full review
ELLE SpaUnited Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Marriott Hotel Downtown, Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed StreetThe first spa from ELLE Magazine offers affordable Parisian flair.Read full review
Sense, A Rosewood SpaUnited Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Rosewood Abu Dhabi, The Galleria, Al Maryah IslandThis is just the sort of high end spa you'd expect in a Rosewood hotel.Read full review
Iridium SpaUnited Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat IslandT 24 Karat Gold Hammam and Desert Sand Body Scrub are both very Abu Dhabi.Read full review
CHI, the Spa at Shangri-LaUnited Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Shangri-La Hotel Qaryat Al Beri, Khor Al MaqtaThe Shangri-La's spa feels like an entirely different part of the world.Read full review
Remede SpaUnited Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, The St. Regis Abu Dhabi, Nation Tower, Corniche RoadThe St. Regis spa is all about exceeding expectations.Read full review
Emirates Palace SpaUnited Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Emirates Palace Hotel, Corniche Road WestThe perfect example of Middle Eastern tranquility in Abu Dhabi's most opulent hotel.Read full review
Etihad Modern Art GalleryUnited Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Al Bateen Area, Villa 15, Al Huwelat Street (Behind Al Bateen Mall)It quickly earned a reputation within the U.A.E.—and beyond—as a thoughtfully curated collection of Emirati artists.Read full review
Zayed Heritage CenterUnited Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Baynounah StreetThis small museum is the perfect place for history buffs to learn about the UAE’s early days and its founder.Read full review
Beyond the Glitz of Abu Dhabi
From mega-malls to artificial ski slopes to crystal-strewn hotels, Abu Dhabi—the wealthiest of the seven tiny oil-rich states that make up the United Arab Emirates—is embracing the latest extravagances for travelers.
The Best Places to Eat and Drink in Abu Dhabi
11 Best Cafes & Coffee Shops in Abu DhabiSip around the world, from Spanish lattes to Turkish coffee to Japanese matcha in this one city.
17 Best Restaurants in Abu DhabiA diversity of desert dining.
9 Best Brunches in Abu DhabiThe best Friday morning meals.
Drinking in Abu Dhabi: A Definitive GuideWhat you need to know about ABV in the UAE.
Editor Restaurant and Bar Recommendations
Tawa Bakery$ | United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Al Muneera Beach Plaza, Al Muneera, Al Raha BeachWith indoor and outdoor seating and an entirely gluten-free menu, the cafe draws a wide swath of people.
Tasha'sUnited Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Unit B02 Cafe, Marsa Al BateenThe furniture and umbrellas on the deck capture your attention first, while the statement ceiling inside further up the appeal.
LOCAL$ | United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Al Zeina Complex, Block C, Al ZeinaThe all-in-one barbershop, streetwear store, and cafe setup is unique; each element contributes to an energetic, funky vibe.
Rain Cafe$ | United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Mohammed Bin Khalifa StreetBright, breezy, and homegrown, Rain Cafe is a compact coffee spot that's small in size but big on personality.
Sanderson's$ | United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Al Seef Resort & Spa by Andalus, Al Salam Street, Khalifa ParkAn addition to standard coffees and rainbow lattes, there are specialty kombuchas, along with juice cleanses and super smoothies.
Aptitude Cafe$ | United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu DhabiTo sit and sip in the shadows of the only other Louvre outside of Paris is a real experience.
Joud$ | United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Al Bateen Street, near Mubarak Bin Mohammed StreetRemote workers can tap away all day, business colleagues can meet in comfortable surrounds, and area residents can catch up.
% Arabica Al Bateen$ | United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Marina Side, opposite Switch, Marsa Al BateenOne can't help but be immediately struck by the cafe's clean, crisp, modern aesthetic and expansive footprint.
Blacksmith Coffee Company$ | United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, New York University, D2 BuildingThe cafe is owned and operated by a group of former university students whose love of coffee brought them together.
The Foundry$$ | United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Southern Sun Abu Dhabi Al, Mina StreetThe brunch menu at this sleek fine-dining restaurant is unabashedly carnivorous, with an emphasis on steakhouse classics and seafood favorites.
Oléa$$ | United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, 187 Al Dhafra StreetA huge brunch buffet at the St. Regis.
Alba Terrace$$ | United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, The Abu Dhabi Edition, Al Bateen MarinaA healthier brunch alternative inside the EDITION.
Photos: An Inside Look at Abu Dhabi
Beyond the glitter, the hype, and the superlatives—the world’s tallest buildings, biggest artificial ski slopes, and most fantastic wonder malls—lie authentic bedouin civilizations. We look closer at Abu Dhabi's past...and future.
More from Abu Dhabi
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Places to Stay
The 15 Best Hotels in Abu Dhabi
Classic Arabian hospitality and striking views are never too far away in the UAE capital.
News & Advice
Abu Dhabi's Long-Awaited Zayed National Museum Is Slated to Open in December
The long-awaited museum will join Louvre Abu Dhabi in Saadiyat Island's ever-growing Cultural District.
News & Advice
Disney Is Opening Its First Theme Park in the Middle East, Here's Everything You Should Know
As Disney announces its first theme park in the Middle East, we take a closer look at everything we know so far.
Destinations
Abu Dhabi’s Best Homegrown Design Stores
From eveningwear to jewelry and home goods, these local brands have much to offer.
Inspiration
The Louvre Abu Dhabi Will Open This Week—Here's What to Expect
Masterworks from France—and around the world—will go on view in a new home in the United Arab Emirates.
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