Things to do in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi · 8.1 km from downtown

1.8k reviews

Louvre Abu Dhabi is located in the cultural district of Saadiyat Island. As an art museum jointly established by the UAE and France, it opened to the public in November 2017. The building was designed by French architect Jean Nouvel. The entire museum consists of dozens of small white structures, with seawater channeled between them, creating the distant appearance of a "museum city" floating on the sea. Above it spans a giant perforated dome approx. 180 m in diameter, composed of over 7,000 layered star-shaped components. Sunlight filters through the gaps, casting dappled patterns on walls and water surfaces. Inspired by sunlight filtering through palm trees in an oasis, this effect is called the "rain of light" and has become the museum's signature visual. •Visit the honeycomb "floating" dome and cuboid architecture of the museum •Admire the amazing artworks and artifacts on loan from the Louvre and other French museums •Learn and witness how art connects past civilizations through the passage of time △Louvre Abu Dhabi is a new cultural beacon that brings different cultures together and sheds new light on the shared story of humanity. △Louvre Abu Dhabi combines the bold vision of the UAE's cultural progress and openness with France's expertise in art and museums. It explores common themes that reveal and connect humanity. △It represents the vitality of the contemporary Arab world while celebrating the region's vibrant multicultural heritage.

2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

8.6

4.6/5

1.6k reviews

•The exterior of Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi resembles an alien flying saucer, with a massive Ferrari logo printed on its red canopy. •Here is the Ferrari racing exhibition hall where visitors can enjoy viewing numerous classic and contemporary Ferrari racing series. •The roller coaster can reach speeds of 240 km, making riders scream with excitement. △Visit the pre-race parking lot of Ferrari to experience the tools used in racing and training firsthand, and change tires for an F1 car. Speed of magic: Follow a young boy on a magical 4D journey through a fantastical, ever-changing wonderland where Ferrari sports cars have never ventured in reality. △Made in Maranello: A virtual journey where visitors can peek behind the walls of the renowned Ferrari Maranello factory to witness the making of Ferrari sports cars. Scuderia challenge: A racing simulator comparable to those used by Ferrari drivers in training. Visitors with valid admission tickets for Yas Island theme parks can enjoy free Yas express service. The Yas express primarily provides shuttle services between attractions on Yas Island, as well as round-trip transportation services to Dubai, Saadiyat Island and surrounding hotels. The bus offers convenient island tours along designated routes with designated stops, making it easy for visitors to explore various attractions on Yas Island. For specific routes and schedules, please refer to the attached image.

Abu Dhabi · 24.5 km from downtown

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Qasr Al Watan

8.4

Abu Dhabi · 6.2 km from downtown

1.2k reviews

The visitor experience at Qasr Al Watan is an inspiring and educational tour of Emirati and Arabian excellence. Here, visitors will learn about the principles that have propelled traditional Arabian design to remarkable status. Visitors will also gain a rare insight into Emirati governance and culture through the Palace's exhibits. Most notably, visitors will enjoy exploring the expansive selection of timeless books and manuscripts at House of Knowledge and Qasr Al Watan Library.

2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

SeaWorld® Yas Island

8.4

Abu Dhabi · 25.6 km from downtown

265 reviews

SeaWorld® Yas Island is located on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE, and opened to the public in May 2023. It is the first marine life theme park under the SeaWorld brand to land in the Middle East after expanding beyond the United States. The entire park is built within a five-story indoor space with a total area of approx. 180,000 square meters. Centered around the "One Ocean" storyline, eight themed zones connect the marine ecosystems from the Arabian Gulf to the polar regions into a complete touring route. The park holds approx. 58 million liters of water and is home to over 150 species and more than 100,000 marine animals. The core "Endless Ocean" aquarium holds approx. 25 million liters of water, where sharks, rays, and schools of fish swim through the massive tank. The vertical viewing window "Endless Vista," spanning multiple floors, is a popular photo spot in the park, and the spectacular "vortex" formed by tens of thousands of sardines is truly awe-inspiring. The "Abu Dhabi Ocean" area showcases the ecology of the Arabian Gulf and the history of local Bedouin pearl diving, where you can see gentle dugongs and even touch rays and starfish in the touch pool; the "Arctic" and "Antarctic" polar zones are home to polar animals such as walruses, sea otters, puffins, king penguins, and gentoo penguins; "Rocky Point" houses California sea lions and harbor seals, with a dedicated theater hosting sea lion behavior presentations; "Tropical Ocean" features bottlenose dolphins and flamingos, and the launch roller coaster "Manta" is also located here; "Micro Ocean" is like an underwater playground built for children, where indoor family coasters and other rides are concentrated. The hub area "One Ocean" presents the "One Epic Ocean" themed show on a 360-degree surround screen, and the pearl diving-themed performance is also a long-running resident show in the park—it's worth planning your schedule ahead to catch it. Because the park is entirely indoors, it is unaffected by outdoor heat and weather, making it comfortable even at midday in midsummer and suitable for a leisurely visit of half a day to a full day; staff are stationed in each themed area to give talks on animal knowledge, so you can ask questions directly when you encounter them; families with children are advised to allow plenty of time for the "mini ocean" and the touch pool. The aquarium is designed around the "One Ocean" thematic storyline, featuring multiple immersive experience zones that connect different marine ecosystems. It mainly includes eight themed areas such as "Abu Dhabi Ocean" (showcasing the Arabian Gulf ecosystem and local pearl diving culture), "Endless Ocean," "Tropical Ocean," "Arctic Ocean," "Southern Ocean," "Sea Lion Bay," and "Micro Ocean."

