Abu Dhabi in 48 hours - All that you need to know

Abu Dhabi, the capital city of United Arab Emirates is an interesting destination for those who want to engage with the culture of the Gulf countries. The city may lack the glitz and glamour of its illustrious neighbour Dubai, but it definitely offers unique experiences to all its visitors. The UAE capital is not just a hot and dusty city with its rich hydrocarbon wealth; the city with year-round sunshine has incredible architectural feats, affordable luxury and endless source of entertainment.

Abu Dhabi is located in the Arabian Peninsula adjoining the Arabian Gulf and is soon becoming one of the most visited cities of Middle East for its unique blend of modernity with cultural heritage. Abu Dhabi happens to be a popular layover city as well. And it would be a crime not to explore the city in that time. If you are looking for a 48 hours itinerary for things to do in Abu Dhabi, you have come to the right place.

I would say that 2 days are definitely not sufficient to experience the burgeoning city in entirety, but here is an ideal 48 hours guide for your stay at Abu Dhabi.

Day 1:

Yas Island

Head towards the Yas Island to for an adrenaline packed day. Yas Island is a modern day entertainment and leisure destination and it has all the attractions to keep you hooked for the entire day. Yas Island and the Ferrari World are situated in the Yas Island, both these places are must-visit and iconic in their own right. If you are able to get a joint ticket for Yas Water World and the Ferrari World then do get it.

Yas Waterworld

Yas Waterworld is a massive water park and one of the best ones in the region. There are a number of varieties of water rides and slides including a giant rollercoaster. It is a perfect place for a city that enjoys the sunny weather all through the year. You will literally be spoily for choices here with so many water slides, tube rides and the lazy pools. But don’t get too overwhelmed so that you miss on the time. The rest of the delights await!

Once you have had your fill of water sports, head towards the Ferrari World situated just across the Yas Water World. But before that grab a bite, as you may be hungry after so much fun filled time at the Yas Water World. Ferrari World, as the name suggests is a Ferrari themed entertainment park, the first of its kind in the world. The park boasts of 20 unique rides that can really get your adrenaline pumping. With a host of 4D experiences, stimulation rides, exhibitions and roller coasters, this entertainment park will take you to the world of Fast and Furious. And do not miss a ride at the Formula Rossa, the fastest roller coaster ride in the world. It accelerates from 0-240 km/hr within a span of 6 seconds – a recipe for extreme madness. Ferrari World is not only interesting for the motor enthusiasts, but also for kids and thrill-seekers.

After your dosage of thrill and adventure, do visit the Yas Mall. This is one of the largest malls in Abu Dhabi having unique and exclusive stores from most famous global brands. It has a terraced restaurant offering cuisines from around the world and flavoured shisha pipes. This is a perfect place to relax after the mad day of adventure.

Yas Marina Circuit is the place where the Grand Pix Finale takes place. This is definitely a must visit place for motorsports enthusiasts. Even if you were not one, I would recommend you to visit there before heading off towards your hotel. The sunset here is extremely beautiful.

Day 2

The first day was well spent at the waterpark and Ferrari World. Use the second day to explore the city. You can avail the hop-on-hop-off bus service provided by Big Bus Tours to get acquainted with the attractions of Abu Dhabi. You can get a Classic 1-day ticket and explore the city at your own pace throughout the day. There are buses at every stop every 30 minutes. There are about 16 stops on the Big Bus Tours. Out of them, these are the must-visit ones.

Etihad Towers

Get a glimpse of these iconic buildings of the Abu Dhabi skyline. Located at the end of the Corniche Beach Road, the two tallest buildings in Emirates are known as the Etihad Towers. The towers look magnificent in day light. Also go all the way up to the 74th floor to the highest observation deck at Abu Dhabi. Observation Deck at 300 is a stunning lounge that offers 360-degree view of the entire city.

The place closes at 6 PM, so if you are planning to visit, do so before that.

This is one of most famous landmarks of Abu Dhabi and the pinnacle of UAE’s history and culture. This marvelous architectural masterpiece is surely to leave you stunned. The sheer grandeur of the mosque along with the intricately designed pillars and magnificent decors will definitely leave you awestruck. The mosque also has the largest Iranian carpet ever woven. The pure white marble minarets and the stunning domes across the backdrop of the blue skies are really a sight to behold. You will need atleast an hour to explore the beauty of the mosque. So plan accordingly. Also do keep in mind that the mosque remains closed on Friday.

This is the beach area of the city and one of the liveliest areas of the city. It stretches across a 8 km sandy beach and walking paths along with cafes, beach parks, restaurants, water sports and so many more. The crystal clear waters of the beach is quite inviting and you would definitely wonder whether to walk quietly along the beach or take a dip in the clear waters.