Free things to do in Abu Dhabi: what is officially free

These places in Abu Dhabi are free according to an official page: the Corniche public beach at Al Sahil (Gate 4), Al Bateen Beach, Hudayriyat Beach, the public areas of Yas Island, Manarat Al Saadiyat’s free exhibitions and talks, and the Experience Abu Dhabi shuttle bus. Louvre Abu Dhabi is free for under-18s. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque now charges for entry.

How this list was made

A place is on this page only if Visit Abu Dhabi, Visit Al Ain or the place’s own official site says, in so many words, that entry is free. Where an official page lists a place among free things but does not state the entry rule, or where another official page shows a fee, we say so instead of listing it as free.

One example of why this matters: Visit Abu Dhabi’s article on free things to do still says entry to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is free of charge. The mosque’s own FAQ now lists an admission fee. We follow the mosque’s page.

Free in Abu Dhabi city

Free for some visitors: the Saadiyat museums

Louvre Abu Dhabi is free for children under 18, senior UAE residents, People of Determination and certain accredited card holders. It is closed on Mondays and opens at 10am. Visit Abu Dhabi also says under-18s get free entry to most Saadiyat museums year-round, but policies vary by museum, so check each one before you go.

For a family, that usually means only the adults pay. Allow 1 to 2 hours per museum.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: free tour, paid entry

The mosque’s FAQ lists admission at AED 10 for visitors from outside the UAE, AED 5 for Emirates ID holders and AED 8 for visitors through tour operators. Every visitor must pre-book an online access pass. Worshippers can still enter directly.

What is still free: the daily walk-in guided tours, which last 45 to 60 minutes. Visiting hours are 9am to 8:30pm Saturday to Thursday, with a Friday break from 11:30am to 2:30pm. Our Abu Dhabi visitor guide covers the mosque’s dress code and rules.

Free in Al Ain

Al Ain is part of the Abu Dhabi emirate, about 90 minutes’ drive from the capital, and several of its main sights are free:

• Al Ain Oasis: no entry fee; open daily 9am to 7pm. 147,000 date palms over 1,200 hectares, watered by falaj channels around 3,000 years old.
• Qasr Al Muwaiji: free entry, with guided tours on offer; open 9am to 7pm.
• Al Jahili Fort: Visit Abu Dhabi says the fort’s gardens and exhibition halls are free to stroll through.
• Green Mubazzarah Park: Visit Al Ain says there are no tickets to enter. The park sits at the foot of Jebel Hafit and has warm springs and picnic lawns.
• Al Ain shuttle bus: free, linking Al Ain Oasis, Al Jahili Fort, Al Ain Zoo and the Camel Market.

For a full day there, see our Al Ain guide.

Often called free, but not free

Not confirmed: check before you count on it

Visit Abu Dhabi’s free-things article includes The Founder’s Memorial and Wahat Al Karama, but the official pages we could read do not state their entry rules. Visit Abu Dhabi gives The Founder’s Memorial’s hours as 9am to 10pm, seven days a week, and says cultural tours must be booked in advance. Wahat Al Karama, opposite the Grand Mosque, lists its visitor centre as open 9am to 7pm. Confirm entry with each venue before you plan a day around them.

A free day in Abu Dhabi

1. Morning: the beach at Hudayriyat or Al Bateen, before the heat.
2. Midday: take the free Experience Abu Dhabi shuttle to Saadiyat. Check what is on at Manarat Al Saadiyat; if you have children, the Louvre is free for them.
3. Late afternoon: walk the Corniche and swim at Al Sahil (Gate 4), parking for free nearby.
4. Evening: Yas Bay or Yas Marina, both free to walk around.

If you drive, remember Abu Dhabi’s Darb toll gates charge AED 4 per pass at peak times, so the day may not be entirely free. Visit Abu Dhabi says November to April is the most pleasant time to visit.

Where to check

• Visit Abu Dhabi: things to do for free (read alongside each venue’s own page)
• Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre FAQ for current fees
• Visit Al Ain for Al Ain’s sights

To find places to eat near these spots, browse our Abu Dhabi directory.

Checked against the official sources listed on this page on 7 October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so confirm on the official site before you go. See our editorial policy.