This wasn't planned. We were meant to go to Abu Dhabi for the NBA game and come straight back. But on the way, I thought – why don't we extend this?
36 hours later, we left with one of our favourite UAE memories so far. And Sara's already talking about potentially living there one day.
Here's everything we did, what it cost, and our honest take on Abu Dhabi vs Dubai.
Our 36-Hour Itinerary
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| Day 1 Morning | Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque |
| Day 1 Afternoon | Check into Beach Rotana, pool time |
| Day 1 Evening | Hotel dinner, early night |
| Day 2 Morning | Hotel breakfast buffet |
| Day 2 Late Morning | Heritage Village |
| Day 2 Afternoon | Louvre Abu Dhabi |
| Day 2 Late Afternoon | Marina Mall & Reem Mall |
| Day 2 Evening | NBA Game at Etihad Arena |
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
We started at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – one of the world's largest mosques. None of the footage will do this place justice. It is truly stunning.
What to Know Before You Go
Entry: Through glass domes (not the front gates like we assumed). You go down an escalator into an underground mini-mall area.
Dress Code: This is strict.
- Men: Trousers, t-shirt (not vest)
- Women: Full coverage required – even see-through fabric isn't allowed
- Sara had to buy a full covering despite thinking she was dressed appropriately
- Tattoos may be inspected (mine was fine)
Tip: The underground mall has shops selling appropriate clothing if you need it.
Recording Rules
You can take photos and videos, but no talking-head content. A security guard inspected my footage and asked me to delete explanation videos – even from the recently deleted folder.
Also: no "tada" poses with arms out. They will ask you to delete those photos.
The Experience
"Sara used the word tranquil. There's a sense of calmness about the whole place. You feel like there's something bigger than you as you're walking around."
What landed with me was the attention to detail. Every square inch of this building has incredible craftsmanship – the floors, the domes, the pillars, the intricate floral designs.
The courtyard is a sheet of marble. Absolutely stunning. Also baking hot.
Top Tips
- Go early morning or evening – avoid peak heat
- Evening visits show the mosque lit up (we haven't done this yet, but it looks stunning)
- Allow 1-2 hours
- It can accommodate over 40,000 worshippers
- The chandeliers are made from Swarovski crystals
Beach Rotana Hotel
We needed somewhere to stay. Beach Rotana turned out to be a delightful surprise.
The Room
- Living space
- Separate bedroom
- Extra bathroom for guests
- Balcony
- Bathtub
The Cost
| What | Cost |
|---|---|
| Room per night | £285 |
| Includes | Buffet breakfast |
| Pint at pool bar | 42 AED (one of the cheapest I've bought!) |
The Vibe
Pool was great for the boys. Restaurant was stunning – service amazing, steak really nice. Loads of outdoor areas overlooking the water, perfect for evening drinks or shisha.
"It's not actually a beach – there's a tiny bit of sand and water, but not what I'd call a beach. Still lovely though."
Plot twist: This is the same hotel we'd booked for the F1 a couple of months later. Glad it was nice!
Heritage Village (The Unexpected Highlight)
This turned out to be one of the best things we did. And it's completely free.
What Is It?
An open-air museum showing what Abu Dhabi was like before the oil boom. Traditional Emirati life – mud-brick houses, wind towers, traditional crafts.
What's There
- Small buildings each dedicated to something different: armory, boats, metalwork
- Workshops demonstrating pottery, weaving, metalwork
- Traditional tents and Bedouin lifestyle exhibits
- Market selling souvenirs
- Free camel and horse rides for the kids
The Highlight
The weaving workshop was special. A gentleman was working on a traditional loom – I asked if I could record, he said yes, then got the boys up to participate.
"We're always in tech, always in screens, in something digital. Taking the boys to see true craftsmanship and skill – that was one of the key values we took away."
The Camel Rides
At the end of the market, there's a camel and a horse. Both rides are free.
Riley said on the way out it was his favourite thing he's ever done across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. He absolutely loved it.
Sara went on the horse (her first time ever riding one!). She didn't feel safe on the camel because it "looked ropey."
The Only Downside
We really wanted to buy one of the handwoven carpets to give something back (since entry was free), but they weren't for sale. The market stuff was a bit... touristy. Abu Dhabi baseball caps and things. I wish they sold the handmade items – I'd have paid a premium.
