Things to do in Abu Dhabi

The capital of the United Arab Emirates feels calmer and more spacious than its neighbour Dubai, spread across a string of islands on the Gulf. It is home to the gleaming white Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a waterfront corniche and a growing cultural district on Saadiyat Island anchored by the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Yas Island, near the airport, is the city's playground: a cluster of big-name theme parks, a Formula 1 circuit and a marina. Whether you come for art and architecture or for roller coasters and water slides, Abu Dhabi is easy to explore on its own or as a day trip from Dubai.