Let’s learn about the amazing Middle East city of Abu Dhabi.

Where is Abu Dhabi?

Abu Dhabi is the Capital City of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a Middle Eastern country.

Abu Dhabi is also the name of the Emirate (or “state”) in which it is located.

Where is the UAE located?

The UAE is situated on the Arabian Peninsula.  To its southeast, you will find Oman, and to the southwest, Saudi Arabia.   The country faces the Persian Gulf (or Arabian Gulf, depending on who you ask) and the Gulf of Oman to the east.

Is Abu Dhabi a country?

No, it is one of seven “Emirates” (or states) of the United Arab Emirates.

Is Abu Dhabi In Dubai?

No, a common misconception is that Dubai is actually the country, whereas Dubai is an Emirate, just like Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi is by far the largest of the seven Emirates of the UAE, but Dubai is the most populous (and arguably the best internationally known, hence the confusion).

You can learn more facts about Dubai here.

What are the seven emirates of the UAE?

From west to east, they are:

• Abu Dhabi
• Dubai
• Sharjah
• Ajman
• Umm Al Quwain
• Ras al Khaimah
• Fujairah

Abu Dubai?

There is no such thing as Abu Dubai!! This is just people getting the two UAE cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai mixed up.

What continent is Abu Dhabi in?

The Arabian Peninsula is part of Asia. Most of the Middle East is on the Asian continent, with the exceptions of Egypt (Africa), Turkey (partly Europe), and Cyprus (closer to the Middle East but part of the EU), thefere Abu Dhabi is in Asia.

You can learn more about the rest of the Middle East on our partner site familytravel-middleeast.com

How big is Abu Dhabi?

Abu Dhabi Emirate covers over 67,300 square kilometres, which is about 87% of the total landmass of the UAE, 83,600 square kilometres (114^th largest country in the world).

The city of Abu Dhabi – or Abu Dhabi Metropolitan Area, is 972 square kilometres, spread over several islands and the mainland of the UAE.

What is Abu Dhabi’s population?

The Statistic Centre Abu Dhabi has reported that as of 2023, the population of the Abu Dhabi Emirate is 3,789,860, of which 66% reside in metro Abu Dhabi (2.5 million).

The split between males and females is 67%/33%, mainly due to the high number of expatriate labourers from southern Asia.

Statistics from the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority appear outdated; however, other external sources estimate that the UAE population is between 9.9 million and 11.7 million.

Note that the UAE’s population primarily comprises expatriate workers – some sources claim up to 90%!

Is Abu Dhabi bigger than Dubai?

By land size, yes! By a long way. By population, though, Dubai is the larger city, believed to have a population of 3.77 million (Dubai Statistics Centre – August 2024).

Can you easily get between Abu Dhabi and Dubai?

Absolutely, the two cities are connected by road (there is no commuter train yet, but watch out for Etihad Rail and the touted ultra-high-speed Hyperloop!).

There’s a great detailed guide here that explains all the different ways you can get between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, sitting approximately 160 kilometres apart.

Travelling between the two cities can take one to two hours, depending on your start and finish point in each city.

Note that whilst there’s normally no border crossing point between the two Emirates, a border checkpoint was erected between the neighbours during the peak of COVID. Visitors from Dubai to Abu Dhabi emirate had to show they were COVID-negative or, later, a “Green pass” to cross the border.

The border crossing point is no longer used, an a Green pass is no longer required in Abu Dhabi Emirate.

What does Abu Dhabi mean?

In Arabic, it means “Land of the Gazelle”.

How old is Abu Dhabi?

There is evidence of human life in what is now the Abu Dhabi Emirate dating back 5000 years. Abu Dhabi city’s current location on the Gulf Coast dates back to the 18th century, when it was just a fishing and pearl-diving village for decades.

The discovery of oil in the 1930s started the change in the Gulf nations previously known as the Trucial States. The British withdrew from the region in the late 1960s, and a new country was born—the United Arab Emirates.

The UAE federated on 2 December 1971 under the guidance of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan, who went on to become the country’s first ruler.

This is considered the beginning of modern-day UAE and the country’s birth date.

Interesting Reads on UAE History

Who is the head of Abu Dhabi

After the country’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan passed away in 2004, power was passed on to his first son – Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan.

Sheikh Khalifa passed away on 13 May 2022; the former Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed (MBZ) took charge and is the current ruler (Emir) of Abu Dhabi and the President de Jure of the United Arab Emirates.

