Abu Dhabi
Yay! You're Planning a Trip to Abu Dhabi!
So, you’re thinking about visiting Abu Dhabi! Whether you’re still dreaming of this adventure or already have your trip booked, you’re probably wondering where to begin. Which parts should you explore? What are the must-see sights and unforgettable experiences? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!
In this post, I’m sharing a detailed itinerary for a quick layover journey we had. You’ll find a day-by-day breakdown of the places I visited and the highlights I loved to help you craft your own dream adventure. Hopefully, it sparks some ideas and inspires your own unique trip to this beautiful city.
Itinerary Summary:
2 nights and 1 day in Abu Dhabi
Booked Activities:
Here are the activities I booked during my trip!
- Observation Deck at 300
- Evening Desert Safari
- Grand Mosque Tickets bought at entrance
Day 1: Arrival
Evening: We arrived in Abu Dhabi around 7:00pm after a 13 hour flight from New York! Once we landed, we were excited to just walk around the the city after a long flight. First, we quickly visited Emirates Palace and took some pictures before heading across the street to Pearl Lounge, in the Grand Hyatt. We ordered some food and drinks on the open-air terrace overlooking the Arabian Gulf! Of course, we also had to order shisha for our first night in Abu Dhabi!
Day 2: Grand Mosque & Desert Safari
Jam packed day for our only full day during our layover!
Morning: We started early at 9am to visit the Observation deck at 300 to see 360º city views! We were there for an hour then headed to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque!
By 10:30 we were at the Grand Mosque. Before entering, there is an underground mall/visitor center with lots of shops and food. Here is where women can rent or purchase a traditional abaya and head scarf, as dress code is required for entrance. The Grand Mosque is stunning and walking through one of the world’s largest and most beautiful mosques was an incredible experience!
Evening: We got picked up from our hotel around 4pm for an evening Desert Safari! First we drove an hour outside the city to the desert for Dune Driving, which felt like a rollercoaster going up and down the sand dunes. Then we went to a campsite in the desert that provided a buffet dinner, evening show with dancers, camel rides, sandboarding, henna tattoos, shisha, and so much more. This activity made our 1 day felt so worthwhile and I would definitely recommend!
