Abu Dhabi skyline

Abu Dhabi vs. Dubai: Which City Should You Visit?

Find out which of the Emirati nations intrigues you the most.
By Katie Sagal

Wondering which city to visit: Dubai vs. Abu Dhabi? We've rounded up the major highlights of each city and compared the biggest differences.

If you’re planning on traveling to the UAE, you’re probably searching for that perfect combination of traditional culture and modern comforts that the Emirates has to offer. Figuring out where, specifically, you want to focus your explorations can be a little bit of a challenge.

Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi have excellent attractions for Western visitors to enjoy, along with a nice selection of more traditional Arabic activities. To help you decide whether you want to visit Dubai or Abu Dhabi, we’ve put together a guide comparing the two on multiple points, including:

  • Location & Demographics
  • Popular Cultural Attractions
  • Popular Outdoors Attractions
  • Popular Tours

Location & Demographics

While both Dubai and Abu Dhabi are located on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is further north. Dubai is also the largest city in the Emirates, and the most densely populated. It’s typically a popular destination for travelers from the West looking for city-based explorations because it has a luxurious, urban vibe as well as plenty of family-style attractions.

Abu Dhabi

abudhabi-corniche-view-top-abu-dhabi

Abu Dhabi is further south, about an hour and a half away from Dubai (measuring from city center to city center).

Abu Dhabi offers the glitz and glam of Dubai, just with a little less hectic energy. It’s the capital city of the Emirates and the second most populated city. Abu Dhabi is also known for its natural attractions and outdoorsy activities due to its unique location on an island that juts out into the Persian Gulf.

It’s filled with parks, gardens, public beaches, and more. You can easily travel between the two via bus or car, but keep in mind that it is a 3-hour round trip, so it may make sense to stay in each city on the days you’ll be exploring there to avoid losing too much time to transit.

Popular Cultural Attractions

Both cities offer a bevy of cultural attractions to curious travelers from the West. You’ll find everything from historic buildings to hyper-modern construction, as well as museums and adventurous activities like theme parks.

Dubai

wow-view-dubai-skyline-night-city

Dubai is home to one of the most iconic buildings on Earth – the Burj Khalifa. The tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa has an impressive observation deck, spanning multiple stories in the tower and providing panoramic vistas of the city and ocean below.

It’s also home to luxury hotels on a scale practically unheard of outside of the Emirates. The Burj Al Arab, for example, is one of the world’s most elite hotels. Even if you can’t stay there, it’s worth walking by to see their signature sail shape.

If you’re a fan of theme parks, you’ll find that Dubai is unrivaled when it comes to these types of attractions. You can explore IMG Worlds of Adventure, MOTIONGATE Dubai, Bollywood Parks Dubai, LEGOLAND® Dubai, and so much more. As far as water parks go, Aquaventure is a top destination.

In terms of museums, Dubai is home to many smaller cultural attractions (many of which offer free or low-cost admission), as well as the Dubai Museum, the expansive new Etihad Museum, and the fascinating, family-friendly Hatta Heritage Village.

Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Zayed Mosque

As the wealthiest city in the Emirates, Abu Dhabi is no slouch when it comes to amazing architecture and beautiful buildings. Their most famous offering comes in the form of the Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque, which some say is the most visually striking mosque in the entire world.

Abu Dhabi is also home to a selection of athletic venues with impressive architectural designs, including the Zayed Sports City Stadium, Al Jazeera Stadium, and the Yas Marina Circuit, host to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

There are also some theme parks and water parks here, although fewer than in Dubai. The most popular are Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi and the indoor Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. For museum lovers, Saadiyat Island is a must-visit destination that will only become more popular as it continues to be developed. For now, you’ll find the Louvre Abu Dhabi, which is the largest art museum in the Arabian Peninsula.

With a pass by Go City, you'll find numerous tours and attractions that take you from Dubai to Abu Dhabi so you can experience the best of both these wonderful cities.

Popular Outdoors Attractions

Both cities are subject to the same extreme temperatures during certain times of the year, but when it’s not summer you’ll find plenty of outdoorsy activities to do in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. There are more water-based activities in Abu Dhabi by virtue of its island location, but Dubai has Palm Jumeirah and its associated activities.

Dubai

If you want to enjoy essentially any water sport you can think of, Dubai is an excellent destination. Embark on a kayaking adventure, try your hand at windsurfing, or get a bit of exercise with some stand-up paddleboarding.

You also have multiple cruise options (including a few dinner cruises), so you can enjoy the vibrant waters around Palm Jumeirah at your leisure. Cycling enthusiasts will also love the opportunity to explore Jumeirah Beach with a convenient bike rental. 