The Federal Supreme Council—the seven Emirs from the seven Emirates of the UAE—determines the President and Prime Minister of the country (currently Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Emir of Dubai).

The country also has a Federal National Council with 40 seats; members are elected by Emirati citizens with varying seats determined by each Emirates’ size.

Is Abu Dhabi rich?

In relative terms to the rest of the world, yes.  The UAE holds the 7th largest oil reserves in the world, and those oil reserves sit vastly within the desert regions of Abu Dhabi bordering Saudi Arabia.

How hot does it get in Abu Dhabi?

It is no secret that this is a desert city, and things get HOT in the summer! And by hot, we mean upwards of 45°c/113°F in July and August. And don’t forget the humidity that joins the party, too, particularly in September; the “feels like” temperature in Abu Dhabi regularly ticks over 50°c/122°F.

But it’s not all bad news; there are plenty of months of the year when you get clear sunny days, blue skies, warm water, and perfect beach weather.

You can check out more about Abu Dhabi’s weather and the best times to visit here.

What is the main language in Abu Dhabi?

The official language is Arabic. However, English is widely spoken and used in the service industry. Visitors will have no problems getting by with only English.

Given the country’s expatriate nature, dozens of languages are also spoken, including Hindi, Urdu, Farsi, Bengali, Samali, Tamil, and Tagalog, to name but a few.

What is Abu Dhabi’s main religion?

The UAE has a Sunni Muslim majority, but note that as much as 85% of the population is considered expatriates. The majority of expatriates are also Muslims. However, there are large minorities of Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, and Jews—basically, all religions are represented in some way.

Tourists may note the audible sound of “the call to prayer” several times daily. As a non-Muslim tourist, you do not need to do anything, and most businesses continue to operate during prayer times, unlike some Gulf neighbours.

When are holidays marked in Abu Dhabi?

Although the country follows a standard Gregorian calendar for schools, businesses, and, of course, the seasons, the Hijri (Islamic) calendar is used to mark religious occasions, the most prominent of which is Ramadan, the Holy Month.

Note that in Abu Dhabi—and the rest of the UAE—they have shifted away from the Gulf tradition of Friday being set aside as the Holy Day. Government departments, schools, and many private businesses in the UAE moved on 1 January 2022 to a Monday to Friday work week, with Friday being a half-day so that people can still attend Friday afternoon prayers.

Saturday and Sunday are officially the weekend in Abu Dhabi, though retail and hospital businesses run seven days a week. Many blue-collar workers will only get one day off per week, usually Saturday or Sunday.

You can pick up a calendar here to understand when the current UAE public and religious holidays fall each year.

What are the top tourist attractions in Abu Dhabi?

Abu Dhabi is home to many beautiful and fascinating modern Islamic buildings which are a must for all visitors to see and experience, including:

• The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
• Qasr al Watan – the Presidential Palace
• The Louvre Abu Dhabi

You can also find plenty of parks and outdoor spaces, theme parks, water parks, and historic buildings, including the restored Qasr al Hosn and stunning beaches where you can enjoy the mild winters.

You can find our complete guide to places to visit in Abu Dhabi here.

What food do they eat in Abu Dhabi?

Given the vast expat population, it’s easy to get hold of just about any nationality of food!

Traditional Emirati restaurants may require some more searching! You can try Meylas in Al Muneera. Also, Al Fanar Restaurant at Yas Mall has a good traditional offering.

All meat served in the UAE is Halal. The exception is pork, which is scarcely available in restaurants due to special licencing rules. You can obtain pork for home consumption at specialised supermarkets.

Can you drink alcohol in Abu Dhabi?

Whilst Muslims are forbidden from drinking alcohol, non-Muslims are free to have a drink but must abide by specific rules. For home consumption, non-Muslim expats must have a special drinking licence to purchase alcohol from specialised stores (this was abolished in 2020).

Tourists can purchase alcohol from licensed premises in Abu Dhabi, primarily bars in hotels. Some nightclubs, social clubs, and restaurants also have alcohol licenses, and an increasing number of stand-alone restaurants now have licenses to serve alcohol.

Note that drinking in public and public drunkness is strictly prohibited and comes with hefty fines and jail terms. Always keep drinking in areas where it’s allowed and in moderation.

Do I need a Visa to visit Abu Dhabi?

Yes. In some cases, you will need to organise a visit visa in advance, but there are 20 countries whose citizens can obtain a FREE 30-day visa on arrival to the UAE. 

