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Saadiyat Island is another feather to UAE’s hat. It is a natural island and a major tourist attraction in the country. Create memories to last a lifetime amidst natural surroundings, pristine beaches and a huge collection of art, culture and entertainment.
Located just 20 minutes from Zayed International Airport and 1 hour 15 minutes from Dubai, Saadiyat Island offers the perfect blend of tranquility and sophistication. You can find multiple 5-star beachfront properties offering unparalleled luxury and scenery.
Guests seeking a bit of intellectual stimulation can stop by prestigious institutions such as the one-of-a-kind Abrahamic Family House and Manarat al Saadiyat, besides the forthcoming Zayed National Museum and teamLab Phenomena.
Experiences at Saadiyat Island
Saadiyat Island has something for all guests. Featuring museums, notable institutions and meticulously curated programming, Saadiyat Island is a remarkable place to experience transformative luxury and intellectual simulation in a natural surrounding.
1. Kai Beach
Spend a day in barefoot luxury at Kai Beach Saadiyat Island. You can make bottlenose dolphins and sea turtles as your companions for a day. Soak in some much-needed bohemian style under macrame umbrellas, muslin tents and palm fronds.
Kai Beach opens at 7 am, so get in as early as possible, relax and take in a spectacular sunset. Sink your toes in its therapeutic sands, stroll along the 500 m length and stop for delicious treats. There are luxurious changing room facilities for added convenience.
Kai Beach Ladies’ Day is usually on Fridays and the entire beach is kept reserved for female guests only. Only male children under 18 months of age are permitted to enter the beach on this day. The ladies can take a break in boho-chic settings for the entire time.
2. Saadiyat Beach Club
Set among glorious natural surroundings, Saadiyat Beach Club boasts an exceptional location, featuring an infinity pool and a broad array of amenities such as spa, private cabanas, contemporary dining and private beach access.
Situated in a protected area of a beach that has been certified Blue Flag for a long time, guests can make lasting memories in a beautiful surrounding. If lucky, you may also see some dolphins playing in the Bay or catch a glimpse of turtles on the shore.
3. Soul Beach
Soul Beach is entirely true to its name. This soulful beach along the beautiful shores of Saadiyat Island has more than 400 parasol-flanked sunbeds and much more amenities. It is pristine, letting friends, families and couples alike have a pleasant time.
4. SAL Beach
Indulge in unparalleled luxury and sophistication at the exclusive SAL’s Pool and Beach Club, nestled in the heart of Saadiyat Island. Experience the Mediterranean spirit as you immerse yourself in the pristine natural beach sands.
Serenity has never been this special. SAL Beach offers barefoot luxury and chic lifestyle. One of the best things about this place is the live saxophone and DJ setting the beats of island rhythm. You are going to love this place; there is no doubt about it.
5. Saadiyat Beach Golf Club
Designed by one of the greatest golf champions of all time, Gary Player, and a famous course designer enjoying more than 400 projects to his name, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club offers an exceptional playing experience in a beautiful natural destination.
You can have dolphins and other sea life as your spectators. This course is conceived to challenge both amateurs and pros. There is also a key clubhouse restaurant, offering the perfect place to relax, dine and socialise after a round or 2 on the greens.
6. Tara Rose Salon
Tara Rose Salon has it all needed for a fabulous transformation. You can indulge in speciality hair transformations and also make the most of beauty treatments. It is perfect for people looking for a simple trim and also those seeking to get dolled up for a night out.
- Contact number: +971 28867808
- Official link
7. CRYO
Established in 2013, CRYO at Saadiyat Island is your professional partner in fitness, beauty and slimming treatments. This place offers a fully immersive cryotherapy chamber experience that can safely reach the -140C temperature needed to achieve true results.
- Contact number: +971 501363581
- Official link
Cultural district in Saadiyat Island
The Saadiyat Cultural District stands as a premier global destination, offering an enlightening experience through its museums, educational institutions and cultural acts. Museums at this place explore natural history, cultural heritage and contemporary creativity.
1. Manarat al Saadiyat
Set in the heart of the Cultural District in Saadiyat Island, Manarat al Saadiyat lets its guests explore a broad range of artistic expressions. You can check out exhibitions, exchange ideas and attend thoughtful discussions. This place encourages entrepreneurship.
2. The Abrahamic Family House
Explore a mosque, church and synagogue – all in one location dedicated to faith. Rooted in the UAE’s values of bringing people and cultures together, the Abrahamic Family House is home to vibrant multicultural communities of different faiths.
