Corniche
The seafront of city beaches, Qasr Al Watan and Emirates Palace
Abu Dhabi district · 11 places · 16 hotels
The Corniche is Abu Dhabi's grand waterfront, about 8 km long, with beaches, parks and views of the city-centre skyscrapers. At its western end are the presidential palace Qasr Al Watan and the Emirates Palace hotel; opposite the promenade, the Breakwater holds the Heritage Village and Marina Mall.
Why go
The Corniche promenade has a pedestrian zone and cycle paths, and you can walk it at any time of day. Along it lie Corniche Beach, a Blue Flag beach, and the free stretch at Al Sahil: both are open from 6 am to midnight, with swimming until sunset. For a beach day with service there are the Emirates Palace beach, The Bayshore Beach Club and Nation Riviera.
Qasr Al Watan is the working residence of the UAE president, open to visitors since 2019; next to it is Emirates Palace, one of the symbols of Abu Dhabi. The Heritage Village shows how people lived in the emirate before oil, and from the 74th floor of Etihad Towers you can see the whole Corniche — that is where the Observation Deck at 300 restaurant is.
Where to stay and who it suits
The Corniche is for those who want to stay in the centre and by the sea, with beaches, restaurants and the main sights close by. The hotels here are mostly upscale, from Emirates Palace to the hotels in Etihad Towers. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is about 20 minutes away by taxi, Yas Island 30–35.
How to get there
Abu Dhabi has no metro: people get around by taxi and bus, and bikes can be hired along the Corniche. From Zayed International Airport, a taxi to the waterfront takes about 35–40 minutes.
What to see in Corniche
Corniche Promenade
Free
Emirates Palace Hotel
Free
Qasr Al Watan (Presidential Palace)
from 66 AED · ≈ 18 $
Heritage Village
Free
Corniche beach
Free
Marina Mall
Free
Emirates Palace Beach
from 2 123 AED · ≈ 578 $
Observation Deck at 300
from 62 AED · ≈ 17 $
The Bayshore Beach Club at the Intercontinental Hotel
from 738 AED · ≈ 201 $
Abu Dhabi Beach
Free
Nation Riviera Beach Club
Where to stay in Corniche
Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort, Abu Dhabi Corniche
from 525 AED · ≈ 143 $
Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
from 735 AED · ≈ 200 $
InterContinental Abu Dhabi by IHG
from 442 AED · ≈ 120 $
The St. Regis Abu Dhabi
from 1 241 AED · ≈ 338 $
The Abu Dhabi EDITION
from 1 161 AED · ≈ 316 $
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi
from 1 562 AED · ≈ 425 $
InterContinental Residences Abu Dhabi by IHG
from 742 AED · ≈ 202 $
Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana, Abu Dhabi
from 426 AED · ≈ 116 $
The district has 16 hotels in our database; these are the best rated by guests.
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