Abu Dhabi City Tour: Sheikh Zayed Mosque & Emirates Palace

See Abu Dhabi's landmarks without arranging the drive from Dubai

A half-day guided tour departing from central Dubai hotels takes you to Abu Dhabi's cultural landmarks, including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Emirates Palace, Etihad Towers, Qasr Al Watan and the Corniche. The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, bottled water and entry to the mosque. A live guide speaks English, Hindi, Punjabi or Arabic. Dress codes are strict at the mosque: women must cover arms, legs and hair. Men must cover shoulders and knees. The tour runs 5 to 7 hours depending on traffic and hotel location, and groups stay under 15 travelers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque1h 30m · entry included
2. Emirates Palace15m
3. Qasr Al Watan10m
4. Abu Dhabi Corniche15m
5. Abu Dhabi Heritage Village20m
6. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi15m
7. Louvre Abu Dhabi15m

Abu Dhabi half-day city tour

• Visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
• Photo stop at Emirates Palace
• Photo stop at Etihad Towers
• Photo stop at Qasr Al Watan Palace
• Explore Islamic art at Etihad Towers
• Photo stop at Abu Dhabi Corniche
• Visit Abu Dhabi Heritage Village
• Photo stop at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
• Photo stop at Louvre Abu Dhabi

The experience

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the centerpiece. Built to showcase architectural styles from different Muslim civilizations, it holds the largest hand-knotted carpet in the world and features intricate marble inlays, stained glass and 82 domes. Entry is included, and your guide walks you through the prayer halls and courtyards, explaining the design choices that blend Islamic tradition with global influences. Dress requirements are enforced at the entrance: women need to cover their arms, legs and hair (an abaya and headscarf are required, the tour operator cannot provide clothing), and men must cover shoulders and knees. Tattoos must be covered. The mosque closes during Islamic festivals, so check your dates before booking.

After the mosque, the tour moves to photo stops at three landmarks. Emirates Palace stretches over a kilometer from wing to wing across 100 hectares of gardens: the hotel's Arabesque architecture and scale make it one of the most photographed buildings in the city. Etihad Towers, opposite the palace, feature offices, apartments and a hotel. The towers were used as a filming location for Furious 7. Qasr Al Watan (Palace of the Nation) is the presidential palace, built between 2010 and 2017 with over one million square meters of intricate stonework and Mughal-era decorative elements. You'll also drive along the Corniche, an 8-kilometer waterfront stretch with cycle paths, fountains and park areas that curve along the western side of Abu Dhabi island.

Hotel pickup from central Dubai happens within 45 minutes of your booked start time, and the same driver returns you at the end. Transport is by clean, air-conditioned vehicle. Bottled water is provided throughout. Your guide is a live person speaking English, Hindi, Punjabi or Arabic. The full duration, 5 to 7 hours, includes the pickup and drop-off time, so plan accordingly if you have an evening flight. Friday is not recommended if you're flying out the same day, as traffic can delay the return. Children from age 3 are welcome, and specialized infant seats are available.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off at your central Dubai location.
• air-conditioned transport in a clean vehicle.
• entry to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
• bottled water throughout the tour.
• a live guide in English, Hindi, Punjabi or Arabic.

Options for this experience

2 options

Abu Dhabi city tour departing from DubaiGuide in 5 languages · 09:00includes pickup

Private tour of Abu Dhabi and the MosqueGuide in 5 languages · 09:00Private tour, pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (14 to 90 years) · Child (3 to 13 years) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Arabic, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats available

Operated by Faizan Mirza

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see Abu Dhabi's main cultural sites without driving yourself from Dubai. The guide handles the route, timing and mosque entry, and the group stays small enough that you're not herded through stops. The fixed schedule means you know your return time, which matters if you have evening plans or an airport departure.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Punjabi, Hindi, Arabic and Urdu.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 13 years). Under 3: they can't be included in the booking.

What is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque like inside?

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque holds the world's largest hand-knotted carpet, 82 domes, and intricate marble inlays and stained glass throughout its prayer halls and courtyards. Your guide explains how the design blends Islamic architecture from different Muslim civilizations to celebrate cultural diversity. Entry is included in the tour.

What should I wear to visit the mosque?

Women must wear long loose clothing covering arms and legs, and a headscarf or abaya covering the hair at all times. Men must cover shoulders and knees. Tattoos must be covered. The tour operator cannot provide clothing for men, so plan your outfit in advance. Failure to meet the dress code will result in refused entry.

Does the tour include entry to Emirates Palace and the other landmarks?

Entry to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is included. Emirates Palace, Etihad Towers, Qasr Al Watan and the Corniche are photo stops where you get out and photograph the exteriors. Entry to the palace buildings themselves is not included in the standard tour. Some options may include entry to Etihad Towers, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Ferrari World or other attractions. Check your chosen option at checkout.

What time does the tour pick me up, and when will I be back at my hotel?

Pickup happens within 45 minutes of your booked tour start time from your central Dubai hotel. The full tour lasts 5 to 7 hours including the pickup and drop-off drive, so return time depends on traffic and your hotel location. The tour operator will notify you by email if there are any changes to the pickup time.

What happens if the weather is bad or the tour doesn't have enough people?

If the tour is canceled due to poor weather, you'll be offered a different date or a full refund. If the minimum number of travelers isn't met, you'll also be offered an alternative date, a different experience or a full refund.