Observation Deck at 300 is one of the best ways to see Abu Dhabi from above, and it’s an easy add-on if you want a break from ground-level sightseeing. Sitting roughly 300 meters high on Level 74 of Etihad Towers, this is the highest public viewing point in the city and delivers full 360-degree views over the skyline, the Corniche, and the Arabian Gulf.
If you like city views but don’t feel the need to commit hours of your day to an attraction, Observation Deck at 300 is a solid choice. It’s straightforward, polished, and gives you a completely different perspective of Abu Dhabi without much effort.
If you’re pairing this stop with a broader UAE itinerary, you can also check out my guide to Dubai Travel Guide: Everything to Know Before Visiting to help plan both cities smoothly.
The experience itself is simple and well-organized. You’ll head up to Level 74, step into a sleek indoor viewing space, and immediately get panoramic views in every direction. On a clear day, you can see the city stretching along the coast, the Corniche curving below, and the water fading from deep blue to pale turquoise.
Observation Deck at 300 is open daily, and tickets are usually available on-site. Entry typically includes a food and beverage credit, which you can use at the café while enjoying the view. You can pop in for a quick look or slow it down with a drink or afternoon tea, which is a popular option here.
Plan on spending about 30 to 60 minutes total. It’s not meant to be a long attraction, but it doesn’t feel rushed either.
If you can swing it, sunset is the sweet spot. The light changes quickly, the skyline softens, and the city starts to glow as evening sets in. It’s easily the most photogenic time to visit Observation Deck at 300, especially if you want shots that show both the city and the water.
Midday visits are still worthwhile if you’re tight on time (as you can see from my photos), but sunset is when this place really shines. For more ideas on how to structure your day, see my full review of One Perfect Day in Abu Dhabi From Dubai, which fits this stop in nicely.
You don’t need to overthink logistics for Observation Deck at 300. It’s centrally located, easy to reach by taxi or rideshare, and well-signed once you arrive at Etihad Towers.
If you prefer having things lined up in advance, you can book Observation Deck at 300 tickets through GetYourGuide, which is helpful during busy travel seasons or if you’re coordinating multiple stops in one day.
If you’re staying nearby, this experience pairs perfectly with hotels in the area. I recommend looking at where to stay near Etihad Towers here which gives you walkable options and easy access to the Corniche.
Yes—especially if you enjoy views and want a low-effort, high-reward stop. Observation Deck at 300 isn’t a thrill attraction but the views are worth the trip!
This is a great option if you want:
A quick but memorable Abu Dhabi experience
Excellent skyline and coastal views
A relaxed stop with air conditioning and seating
An easy add-on between bigger attractions
It’s also a nice contrast to outdoor sightseeing, especially during hotter months.
Observation Deck at 300 fits well alongside cultural and architectural stops. After your visit, you could head to the Grand Mosque, explore the Corniche, or continue on to other highlights nearby. If you’re planning to pair this with one of Abu Dhabi’s most iconic landmarks, check out my guide to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: What to Wear & When to Go so you’re prepared before arriving.
Let’s talk about when to actually book that Dubai trip you’ve been pinning for two years. I get asked this constantly, so here’s the honest breakdown: October through April is your window. Anything outside that and you’re basically touring in a sauna!
October and November give you warm days and cooler nights, which is basically the sweet spot for wandering around without melting. December through February is peak season: gorgeous weather. March and April are the quiet insider pick, right before summer heat shows up and ruins everyone’s plans.
Saving this for later? That’s what it’s here for. Full breakdown linked in bio.
If you’re chasing energy, beaches, nightlife, and nonstop luxury, Dubai takes the crown. If you’re craving culture, iconic architecture, and meaningful landmarks at a slower pace, Abu Dhabi shines.🤍
My advice? Base yourself in Dubai and do Abu Dhabi as a day trip! The perfect balance of excitement and culture in the UAE.
Want the full breakdown? Check out my Dubai and Abu Dhabi guide for tips, itineraries, and must-sees!
I do not like seafood. 🐟 So when I booked a tasting menu at a restaurant built around aquarium walls at Atlantis The Palm, I was nervous.
Ossiano sits underwater fish gliding past the whole meal, moody lighting, the kind of room that makes you lower your voice without meaning to. It’s not cheap, and it’s not trying to be. You’re paying for the entire experience.
Here’s the honest part: they have a vegetarian tasting menu, and I assumed it would be an afterthought. It ended up in my top five meals of all time. Course after course, the same care and precision as the seafood-forward menu everyone comes for. They even swapped in a steak for the main and it still felt cohesive with everything around it.
By course four you’re full. They bring out three more breads anyway. I ate all of it. No regrets.
Small detail that stuck with me my dress was black, so they swapped my napkin from white to black without me asking. That’s the kind of thing that tells you everything about a place.
Full breakdown of the menu, the vegetarian option, and what to expect linked in bio.
Dubai is all skyline until you drive an hour into the dunes and it goes completely silent. Bab Al Shams was that shift for us: slower, quieter, more intentional than anything we did in the city.
If you want nightlife or walkable everything, this isn’t your stop. But if you want a night that feels like a reset, it delivers, polished service, food I’m still thinking about, and a setting that never tries too hard.
Full review (and whether it’s worth adding to your Dubai itinerary) is linked in bio. 🏜️
I flew @emirates economy to Dubai fully expecting to just survive the flight. We booked seats by the exit row — @bradplummer1 got the legroom (he’s 6’7”), I got a normal seat right next to him, and it saved us money over booking two extra-legroom seats. Smart trick if you’re traveling with someone who needs the extra space and you don’t.
The food alone earned this post. Warm chicken, a Waldorf salad that actually tasted fresh, real butter on the roll, and a breakfast spread that put most airport brunches to shame. Add in the twinkling-star cabin lighting once dinner wrapped, and it felt less like a flight and more like the trip had already started.
Not everything was perfect — the wifi didn’t work for me at all, so if you’re planning to get work done in the air, download what you need beforehand. But that was the only miss in an otherwise excellent long haul.
If you’ve got Emirates lounge access in Dubai, use it. Showers, buffets, quiet corners to nap it makes the layover feel like a reset instead of a slog.
Full review seats, food, lounge, and the wifi situation is on the blog. Link in bio. ✈️
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