The Top 10 things to do in Abu Dhabi city fact sheet contains information on what to do and see during their visit.

 

The Top 10 things to do in Al Ain fact sheet contains information on what to do and see during their visit.

 

Citizens of Australia, Andorra, Austria, Brunei, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America and the Vatican State can get a free-of-charge entry visa upon arrival at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

GCC citizens do not need a visa to enter the UAE.

Visitors who are not citizens of the above countries are required to apply for a visa before arrival. A single-entry visa has a fee of AED 350 (approximately £73).

Abu Dhabi is virtually crime-free and was named the safest city in the world for 2019 by the crowd-sourced global database, Numbeo.

The emergency phone numbers for Abu Dhabi are 999 for police and 998 for an ambulance. Calls are free.

Lightweight summer clothing is suitable most of the year, but some warmer garments may be needed for the winter evenings and strong air conditioning. The attitude to dress in Abu Dhabi is relaxed, but visitors (men as well as women) should show respect for local culture and customs in public places by avoiding excessively tight or revealing clothing. Context is important – bikinis and beachwear are perfectly acceptable in the appropriate environment (but not in the city centre).

Absolutely! Ramadan is an ideal time to visit for those interested in finding out more about the emirate’s culture and traditions. Hotels in Abu Dhabi may differ slightly in their specific Ramadan arrangements, but in general it’s ‘business as usual’ – restaurants will still be open and alcohol can still be consumed throughout the day. This being said, it’s recommended that visitors make the following considerations when outside their hotels and exploring the city:

1. Eating, drinking (including water) and smoking should only be done in designated areas, like in a restaurant, which are out of view of the public (this doesn’t apply to small children)
2. Both men and women should dress modestly in public, covering shoulders and knees
3. Be aware that restaurants and bars outside of hotels may change their opening hours and may only serve alcohol after sunset; shops often close during the day, re-opening an hour or two after sunset and staying open late into the night
4. Wishing locals “Ramadan Mubarak” (happy Ramadan) will always be appreciated
5. Most importantly, travellers should soak up the culture and enjoy all the unique offerings of this special time to visit – and don’t forget to attend an Iftar feast, where specially erected Ramadan tents are filled to the brim with people of all nationalities and religions enjoying traditional Arabic mezze and sweets!

Tipping is not expected but is commonly practised in the emirate. Gratuities to hotel and restaurant staff are at your discretion.

Road systems around the city are great, taxis are inexpensive and safe, and all the major car hire companies have offices in the emirate. Ridesharing services such as Uber and Careem are another convenient option.

Those wishing to visit Yas Island can make the most of the Yas Express – a complimentary shuttle bus service that will take guests to the major island attractions.  There are pick-ups from the Corniche, Grand Canal and Saadiyat Island, and shuttles run between the attractions and hotels on Yas Island throughout the day.