If you are thinking about a honeymoon in Abu Dhabi, you are in the right place. Although it is not as popular as its neighbor Dubai; Abu Dhabi is a great holiday destination that offers many things for young couples and families.
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and it is the second-most populous city in the country after Dubai. Since the early 2000s, Abu Dhabi has transformed itself into a modern metropolis and a rapidly growing tourism destination by investing billions into the tourism sector. Today, Abu Dhabi is home to many luxury resorts and hotels and the city has plenty of tourist attractions.
In this blog post, we prepared the perfect 4 day itinerary for a honeymoon in Abu Dhabi. If you have any questions or want to add something to our itinerary, please do not hesitate to comment below.
When you should plan a honeymoon in Abu Dhabi?
Since Abu Dhabi has a sub-tropical climate, it has high temperatures all year round. This means that you can expect sunny days and blue skies almost the entire year. United Arab Emirates is among the top 10 countries with the lowest rainfall in the world. In other words, it is very unlikely to experience rain during your holiday in Abu Dhabi. The water temperature in Abu Dhabi is warm throughout the year. If you are living in a country with freezing cold winters, Abu Dhabi might be a great winter escape destination for you. However, summer months are not the most pleasant time to visit Abu Dhabi because of the scorching heat and rising humidity levels. In general, the best time to visit Abu Dhabi is the cooler season between the months of November to April.
DAY 1: Arrival to Abu Dhabi and exploring downtown
You will most likely arrive in Abu Dhabi with a direct flight to Abu Dhabi International Airport or you will first land in Dubai and then transfer to Abu Dhabi by road. In general, you may consider Abu Dhabi as a well-connected city and you don’t have to worry about an exhausting trip reaching to your honeymoon destination.
When you arrive in Abu Dhabi and check-in in your hotel, your honeymoon starts right away. You may spend your first day in Abu Dhabi exploring the downtown. Abu Dhabi is a vibrant city that offers many attractions and entertainment options downtown.
The Corniche
The Corniche (or the Corniche Road) is the waterfront area in Abu Dhabi, stretching 8 kilometers long. It is probably the best recreational area in downtown Abu Dhabi which includes children’s playgrounds, cycling track, pedestrian pathways, restaurants, cafés and the Corniche Beach. It is a great place for strolling around, listening the calming sound of waters and watching the city skyline.
Qasr Al Hosn
Qasr Al Hosn is the oldest standing structure and historically the most significant building in Abu Dhabi. It was built in 1790’s in order to defend the coastal trade routes and the growing settlement in Abu Dhabi. After years of renovations, Qasr Al Hosn has been turned into a museum displaying artifacts and telling the history of Abu Dhabi from a small fishing settlement to a global metropolis.
Observation Deck at 300
Observation Deck at 300 is the highest vantage point in Abu Dhabi where you can enjoy the great views of the city. It is located in Etihad Towers’ second tower, on level 74. It is a fantastic place to capture stunning photos and enjoy an afternoon tea or a freshly brewed coffee with sweet and savory treats.
Heritage Village, Abu Dhabi Skyline and the Marina Mall
Heritage Village is a reconstructed traditional village that offers glimpses of life in the United Arab Emirates before the discovery of oil reserves. Inside the complex, main elements of the daily life can be observed. There are also individual rooms where you can watch craftsmen at work in various labors such as pottery and glass-blowing.
In front of the Heritage Village, there is a nice beach which is famous for having one of the best skyline views of the city. If you are going to visit the Heritage Village, make sure you visit the beach in front the village complex and capture stunning photos of Abu Dhabi’s skyline.
After visiting the Heritage Village, you can head to the Marina Mall which located at the same island. Marina Mall is located in one of Abu Dhabi’s most prominent districts. It is very close to the Corniche Road and the Emirates Palace. Marina Mall houses more than 400 stores including the stores of the high-end brands, wide range of dining and entertainment venues.
DAY2: Palaces, Mosques and the Desert
Emirates Palace
You can start you second day in Abu Dhabi by touring the Emirates Palace, the world-famous ultra luxury hotel which is operated by the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. Actually, Emirates Palace is a great choice for couples who want to experience the royal treatment. However, don’t feel sad if your budget is not enough to stay in this fabulous palace. You can still visit the Emirates Palace and enjoy a romantic brunch, afternoon tea or dinner. Entrance to the palace is free but keep in mind that there is a dress code and sometimes the security is tighter for the visitors.
Qasr Al Watan (UAE Presidential Palace)
Located right next to the Emirates Palace, Qasr Al Watan is another important landmark that is definitely worth visiting. In addition to being the Presidential place of the UAE, Qasr Al Watan is an iconic landmark, showcasing the Arabian artistry and heritage with its architecture and decoration. The palace was opened to the public in March 2019 and it was nominated for the World Travel Awards as the Leading Cultural Tourist Attraction in the Middle East. There are several different zones open for visiting, each highlighting a unique aspect of the Palace’s many functions and features.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Probably the most famous landmark in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a must-visit attraction in Abu Dhabi. It took more than 10 years for 3000 workers to build this architectural marvel and it was completed in 2007. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a fascinating sanctuary. The mosque incorporates architectural styles from different Muslim civilizations. From its 1096 amethyst-and-jasper-embedded columns to gold-plated Swarovski chandeliers, every little detail in Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a work of art.
