Abu Dhabi travel guide

In Abu Dhabi, timing the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque shapes your whole day, so don't put the mosque and the Louvre on the same day.

The mosque opens Saturday to Thursday 9:00 to 20:30, and on Fridays 9:00 to 11:30 and 14:30 to 20:30; admission for foreign visitors is 10 dirhams.

A taxi from the airport to the city costs about 70 to 80 dirhams and takes 30 to 35 minutes.

The dress code and Friday hours drive your schedule, so check the day of the week first. Visa rules depend on your nationality; check the official sources before you travel.

Visa and entry requirements for The United Arab Emirates

Whether you need a visa, how long you can stay and which pre-arrival forms apply all depend on your nationality and the purpose of your trip. Check the official source below, and your own government's travel advice, before you book.

• Visa and Emirates ID (UAE government portal) (The UAE Government)
• Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) (ICP, UAE)

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque visiting hours are Saturday to Thursday 9:00 to 20:30, and Friday 9:00 to 11:30 and 14:30 to 20:30. Admission is 10 dirhams for foreign visitors, 5 dirhams for Emirates ID holders and 8 dirhams through a travel agency. Men and women must wear loose, ankle-length clothing, and women must wear a headscarf. Food and water can't be brought in.

The mosque runs free walking tours every day in English and Arabic, lasting 45 to 60 minutes. Louvre Abu Dhabi is 70 dirhams for adults; the galleries are listed as open until 18:30 Monday to Thursday and 20:30 Friday to Sunday.

Based on each venue's official information. Prices and hours may change.

With 2 nights: on day one, come into the city from the airport and rest; on day two, see the mosque in the morning and the Louvre in the afternoon. The mosque closes at midday on Fridays, so check the day first.

With 4 nights: keep the first two days in the same order and walk the city or rest on day three. Allow plenty of time for the airport on day four.

A taxi from Abu Dhabi airport to the city costs about 70 to 80 dirhams and takes 30 to 35 minutes. There's no dedicated mosque shuttle; visitors make their own way by taxi, bus or car.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are within driving distance, so some people do day trips between them, but match the day of the week to the mosque's Friday hours first.

Plan meals in Abu Dhabi around machboos, mixed grill, luqaimat and Arabic coffee: machboos or mixed grill for lunch, and luqaimat with Arabic coffee for dessert. We don't pick specific shops or prices here.

Some nationalities can enter the UAE visa-free (for example up to 90 days within 180 days, or 30 days on arrival), while others need a visa in advance. Check your nationality on the official UAE government portal; your passport should usually be valid for at least 6 months from entry.

Mosque visits pause between 11:30 and 14:30 on Fridays, and night tours run separately. If you don't meet the dress code, you may be refused entry.

Before you leave Abu Dhabi

• Check your passport has 6+ months' validity
• Pack mosque-appropriate clothing
• Check Friday visiting hours
• Check the Louvre's gallery closing times
• Check entry requirements on the official sources

• Visiting the mosque: sort out clothing and Friday hours first.
• Visiting museums: Louvre Abu Dhabi's gallery closing time varies by day, so plan it for the afternoon.
• Going from the airport to the city: 30 to 35 minutes by taxi for about 70 to 80 dirhams.