Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan & Etihad Towers Tour
- Duration6 hours
- Daily
- Group
- Pickup available
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Overview
This guided Abu Dhabi city tour gathers the capital's headline landmarks into one comfortable day. We collect you from your hotel, apartment or the Port Zayed cruise terminal and take you to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Qasr Al Watan presidential palace and the Etihad Towers observation deck, with a photo stop at the Louvre Abu Dhabi and a drive along the Corniche. It is a shared tour in an air-conditioned vehicle, ideal for first-time visitors and cruise passengers.
Highlights
- Walk through the white marble courtyards and prayer hall of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
- See the Great Hall and the House of Knowledge library inside Qasr Al Watan
- Look over the city and the Gulf from the Etihad Towers observation deck
- Photo stop at the latticed dome of the Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island
- Scenic drive along the palm-lined Corniche waterfront
- Pickup from hotels, apartments and the Port Zayed cruise terminal in Abu Dhabi city
- Abaya with headscarf provided for women at the mosque
Full Description
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the reason most travellers book an Abu Dhabi city tour. Opened in 2007 and named after the founding father of the UAE, who rests beside it, the mosque blends Mamluk, Ottoman and Moorish ideas under 82 white domes and more than a thousand columns inlaid with semi-precious stones. In the main prayer hall you stand on one of the largest hand-knotted carpets ever made, beneath German-made crystal chandeliers.
Entry is free for every visitor, so the value of a Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque tour lies in the explanations: our guide decodes the floral inlays and reflecting pools as you walk. We spend about an hour and a half here, then take a lunch break. Morning light is the best time to visit, and on Fridays visiting hours are shorter because of prayers.
Qasr Al Watan, the Presidential Palace
Qasr Al Watan stands inside the presidential compound at the western tip of Abu Dhabi island and opened to the public in 2019. It is still a working palace, used for state visits and official meetings, which gives the visit a special feel. The Great Hall is crowned by a dome about 37 metres across, and the House of Knowledge library holds thousands of books on Arab science, history and culture.
Commentary is not permitted inside, so our guide briefs you before you enter and you then explore at your own pace for about an hour and a half. Qasr Al Watan opening hours can change without notice during official events; on those days we replace it with the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Is Qasr Al Watan worth visiting? For its craftsmanship and gifts of state, very much so.
Etihad Towers and the Observation Deck at 300
The five curved glass towers of Etihad Towers rise at the western end of the Corniche, opposite the Emirates Palace. Completed in 2011, the complex holds apartments, offices, a hotel and a luxury shopping arcade, and it became famous worldwide after a car stunt between two of the towers in an action blockbuster. The Observation Deck at 300 sits on the 74th floor of Tower 2, named for its height of 300 metres.
From the Etihad Towers observation deck you see the Corniche beaches, the Emirates Palace gardens and the palace domes you have just visited. We stay about 30 minutes, enough for photos and a slow circuit of the windows. The view is sharpest on a clear winter day; in summer haze the sea and sky can merge, so plan your camera shots around the light.
Louvre Abu Dhabi Photo Stop and the Corniche Drive
The Louvre Abu Dhabi opened on Saadiyat Island in 2017 as the first universal museum in the Arab world. Architect Jean Nouvel covered its galleries with a latticed dome 180 metres wide that filters sunshine into a rain of light over the water. On this tour it is a 15-minute photo stop outside the building; a full visit needs its own ticket and at least two to three hours.
Between stops the vehicle follows the Corniche, an eight-kilometre promenade of palms, beaches and cycle paths that frames the classic Abu Dhabi skyline. It is a lovely place to come back to at sunset on a free evening. If you are searching for the best things to do in Abu Dhabi in one day, this route links the city's heritage, its government landmarks and its modern towers.
Itinerary
- Pickup in Abu DhabiOur driver collects you from your hotel, apartment or the Port Zayed cruise terminal in an air-conditioned vehicle.
- Sheikh Zayed Grand MosqueA guided walk through the courtyards, arcades and main prayer hall, about 1.5 hours.
- Lunch breakAround 45 minutes of free time to eat near the mosque, at your own expense.
- Corniche driveA short scenic drive along the waterfront, about 10 minutes.
- Qasr Al WatanA briefing from our guide, then a self-paced visit of the presidential palace, about 1.5 hours.
- Louvre Abu DhabiPhoto stop outside the museum on Saadiyat Island, about 15 minutes.
- Etihad TowersTime on the observation deck for views and photos, about 30 minutes.
- Drop-offReturn to your hotel or chosen location in Abu Dhabi city.
What's included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Abu Dhabi city
- Air-conditioned modern vehicle
- Licensed tour guide
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque visit
- Qasr Al Watan palace visit
- Etihad Towers observation deck visit
- Louvre Abu Dhabi photo stop
- Abaya for ladies at the mosque and cold mineral water
Not included
- Lunch
- Any extra services or personal expenses
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Families with children — a child price for ages 4–11
- Travellers without a car — hotel pickup is included
- History and culture lovers
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.9/5 by past travellers
Think twice if
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
Not suitable for
- Wheelchair users
- Travellers carrying luggage or large bags
Meeting point
We pick you up from hotels and apartments across Abu Dhabi city and from the cruise terminal at Port Zayed. Guests arriving at Abu Dhabi Airport can be collected only from the Premier Inn Abu Dhabi Airport hotel. Your exact pickup time is confirmed after booking, so please be ready in the lobby a few minutes early. The full tour, including driving time, lasts about six to seven hours depending on traffic.
Important information
- A strict dress code applies at the mosque and the palace: shoulders, knees and tattoos covered for men and women, no shorts or sleeveless tops.
- Women receive an abaya with headscarf for the mosque visit, to be returned afterwards; men should dress modestly from the start.
- Qasr Al Watan can close without notice for presidential events; the Louvre Abu Dhabi replaces it on those days.
- Guided commentary is not allowed inside Qasr Al Watan, so the explanation happens before you go in.
- Lunch is not included; there is free time to buy food near the mosque.
- Luggage, large bags, pets and smoking are not allowed on the tour.
- Bring sunglasses, sun cream and water, especially between May and September.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque and Qasr Al Watan tour cost?
The price depends on the option and the date you choose. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, for adults and for children.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. We collect you from hotels and apartments in Abu Dhabi city and from the Port Zayed cruise terminal. From the airport area, pickup is possible only at the Premier Inn Abu Dhabi Airport hotel.
How long is the Abu Dhabi city tour?
Plan for about six to seven hours from pickup to drop-off, including driving time between the landmarks.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, families join this tour often. Children aged 4 to 11 book at the child rate and little ones aged 3 and under as infants. The tour is not wheelchair accessible.
What should I wear for the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque?
Loose clothes that cover shoulders, knees and tattoos. Women are given an abaya and headscarf on site; men need long trousers and sleeves. Shoes that slip off easily help at the prayer hall.
Can I book the tour for today or tomorrow?
Open dates and times appear in the booking calendar. Next-day departures are often available, but on cruise-ship days seats go quickly, so booking early is wise.
Is lunch included?
No. There is a break of about 45 minutes near the mosque where you can buy lunch at your own expense.
Do I need a ticket for the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque?
Entry to the mosque is free for everyone. You visit with our guide as part of the tour, so there is nothing to arrange separately.
What happens if Qasr Al Watan is closed?
The palace sometimes closes at short notice for official events. On those days we visit the Louvre Abu Dhabi instead, so your day stays full.
What is the difference between the options?
This page offers a shared tour with an English-speaking guide. Choose your date and starting time in the booking panel to see availability.
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