Zayed International Airport
Roughly ten minutes away — useful for early departures.
Area guide
Khalifa City is the mainland suburb between the airport and the bridges into town — villas, schools, supermarkets and sports clubs rather than towers. It is where a lot of the city's working life happens, and it is the closest residential district to Zayed International Airport.
Nearest apartments
Our Abu Dhabi residences sit on Al Reem Island, about 25 minutes by road from Khalifa City — fully furnished homes with a private kitchen, fast Wi-Fi and building leisure facilities.
Hydra
Hydra, Reem Island, Abu Dhabi
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Mangrove
Mangrove Place, Reem Island, Abu Dhabi
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Meera Shams
Meera Shams, Reem Island, Abu Dhabi
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Najmat Damac
Najmat Damac, Reem Island, Abu Dhabi
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Radiant
Radiant Boulevard, Reem Island, Abu Dhabi
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Highlights
Etihad Plaza & Al Forsan
Neighbourhood shopping, plus watersports and shooting at the Al Forsan resort.
Schools and clinics
A concentration of international schools and family medical centres.
Masdar City
The low-carbon district and its cafés sit on the edge of Khalifa City.
What's nearby
Places worth the short trip from Khalifa City.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
The emirate's landmark mosque in white marble, at its best floodlit at dusk. Tourists must book a free online access pass before travelling; worshippers enter directly without one.
- 12-18 min off-peak
AED 10 for visitors from outside the UAE, AED 5 with Emirates ID, free for over-60s. Sat-Thu 09:00-20:30.
Visit website →Ferrari World Yas Island
The red-roofed indoor theme park built around Formula Rossa, with Warner Bros. World, SeaWorld and Yas Waterworld on the same island. All are air-conditioned except the waterpark.
- 15-20 min off-peak
Prices are not published online - book through the official site. Free parking, free date changes, and combo tickets cover up to four parks.
Visit website →Al Forsan International Sports Resort
A 1.6 square kilometre sports resort inside Khalifa City A, built around cable wakeboarding lakes plus karting, shooting and equestrian facilities. The only real attraction in the district.
- 5-10 min by taxi
Hours and prices are not published - call +971 2 656 5656 to confirm which activities are running before travelling.
Visit website →Masdar City
A low-carbon planned district you can walk around freely: shaded streets designed to stay cooler than the city outside, a central park, Siemens Energy's headquarters, plus cafes and small shops.
- 8-12 min off-peak
No entry fee or opening hours published. There is a visitor centre; guided tours run by Eedama must be booked.
Visit website →Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital
A working falcon hospital that runs guided tours: the falconry museum, the examination rooms, a free-flight aviary, and a photo with a falcon on your arm. Booking is essential.
- 12-18 min off-peak
Tours Mon-Thu 10:00 and 14:00, Fri and Sun 10:00; closed Saturdays. Book two days ahead on +971 2 8858100.
Visit website →Al Qana & The National Aquarium
A waterfront leisure district on the Khor Al Maqta channel, built around the Middle East's largest aquarium - nine themed zones - plus a butterfly garden, cinema, gaming venue and restaurants.
- free Experience Abu Dhabi shuttle, hourly 10:25-18:20
- 12-18 min off-peak
Aquarium daily 10:00-22:00; Al Qana Sun-Thu 10:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 10:00-24:00. Admission prices are not published.
Visit website →Times are approximate.
Getting there
Around 25 minutes from Al Reem Island by car or taxi; roughly 10 minutes to the airport.
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