Abu Dhabi day trip from Dubai: Grand Mosque, palace & towers

See four Abu Dhabi landmarks in one guided morning and afternoon

A full-day guided tour from Dubai to Abu Dhabi covers the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Emirates Palace, Etihad Towers and Qasr Al Watan Palace with hotel pickup, a bilingual guide and entry tickets included. The tour runs eight to ten hours and stops at Marina Mall for a lunch break at your own expense. Children from age three are welcome, and the guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French and two additional languages.

Step-by-step itinerary

Abu Dhabi full-day sightseeing tour

• Hotel pick-up in Dubai
• Travel to Abu Dhabi along Gulf coast
• Visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
• Drive along Abu Dhabi Corniche waterfront
• Admire Emirates Palace exterior
• Visit Etihad Towers landmark
• Lunch break at Marina Mall
• Visit Qasr Al Watan Palace
• Drive back to Dubai
• Drop-off at hotel in Dubai

The experience

You get picked up from your Dubai hotel and travel along the Gulf coast to Abu Dhabi with a guide who fills the drive with stories about the emirate's history and wealth. The first stop is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, where you walk through the white marble structure and its courtyards. The guide explains the architecture and its influences from Algeria, Morocco, India and Pakistan. Entry is included, and modest dress is required (shoulders and knees covered).

From there, you drive the eight-kilometer Abu Dhabi Corniche to see the waterfront, then pass the Emirates Palace, the official palace of Abu Dhabi's ruling government, which you view from outside. Next is the Etihad Towers, the imposing skyscraper visible in the film Furious 7. You go up to the observation deck with your included ticket. The guide points out the city's layout and landmarks from above before you head to Marina Mall for a lunch break. Restaurants and a food court are there, and the cost is yours to cover.

The final stop is Qasr Al Watan Palace, a cultural and architectural landmark that also functions as a knowledge hub. Your ticket gets you inside for a guided tour of the palace itself. After that, the driver takes you back to Dubai and drops you at your hotel, arriving in the late afternoon.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Dubai.
• transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• a licensed bilingual guide.
• entry tickets to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan Palace and Etihad Towers Observation Deck.
• cold mineral water during the tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (12 to 89 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Let's Explore Dubai

Is this one for you?Choose this if you're based in Dubai and want to see Abu Dhabi's main landmarks in one day: the guide-led route covers four sites with all transport and entry tickets included, so you move efficiently between them without managing logistics yourself.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What do I actually see inside the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque?

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a white marble structure with courtyards and interior prayer halls. Your guide walks you through the main spaces and explains the architectural details and the influences from North African and South Asian design that shaped it.

Can I go inside the Emirates Palace, or do I just see it from the car?

The Emirates Palace is viewed from outside during the tour. If you want to enter and explore the interior, that is not included in this tour option.

Is lunch included, or do I pay separately?

Lunch is not included. You have a break at Marina Mall where you can eat at the restaurants or food court there, and you pay for whatever you order.

Do I get a guided tour inside Qasr Al Watan Palace?

Yes, your entry ticket includes a guided tour of Qasr Al Watan Palace. The guide takes you through the palace and explains its cultural and architectural significance.

How long is the drive from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?

The drive along the Gulf coast takes roughly an hour each way. The full tour runs eight to ten hours from pickup to drop-off, including all stops and the guide's commentary.