The capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi is often eclipsed by the more glamorous and opulent Dubai. But this is slowly changing, with Abu Dhabi teeming with attractions of its own. The beauty of Abu Dhabi is that it has all types of attractions, be it cultural, ancient, modern, natural, and adventurous. Plus, the fun does not end at midnight. In fact, several places in Abu Dhabi hold a special aura at night. Here we present to you the top 15 best places to visit in Abu Dhabi at night.
1. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
The magnificent, white structure in Abu Dhabi is the largest mosque in the UAE. Its 80+ beautiful domes, 1000+ large columns, large pools, wonderful intricate designs, massive crystal chandeliers, etc., attract people to this place all the time. But there is no doubt that the beauty of the mosque never fails to mesmerize after sunset. The lights of the mosque illuminate the entire place, and the shadows add an ethereal glow to it, making it look mesmerizing. The mosque is open till 10 PM on most days and till 11.30 PM on Fridays. The best part: it is one of the free attractions in Abu Dhabi.
2. Abu Dhabi Corniche
If you are looking for a leisurely place where you can relax and spend quality time with your family in the evening, Abu Dhabi Corniche is the place for you. Stretching 8 km, Abu Dhabi Corniche comprises a beautiful beach, walking and cycling paths, restaurants, cafes, and children’s parks. The great thing about it is that the Corniche is open 24×7. You can choose to visit the place to watch the gorgeous sunset and spend time exploring the cafes and food kiosks here. Alternatively, you can visit the place after dinner just to savor the vibe of the place and the view of the skyline right opposite to it.
3. Ferrari World
Abu Dhabi is home to the first F1-inspired theme park in the world and clearly one of the best theme parks in Abu Dhabi. An indoor theme park on Yas Island, Ferrari World is known for its super-fast rides and rollercoasters. The hero of the entire park is the Formula Rossa, the fastest rollercoaster in the world, which runs at the speed of 240 km/hour. RC Challenge, Tyre Twist, Made in Maranello, Tyre Change Experience, etc., are some of the other attractions here. While you require at least a few hours to explore the entire place, it is best to go early in the evening. This is because the crowds start diminishing near the closing time, ensuring that waiting time in the queue is less.
4. Dhow Cruise Dinner
The dhow cruise is more of an experience rather than a place. This is one of the best things to do in Abu Dhabi at night, as you get to enjoy a delicious dinner while checking out the beautiful views of the Abu Dhabi skyline. The dhow is a traditional boat that will take you along the coast of the Persian Gulf while offering you a scrumptious dinner along with some mind-blowing entertainment. The 3-course buffet meal comprising international and Emirati dishes is a highlight and so is the Tanura dance and live music performances onboard.
5. Overnight Desert Safari or Camping
One place in Abu Dhabi that would never disappoint you is the desert. The morning and evening desert safaris are quite popular Abu Dhabi holiday packages; but to enjoy the magic of the desert, you must opt for overnight desert safari or camping. It usually begins in the evening and includes a lot of adventure and entertainment activities. After indulging in dune bashing, camel riding, sandboarding, and quad biking; watching the cultural performances; and relishing a scrumptious BBQ meal, you retire to your Bedouin style tents for the night. Many overnight desert camps in Dubai also include star gazing around a bonfire.
6. Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Hotel
A hotel that truly resembles a palace straight from a fairytale, The Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental is fit for royalty. Spread around an area of 1400 square meters, the Emirates Palace offers palatial rooms along with expansive, lush gardens, a private marina, a private beach, a natural bay, and gorgeous swimming pools. You can spend the whole day in certain sections of the hotel like the beach, restaurants, exhibition halls, etc., (even if you are not staying in one of the rooms). But do not miss seeing this breathtaking palace hotel. The numerous lights make the ceilings, domes, and facade of the palace dazzle.
7. Qasr Al Watan
Qasr Al Watan or the Presidential Palace is the embodiment of modern Arabic architecture. During the tour of the place, you will get to see enormous and opulent rooms, each carrying their own significance. The Great Hall, The House of Knowledge, The Presidential Banquet, and Qasr Al Watan Library are some of the attractions here. While you can visit the place anytime during the day, it is best to visit in the evening, so that you can watch ‘The Palace in Motion’ show. This mesmerizing light and sound show will give you a glimpse into the culture and history of the UAE.
8. Al-Qana
Al-Qana is a waterfront destination, which is becoming popular for its happening nightlife. Teeming with dining, social, and entertainment options, this is the perfect place to spend your nighttime in Abu Dhabi. Al-Qana has numerous attractions, including The National Aquarium, Adrenark Adventure, Pixoul Gaming, and more. During your evening visits to Al Qana, you can enjoy dining at one of the restaurants, try one of the water sports, or simply walk around the place to take in its cool vibe. The place also has a canal where you can go on an abra ride while enjoying the glittering lights and hustle-bustle of the place.