Citizens of 40 additional countries can apply for a 90-day multiple-entry visa. We discuss UAE Visit Visas here.

Note that a full overhaul of the UAE visa system is expected in Ocotber-2022 – we will update this section when the proposed changes are brought into law.

For now, check out this guide from the UAE Government to ascertain your Visa eligibility.

What is Abu Dhabi’s time Zone?

Abu Dhabi operates on Gulf Standard Time – GST – which is GMT/UTC +4 hours.

What is the currency in Abu Dhabi?

The common currency across the United Arab Emirates is the UAE dirham, which is written AED or sometimes dhs. It comes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000 AED notes.

1 USD = 3.67 AED; the currency is pegged to the USD, so it does not fluctuate (it will, however, fluctatuate against all other currencies in line with USD movements).

Dirhams are further broken down into fils – coins are 1 dirham, 50 fil and 25 fil coins.  Smaller coins are now non-existent, and many will simply round to the nearest dirham.

Do I need to be covered as a woman in Abu Dhabi?

No. As a visiting tourist to Abu Dhabi, women are not expected to be fully covered over heads and bodies. Out of modesty, however, women should not wear anything too tight and revealing.

Tourists should aim to cover their shoulders and knees in public—this applies to men, too. Attending religious or government buildings will require you to be fully covered. Abayas can be borrowed or bought at places such as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque for this purpose.

We know the dress code in Abu Dhabi can be confusing, so we have a whole page dedicated to this topic here to help you with your Abu Dhabi packing.

Are there any more Abu Dhabi facts you want us to clarify? Please drop your questions below. We’d love to help.

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Abu Dhabi’s latest architectural wonder Qasr Al Watan open to the public

Qasr al Watan – the UAE’s Presidential Palace – opened its dramatic gates to the public in March 2019. Sitting on vast grounds occupying 380,000 acres at the tip of Abu Dhabi island, it is now one of Abu Dhabi’s most magnificent buildings – though it faces stiff competition from the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque as the city’s most beautiful building!

The Palace allows visitors to explore the UAE’s history and traditions further while they journey through a vast collection of cultural artefacts, art and rare manuscripts. Visitors will also be able to understand the Palace’s architecture and design, which incorporates the essence of the spirit of the United Arab Emirates.

Far more than just a stunning building, the Palace serves as a functioning house of Government.

Qasr al Watan includes the offices of the President of the UAE (His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan), His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai) and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi (to be announced following the recent death of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan).

It is also where the Federal Supreme Council (the UAE’s highest legislative and administrative body) meet and is home to UAE Cabinet Meetings. The private offices are not included in the public tour, but the main palace building and library are open for exploring.

Opening Hours for Qasr Al Watan

Unless the Presidential Palace is closed for state visitors or special events, doors are open to the public areas of the palace seven days a week.

• 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM (last entry 5:00 PM)

• Palace in Motion Show 7:30 PM

• Mondays are now open (previously, they were closed, same as Louvre)

• Ramadan Hours 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry 4:00 PM) No Palace in Motion Lightshow.

Qasr Al Watan Tickets

• Adult Tickets AED 65
• Junior Tickets AED 30
• Under 3’s are free

Tickets can be pre-booked online here, or purchased at the ticket counter, though its recommended you buy in advance as only an allocated number of tickets will be sold per hour.

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Group tours have recommenced post-COVID. You can pay an extra 20 AED per person (for groups of up to 4) or hire your own private guide for 600 AED.

Self-Guided Tours of Qasr Al Watan

You can now opt for a multimedia guide at the ticketing booth (20 AED additional cost) to enhance your Qasr Al Watan experience. Take your headset throughout your visit and listen along to pre-recorded audio clips for an interactive experience across the Palace.

There’s also a kids’ multimedia headset option, which includes fun games and activities they can enjoy along the way; they’ll even get a palace-issued certificate on completion!

The self-guided tours are available in English, Arabic, German, Russian, and Chinese.

We’d highly recommend this option for a more immersive experience, as signage alone will not be enough for a thorough understanding.

Signage on a self-guided tour is in both Arabic and English.

Qasr Al Watan Dress Code

If you are wondering what to wear to Abu Dhabi’s Presidential Palace, we would err on the side of conservative. The official guidance is “Guests should wear respectful clothing when in the palace.”

The dress code rules are not as restrictive as what you should wear to the Grand Mosque; however, ladies should cover their knees and shoulders and wear nothing too clingy or revealing. A head covering is NOT required; men should wear trousers and tops with shirt sleeves.

