Daytrip Abu Dhabi
Daytrip to Abu Dhabi from Dubai
After five days in Dubai, where we stayed with friends of our family, we decided to rent a car to explore the rest of the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Our first stop outside Dubai was Abu Dhabi – a popular day trip from Dubai and definitely worth it.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
The highlight of Abu Dhabi is without doubt the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. This impressive mosque is one of the largest in the world and can welcome more than 40,000 visitors at the same time. The white marble domes, the huge courtyard and the elegant arches leave you speechless. Inside you’ll find the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet and crystal chandeliers that are truly stunning.
We had heard that in 2025 the dress code rules had become stricter. So in Dubai we bought two traditional outfits: a kandura for men and an abaya for women. When we arrived, we saw that long sleeves, long trousers and a headscarf for women were still enough to enter. Still, the outfits gave us a nice look for photos – and later in Oman they were also very useful!
Louvre Abu Dhabi
After the mosque, we drove to the Louvre Abu Dhabi. This museum is not only special because of its art collection, but also because of the building itself. Designed by architect Jean Nouvel, the huge dome with thousands of openings creates a magical play of light. Inside you can see artworks from all over the world, from ancient objects to modern paintings. The museum beautifully shows how cultures and time periods are connected.
Emirates Heritage Village
Our last stop of the day was the Emirates Heritage Village. Here you get an idea of traditional Emirati life before oil was discovered. You can walk past replicas of old houses, see craftsmen at work and visit a small museum. It is a calm contrast to the modern skyscrapers of Abu Dhabi and a nice way to learn more about the country’s culture and history.
Wahat Al Karama
At the end of the day, we also visited Wahat Al Karama (Oasis of Dignity), a memorial site directly opposite the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. This is one of the most beautiful spots to take photos of the mosque. A thin layer of water on the square creates a stunning reflection of the white domes. At sunset the view is magical – the perfect way to finish your day trip to Abu Dhabi.
Takeaway: Daytrip Abu Dhabi
A day trip to Abu Dhabi from Dubai is absolutely worth it. The city feels calmer than Dubai, but it is still large and modern. We spent one day here, including the travel time from Dubai, and stayed overnight. Looking back, Abu Dhabi is big enough to spend several days. Besides the Grand Mosque, Louvre and Heritage Village, you can also visit Qasr Al Watan (the presidential palace) or simply explore the city centre.
For us, Abu Dhabi was the perfect first stop on our road trip through the UAE and Oman – a city where impressive architecture, art and culture come together.