9. Observation Deck at 300
The highest observation deck in Abu Dhabi is also worth visiting at night. It is located on the 74th floor of Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers (Level 2). It is named so because it is perched 300 meters above the ground. As observation decks go, the Observation Deck at 300 gives you a panoramic view of the entire city. Visit in the evening to watch a graceful sunset along with the glittering view of the city. To make it more interesting, you can enjoy evening tea or coffee with snacks along with the 360-degree view of Abu Dhabi.
10. Mangrove Night Tour
If you want to experience something peaceful, adventurous, and unique, all at the same time, you must go for a mangrove night tour. Mangroves are important for the ecological system of Abu Dhabi, and hence special efforts are taken by the government to preserve them. Kayak tours through the mangroves are common in this emirate, but the night tour is even more exciting. This kayak tour starts somewhere around sunset time and lasts for two hours. Each of the kayaks comes with lamps, giving you the chance to see the fauna in and around the water.
11. Marina Eye Ferris Wheel
Image Credit : turpravda.com
Located right outside the Marina Mall is the Marina Eye Ferris Wheel, an observation wheel that gives you a bird’s eye view of the entire city. Made of 42 air-conditioned observation capsules, the wheel gives you a fantastic view of the city from 60 meters above the ground. While this wheel is open for rides from 10 in the morning, evening is the best time to go for a ride if you want to see the city in all its glory along with the nearby attractions like the Abu Dhabi Corniche. For a luxurious experience, you can book a VIP capsule.
12. Yas Bay Waterfront
Yas Bay Waterfront is one of the upcoming attractions in Abu Dhabi. Located on the southern shore of Yas Island, a leisure and entertainment island, this waterfront destination gives you unparalleled view of the Arabian Gulf along with scores of entertainment opportunities. This place has more than 20 sophisticated restaurants, a plaza, luxury hotels, entertainment and concert arena, cafes, and a beach club. If nothing else, you can walk along the boardwalk stretching 3 km, enjoying the beautiful night views of the place.
13. Souk Central Market
Image Credit : gpsmycity.com
Nighttime is a great time to go shopping in Abu Dhabi. But rather than heading to the enormous malls of the city, opt for the Souk Central Market, an Arabic souk with all the modern comforts. As you explore this place, you will come across numerous high-end boutiques and stores. But this is also a great place to get your hands on souvenirs and local products. Here, you can buy things like beautiful carpets, traditional perfumes, shisha, different kinds of jewelry, and more. The best part is that this souk is open till late in the evening, giving you the chance for some nighttime shopping.
14. MAD Nightclub
If exploring the Abu Dhabi nightlife is what you want, visiting MAD Nightclub is a must. Located on Yas Island, MAD is one of the best clubs in Abu Dhabi. This club blends music, lights, and technology to bring you an experience like no other. The advanced sound system in the massive DJ booth will ensure that you never stop dancing. Apart from this, the 360-degree projection mapping, crowd scanning lasers, and large LED screens make it one of the coolest places to hang out in the city. MAD hosts some of the biggest names in the world of music regularly.
15. Yas Mall
Image Credit : yasmall.ae
Yas Mall is the largest mall in Abu Dhabi and the second largest in the UAE. If you want to fill your daytime checking out the major attractions of the city but do not want to miss out on the shopping opportunities, this is where you should head to. Yas Mall remains open till 2 AM, giving you the chance to indulge in retail therapy till the wee hours of the morning. The shopping mall has more than 370 stores selling local and international brands. And if you feel hunger pangs while exploring the mall, you can visit one of the 60 indoor and outdoor restaurants here.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What time do attractions in Abu Dhabi close?
Each attraction has its own opening and closing times. You will have to check the website of the attractions before you visit. However, most of the places mentioned here have late closing times.
2. Is Abu Dhabi safe at night?
Yes. Abu Dhabi is one of the safest cities in the world. There is plenty of lighting everywhere, and petty crimes are very less in the city.
3. How can I travel in and around Abu Dhabi at night?
The best way to travel in Abu Dhabi at night is by taxi. They are efficient, easily available, and inexpensive too.
4. How should I dress up in Abu Dhabi at night?
This would depend on the places you are visiting. If you are visiting public places like malls or places of cultural and religious significance, it is important to dress up modestly. Places like nightclubs, bars, and high-end restaurants are more relaxed when it comes to clothing. Still, ensure that you dress modestly when you are traveling to these clubs and bars from your hotel/residence and vice versa.
Conclusion
There is much in store for those who want to explore Abu Dhabi after sundown. All you need to do is pick up the places and things that trigger your interest and get ready for a memorable evening or night in Abu Dhabi.
