The heart of the city — the Corniche, a beautiful landscaped seafront promenade with a city beach, backed by the downtown towers, hotels, malls, restaurants and the old heritage sites. Central, walkable along the waterfront and well-served by taxis; the classic base for a first visit who wants the beach, the sea views and the city on the doorstep. Abu Dhabi's lively, seafront core. Convenient and scenic.
A look around
What you’ll be living next to. Swipe through.
€280–600
typical per night in United Arab Emirates
You pay for the postcode
One of the pricier addresses in Abu Dhabi.
Where it sits
The circle is The Corniche & Downtown and roughly a 10-minute walk around it.
How far is everything?
From the middle of this area to the city's headline sights — pick your own on the city page and these become your list.
- Qasr Al Watan9 min taxi2.9 km
- Louvre Abu Dhabi26 min taxi8.8 km
- Kayaking the mangroves29 min taxi9.7 km
- Saadiyat Island (beach)34 min taxi11.3 km
- Saadiyat Island beaches38 min taxi12.7 km
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque46 min taxi15.3 km
- Yas Waterworld & the parks79 min taxi26.3 km
- Ferrari World81 min taxi27.0 km
- A desert safari134 min taxi44.7 km
On your doorstep
What you’re living next to if you stay here.
- 5.The Corniche & city beach — The city's beautiful waterfront — the Corniche, an eight-kilometre landscaped promenade running along the Gulf, with a Blue Flag city beach, cycling and walking paths, parks, playgrounds and cafés, backed by the gleaming skyline. Stroll or cycle the seafront, relax on the clean city beach, or watch the sunset over the water; it's a lovely, free and central slice of Abu Dhabi life, especially pleasant in the cooler evenings. A relaxed, scenic highlight in the heart of the city. Lovely for a walk, a swim or a sundowner.
- 9.Heritage Village — A window into old Abu Dhabi before the oil boom — the Heritage Village, a reconstructed traditional Emirati settlement on the breakwater, with a fort, a mosque, Bedouin tents, a spice-and-craft souk, and demonstrations of old ways: metalwork, pottery, weaving and date-palm cultivation, plus lovely views back to the city skyline. Wander the village to glimpse the region's pearl-diving, desert and coastal heritage, and pick up handicrafts. A free, atmospheric and cultural stop that grounds the gleaming modern city in its roots. A pleasant, worthwhile hour or two.
- 10.Emirati & Middle Eastern food — Abu Dhabi is a superb, multicultural food city — feast on Emirati and Levantine classics like fragrant machboos (spiced rice with meat), grilled shawarma and kebabs, mountains of mezze, fresh Gulf seafood, and sweet luqaimat dumplings, then finish with dates and cardamom coffee. From humble, delicious shawarma joints and Lebanese restaurants to opulent hotel buffets and fine dining, the range is dazzling. Graze the local eateries and try authentic Emirati dishes; the flavours are rich, warm and generous. A delicious highlight. Come hungry.
- 11.Qasr Al Hosn — The oldest and most significant building in the city — Qasr Al Hosn, a striking white fort dating from the 18th century, the original home of Abu Dhabi's ruling family and the heart of the settlement that grew into the modern capital. Beautifully restored, it now houses a museum telling the story of the city's transformation from a small fishing-and-pearling village to a global metropolis, alongside a cultural centre and Emirati craft house. A fascinating, central plunge into the city's history and heritage. A rewarding, cultured stop downtown. Historic and illuminating.
When are you staying?
Booking.com & Airbnb open searched to The Corniche & Downtown; flights via Google Flights.