The Abrahamic Family House offers a range of engaging experiences, from brief tours to immersive journeys of understanding, programming and community activities. Check out this table for an idea about the opening hours.
| Experiences | Day | Timings |
| Guided Tours | Monday to Sunday | 10 am to 5 pm |
| No tours in these timings | Friday to Sunday | Fridays: 12 pm to 2:30 pmSaturdays: 10 am to 2:30 pmSundays: 11:30 am to 1:30 pm |
3. Louvre Abu Dhabi
The origins of Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island date back to 2007. The UAE and France decided to form an unprecedented partnership for cultural exchange. The museum presents stories of human creativity from the beginning of recorded history.
You can find art and artifacts from ancient civilizations and empires, the great age of the Silk Road, and much more. It takes at least an hour to see just the highlights of Louvre Abu Dhabi. There is a 45-minute Express Tour that covers the main artefacts and must-sees.
Opening hours:
- Tuesday to Sunday: 10 am to 12 midnight
- Closed on Mondays
Galleries and Exhibitions:
- Tuesday to Thursday: 10 am to 6:30 pm
- Friday to Sunday: 10 am to 8:30 pm
Ticket pricing:
- For adults (18+): Dh65
For under 18, beyond 60 for UAE senior nationals and residents, journalists, People of Determination and one companion, members and one guest, and ICOM/ICOMOS Card Holders – Free entry into Louvre Abu Dhabi.
4. teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi
teamLab Phenomena on Saadiyat Island lets art meet science and creativity meet technology. This multi-sensory art experience includes massive transformative art pieces, taking people on a sensory-rich journey that transcends the ordinary.
5. Bassam Freiha Art Foundation
Reputed philanthropist and art collector HE Bassam Said Freiha established Bassam Freiha Art Gallery as a non-profit institution. This is the only private art foundation on Saadiyat Island Cultural District, free and open for all.
6. Mamsha al Saadiyat
Mamsha al Saadiyat takes luxury to a much higher level. You can enjoy a selection of 15 community experiences, including shops, dining options and entertainment venues. There is a beachfront community featuring luxury apartments and penthouses.
7. Zayed National Museum (coming soon)
Zayed National Museum on Saadiyat Island celebrates the rich history, culture and stories of the UAE, back to a 300,000-year-old stone tool found at Jebel Hafit in Al Ain. Open your mind as you step into an inspirational space that sparks curiosity.
8. Natural History Museum (coming soon)
The upcoming Natural History Museum on Saadiyat Island is bound to transport you back to the origins of time, tracing the formation of our planet and the history of life on it. Essentially, your journey into natural history begins here.
Stay on Saadiyat Island
1. Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas is the perfect destination to enjoy contemporary luxury on a sustainable, natural sand beach on Saadiyat Island. This resort is just adjacent to Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and minutes from the prime business districts of the city.
- Contact number: +971 24071234
- Email: abudhabi.park@hyatt.com
2. Jumeirah Saadiyat Island
Imagine a breath of fresh air offering understated luxury. Sustainable and contemporary, surrounded by natural beauty, Jumeirah Saadiyat Island resembles a perennial summer house. You can enjoy island life in quite sophistication and luxury.
- Contact number: +971 28114444
- Email: jsiquestions@jumeirah.com
3. Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island
Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island offers an all-inclusive premium experience around the clock. Exclusivity and luxury are going to define your experience, all the time. This beautiful property is located on pristine, sparkling sands of Saadiyat Island overlooking the Arabian Gulf.
- Contact number: +971 24922222
- Email: sales.saadiyat@rixos.com
4. St Regis Saadiyat Island
The St Regis Saadiyat Island is the UAE Emirate’s first true beach resort. This property features 312 rooms, 63 suites and 1 royal suite, ensuring the perfect blend of refined elegance and enduring heritage. This is one of the finest hotels globally, not lying about it.
- Contact number: +971 24988888
5. Saadiyat Rotana Resort Villas
Saadiyat Rotana Resort Villas is set on a spectacular 9 km stretch of pristine beach on Saadiyat Island. This is a one-of-a-kind 5-star property offering a regal presence, striking modern Arabic architecture and uninterrupted views of the Arabian Gulf.
- Contact number: +971 26970000
Restaurants in Saadiyat Island
Saadiyat Island has some of the best restaurants in the UAE, offering the perfect setting to enjoy a hearty breakfast, leisurely lunch, satisfying dinner or just coffee. In the mood for something fancy or authentic? These restaurants cater to different tastes.
1. TOTÓ Restaurant
Located at Mamsha al Saadiyat, TOTÓ Restaurant offers the true essence of Italian gastronomy, letting customers relish some of the finest and authentic Italian dishes.