Evening Desert Safari
A trip to the United Arab Emirates is never complete without going on a desert safari. You can enjoy the desert with an exciting off-road drive, experience a camel ride on the sand dunes and watch the breathtaking sunset over the immense landscape. When the sun goes down, it is time to experience the authentic Arabian nights by feasting on delicious Arabic cuisine, trying shisha and watching a dance show. There are several tour companies in Abu Dhabi offering desert safari packages with different prices. You can choose what kind of services you want and when you want to go on a safari depending on your preferences.
DAY3: Entertainment Hub of the UAE: Yas Island
One can describe the Yas Island basically as the entertainment hub of the city. The island occupies a total land area of 25 square kilometers. It is home to some of the most popular attractions in the city. You cannot visit all the attractions in the Yas Island within a day even if you have a quick tour of each venue.
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is probably the most famous attraction in the Yas Island. It is a theme park with more than 20 exhilarating rides, one of which is the Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest rollercoaster reaching a speed of 240 km per hour.
If you want to go back to your childhood and meet with your favorite cartoon characters, you have to visit Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. It is the largest indoor theme park in the world with 29 rides; spanning across 1.65 million-square-foot land.
Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi is the place you should go if you want to make a splash. Set across more than 15 hectares of land, Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi is home to more than 40 rides, slides and attractions.
Shop till you drop at the Yas Mall
Yas Mall is Abu Dhabi’s largest, and the UAE’s second-largest shopping centre covering an area of approximately 235,000 square meters. In addition to being home to more than 370 stores and around 60 restaurants and cafés; the mall hosts number of events and exhibitions throughout the year.
Yas Marina and the Yas Marina Circuit
Yas Marina Circuit is a popular sporting and entertainment venue in Abu Dhabi. The circuit hosts the Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix since 2009. If you want to burn some rubber and experience the thrill of driving fastest super cars, Yas Marina Circuit is the place to be.
Yas Marina on the other hand is one of Abu Dhabi’s finest marinas. It is a vibrant venue offering dining, fitness and leisure facilities. We can describe the Yas Marina as the nightlife entertainment hot spot of Abu Dhabi. This is the place where people go to party at night. At the Yas Marina, amazing views of the yachts and F1 track creates a great atmosphere for a date night.
DAY4: Saadiyat Island and the Mangrove National Park
If you want to start your fourth day in Abu Dhabi with a serene morning in the nature, you can visit the Mangrove National Park. Mangroves are groups of trees and shrubs that are growing in the sea waters of tropical and sub-tropical coastal areas. They create a habitat for biodiversity and they are home to variety of bird, fish and plant species. Mangrove National Park in Abu Dhabi is located on the edge of the city. The best way to explore this natural wonder is going on a kayaking trip in the early morning. Bring your camera with you if you want to capture some amazing photos while exploring the channels.
Saadiyat Island
Saadiyat Island, literally meaning “Island of Happiness”, is a natural island only five minute drive away from downtown Abu Dhabi. It is a world class leisure island; home to museums, beaches, luxury hotels and a golf course. Saadiyat Island is home to some of the best hotels and private beach clubs in Abu Dhabi. There is also a 400-metre long public beach with lounge chairs, showers, bathrooms, lockers and changing rooms. If your idea of honeymooning is relaxing on the warm sandy beaches and enjoying the sun and the sea, then you should consider booking a resort located on the Saadiyat Island.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi
The Louvre Abu Dhabi is an art and civilization museum located on the Saadiyat Island Cultural District. It is the largest art museum in the Arabian Peninsula. The Louvre Abu Dhabi encompasses 9.200 square meters of galleries; including a Permanent Gallery and a Temporary Gallery enriched by loans from notable French museums including Louvre Museum, Musee d’Orsay and the Pompidou Centre. Each year, Louvre Abu Dhabi presents four major special exhibitions created in collaboration with their French museum partners. The building of the museum itself is a piece of art, designed by Pritzker-prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel.
Conclusion
Abu Dhabi might not be the most popular honeymoon destination in the world. However, Abu Dhabi doesn’t have a shortage of fun and relaxing attractions and beautiful beaches. Abu Dhabi is one of the safest cities in the world and it is an incredibly tourist friendly destination. Having direct flights to many destinations in the world makes Abu Dhabi a well-connected metropolis.
Just like its neighbor Dubai, Abu Dhabi aims to be one of the most popular tourism destinations in the world. Therefore, they make sure that all the visitors arriving to Abu Dhabi leave the country with good memories. If you are looking for a unique honeymoon destination that is close to Europe, we highly recommend you to consider Abu Dhabi.
If you would like to read more information about honeymoons in Dubai or useful information about the UAE, click here to read our main article.
To discover more places in Abu Dhabi and to read the most accurate information; you may visit Abu Dhabi’s official visitor website for tourists.