United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi and its highlights

Published August 2, 2023Updated October 29, 202612 min readEditorial integrity

Abu Dhabi is an excellent option if you’re looking for an luxury destination for your next vacation. This city is full of architectural, cultural and natural treasures. Discover our selection of the best places to visit during your stay in Abu Dhabi.

Organizing your dream trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with points is possible with preparation. Take the time to plan this magnificent trip.

United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi and its highlights - welcome to abu dhabi

Abu Dhabi or the "Jewel of Arabia"

The city is an attractive luxury destination for tourists worldwide and is generally quick to visit: one or two days can be enough to discover its main attractions.

United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi and its highlights - Marina Abu Dhabi

Where is Abu Dhabi?

The UAE is located in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula and comprises seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, the capital and largest emirate; Dubai; Ajman; Sharjah; Fujairah; Ras al Khaimah and Umm al Quwain.

Why go to Abu Dhabi?

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It offers a fusion of tradition and modernity. With its majestic heritage buildings, world-class museums such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi, pristine beaches, natural islands and cultural vibrancy, the city promises a unique and diverse experience for every visitor. It would be a shame to leave it out if you’re going to Dubai and vice versa, especially as they’re only an hour and a half’s drive apart.

What's the difference between Dubai and Abu Dhabi?

Dubai is often associated with its dynamism, iconic skyscrapers, gigantic shopping malls and cosmopolitan character. It’s a city that symbolizes modernity and luxury.

Although half the size and density, Abu Dhabi has a more substantial cultural and historical presence, with a tendency to focus more on the traditional and the artistic while also featuring modern elements. Abu Dhabi offers a more balanced perspective between the new and the old.

United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi and its highlights - dubai-03

When is the best time to visit Abu Dhabi?

The best time to visit is between October and April, although the weather is fine all year round. In summer, temperatures approach 50 degrees. We were glad to be there in December, as the temperatures were perfect during the day and a little cooler in the evening.

United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi and its highlights - Abu Dhabi

Who is Sheikh Zayed?

The city pays homage everywhere to Sheikh Zayed, “Father of the Emirates,” the former Emir of Abu Dhabi. This politician was the driving force behind the creation of the UAE federation and the country’s modernization and stability. His son is now his successor, President of the U.A.E. and ruler of Abu Dhabi, the capital of black gold.

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^†Terms and conditions apply.

Annual fee

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Additional card$75

Annual income required

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Must-see places to visit in Abu Dhabi

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: An architectural masterpiece

When you arrive in Abu Dhabi, shower in Etihad’s Arrivals lounge if you have access, then take your means of transport – rental car, cab, uber or bus – to reach the famous Sheikh Zayed mosque in the morning light. You’ll be impressed by its grandeur and beauty.

The colossal mosque is reminiscent of a fairytale from the Arabian Nights, with its gilding and white marble. The women are kindly asked to put on the local garb, an abaya so they can enter.

Outside, the columns, minarets and domes are awe-inspiring. Enjoy taking photos of the marble reflecting in the water.

Inside, three prayer rooms feature the world’s largest hand-woven carpet and, above all, the world’s most enormous chandelier.

United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi and its highlights - depth view candlesticks and carpets

Logistics of our 5-month family trip around the world | Family trip - IMG 8997

The view is even more breathtaking at sunset. Take a seat on the esplanade opposite the mosque. Like many tourists and photographers, we stayed a long time to observe the colour changes on the white marble. You’ll enjoy an unforgettable moment of calm and beauty. Magic.

United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi and its highlights - IMG 0720

United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi and its highlights - sunset on the mosque2

Louvre Abu Dhabi: Iconic museum with a rich collection

Once you’ve completed your morning visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, move on to the Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi. Located in the cultural sector of Saadiyat island by the sea, it has been open since November 11, 2017, beautiful collections are present, and the structure impresses here too.

Look up: you’d think this silver dome was floating in the sky since there’s no visible beam. Shaped like a honeycomb, the dome is made up of stars and is intended as a play of light and shadow for visitors. It also allows better regulation of the temperature felt outdoors.

Adjacent to the Louvre, visit the Zayeh National Museum to discover the history and development of the United Arab Emirates.

United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi and its highlights - museum of the louvre and its silver sky

Opening hours: 10 am to 8 pm, Saturday to Wednesday, and 10 am to 10 pm Thursdays and Fridays.
Activities:
- Explore art collections spanning millennia of history.
- Guided tours available for information on the exhibitions.
- Art workshops and regular cultural events.