Bottom Line
Put an hour aside and go. It's free, it's cultural, and the kids will love the animal rides.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Every piece of content we watched said "go see the Louvre." So we did.
The Building
Jean Nouvel's architecture is stunning. The dome creates a "rain of light" effect. It felt like stepping into a futuristic underwater world – or a James Bond film.
The Art
Honestly? We're not super sophisticated when it comes to art and museums. The collection is impressive – over 600 artworks, pieces by Van Gogh and Monet – but with the kids in tow, we couldn't fully appreciate it.
There are 12 chapters – you could spend 6-7 hours there if you really wanted. A full day easily.
The Cost
| Who | Cost |
|---|---|
| Adults | 126 AED (~£26) |
| Kids | Free |
Our Verdict
If you've got an hour, go see it. But if you only have one hour and had to choose between Heritage Village and the Louvre?
Heritage Village wins.
The Louvre is better for couples or when you have time to really explore.
Abu Dhabi Malls (Quick Review)
We needed to get Riley some new trainers, so we hit Marina Mall and Reem Mall.
Compared to Dubai Malls
"Weak." – Sara
Not as much choice. Marina Mall was small, not a lot there. Reem Mall was better (despite Sara claiming only Nike existed – there were other shops, she just couldn't be bothered to look).
But one thing we noticed: way quieter. Significantly fewer people than Dubai malls.
NBA Game at Etihad Arena
This was on my bucket list. Admittedly, I thought I'd watch an NBA game in America, but Abu Dhabi works!
The Experience
Great atmosphere. Got my phone finger (free!) which I was buzzing about.
The real highlight for the kids? Mr Beast walked in during the last 90 seconds. Riley and Reggie spent the whole time trying to get his attention. That was the highlight of their trip.
The Cost
| What | Cost |
|---|---|
| 4 tickets (good seats) | 2,400 AED (~£496) |
Is that reasonable? Sara says no – "really toppy." But it was a great experience. If it had been poor, it would have felt like too much money. But when it comes back, I'll probably want to do it again.
Food Nearby
Emmy Squared Pizza near Etihad Arena – probably one of the best pizzas I've ever had.
Abu Dhabi vs Dubai: Our First Impressions
After just 36 hours, here's what struck us:
| Abu Dhabi | Dubai |
|---|---|
| Greener | More built up |
| Quieter, calmer | Busier, faster |
| Lower skyline, more open views | Tall buildings everywhere |
| More walkable between areas | Need a car for everything |
| Feels "seaside" | Feels urban |
| Reportedly safer and cheaper | More expensive |
Sara's Take
"I want to go back. I want to explore more. In time, I would be open to exploring living in Abu Dhabi."
After just one 36-hour visit? That's quite a statement. But she's heard it's even safer than Dubai, and cheaper living. We're still so close to Dubai – you could live there and visit Dubai easily.
Consider this the seed being planted. In 1-2-3 years, if we ever made that move, this is where it started.
Getting There from Dubai
A mate messaged asking if we'd jumped on a plane to Abu Dhabi.
No – it's about 1 hour 20 minutes by car. For context, from the Midlands to London is a longer drive. Super accessible.
Total Costs Summary
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Beach Rotana (1 night, breakfast included) | £285 |
| Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque | Free (clothing purchase if needed) |
| Heritage Village | Free |
| Louvre Abu Dhabi (2 adults) | ~£52 |
| NBA Game (4 tickets) | ~£496 |
| Food, drinks, misc | ~£150 |
| Total Trip | ~£1,000 |
Without the NBA game, you could do this trip for under £500 easily.
Key Takeaways
- Heritage Village was the unexpected highlight – free and fantastic
- Grand Mosque is a must-see – go morning or evening
- Book a hotel – makes it feel like a proper staycation
- Abu Dhabi feels different – greener, calmer, more open
- It's only 1.5 hours from Dubai – perfect weekend getaway
- Be spontaneous – this wasn't planned and it was one of our best trips
Planning Your UAE Adventures?
- Hatta Dam Day Trip – Another great day out
- Oman Road Trip – Cross-border adventure
- Relocation Package – Help with your Dubai (or Abu Dhabi?) move
Have you been to Abu Dhabi? We'd love to hear your experiences! 🇦🇪