4x4 Dubai

For those visitors looking to explore the greater natural world of Dubai, a desert safari is a top option. Alternatively, a 4x4 quad bike ride in the desert is a thrilling way to enjoy the sand dunes.

Abu Dhabi

Home to the Eastern Mangrove Lagoon National Park, Abu Dhabi is an outdoor lover's paradise. Visitors love to explore these gorgeous waters, whether by kayak tour or a boat. There are other places to enjoy the water in Abu Dhabi, including the region around Yas Island. Take a sightseeing cruise that allows you to sit back and relax and spend some time swimming.

There are also some charming sunset cruise options that are great for couples. An especially unique thing to do in Abu Dhabi is a camel-trekking tour: this distinctively Arab activity is often on many bucket lists. You could also choose from a desert safari with a BBQ dinner to immerse yourself in Emirati tradition.

Popular Tours

Both Abu Dhabi and Dubai offer a variety of tours to help visitors explore their respective neighborhoods, highlights, and hidden gems. Many of the same companies operate in both cities (in terms of big, international tourism organizations), although each also plays host to many small businesses.

Dubai

The hop-on hop-off Dubai tour from Big Bus is the most popular way of exploring this city. It offers multiple stops across several tourist-friendly neighborhoods with three routes to choose from. Sightseeing doesn’t have to be confined to land, either – especially in a city like this! There are speedboat sightseeing tours around Dubai Marina, which is another must-see part of the city.

Abu Dhabi

Big Bus Abu Dhabi

There’s also a hop-on hop-off Abu Dhabi tour from Big Bus that’s very convenient for visitors to this city. Choose from two routes (Yas Route or City Route) and enjoy pre-recorded commentary in eight languages. If you want to explore the city via the water, there are many daytime cruise options to choose from.

The biggest differences between visiting Dubai vs. Abu Dhabi

Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi have much to entice the Western traveler. From food and culture to entertainment and water sports, you’ll find it all at these top destinations. However, there are some key differences.

At the risk of generalizing a bit, you’ll find more nature-oriented activities and eco-friendly things to do in Abu Dhabi. Because of its island location, Abu Dhabi has plenty of cruises and boat activities, too. On the other hand, you’ll find more high-end things to do in Dubai, from shopping and dining to theater and music. It’s the flashier city and has a lot to offer those looking for top-notch entertainment.

Dubai Business bay

Dubai is a slightly more popular destination for Westerners. It's more densely populated, so you’ll find a greater familiarity with English, better nightlife, and more tolerance of Western habits (including alcohol consumption – available at the resorts and hotels).

Abu Dhabi, however, has much to offer curious travelers who are interested in exploring the cultural side of things, including mosques, museums, and even a famous falcon hospital. It’s a bit more peaceful but can also be such an exciting getaway.

Thinking about visiting Abu Dhabi or Dubai?

If you’re interested in exploring the wealth of cultural and natural attractions that either Emirate has to offer, you’ll want to check out the passes offered by Go City®. You can save on admission to top Dubai and Abu Dhabi attractions, including tours, cruises, cultural attractions, and more.

Whether you want to see Dubai icons like the Burj Khalifa or local colors like a camel-trekking tour (or both!) Go City® has got you covered.

All you have to do is take your pick between the All-Inclusive Pass or the Explorer Pass, grab the Dubai pass that suits you, and go exploring!

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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A couple relaxing on massage tables
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Relaxing things to do in Dubai