You can see our complete guide to the Abu Dhabi dress code here.

The Presidential Palace can be found in an area of Abu Dhabi known as Ras al Akhdar. Many refer to it as the West Corniche. Head beyond the end of the main Corniche beach road, past the Founders Memorial and Emirates Palace on your right and Etihad Towers on your left.

At the very end of this road, you will come to the incredibly grand entrance gate – this is for VIPs only! Visitors will enter at a smaller entrance just off to the right, where you are taken to visitor parking. From here, pre-booked tickets are checked, and then a short shuttle (with commentary) takes you through the palace grounds to the palace entrance.

Qasr al Watan is a stop on the Big Bus Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Route. Your entry to Qasr Al Watan is not included in the Big Bus ticket; however, you can easily walk from the bus stop to the entrance in the cooler winter months.

Cultural Express Service Dubai to Abu Dhabi

Launched in 2022, this is a FREE bus service takes visitors on a first-come, first-served basis from Dubai to 2 key cultural attractions in Abu Dhabi, the Louvre (closed Mondays) and Qasr Al Watan. Here’s how it works:

• Departure from Sheraton Mall of the Emirates Hotel, Dubai at 9:00 am
• Arrival at Louvre Abu Dhabi at 10:35 am
• Departure from Louvre Abu Dhabi at 1:00 pm
• Arrival at Qasr Al Watan at 1:35 pm
• Departure from Qasr Al Watan at 6:00 pm
• Arrival at Louvre Abu Dhabi at 6:35 pm
• Arrival at Sheraton Mall of the Emirates Hotel, Dubai, at 8:10 pm

Tours of Qasr Al Watan

Several tour companies can assist you with guided tours of Qasr Al Watan, including pickups, either from Abu Dhabi or as part of a day tour from Dubai.

Day trips around Abu Dhabi that include Qasr Al Watan

Try these options for day private day tours around the highlights of Abu Dhabi

Day trips from Dubai to Abu Dhabi that include Qasr Al Watan

With the re-opening of domestic borders, day tours from Dubai to Abu Dhabi have increased in frequency. Do still check your entry rules for Abu Dhabi and check out these tours, which can help you with transport from Dubai to the city highlights:

NB When you are booking a tour to Abu Dhabi, be careful on the distinction between the Presdiential Palace and Emirates Palace; some include a photo stop only to the neighbouring Emirates Palace Hotel, this is NOT the same thing as Qasr Al Watan – Presideintal Palace, make sure you’re clear as we’ve seen some tour operators ambigiously desrcibre ‘Royal Palace’ and ther’s no such thing!

Presidential Palace: Qasr Al Watan Visitor Experience

After arriving at the visitor centre, guests are transported within the grounds by a free shuttle (read luxury coach) to the palace entrance.

Use this Qasr Al Watan map to get your bearings – each of the rooms is described in more detail below!

A Grand Entrance to Qasr Al Watan – Presidential Palace Abu Dhabi

1. A Memory from the Palace

Your journey through the palace commences with the Media Room, where official press conferences are held. Enjoy this photo opportunity to commemorate your visit to one of the world’s most unique cultural landmarks (pictures can be collected at the end of your tour in the gift shop).

In ordinary times, this is the point where group tours would gather to commence their guided palace tour.

2. The Great Hall

Next, you’ll step foot into the utterly breathtaking Great Hall. “Great” is not quite superlative enough to describe the grandeur and extreme opulence exuded by this space. Shades of blue and white complement an abundance of gold decorating every surface.

From the central dome and archways down to the finest details in mosaic tiling, it is a stunning display of Arabian craftsmanship and artistry.

Adding to the intrigue, each corner of the room has a large, mirrored geometric cubes offering different sensory experiences. A unique juxtaposition, let your inner art critic decide whether you love them or hate them!

3. Presidential Gifts

Here you’ll find an exhibition of diplomatic gifts that the UAE has received from the past decades. A fascinating insight into cultural considerations and protocols in selecting diplomatic gifts, all beautifully displayed.  

4. Spirit of Collaboration

Dominated by a 350,000, 12-tonne crystal chandelier, this is the room where the UAE Cabinet and Federal Supreme Council meet. It is also where the Gulf Cooperation Council and Arab League meet when the UAE is hosting (this wing of the palace may be closed during your visit).

5. The Presidential Banquet

In the stuff of fairytales, see where officials from around the globe are treated to modern Emirati hospitality.

