We present you with the 2 days Perfect Abu Dhabi itinerary.
Abu Dhabi, the Emirates’ proud capital, is a stunning mix of islands connected by canals and surrounded by mangroves. This city shines with landmarks like the sandy Louvre, Ferrari World, the beach promenade, the Sorbonne Dome, and the White Fort. It’s elegant, standing proud without arrogance, where the desert meets the sea and the horizon calls more than the heights.
The city is a masterpiece of modern urban planning, created by the world’s wealthiest. From November to March, enjoy perfect weather—cool days between 20° and 25°, sea at 22°, with sun, a bit of fog, and occasional showers. It’s the ideal time for exploring, dining outdoors with top chefs, and enjoying vibrant evenings.
Table of Contents
HIGHLIGHTS
The Corniche
- The Corniche stretches 8 km, perfect for walking and cycling, linking Mina port to Al Kasir pier. This scenic route, full of parks and beaches, runs along a sheltered marine basin protected by Lulu Island and the Lulu Peninsula. A stroll from Official Park to St. Regis, about 5 km, offers refreshing air, coffee stops, and photo ops of this beautifully landscaped waterfront, showcasing the city’s architectural evolution. A must-see is the Al Ain Palace with its mosaic gazelle, vintage photos, and 70s oil business vibe.
The Perfect Dining Spot
- Paradiso offers Mediterranean delights like stuffed vegetables, virgin oil puree, and frosted lemon. The menu blends Niçoise, Italian, and Levantine flavors, echoing the essence of good living with a nod to Riviera’s glam past. Open from 10 am for coffee and croissants, it serves Sicilian cannolo in the afternoon, and fritto misto during Spritz time from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Dinner features botanical cocktails by star barman Emanuele Balestra, using rooftop-grown plants. Dishes start from €80. Paradiso, Yas Bay Pier 71. Phone: +971 50437 2869
Hotel Highlight
- Just 10 minutes from Jean Nouvel’s Louvre, where “time sparkles and dreams are knowledge,” the St. Regis Saadiyat offers a luxurious retreat. With historic charm, including a mural behind the bar and butler service, this hotel blends elegance with modern comfort. Enjoy amber tones, marine touches, and proximity to the town and Yas Island. Try the house Bloody Mary with zaatar at Buddha Bar Beach. Rooms start at €500 for a 55 m² space overlooking the pool. St. Regis Saadiyat, Al Sa’Diyat – Abu Dhabi. Phone: +971 2498 8888
DAY 1
Morning
- Wake up to a fresh morning, your flight has landed the evening before. It’s time to explore the city. Hop in a taxi and glide through wide avenues and flower-filled parks. Head to the roots of the city, where Abu Dhabi’s identity was born. The city, curious about its origins, promotes its history through the Department of Culture & Tourism. The Louvre is here for a reason.
- Start with a coffee at Wild & The Moon, a trendy spot at the Cultural Foundation
- and then visit the beautiful white fort, Qasr Al Hosn. This 18th-century fort was once the official residence of Sheikh Zayed until 1972. It’s magnificently restored, featuring a fort built in 1939 with sandstone and coral towers. The British surveyor Wilfred Thesiger was the first Westerner here in 1948.
- As noon approaches, head to the Observation Deck at 300 in the Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers. From the 74th floor, enjoy a breathtaking view of the city’s modern beauty where V8s have replaced camels.
Lunch Break
- After descending from the heights, choose a terrace for lunch. Try the Cascades at Emirates Palace for Thai specialties and pasta, priced around €25.
- Alternatively, enjoy the new terrace at West Bay Lounge on the Radisson Blu beach
- or the Cabana Beach Grill at the St. Regis.
Afternoon
- From the Corniche, take a taxi to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a 25-minute ride away. This grand mosque, open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Fridays from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.), is a masterpiece and a lasting legacy of the founding father. You can explore its 22,000 m² of grandeur, designed by Moroccans, built by the British, and adorned by Italians, Turks, Syrians, and Iranians. Marvel at the thousand columns decorated with mother-of-pearl and agate, the courtyard with 30 million pieces of marble, the Persian Meched with two and a half million knots, 107-meter-high minarets, and a nine-ton chandelier. At night, the mosque is illuminated by 20,000 projectors that change colors in tune with the moon’s phases.
