3 Day Abu Dhabi Itinerary

Where to stay: Sheraton Beach Resort

Day 1

  • Sheikh Grand Zayyed mosque

The Sheraton offers free breakfast every morning and has multiple restaurants for small bites or full meals depending on what you want. Depending on arrival, whether you are dropping luggage off or checking in, start your first day eating at the resort at The Tavern - a British style pub with laid back vibes and good food. The perfect start after travelling.

The Sheikh Grand Zayyed Mosque will be about a 30-minute drive from Olea. We got here around 2-3 PM to give ourselves enough time to bask in the stunning Islamic architecture and beauty of this mosque. It is IMPERATIVE to cover to show respect to the Islamic culture and religion here. That means women need to cover from head to toe including a headdress. Arriving between 2-3 PM is perfect timing to take in the beauty and gives enough time to head back to the hotel in time for dinner.

Dinner: For dinner, dine your first night in luxury and style at a Michelin-starred restaurant, Hakkasan at the Emirate Palace.

Link to their website to reserve: https://www.mandarinoriental.com/en/abu-dhabi/emirates-palace/dine/hakkasan

Day 2

  • YAS Island

Begin with the free breakfast that the resort has to offer for a relaxed morning before heading out to YAS Island. YAS Island is easily a place you can spend DAYS at but if you’re only in Abu Dhabi for a short period, definitely reserve just one day to spend here. There is something here for everyone! If you’re an avid theme park go-er, invest in the multi-park tickets. For avid shoppers, spend time at the YAS Mall and for all our racer enthusiasts, be sure to check out the F1 track. There’s a golf course here for the golfers who just want to golf by the ocean and there’s even something here for people who just want to relax and chill at the beach at YAS Marina.

Have lunch at Al Fanar in YAS Mall for traditional Emirati cuisine. Find link below:

Al Fanar Restaurant: https://www.alfanarrestaurant.com/yas-mall

Spend some time walking around and exploring the YAS Mall and all of the beauty and luxury it has to offer. Depending on the time, start to make your way to the marina for sunset and small bites. Return back at the resort to relax after a long day of exploring and end the night at the B-Lounge in the Sheraton Resort for beach and cabana vibes (and maybe even some shisha).

Day 3

  • Qasr Al Watan

  • Louvre

Start off your third and last day back at First Clique Restaurant & Cafe for something close but outside of the resort. Laid back and casual before heading out to the Qasr Al Watan and the Louvre.

When you are ready, head over to Qasr Al Watan, about a 7-10 minute taxi ride from Cafe Fountain. The best timing would be to head here between 11 AM and 12 PM to give yourself ample amount of time to indulge and embrace the Emrati culture through this stunning palace while having time to also check out the Louvre. I would suggest heading to the Qasr Al Watan before the Louvre due to the hours of operation of each.

Hours of operation -

Qasr Al Watan: 11 AM - 6:30 PM

Louvre: 10 AM - Midnight (exhibition halls and exhibitions close at 6:30 PM on weekdays and at 8:30 PM Friday - Sunday)

Late lunch before heading inside the Louvre or something inside the Louvre

End your third and last day with dinner at Punjab Grill in Venetian Village near the Ritz Carlton, an upscale and one of the best Indian restaurants (in my opinion) in Abu Dhabi!