Life in Dubai can feel like a movie in the Fast & Furious franchise. However, it doesn’t have to. If you’re a speed freak or adrenaline junkie Dubai won’t disappoint, with some of the fastest roller coasters in the world and a wealth of extreme sports. But if it’s a slower pace of life you’re after, don’t discount a trip to the largest of the United Arab Emirates just yet! Why? Because relaxing things to do in Dubai include everything from luxurious spa stays to sumptuous afternoon teas. Check out the top relaxing spots in Dubai right here! Sample incredible foods Boozy brunches have become a staple with the expat crowd come the weekend. The rest of the week morning dining is a far more tranquil affair, with plenty of spots offering refuge to remote workers and those keen to take it easy, whether with the latest coffee creations or something more substantial. Menus range from full English breakfasts to pastry selections that would make Julia Child and Heston Blumenthal blush. Alternatively, you could swap the full English for an afternoon tea. Expect a blend of traditional British high tea and modern inventiveness, with contemporary flavors served up on porcelain your grandmother would be proud to have owned. If you’re looking to splash the cash, head straight for the Skyview Bar at the Burj Al Arab or the Chart Room of the QE2 floating hotel. For an authentic Emirati experience, tea and coffee houses dot the souks of Deira, with prices starting at just a handful of dirhams and the conversation that ensues entirely free or charge. Hit the stores Whilst the narrow lanes of Dubai’s souks were until very recently the only place to shop, the expectation that you need to haggle or be taken advantage of can make it less than relaxing. The air-conditioned arcades of their modern equivalent, Dubai’s malls, have some extraordinary shopping opportunities. They don’t call it retail therapy for nothing. Dubai being Dubai, its malls are glittering – sometimes literally – representations of conspicuous consumption. But even if you’re not someone who enjoys shopping for shopping’s sake, their range of alternative attractions still makes them a good bet when considering relaxing things to do in Dubai. Mall of the Emirates hosts Ski Dubai, complete with live penguin meet and greets, whilst Dubai Mall provides a home for the denizens of the deep at Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. Marvel at sparkling waters The sound of waves is known to bring down heart rates, and most of Dubai’s neighborhoods are close enough to waters to make this another option for the most relaxing things to do in Dubai. Traditional trading vessels known as dhows continue their passage as they must have done for centuries. Today, they are just as likely to be carrying tourists on a dinner cruise along Dubai Creek than cargo, taking in some of Dubai’s top waterside developments. The smooth waters that generally kiss the Dubai coast are also ideal for stand-up paddleboarding. The channels that slip between the island fronds of the Palm Jumeirah are a popular haunt for those stepping onto a board for the first time. Drift amongst the clouds Arguably though, Palm Jumeriah’s form is best taken in from the air. Most of us wouldn’t claim to find skydiving a relaxing pastime – in which case, there is another way. The Ain Dubai observation wheel provides 38 minutes of airborne panoramas without the need of a light aircraft or checking if your life insurance is still in order. Reaching a top height of 250 meters – that’s an almost unbelievable 75 stories up – views extend as far as the Burj Khalifa in downtown. Looking in the opposite direction, the gondolas of Ain Dubai are orientated to reveal the emirate’s spectacular sunsets too. Opt for some spa time It doesn’t matter whether you’re new to the world of spas or looking for a very specific treatment, the likelihood is that there will be a spa somewhere in Dubai right for you. Those staying at any of Dubai’s top hotels will find themselves no more than an elevator ride away from spas featuring spacious wellness centers and treatment lists reading like a who’s who of international massage, from Japanese Iyashi to homegrown hammams. There’s also a whole host of yoga-themed retreats, including ‘underwater yoga’ based at the Lost Chambers Aquarium of Atlantis The Palm. Flop onto a sun lounger One of the closest stretches of free sand to the Burj Al Arab, in the early hours of the day Sunset Beach is quiet, making it a good shout for those seeking out a relaxing place to soak up the sun. As the day progresses it gets slightly busier, partly due to its proximity to the world’s most luxurious hotel, but also because of its popularity with surfers. Numbers hit their peak as the sun sets, with those who’ve gathered to take in the nightly spectacle then dispersing to the nearby mall for a bite to eat or one of the nearby bars for a drink. At the opposite end of the emirate, Al Mamzar Beach sits tucked into a tightly curved pocket of water backed by Alexandria Street and brushing the unmarked border with Sharjah. It’s western side links to a park of the same name which incorporates 55,000 square meters of picnic-ready lawn and almost 2000 palm trees for shade. The best ways to relax in Dubai From massage tables to breakfast buffets, Dubai is a destination which knows what it means to relax. Carve out some me-time on your trip to tick off the most relaxing things to do in Dubai and you’ll immediately feel the benefits. Head to Dubai with Go City, and you’ll also gain reduced admission to many of its top attractions! Relaxing in Dubai doesn’t have to break the bank!
Ian Packham
A woman tries sandboarding down a Dubai desert dune
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Outdoor activities in Dubai you have to try