- After visiting the mosque, take a 10-minute taxi ride to The Souk at Qaryat Al Beri, an elegant complex of shops and restaurants. This micro-mall, embedded in the Shangri-La, sits by the maritime canal and is accessed via the historic Al Maqta Bridge built in 1967 by Austrians. Here, you can browse photos at Gallery One, discover the luxurious Omani perfumes Amouage, and enjoy a refreshing menthol lemonade from Abd El Wahab or a treat at the Bedouin cafe at Camel Cookies .
- If you’re hungry, consider dining at Entrecôte Café-de-Paris, known for its Geneva butter.
- Depending on your location, you might want to visit Qasr Al Watan, the new semi-public palace of the emirs. Located near the Emirates Palace and built by Spaniards from Acciona, this colossal palace offers sound and light shows (last admission at 6:15 p.m.).
Evening
As night falls, Abu Dhabi offers many stunning spots to choose from:
- On Al Maryah Island, enjoy the delightful Tomatini, artichoke from Provence, and LPM stuffed biscuits at LPM. This spot captures the chic spirit of the Riviera, exported worldwide by fans of Dame Nicole.
- Across the water, savor seafood dishes at Finz of Beach Rotana, right by the water’s edge.
- Over in Marsa Al Bateen Marina, the Marriott Edition boasts new palm trees and Alba Terrace, a “global” bistro managed by Tom Aikens, a former two-star Michelin chef.
- Nearby, the Intercontinental, with its re-chic 80s interiors, stands proud before the prettiest marina. Stroll through Antiboise to the Fishmarket, an uber-kitsch fish restaurant right on the beach.
- If you’re near Maqta, head to the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr for Marco Pierre White’s fish & chips in a lavish setting.
For a final drink with a change of scenery try:
- A Moscow Mule at the rooftop Level Lounge in the Crowne Plaza.
- On Maryah, dare the Black Panda at the Shanghainese speakeasy Dragon’s Tooth, hidden in the Rosewood.
- At the St. Regis Corniche’s Azura Lounge, surrender to a late-night Sancerre with your feet in the sand at the Breeze Lounge.
DAY 2
Morning
- Start your day with a visit to the Louvre Abu Dhabi (10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., closed on Mondays). This architectural marvel by Jean Nouvel, with its rain of light through the dome and the reflections of the water, offers a unique sensory experience. As you walk through its galleries, you’ll travel through the history of art, celebrating the genius of humanity.
- After your cultural journey, treat yourself to a meal at Fouquet’s from the Gagnaire stable, known for its exquisite tartare and vanilla millefeuille.
Lunch break
Saadiyat Island, with its 15 km Blue Flag beach facing the open sea, is home to both elegant and grand resorts. A 10-minute drive along Jacques Chirac Street takes you to the St. Regis and Park Hyatt, followed by the Saadiyat Beach Club and Jumeirah.
You can pick from four great terraces:
- Mazi: Enjoy grilled octopus at this lovely Greek spot from London by Adrien Carré.
- Beach House: Savor linguine with clams right by the beach.
- Hawksbill: Feast on the shoulder of lamb with views of Gary Player’s Par 72 golf course.
- Safina: Try a salmon poke bowl by the 650 m² pool, in a chic club
Afternoon
- If you resist the call of idleness, an exciting choice awaits. Just 10 minutes away is the new Jubail Mangrove Park, where you can walk 1 or 2 km on pedestrian paths over the green waters of the mangrove or opt for a kayak ride, best enjoyed during high tides.
- A 20-minute drive away, the tranquil birdsong gives way to the roar of racing cars at Ferrari World. Here, kids can race in go-karts while you admire Scuderia masterpieces in the museum. For a thrill, try driving one of the cars (€200) or experience the adrenaline rush of Formula Rossa, a roller coaster hitting speeds of 240 km/h and 4.8 G.
