If your trip to Abu Dhabi is a fleeting visit with only one day to explore the capital, then you’re going to want to make every second count.
Luckily, there’s plenty to do, see and experience in just 24 hours in Abu Dhabi.
To spend your 24 hours in Abu Dhabi, we recommend starting your day at the crack of dawn with a kayaking trip around the Eastern Mangroves before the heat hits and gets too much. Hire the kayaks from Noukhada Adventure Company and start your adventurous day weaving in and out of the lush greenery. While you’re at it, keep an eye out for wildlife, find pristine white beaches and enjoy all the sights.
Once you get dried off, there’ll only be one thing on your mind: breakfast. To get an authentic taste of the city, head to Shay Madhboot in Al Muroor – a casual family run café serving Middle Eastern breakfast dishes for purse-friendly prices. Famed for its signature Karak, it’s a real treat for those with a sweet tooth.
After satisfying your stomachs, it’s time to visit Abu Dhabi’s most famous locations, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. If you live here or have visited before the chances are you’ve already been (we know we have) but the stunning beauty of the mosque never fails to impress. Take a walk around the amazing attraction and get those pictures to make friends and family back home jealous.
From there, make a quick trip to the Heritage Village to explore the awesome reconstruction of a traditional Emirati settlement. It’s a really cool way to connect with old Abu Dhabi, with a souk, craft workshops and even a camel among the star attractions. The adjacent beach with a handful of abandoned wooden boats make for yet another beautiful picture opportunity.
At this point you’ll probably want a bit of a break, so it’s time to spend a chilled few hours at Nation Riviera Beach Club at The St. Regis Abu Dhabi. Go to the stunning hotel first before taking the underground tunnel to the beach club. The pool is surrounded by palm trees and once you’ve swam, read and sunbathed enough, you’ll be ready for another bite to eat.
For a tasty lunch, check out SALT, the region’s first food truck business. Here you’ll find some of the best burgers in town. Once you’ve picked yours up, it’s time to visit another one of Abu Dhabi’s greatest attractions, the Louvre on Saadiyat Island. The picture perfect structure is a sight to see in its own right but with permanent galleries showcasing historical wonders and world-famous paintings, as well as ever-changing exhibitions, there’s loads to see even in a short visit.
The sun will soon be setting by now and while we love the hustle and bustle of the city, beyond the bright lights and skyscrapers Abu Dhabi is at its heart a stunning desert and no trip here is complete without exploring the dunes. So why not spend the night under the stars with Arabian Nights Village, or go glamping at the stunning Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara or at Jebel Hafeet Desert Park? Not only are there endless dining options but it’ll be an overall magical experience to say the least.
Fancy spending 24 hours in Abu Dhabi? Get going.