6. Presidential Meeting Room

Where state officials and dignitaries from around the world are hosted in a traditional Majilis-style set up.

7. Qasr Al Watan Library

Featuring a collection of 50,000 books, the library aims to preserve and share centuries of Arabian knowledge and culture.

8. House of Knowledge: Age of Enlightenment

Encompassing two wings, this exhibit highlights the most notable Arab scholars in the fields of astronomy, science, art and literature.

Sitting between the two wings of the House of Knowledge stands the simply stunning gold calligraphy sculpture “The Power of Words”. The gold is actually an inscription quoting the country’s founding father;

“Wealth is not money and oil. Wealth lies in people, and it is worthless if not dedicated to serve the people” ~ Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan

The sculpture is designed and crafted by the renowned Emirati artist Mattar bin Lahej.

9. Palace in Motion

If you are able to stick around until the evening, you can catch Palace in Motion, an intriguing nighttime light and sound show that sees the palace lit up. Previously only on weekends, you can now catch the palace light show nightly from 7:00 pm. The show lasts approximately 15 minutes.

A gift shop can be found at the conclusion of your palace tour before taking the shuttle back to the palace entrance.

The Palace Grounds

The palace grounds are quickly becoming well-established, having started just a few short years ago as a blank canvas.

In addition to the Power of Words sculpture found inside the palace, a further two silver sculptures can be found in the glistening sunlight of the garden. Also adorned with quotes from Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nayhan they read:

“Science and history walk side by side. By using science, man can record his history and preserve it for generations to come, so others may learn from it and come to know what their ancestors achieved.”

and

“The education of our people is a great wealth. We are proud of our educated nation because through knowledge and science we will open the horizon to a glorious future.”

The sculptures are intentionally designed for visitors to step inside along them to be appreciated from a different perspective – and yes, they are utterly instagrammable! #QasrAlWatan

Where to Eat Near Qasr Al Watan

There is currently one dining option within the Palace at “Legma” grab ‘n go, which you’ll find at both at the Palace exit and the Visitor Centre exit.

Dhiyafat Qasr Al Watan, found in the main Palace and Maqha Al Maktaba, situated within Qasr Al Watan Library, are temporarily closed.

What restaurants are near Qasr Al Watan?

Nearby there’s a large selection of restaurants at neighbouring hotels. You will likely need a taxi or some form of transport, though, as the buildings are not really within easy walking distance in the heat.

• We highly recommend combining Qasr Al Watan with afternoon tea at Emirates Palace
• A trip to the palace on a Saturday morning followed by buffet brunch at Nahaam is the perfect pair
• Late afternoon trips can be paired with sundowners at Rays Bar, Conrad Abu Dhabi

A great activity to pair with Qasr Al Watan is to take a trip to Observation 300 in Etihad Towers – from here, you can then get spectacular views looking back to the Presidential Palace and across the city to help put everything in perspective.

Where to Stay Near Qasr Al Watan

The Presidential Palace is not a residential palace; however, you are immediately adjacent to one of Abu Dhabi’s most impressive hotels fit for Royalty – Emirates Palace.

If that’s not quite in your budget, there are several other nearby hotels to try, with pools, beachfrontage and some with highrise views over the city. Why not try:

• Khalidiya Place Rayhaan by Rotana
• Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Residences Emirates Pearl
• Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers

You can find all our top accommodation choices for Abu Dhabi here.

More Frequently Asked Questions Visiting Qasr Al Watan Presidential Palace

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Qasr al Watan has quickly become essential to any visitor’s Abu Dhabi itinerary. It may only be new, but it already plays an integral part in the city’s rich cultural landscape and is undoubtedly one of the world’s most extravagant and beautiful landmark buildings.

You may also like to read more about

• Abu Dhabi’s top cultural attractions not to miss – 12 places that are essential to stop at to learn more about the UAE’s ancient Bedouin past and recent unification

• Where is Abu Dhabi? – Get your bearings on exactly where Abu Dhabi is, how it came to be the UAE capital and more fun and interesting facts about Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates

• Planning your visit to the Louvre Abu Dhabi – Take a journey through humanity at Abu Dhabi’s sensational Louvre Museum on Saadiyat Island

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Take me back to the Abu Dhabi Travel Blog

Please note we are not a travel agency. This site is a travel blog to help newcomers to the UAE self plan their trip, we cannot book your flights, hotels, visas or connections for you. We may make a small commission if you click on any of our hotel or tour recommendation links.

Abu Dhabi Travel Planner