Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

City guide · أبوظبي Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi

'Father of the Gazelle': from pearling village to capital of the UAE

Photo: Guilhem Vellut · CC BY 2.0

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE, quieter and more cultural than Dubai. The white domes of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island are the two calling cards of contemporary Arab architecture.

History

How the city came to be

Abu Dhabi means 'father of the gazelle'. The ruling Al Nahyan family belongs to the Bani Yas tribe and first settled in the Liwa Oasis to the west. In 1761 a hunting party led by Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa found fresh water by the sea, and a settlement was founded. Before oil was discovered, pearling was the main industry, at its height from the late 19th century to the 1910s. On 2 December 1971 Abu Dhabi and five other emirates formed the United Arab Emirates. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, named after the founding president, opened in 2007, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi in 2017.

1761Fresh water was found and a settlement founded
Late 19th to early 20th centuryThe pearling industry flourished
1971The UAE was founded
2007Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque opened
2017Louvre Abu Dhabi opened

Must see

Places you shouldn’t miss

Water, light and shadow beneath the dome

Classic landmarkSaadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Louvre Abu Dhabi

A history of human civilisation under Jean Nouvel's 'rain of light' dome, arranged by theme rather than by region.

The white domes of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Classic landmarkAbu Dhabi, UAE

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

82 white domes and the world's largest hand-knotted carpet — the culmination of contemporary Islamic architecture.

Local life

Food and local daily life

The long-spouted coffee pot, the dallah

FoodAbu Dhabi, UAE

Arabic coffee

Pale coffee with cardamom, served with dates — the Gulf's gesture of hospitality.

Before you go

Rules to know in Abu Dhabi

All etiquette & taboos →

Red lineEveryday mannersUnited Arab Emirates

UAE: no kissing in public

Show restraint in public

Kissing in public

You can be arrested for it.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: United Arab Emirates travel advice

Red lineEveryday mannersUnited Arab Emirates

UAE: swearing and rude gestures are illegal

Be polite when dealing with police and officials

Swearing or making rude gestures (including online)

Treated as an obscene act; can lead to prison or deportation.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: United Arab Emirates travel advice

Red linePublic transportUnited Arab Emirates

UAE: cross the road only at pedestrian crossings

Cross at designated pedestrian crossings and watch for traffic

Jaywalking

Illegal; you can be fined or even jailed. Even at zebra crossings, cars often don't stop.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: United Arab Emirates travel advice

TabooDressUnited Arab Emirates

UAE: cover shoulders and knees in malls and other public places

Women should cover shoulders and knees
Wear swimwear only at the beach or pool

Wearing see-through clothes or clothes with offensive images or words

It offends local people; some venues have their own dress codes.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: United Arab Emirates travel advice

Sources