What cultural etiquette should I know for Abu Dhabi?

The single rule that catches the most Abu Dhabi visitors is dress code enforcement at Sheikh Zayed Mosque, which opened in 2007 and welcomes non-Muslim visitors. Security at the entrance requires women to wear a provided abaya and shayla (headscarf), and men need long trousers and sleeves past the elbow. Shorts, sleeveless tops, and anything sheer get turned away at the gate. That said, outside the mosque, Abu Dhabi runs more relaxed than many visitors expect. Shopping malls like Yas Mall and The Galleria Al Maryah Island post 'appropriate attire' signs, but enforcement tends to be gentle. Shoulders and knees covered will keep you comfortable everywhere from the Corniche promenade to restaurants in Al Mina. Greetings follow a warm pattern. Open with 'As-salamu alaykum' and you'll hear 'Wa alaykum as-salam' back. Handshakes are standard between men. With Emirati women, wait for her to extend her hand first. If she places her hand over her heart instead, mirror the gesture. It signals respect, not a snub.

Ramadan shifts Abu Dhabi's entire rhythm for roughly 30 days each year. During daylight hours, eating, drinking, and smoking in public is prohibited by law, even for non-Muslims. The fine for breaking this can reach 2,000 AED (about $545). Restaurants inside hotels still serve behind screens, and room service runs as normal, but street-side cafes close until iftar. The evening meal typically begins around 6:30 to 7pm depending on the month. Outside Ramadan, Friday remains the weekly holy day. The noon prayer call echoes across the city from dozens of minarets, and shops in older neighborhoods like Al Khalidiyah may close briefly between 12:30 and 1:30pm. For any mosque visit, remove your shoes at the entrance, step over the threshold with your right foot, silence your phone, and never walk in front of someone praying. Photography is allowed in Sheikh Zayed Mosque's courtyard but not during active prayer times.

Abu Dhabi revised its alcohol regulations in 2023, removing the previous requirement for a personal liquor license. You can now buy drinks at licensed restaurants, hotels, and designated retail shops like African + Eastern without a permit. Drinking in public, though, remains illegal. A beer at a hotel bar along the Corniche runs 45-65 AED ($12-18). Public displays of affection beyond a quick hand-hold draw warnings or fines. Kissing in public has led to deportation cases in the past. Photographing government buildings, military installations, and the Presidential Palace (Qasr Al Watan's exterior from certain angles) without permission is prohibited. Always ask before photographing Emirati nationals, and never photograph Emirati women without clear consent. Coarse gestures, including the middle finger in traffic, are criminal offences under UAE law and can result in fines up to 10,000 AED or detention.

Accept Arabic coffee and dates when offered in an Emirati home or at hotel lobbies during check-in. The coffee is thin, golden-brown, heavy with cardamom, and served scalding hot in small handle-less cups called finjaan. Refusing the first cup reads as rude. Shake the cup gently side-to-side when you've had enough. Eat with your right hand when sharing a communal plate. The left hand is considered unclean in Arab dining traditions. Tipping at restaurants is appreciated but not aggressive. Most places add a 10% service charge, and leaving an extra 5-10 AED for your server is generous by local standards. Taxi drivers in Abu Dhabi don't expect tips, though rounding up the fare by a few dirhams is common. At hotel concierges, 10-20 AED per favor is the going rate. Mind you, Abu Dhabi is quieter than visitors familiar with Dubai expect. Keep your voice down in residential areas after 10pm. The Corniche promenade enforces noise restrictions after 11pm.