National Aquarium and Butterfly Gardens: Abu Dhabi When It Is Too Hot Outside
4 min read
The answer first
If you want something that does not depend on the weather, the National Aquarium Abu Dhabi is a good choice, with the Butterfly Gardens next door as an add-on. The National Aquarium entrance ticket costs €26.67, with 4.6 / 5 from 624 reviews. The listing calls it the largest aquarium in the Middle East and says it holds 46,000 animals, including more than 200 sharks and rays.
Where it is
Both attractions are at Al Qana, a waterfront district in Abu Dhabi (the aquarium’s address is Rabdan Al Maqta’a). Al Qana’s own site gives about 9 minutes by car from the Abu Dhabi Corniche and about 15 minutes, or 22 km, from Zayed International Airport. That makes it an easy stop between flights or on a day with a free afternoon.
What you see
The listing describes 10 themed zones. The aquarium’s own page names zones such as Red Sea Wreck, Atlantic Cave, Ring of Fire, Frozen Ocean and The Flooded Forest. For children, it mentions a Junior Marine Biologist programme for ages 5 to 15, and a shark dive for certified divers; both are separate programmes with their own conditions. The booking page of the aquarium ticket offers a glass-bottom boat ride, a behind-the-scenes tour and a glass bridge walk as optional extras.
The Butterfly Gardens describe over 10,000 butterflies in an Asian dome and an American dome, and call the domes climate-controlled. The listing for the Butterfly Gardens entry ticket says two bio-domes inspired by Asia and the Americas. That ticket is sold by a reseller, MegaPass: according to its booking page, the GetYourGuide voucher is not valid for entry, and the actual tickets arrive by separate email, some only up to 24 hours before your visit.
Tickets compared
| Ticket | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| National Aquarium entrance ticket | €26.67 | 4.6 / 5 (624 reviews) |
| The Butterfly Gardens + National Aquarium combo | €36.37 | 4.6 / 5 (16 reviews) |
| The Butterfly Gardens entry ticket | €24 | 4.2 / 5 (6 reviews) |
The combo has far fewer reviews than the aquarium ticket, so the rating tells you little yet. According to its booking page, it comes in two options, is valid for 14 days, and has to be started at the aquarium: you can only enter the Butterfly Gardens after going through the aquarium. Our listings also include a second aquarium ticket with very few reviews; check what each ticket covers on its booking page.
Opening hours and heat
The aquarium’s page lists 10 AM to 10 PM daily. For the Butterfly Gardens, Al Qana’s page gives 10 AM to 8 PM daily, while the combo listing gives 9 AM to 8 PM at weekends, so check the day you plan to go. The combo listing calls both venues fully indoors; for the walk from the car and along the waterfront, plan on being outside.
Who it suits
- Families with children, since the exhibits are visual and the aquarium runs a programme for ages 5 to 15.
- Anyone looking for a weather-proof afternoon.
It suits less well anyone who dislikes crowds on school holidays; plan with some margin.
Check before booking
- Validity: the aquarium ticket is for one day, the combo is valid for 14 days.
- Which of the two combo options you are booking.
- Extras such as the junior programme or a shark dive, which are separate.
- For the Butterfly Gardens ticket, that your entry tickets from MegaPass have arrived by email.
- Cancellation terms: all three booking pages offer free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
Our recommendation
Book the aquarium ticket as your main plan, and add the Butterfly Gardens if you want a second stop at Al Qana. See also our tickets, museums and theme parks and the guide to the Louvre Abu Dhabi for another indoor day.
