Abu Dhabi Day Tour: Sheikh Zayed Mosque & Qasr Al Watan

Ten hours in Abu Dhabi: from the world's eighth-largest mosque to a working palace that opens its doors to visitors.

A full-day Abu Dhabi tour departing from Dubai includes hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, and entry to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Qasr Al Watan, plus stops at Heritage Village, the Corniche, Dates and Carpet Markets, and photo opportunities at Emirates Palace and Ferrari World. The tour runs ten hours and covers all admission fees for the attractions listed.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Etihad Towers6h
2. Qasr Al Watan2h · entry included
3. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque2h · entry included

Abu Dhabi city tour and Qasr Al Watan visit

• Travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi
• Visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
• Explore Heritage Village
• Drive along the Corniche and Breakwater Island
• Visit Emirates Palace
• Drive through Presidential Palace
• Lunch at Marian Mall
• Shop at Dates Market and Carpet Market
• Drive through Yas Island and stop at Ferrari World
• Tour Qasr Al Watan Palace

The experience

You leave Dubai in an air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle and travel roughly 1 hour 45 minutes to Abu Dhabi, passing Jebel Ali Port, the world's largest man-made port, on the way. The guide handles navigation and timing, so you arrive at the capital without the logistics of a rental car or the uncertainty of a taxi fare. The first stop is Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the world's largest mosques, with 82 domes, more than 1,000 columns, and a hand-knotted carpet that holds the world record for size. The main prayer hall is lit by one of the world's largest chandeliers. Entry is included.

From there, the route moves through Heritage Village (a museum-style compound preserving Emirati life before oil), then along the Corniche for photos of the skyline and Breakwater Island. You stop at Emirates Palace for pictures, drive past the Presidential Palace, and break for lunch at Marina Mall. The afternoon takes you through the Dates Market and Carpet Market, both working bazaars where locals shop, then a photo stop at Ferrari World on Yas Island. The final major stop is Qasr Al Watan, the presidential palace opened to the public, where entry is included. The palace is designed as an interactive journey through Emirati governance, knowledge and craftsmanship, not a roped-off museum but a functioning building that invites visitors inside.

The day ends with the return drive to Dubai, arriving roughly ten hours after departure. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available. The pace is set by the fixed itinerary and the guide's knowledge of each stop, so you move through the capital's major sites without deciding what to see next or how long to linger.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return transfer in an air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle.
• English-speaking guide.
• entry to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Qasr Al Watan.
• visits to Heritage Village, Dates Market, and Carpet Market.
• photo stops at the Corniche, Emirates Palace, Etihad Towers, and Ferrari World.
• all admission fees for attractions mentioned in the tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 14

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 23 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 16 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by RAH Tourism Dubai

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're arriving in Dubai with a free day and want to see Abu Dhabi's major landmarks without renting a car or piecing together transport between stops. The fixed itinerary and included guide mean the day holds together without you building it, and entry to both the mosque and the palace is already paid for: no separate tickets to buy at each gate.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3).

What is Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque like when you arrive?

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the world's largest mosques, featuring 82 domes, more than 1,000 columns, 24-carat-gold gilded chandeliers, and the world's largest hand-knotted carpet. The main prayer hall is dominated by one of the world's largest chandeliers. Entry is included in the tour.

How long is the drive from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?

The journey from Dubai to Abu Dhabi takes approximately 1 hour 45 minutes by vehicle. Along the way, you pass Jebel Ali Port, the world's largest man-made port.

What does Qasr Al Watan offer that a typical palace tour does not?

Qasr Al Watan is a working presidential palace that functions as an interactive journey through Emirati governance, knowledge and craftsmanship. It is not a historical ruin or a closed monument. It invites visitors to experience how the palace operates and reflects the country's leadership and culture. Entry is included.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Lunch is not included, but the tour stops at Marina Mall where you can purchase food and eat at your own pace before continuing to the markets and remaining stops.

What photo stops are built into the itinerary?

The tour includes photo stops at the Corniche (with views of the skyline and Breakwater Island), Emirates Palace, Etihad Towers, and Ferrari World on Yas Island. These are scheduled breaks designed for photography rather than extended visits.