2025 Global 50 - Cool Water Escapes

Yas Island

8.3

Abu Dhabi · 24.2 km from downtown

93 reviews

Located in Abu Dhabi, it covers an area of about 25 square kilometers. Abu Dhabi Ferrari World Theme Park is built on the island, including Yas Marina Holiday Hotel, Water Park Hotel, Shopping Center, Movie Theme Park, Golf Course, Lagoon Hotel, Yachting, Polo Club, Apartments, Villas and Restaurants, etc. There is also a Ferrari theme park and an F1 circuit, which is a comprehensive tourist destination. Starting from February, Yas Express will be provided exclusively for guests holding valid tickets to Yas Island Theme Park. This open and free island bus primarily offers shuttle services between attractions within Yas Island, as well as transportation services to and from Dubai, Saadiyat Island, and hotels within the area. The bus provides convenient navigation around the island and offers pick-up and drop-off services along designated routes to explore the attractions of Yas Island. Please refer to the attached image for specific routes and schedules.

No. 3 of Family-friendly Attractions in United Arab Emirates

teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi

7.5

Abu Dhabi · 7.8 km from downtown

193 reviews

teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi is a permanent immersive digital art venue created by art collective teamLab in the Saadiyat Cultural District of Abu Dhabi. Scheduled to open to the public in 2025, it shares the coastal cultural zone with Louvre Abu Dhabi. The approx. 17,000 m² venue features a pure white, cloud-like undulating exterior where indoor and outdoor spaces blend seamlessly. Its massive interconnected exhibition halls make the architecture itself a work of art worth contemplating. This place continues teamLab's creative philosophy of "the environment creates phenomena, and phenomena generate artworks": the artworks do not exist independently but are composed of phenomena continuously generated by air, water, and light in a specific environment, constantly changing with the audience's movements. Notable works include "Massless suns and dark suns," which explores the concept of "existence" through luminous and dark spheres without physical surfaces; there are also luminous sculptures suspended in mid-air that visitors can walk into, as well as waterfalls formed by falling light particles and a universe of flowing water particles filling the entire space. For family-friendly fun, we recommend "Sketch nature": draw your own creatures and release them into the ecosystem, watching them forage, reproduce, or get preyed upon by other creatures. If you need a break, visit the lamp tea house for a cup of tea—the tea comes to life with changing light and sound, and the artwork disappears once you drink it. Before leaving, you can also visit the sketch factory to turn your drawings into souvenirs like badges and T-shirts. The venue has no map, no fixed route, and no artwork descriptions at the entrance, leaving exploration entirely to your curiosity. Each visit follows a different path with unique discoveries. The space is dimly lit with some artworks involving water, so we recommend wearing dark-colored, comfortable clothing for ease of movement.

2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

Warner Bros. World™ Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

Warner Bros. World™ Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

7.5

4.6/5

415 reviews

• Experience everything you can imagine! • Meet your favorite characters • Explore the rides, buckle up, and enjoy the journey △The park is themed around Warner Bros.' classic characters and story worlds and features six themed zones: Warner Bros. Plaza recreates the old Hollywood style, Gotham City and Metropolis are based on the fictional cities of Batman and Superman respectively, Cartoon Junction brings together classic cartoon scenes such as Tom and Jerry and Scooby-Doo, Bedrock is themed around The Flintstones, and Dynamite Gulch presents a mixed style of the Wild West and science fiction. △ Rides and attractions:Warner Bros. World™ Yas Island, Abu DhabiIt has a variety of rides and attractions suitable for all ages. From thrilling roller coasters and 4D interactive experiences to family-friendly rides and live entertainment, everyone can find an activity that suits them. Some popular attractions include "Batman: Knight Flight," "Scooby-Doo: The Mystery Museum," and "Tom and Jerry: Swiss Cheese Spin." △ Character meet-and-greets: A major highlight of the park is the opportunity to meet and interact with beloved Warner Bros. characters. Visitors can take photos, get autographs, and enjoy unforgettable encounters with iconic figures such as Batman, Superman, Bugs Bunny, and Wonder Woman. The Yas Island shuttle bus is exclusively for guests holding a valid Yas Island theme park admission ticket and primarily provides transfer services between Yas Island,Round-trip services between Dubai and the attraction, as well as round-trip services between hotels and the attraction. The shuttle provides convenient navigation around the island, with routes offering transfer service to explore Yas Island attractions. See the map for routes and specific departure time slots.

