ABU DHABI

Abu Dhabi – July 2022. A dream birthday getaway filled with luxury, pampering, and palaces 🥂

We stayed at the Grand Hyatt, an excellent hotel with a room featuring a balcony and a stunning view of the Emirates Palace. Honestly, the best viewpoint you could ask for!

The hotel is located about 30 minutes from the airport. The taxi cost us 90 Dirham on the way there and 75 Dirham on the way back. It’s within walking distance of both Emirates Palace and Qasr Al Watan (just across the road). The official taxis are silver with a yellow light on top, and they are all metered.

Iconic landmarks

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – a breathtaking place that looks like a palace. Entry is free. Women must be fully covered, including head, arms, and legs. We bought an abaya (traditional dress) for about 45 Dirham, available in shops near the entrance.

Highly recommended to arrive before sunset to experience the mosque in daylight, at sunset, and beautifully lit at night.

There’s also a mall at the entrance with restaurants.

Wahat Al Karama – a stunning viewpoint facing the mosque, located just across the road (10 minutes walking or a short taxi ride). Until 6:30 PM, there are free shuttle rides from the mosque entrance. Sunset here is magical, especially with the reflection on the water, perfect for photos.

Louvre Abu Dhabi – located on Saadiyat Island. A world-class art museum with an incredibly unique and impressive architectural design. A must for lovers of design and architecture. Entry is around 60 Dirham.

Qasr Al Watan – the Presidential Palace. Absolutely stunning inside, with incredible attention to detail and luxury in every corner. Entry is around 60 Dirham. Last entry is at 18:45 (check updates online). Highly recommended in the evening, at 20:15 there is a spectacular 15-minute light and sound show.

Emirates Palace – a palace-like hotel. You can enter the grounds and admire the architecture for free up to the lobby and gardens. You can also dine at one of the hotel’s restaurants.

Recommended restaurants

Beirut Sur Mer – a Lebanese restaurant with amazing food and excellent service. Probably the best restaurant in Abu Dhabi. Highly recommended! Located at Mamsha Beach, about 5 minutes from the Louvre, perfect after a museum visit.

Forever Rose Café – a charming café that looks like a 3D drawing. A unique experience. We visited the Gallery Mall branch (coffee and desserts only, with full dining coming soon). There is also a branch in Yas Mall with a full restaurant.

Central – a cool spot with indulgent food and desserts. Also features bowling, billiards, video games, a bar, and great music. Stylish street-inspired design and a super fun atmosphere. Located in Yas Bay.

Chocomelt – a dessert place specializing in rich chocolate-based treats 😋 Located in Yas Mall. Must-tries: Baby Dynamite and Break Me!

Yas Island

Yas Mall – a massive shopping mall with all the major brands, restaurants, and a fun, stylish design. Home to both Chocomelt and Forever Rose Café.

Karting at Yas Marina Circuit (Kartzone) – located about 10 minutes from the mall. A fun adrenaline experience. Cost around 110 for 15 minutes, including full gear (suit, helmet, and briefing video).

Yas Bay – a waterfront promenade and dining area. Features large art installations, including a famous giant head emerging from the water. We spent a great evening at Central here, highly recommended.

Abu Dhabi was luxurious, beautiful, and full of style.

In 2026, I had a long layover in Abu Dhabi on my way to the Far East, so I decided to make the most of it and explore the city.

One of the highlights was teamLab Phenomena, an incredible interactive art space built around natural phenomena such as light, water, air, and movement.

The experience takes you through a dark immersive route filled with breathtaking installations. Some areas require you to walk through water, and in others you’ll need to be barefoot, so it’s a good idea to wear suitable clothes, such as shorts or pants that can easily be rolled up.

I’ve visited teamLab in Japan and Singapore before, but the Abu Dhabi location completely impressed me. 🤩 It’s absolutely worth visiting even if you’ve already been to another teamLab exhibition.

It was an unforgettable experience, beautiful, immersive, and incredibly inspiring. I walked out completely mesmerized 🥰

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