Abu Dhabi City Tour & Louvre Museum Ticket from Dubai

Summary

Guided Day Trip: Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi & More

You’ll get to experience Abu Dhabi’s mix of tradition and modern life—from walking barefoot on cool mosque floors to seeing world-class art at the Louvre. This tour covers all the must-sees with local insight and plenty of chances to snap photos or grab a snack along the way.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed as we left Dubai was how the city faded into open desert, then slowly gave way to Abu Dhabi’s skyline. Our driver, Ahmed, kept the van cool—thank goodness, because even in winter the sun here means business. Pulling up to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, I caught my breath. The marble almost glowed in the morning light. We slipped off our shoes and walked inside; it was quiet except for the soft shuffle of other visitors. Our guide pointed out tiny details—like the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet underfoot and delicate floral mosaics on the walls. I remember a faint scent of incense lingering near the entrance.

Next stop: the Louvre Abu Dhabi. The building itself is something else—its silvery dome throws dappled sunlight everywhere, so you feel like you’re standing under palm fronds. Ahmed handed us our tickets and we wandered through galleries filled with art from all over: ancient Egyptian statues, Renaissance paintings, even modern pieces from Paris museums. There’s a small café inside where I grabbed an espresso and watched kids giggling in the Children’s Museum section.

We made a quick photo stop at Ferrari World (the giant red roof is hard to miss), then cruised along the Corniche for some sea air and snapshots of turquoise water against city towers. At Heritage Village, local artisans were weaving baskets and shaping pottery—one woman let me try spinning clay for a minute (it’s harder than it looks). Lunch was at Marina Mall; nothing fancy, but there’s a spot called Shakespeare & Co with good shawarma wraps if you’re hungry.

Later we drove past Qasr Al Watan—the presidential palace gleaming behind its gates—and stopped at a market selling dates in every variety you can imagine. I picked up a box of chocolate-covered ones for home. Before heading back to Dubai, we swung by Emirates Palace (the gold cappuccino is real!) and took in views of Saadiyat Island and Etihad Towers as dusk settled in. It’s a packed day but worth every minute if you want to see what makes Abu Dhabi tick.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Abu Dhabi Highlights Tour

• Visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
• Explore Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum
• Photo stop at Abu Dhabi Corniche
• Visit Abu Dhabi Heritage Village
• Lunch break
• Tour Qasr Al Watan Palace
• Visit Dates Market
• See Emirates Palace Hotel
• Explore Saadiyat Island
• Photo stop at Ferrari World
• View Etihad Towers

Top questions

How long does this Abu Dhabi city tour take?

The full trip usually takes about 10 hours including travel time from Dubai. It’s a full-day experience covering all major sights.

Is there a dress code for visiting Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque?

Yes, modest clothing is required—long sleeves and pants or skirts for everyone; women will need to cover their hair with a scarf.

Are meals included in this tour?

No meals are included, but there’s time set aside for lunch at Marina Mall where you can choose from several cafés or restaurants.

Can I buy tickets for just the Louvre Museum without joining the whole tour?

This package includes both city sightseeing and museum entry together; single-entry tickets aren’t available through this option.

What’s included

Your entry tickets for all main attractions are covered—including Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Louvre Abu Dhabi—as well as comfortable air-conditioned transport between stops. All taxes and fees are included too, so you won’t have any surprise costs on the day.