Abu Dhabi is 90 minutes from Dubai and a world apart in pace. With an early start you can see the capital's four great landmarks in one unforgettable day.
9:00 AM — Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Arrive at opening to beat both the heat and the crowds. Entry is free; dress modestly (long sleeves and trousers; women should carry a headscarf). Give yourself 90 minutes for the marble courtyards, the world's largest hand-woven carpet and the chandelier halls.
12:00 PM — Louvre Abu Dhabi
Twenty minutes away on Saadiyat Island, the Louvre's floating dome filters light like rain. Tickets around AED 65. Have lunch at the museum café under the dome.
3:30 PM — Qasr Al Watan
The Presidential Palace opens its gilded halls to visitors — arguably the most opulent interior in the Gulf, and far quieter than the mosque. Entry about AED 60.
6:30 PM — Yas Island evening
End with a thrill: Ferrari World's Formula Rossa (the world's fastest coaster), Warner Bros. World if you have kids, or simply dinner at Yas Marina. Drive back to Dubai by 10 PM.
→ Our Abu Dhabi day trip from Dubai covers this route with pickup included, from AED 150.