Saadiyat Island

Saadiyat Island lies about 15 km from central Abu Dhabi and has become the emirate's cultural address, with a museum district, long beaches of fine pale sand and resort hotels.

Why go

The highlight is the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the first museum in the Arab world to bear the Louvre name: under its vast latticed dome, masterpieces from East and West stand side by side. More about the island and its quarters is on the Saadiyat Island page. For the sea there is Saadiyat Beach, a paid club called Kai Beach since 2024, and Soul Beach by the Mamsha promenade, with bars and restaurants.

Where to stay and who it suits

Saadiyat is for a quiet resort holiday with museums close by: the hotels have their own beaches, and central Abu Dhabi is 15–20 minutes away.

How to get there

By taxi it is 15–20 minutes from central Abu Dhabi, about 25 minutes from Zayed International Airport and about an hour and a half from Dubai.