The magazine
Stories from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Every story, long read and guide in the ULTIMATE Abu Dhabi City Guide, in one place.
Areas
Abu Dhabi, island by island
Eight areas, each with its own guide: Saadiyat’s museums and beach, the theme parks of Yas, the towers of Al Maryah, the fort at Al Hosn and the Corniche, the palaces of Al Ras Al Akhdar, the port at Al Mina, the Grand Mosque on the creek and the mangroves of the eastern shore.
Neighbourhood guideSaadiyat IslandMuseums and the turtle beach
Neighbourhood guideYas IslandTheme parks and the circuit
Neighbourhood guideAl Maryah & Al ReemTowers and terraces
Neighbourhood guideThe Corniche & Al HosnWhere the city began
Neighbourhood guideAl Ras Al Akhdar & Al BateenPalaces and the marinaWhich island?
Stay on Saadiyat for the beach and the museums, on the Corniche for the city, and on Yas for the theme parks and the Grand Prix.
History
History & heritage
The oases of Al Ain and their Bronze Age tombs, the pearling town around Qasr Al Hosn, the union of 1971 and the museum island of today.
History & heritageAbu Dhabi: from the oases to the island capitalA pearling town, a fort and a capital of islandsPractical
Before you go
Visas and the seasons, the airport and the complimentary visitor shuttles, and the itineraries that work for a first visit.
Before you goAbu Dhabi essentialsVisas, 999 and the seasons
Getting aroundGetting aroundShuttles, taxis and the train
ItineraryAbu Dhabi in three daysThe fort, the mosque and the Louvre
ItineraryA day on the museum islandOne pass, three museums
Luxury guideLUX LivingThe finest addressesGetting about
The Experience Abu Dhabi shuttle links the airport and downtown with the Louvre and The Galleria, at no charge.
Our advice
Book the Grand Mosque for late afternoon
Visitors pre-book an online access pass; go in the late afternoon, when the white marble turns gold and the courtyard fills with light. The Grand Mosque
Day trips
Beyond Abu Dhabi
The oasis city of Al Ain, the great dunes of Liwa, the wildlife island of Sir Bani Yas, and Dubai an hour away by train.
Beyond Abu DhabiAl AinThe oasis city
Beyond Abu DhabiLiwa & the Empty QuarterThe great dunes
Beyond Abu DhabiSir Bani Yas IslandThe wildlife islandOur advice
Kayak the mangroves at high tide
Mangrove National Park is best explored by kayak or paddleboard at high tide, with a licensed operator from the Eastern Mangroves promenade. Mangrove National Park
In depth
In depth: the stories behind Abu Dhabi
The great sights from the Grand Mosque to Yas, the table from Erth to the fish market, the arts under the Louvre’s dome, the hotels, getting around and what a foreign buyer should know: the stories behind Abu Dhabi.
In depth: nature & wildlifeWild Abu DhabiFlamingos, turtles and oryx
The back storyAbu Dhabi at the tableStars, the souk and the Emirati kitchen
The back storyUnder the domeFrom the Louvre to the GuggenheimAt the table
Three MICHELIN stars, two of them in Emirates Palace; but start with the Emirati kitchens: Erth, Al Mrzab and Meylas.