Mid-range · 3-hour walk · Abu Dhabi
Qasr Al Hosn and the Grand Mosque in three hours
The city's oldest building, the Corniche beach, and a taxi to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque for sunset.
Abu Dhabi is built for cars, and most of its sights are a motorway apart. The exception is the old centre, where the fort the city grew around still stands among the towers, a short walk from the waterfront. This route walks that part and takes a taxi for the one sight no visit should miss, the Grand Mosque, timed for sunset.
The route, stop by stop
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Qasr Al Hosn
The fort the city grew around, its watchtower built in the 18th century to guard the island's freshwater well. It is the oldest stone building in Abu Dhabi.
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Cultural Foundation
The city's first arts centre, opened in 1981 beside the fort. Look in for the current exhibition.
15 min here Walk here → -
Corniche Beach
The city beach on the eight-kilometre Corniche, facing the Gulf, with lifeguards and shade.
25 min here Walk here → -
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Arrive by taxi from the previous stop
Eighty-two domes, more than a thousand columns and one of the largest hand-knotted carpets in the world. Entry is free with a timed pass; cover arms and legs, and women cover their hair.
60 min here Walk here →
More in Abu Dhabi
Every walking route in Abu Dhabi, the full Abu Dhabi guide for where to stay and what a day costs, or walks in other cities.