- Contact number: +971 545825222
2. TEN11 Coffee Boutique
In the mood for speciality coffee, high quality food, desserts and entertainment? Look no further than TEN11 Coffee Boutique on Saadiyat Island.
- Contact number: +971 505674735
3. VALGERAND Nordic Grill
Meet the UAE’s first Scandinavian-licenced restaurant concept. VALGERAND Nordic Grill on Saadiyat Island seamlessly combines ‘salt, smoke and fire’.
- Contact number: +971 24446674
4. Local
This is a unique one. Local on Saadiyat Island is the city’s first multi-concept store offering speciality coffee, men’s barbershop and retail.
- Contact number: +971 25553339
5. Beirut Sur Mer
Beirut Sur Mer on Saadiyat Island is special for its food and a gigantic menu. But it is also recommended for its interior and close proximity to Soul Beach.
- Contact number: +971 543954000
6. Not (So) Guilty
Not (So) Guilty is a nostalgic brand. From the ingredients to the photoshoots, this place aims to strike discussions about tradition and the memories it brings back.
- Contact number: +971 504388781
7. Raclette Brasserie & Café
It is time to say ‘oui’ to some fabulous and authentically French dining experience. You are going to be a regular customer at Raclette Brasserie Café on Saadiyat Island.
- Contact number: +971 569966898
Saadiyat Island: Getting here
Saadiyat Island is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the UAE. If you are coming by car, commuting to this natural paradise could not be easier. Just been the location into your maps app and go on on your journey.
For those opting for a taxi to reach Saadiyat Island, remember that this destination is situated at a distance of just 10 minutes from Zayed International Airport, 20 minutes from Abu Dhabi and 1 hour 15 minutes from Dubai.
There are frequent public bus services from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. The E100 bus departs Al Ghubaiba Bus Station and the E101 departs from Ibn Battuta Bus Station in Dubai. The entire journey is going to take around 1.5 hours, depending on traffic conditions.
From the Abu Dhabi bus station, you can take public bus number 121 going back and forth to Saadiyat Island at regular intervals. There is also the Experience Abu Dhabi Bus option, making it incredibly easy to explore the Emirate in all its glory.
The Abu Dhabi Link offers tourists and residents the opportunity to move around Saadiyat Island in a smart and comfortable manner. You can request a shuttle bus for pick up and drop off at preferred locations on the island through a mobile phone application.
- Operating hours: 6 am to 11 pm on all days
Tourist attractions near Saadiyat Island
There is a lot to see and do on Saadiyat Island all year round. This beautiful natural island has pristine beaches that offer the perfect setting to just relax and do nothing. The entertainment and cultural scene is also quite exciting and intriguing.
Nonetheless, there are so many other places to explore near Saadiyat Island.
1. The Galleria Al Maryah Island
The Galleria Al Maryah Island is one of the most premier lifestyle destinations in the UAE, redefining luxury shopping, dining and entertainment. You can find more than 400 top-rated stores and 100 unique restaurants.
Offering an unparalled shopping and dining experience, The Galleria proudly hosts the largest collection of luxury brands in the capital, featuring icons like Gucci and Dior. It also offers free fitness activities to promote a healthy and active lifestyle.
Beyond shopping, The Galleria Al Maryah Island also offers some of the best entertainment options in the region, such as Mission: Play! by Mattel, Sparky’s and GAME OVER Escape Rooms. You are going to love this place for sure.
Opening hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 10 am – 10 pm
- Friday and Saturday: 10 am – 12 am
- Contact number: +971 2 493 7400
2. Yas Island
Yas Island is an entertainment paradise, full of thrilling theme parks, luxurious resorts and fine restaurants. There is no need to spend time at just one theme park, as it is possible to explore 4 different parks at the same location. Yes, Yas Island has four top-notch parks.
There is SeaWorld Yas Island, the largest indoor marine life theme park on the planet. You cannot forget Ferrari World Yas Island – home to the fastest rollercoaster globally. There are a couple more parks, offering record-breaking rides and thrilling attractions.
Shopping and the UAE go hand in hand. Yas Mall offers the perfect blend of shopping, dining and entertainment. Spread across 2.5 million square feet, Yas Mall features more than 370 international brands, 68 F&B outlets and many more entertainment zones.
There is one more important thing to highlight here – the fastest drivers from across the globe are arriving at Yas Marina Circuit for Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025 from December 5-7. This is going to be one of the biggest and most memorable racing seasons of all time.
Opening hours of Yas Mall:
- 10 am to 10 pm
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