With temperatures during its coldest months still hitting lows of 16°C and daily highs of 24°C, Dubai has been attracting those seeking out winter warmth for years. And though images of this constituent part of the United Arab Emirates tend to focus on its modern architecture and air-conditioned malls, there are few limits to getting out and about into the fresh air and sunny skies. Let’s take a look at the outdoor activities in Dubai you won’t want to miss! Desert safaris A dream world of lofty dunes and wandering antelope, Dubai is one of the easiest places in the world to get out into the desert. Just a short drive will have you waving goodbye to the towers of downtown and gazing in wonder at expansive desert panoramas. Don’t worry about having no off-road skills though, there are plenty of guided desert safaris to choose between, combining the experience of capping the dunes in a 4x4 with some time on the back of a camel or sitting around the open fire of a Bedouin camp come evening. If you’re a morning person, you can swap the sunset for the sunrise, with hot air balloons drifting across this ethereal landscape as oryx and gazelles feel the first warmth of the new day. Sailing adventures Before the advent of international air travel, it was the seas and waterways around Dubai that were its lifeblood. Signs of its significance aren’t hard to find, from the design of the Burj Al Arab to the stumpy hand-carved trading vessels called dhow which still dock at wharves within Dubai Creek. Smaller abra remain a popular alternative to the metro system for transporting people between one side of the creek and the other. However, to fully discover the sparkling waters head out on an organized sightseeing tour of the creek or Dubai Marina. Green spaces Dubai may not be known for its parks, but know where to look and you’ll find small pockets perfectly suited for getting away from it all. When it was first inaugurated, Safa Park was on the outskirts of the city. Today its palms and public boating lake are at the heart of it all, with views facing back towards downtown and the Burj Khalifa. Facing downtown from the opposite direction is Zabeel Park, whose grasses also include Dubai Frame. Another alternative is Creek Park, whose length of almost three kilometers is covered in flowers and liberally sprinkled with benches. Amusement parks Straddling multiple past times, Global Village is part funfair and part market, sharing the traditions of 78 different cultures across 26 pavilions. Whilst the replicas of the leaning tower of Pisa and London’s Big Ben are impressive enough, many visitors come for the food alone, since there’s around 200 different stalls in all – a similar number to the dining options at Dubai Mall. For splashing around there’s a couple of great options, with La Mer’s Laguna Waterpark and Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm leading the way. At Laguna cabanas overlooking the Persian Gulf make it as easy to relax as it is to get the heart pumping with its Free Fall plunge and surf machine. Meanwhile Aquaventure mixes lazy river rides with the twisted slides of aquaconda and over 100 other water-based activities for all the family. Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing Take to the open top deck of a Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing bus and let the most instaworthy of Dubai sights come to you without having to move from your seat. Stay onboard for the entire route and you’ll get two hours of commentary on attractions including Deira’s Gold Souk and downtown’s Burj Khalifa. Of course, there’s no better way to experience them than by seeing them for yourself. This is actually what a one day ticket allows you to do without having to pay any more to rejoin a later bus. Win-win. Beaches Beaches line Dubai’s coastline and are universally well-kept stretches of sand. Hitting their busiest on the weekends and during holiday periods (which does not include Christmas), they are also relatively popular on warmer evenings. Sundown at The Palm Jumeirah’s Palm West Beach is a particular favorite, since it gives visitors views of the setting sun. Its promenade’s 300 palms are lit up not long after, creating an attractive place for an evening stroll. At other times of day the beach hums with the sound of jet ski engines and speedboats towing inflatables, with wakeboards, efoils and flyboards all available too. Heritage village Created in 1997 but harking back to the time of Dubai’s earliest settlers, Al Shindagha district’s Heritage Village seeks to keep the emirate’s culture and tradition alive for future generations. It provides a space for visitors to explore traditional ways of life in the mountains, on the coast and in Dubai’s desert regions. A living museum, craftspeople such as potters and weavers sit within historic structures, whilst there’s also a functioning fishing village using age-old techniques to haul in the daily catch. Diving A much more modern approach to interacting with the region’s fish stocks is by snorkeling and scuba diving. Dubai itself is short of major dive sites, with Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo one of its top locations. On the plus side, Fujairah – another of the United Arab Emirates – has a number of sites and can be reached by road from Dubai in a couple of hours without having to worry about any passport formalities. Situated on the Gulf of Oman, Fujairah has both natural and artificial coral reefs, with most tours taking divers to Dibba Rock, Martini Rock, Snoopy Island or Inchcape, where species including green turtles, black-tipped reef sharks and clownfish can be encountered. Enjoy the best outdoor activities in Dubai with Go City You don’t have to look too far to find fun in the sun on a trip to Dubai. Nor does it take much searching to find ways of receiving significant savings on admission to many of its top outdoor attractions, since Go City does just that! So whether it’s desert safaris, the amusement parks or diving opportunities, don’t miss your chance to enjoy the outdoor activities in Dubai you just have to try.
Ian Packham
Souvenir stall Dubai
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The best Dubai souvenirs to buy on your next trip

The word souvenir comes from the French for ‘memory’. Find the right souvenir and the memories of your trip to Dubai will live on long after you’ve returned home. What you pick will largely depend on your travels and experiences, but in case you’re struggling for ideas, we’ve put together a selection of the best Dubai souvenirs right here! Finding the best souvenirs in Dubai with Go City There’s no better souvenir than the memories which come with the experience of gazing out across Dubai from the At The Top observation decks of the tallest building in the world or taking a stand-up paddleboard lesson and tour through the waters of the Palm Jumeirah. However, many of us want to remember our trips abroad with a physical memento. The best Dubai souvenirs certainly won’t disappoint, so make sure you leave time to stop by the souks and malls in between using Go City to obtain significant reductions on admission to many of Dubai’s top attractions. So grab a Dubai pass and save while you sightsee!
Ian Packham

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