Abu Dhabi · 23.7 km from downtown

No. 14 of Best Things to Do in United Arab Emirates

Zayed National Museum

7.3

Abu Dhabi · 8.5 km from downtown

93 reviews

The Zayed National Museum is located in the heart of Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Cultural District. It is a landmark site that blends history, culture, and innovation. Through immersive exhibitions, in-depth research, and a diverse public education program, the museum upholds Sheikh Zayed's vision and his commitment to progress, cooperation, and cultural heritage. The museum was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Lord Norman Foster and his firm, Foster + Partners. Its iconic features are five soaring steel towers, inspired by the outstretched wings of a falcon. Rising 123 meters, they are the tallest buildings in the district. The towers combine traditional building forms with natural ventilation, reflecting the museum's commitment to sustainability and a sense of cultural belonging. With a total construction area of 88,870 square meters, the design blends ancient passive energy-saving techniques with modern technologies to adapt to the UAE's climate. Innovative systems include geothermal cooling, radiant floor technology, solar panels, and intelligent water management. The Al Masar Garden, a 600-meter-long outdoor gallery planted with local, drought-tolerant plants, showcases Sheikh Zayed's life against a backdrop of desert, oasis, and cityscapes. Some of the plants will also be used in the museum's restaurant. The museum will vividly showcase the history, culture, and stories of the UAE, from prehistory to the present day. The collection encompasses over 3,000 artifacts, approximately 1,500 of which will be on display, covering 300,000 years of human history, spanning the Paleolithic, Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages, the Islamic period, and modern history. The exhibition features six permanent galleries across two floors. The six exhibition halls are themed: 1. Our Beginning – showcasing the life, legacy and values of Sheikh Zayed; 2. Through Our Nature – exploring the formation of natural landscapes and their impact on human life; 3. To Our Ancestors – presenting evidence of human activity and early trade exchanges dating back 300,000 years; 4. Through Our Connections – exploring the region's role as a crossroads of the ancient world and the spread of Islam; 5. By Our Coasts – showcasing the culture of the UAE's coastal communities, from pearling and fishing to seafaring trade; 6. To Our Roots – showcasing inland traditions from deserts, oases and mountains, and the intangible cultural heritage passed down through generations.

2026 Asia 100 - Night Attractions

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

7.3

Abu Dhabi · 12.5 km from downtown

768 reviews

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is located in Abu Dhabi and is one of the largest mosques in the United Arab Emirates. The entire mosque is characterized by its pure white marble. The stone was sourced from countries including Italy, India, China, and North Macedonia. The columns and walls are inlaid with semi-precious stones such as lapis lazuli, amethyst, and mother-of-pearl to create floral and vine patterns, using the Pietra Dura inlay technique originating from Italy. The mosque's core highlights are concentrated in the main prayer hall. The floor is covered by a handmade wool carpet measuring approximately 5,600 square meters, hand-woven by approximately 1,200 Iranian artisans over nearly two years, with no visible seams. The carpet's patterns echo those of the giant chandeliers overhead. The mosque features 7 chandeliers custom-made in Munich, Germany, all adorned with millions of Swarovski crystals and plated with 24K gold. The columns are another iconic element of the mosque; the capitals of the more than 1,000 exterior columns are decorated with gold-plated date palm leaf motifs, creating a striking contrast with the pure white marble. The courtyard covers approximately 17,000 square meters, and its floor features floral patterns made of marble mosaic, designed by British artist Kevin Dean, incorporating tulips, lilies, and irises from the Middle East.

No. 9 of Best Things to Do in Abu Dhabi

Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi

6.8

4.9/5

53 reviews

The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi is a new museum set to open in the Saadiyat Cultural District in 2025. It's designed to take visitors on an epic journey spanning 13.8 billion years of Earth's history and a look at our planet's future.

Abu Dhabi · 7.8 km from downtown

No. 16 of Night Attractions in United Arab Emirates

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Abu Dhabi Today's weatherClear 25-36℃

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Free things to do in Abu Dhabi

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8.3

Abu Dhabi · 24.2 km from downtown

93 reviews

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6.3

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