United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi and its highlights - contrast water and silver musée du louvre

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* The potential value of savings and rewards during the first 12 months includes the value of the welcome offer, the potential value of points earned in the first year and the value of foreign transaction fee savings as of May 22, 2026:

$300 in travel rewards (30,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Gold American Express Cardholders who make purchases totaling $2,000 in the first 3 months

$200 in travel rewards (20,000 bonus Scene+ points) for making purchases totaling $7,500 in the first 12 months

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$398 corresponding to the potential value of points earned in the first year (38,500 Scene+ points) based on the average amount of purchases made, per account, over the last 24 months, assuming an average spend of 28% of purchases in categories eligible for accelerated earn rates of 6X, 5X and 3X points.

Maximum potential value after the first year = $957 (rounded to $950)

The actual value of offers, savings realized and rewards earned will vary depending on card usage and eligibility for offers. Conditions apply.

1 Offer Description and Conditions: The 50,000 Scene+ points offer (the « Offer ») applies only to new Scotiabank Gold American Express credit card accounts (the « Accounts ») opened between July 2, 2026, and November 1, 2026 (regardless of the date you apply for the account), subject to the conditions below. All other program terms and conditions continue to apply during the Offer period. The Offer may be changed, cancelled or extended at any time without notice and cannot be combined with any other offer.

To qualify for the 30,000 bonus Scene+ points (the « 30,000 Bonus Points Offer »), you must make eligible purchases totaling at least $2,000 within three months of the account opening date. To qualify for the 20,000 additional bonus Scene+ points (the « 20,000 Additional Bonus Points Offer »), you must make $7,500 in eligible purchases on your new account during the first year (twelve months). Eligible purchases mean purchases, less refunds, returns and any other similar credits, and exclude payments, cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions), interest charges, card fees and other fees.

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Savings at Shell

Get up to 7 cents per litre in instant fuel discounts for a limited time and earn up to 5 cents per litre in Scene+ points value with a Scotiabank Gold American Express Card linked to a Shell Go+ Account:

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Earn up to 5 cents per Litre in Scene+ points Value (Equivalent) on Fuel Purchases: Each time you use your linked Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points on Fuel Purchases (All Grades) at participating Shell locations in Canada, you will earn at least 3 Scene+ points per $1 spent. Plus, as a Scene+ Member you will also automatically earn 1 Scene+ point for each litre in Fuel Purchases (All Grades), and as a Shell Go+ member, automatically earn 1 additional Scene+ point for each litre in Premium Fuel Purchases, made with your linked Scotiabank credit card. This means that for every litre in fuel purchased with your linked credit card, you can earn the equivalent of up to 5 cents of redeemable Scene+ points value based on a redemption value of $10 for every 1,000 Scene+ points redeemed for fuel purchases at participating Shell locations. Actual value may be lower depending on how you choose to redeem your Scene+ points. Earn and redemption limits may apply. See the Scene+ Program Terms and Conditions available at sceneplus.ca/terms-and-conditions for full details including redemption options and additional terms.

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Additional 3¢/L at Shell (limited time)

Additional 3¢/L Fuel Discount Offer: Offer valid from October 5, 2026 to December 31, 2026 (“Promotional Period”), eligible Scotiabank credit and debit cardholders enrolled in the Shell Fuel Benefits Program who have linked an eligible Scotiabank payment card (an “Eligible Card”) to their Shell Go+ account will receive an additional instant fuel discount of 3 cents per litre on eligible fuel purchases at participating Shell-branded retail locations in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories (the “Eligible Provinces”) excluding Shell Flying J locations. Fuel purchases made outside the Eligible Provinces are not eligible for this offer.

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The additional fuel discount is available on up to 1,000 litres of eligible fuel purchases per calendar month for each Eligible Card. The 1,000-litre limit resets at the beginning of each calendar month.

The additional fuel discount is non-transferable, is not redeemable for cash, and cannot be substituted or exchanged.

Participation in the Shell Fuel Benefits Program is subject to the applicable program terms and conditions available at Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.

Shell Canada reserves the right to make changes to this offer and to terminate the offer at any time, for any reason and without notice.

All other applicable terms and conditions of the Shell Fuel Benefits Program, Shell Go+ and Scotiabank continue to apply.