- Afterward, recover with some shopping at the nearby Yas Mall and indulge in Ladurée macarons.
Evening
Dinner on Yas Island
- For this second evening in Dhabi, stay in the vibrant Yas Island area. This leisure hub is well-known for its Formula 1 circuit designed by Philippe Gurdjian. You can even spend 20 minutes in an Aston Martin GT4 (Thu-Sat 6 p.m.-10 p.m.) for €430. To get your bearings and choose restaurants and accommodations, remember the four key areas: Ferrari-Yas Mall-Waterworld-Warner Bros World, Yas Marina Circuit around the W hotel, Yas Links Golf with its Radisson Blu, and the new Yas Bay resort.
In the culinary scene, a few spots stand out.
- For elegant pasta, head to the Italian Amici
- and explore the W hotel, a stunning creation with 5000 diodes, resembling a glass-metal jellyfish in quartz white. The best view of this architectural marvel is from across the marina, where several lively bistros like Stars N Bars await. Stars N Bars offers a fun burger dinner with motorsport decor, similar to its Monaco counterpart.
- For a “wow” experience, choose Cipriani, with its deck facing the luminous W. Enjoy their signature Bellini from Harry’s and tagliatelle with veal ragout.
- A 10-minute taxi ride away, find a refreshing zen stop at Filini Garden trattoria by the Radisson Blu, perfect for enjoying green velvet views of Yas Links Par 72 by Kyle Phillips and musical evenings.
- End the night at Yas Bay, a commercial complex along the canal. Two nightlife icons stand out: Café del Mar, the new Ibiza-style spot, and Siddharta Lounge, a French-style terrace on the pier shared with Paradiso.
- For those staying in Saadiyat, enjoy the Buddha-Bar Beach concept, already popular in Mauritius and Mykonos.
UNIQUE HOTEL CHOICES FOR YOUR ABU DHABI ITINERARY
LUXURY
Shangri-La
- For the past 15 years, Shangri-La has stood guard at the Al Maqta inlet, the final post on dry land facing Abu Dhabi Island, with a perfect view of the great mosque. Though he may have a few wrinkles in an often noisy urban and aquatic environment, the ksar of the Malaysian brand, with interiors by Trisha Wilson (known for the Venetian in Vegas and the Palace in Lost City), remains a top choice for experiencing the city’s unique atmosphere. Close to the charming Qaryat Al Beri shopping mall and a variety of waterfront terrace restaurants, it’s also near some great night bars. The oriental-zen rooms with balconies, a divine swimming pool, and a pedestrian waterfront all contribute to its appeal. It’s anything but a bland glass and steel structure, offering the historic charm reminiscent of a Wong Kar-wai film set. Rates start from €250.
PRICES AND AVAILABILITY WITH BOOKING.COM
Shangri-La , Qaryat Al Beri, +971 2509 8888
Emirates Palace
- A masterpiece by British town planner John Elliott, this divine palace has gracefully entered middle age, untouched by anything except the joy of its uniqueness. Now under the Mandarin Oriental flag, it was once the world’s most expensive hotel at $3 billion. Spanning 100 hectares, it has as many elevators, 114 domes, 1000 Swarovski chandeliers, and a 1300-meter beach strip at Al Akhdar point. It’s a fortress of state secrets, crystal, marble, and gold, with impeccably groomed sand, embodying power in stone and serving as Abu Dhabi’s center of the world. Indulge in the multi-bling experience: sip a Smoky Negroni on the terrace of Hakkasan (an annex of the Michelin-starred London), savor wood-fired sea bream at BBQ Al Qasr, or take a bike ride in the park. Too much? Perhaps. Too good? Definitely. Rates start from €1000.
PRICES AND AVAILABILITY WITH BOOKING.COM
Emirates Palace. Tel. : + 971 2690 8888
Also read: Best Luxury Hotels In Abu Dhabi.
MORE BUDGET-FRIENDLY CHOICES
- For more budget-friendly top hotel hotel choices read this post.
