Khalidiyah is a central Abu Dhabi district known for its parks, malls and easy-going, good-value dining. Leafy and well-connected, Khalidiyah is a comfortable, local slice of the capital just a short stroll from the Corniche.
Handily placed and strong on everyday value, it makes an easy base near the waterfront. Here is how to make the most of it, as part of our main Abu Dhabi guide.
Getting your bearings in Khalidiyah
The district centres on Khalidiyah Mall and a cluster of leafy parks, with the Abu Dhabi Corniche an easy walk away and the city centre on the doorstep.
Where to eat in Khalidiyah
From Khalidiyah Mall to neighbourhood favourites, it is strong on value and variety; browse the best restaurants in Abu Dhabi and French dining.
Things to do in Khalidiyah
Leafy parks, Khalidiyah Mall and an easy stroll to the Corniche make Khalidiyah a comfortable base for a relaxed day in the capital.
Where to stay
A choice of central hotels puts you within easy reach of the Corniche and the city centre.
Getting to Khalidiyah
Central and well-connected, it is easiest reached by taxi or car; about 90 minutes from Dubai.
Best time to visit
The cooler months from October to April are best for the parks and the walk to the Corniche.
Eating and drinking in Khalidiyah
Khalidiyah’s appeal is its everyday density of good food — long-running Lebanese and Emirati spots, bakeries and shisha cafés sit alongside the restaurants of its hotels. Several tables in and around the area appear in our guides to the best French restaurants in Abu Dhabi and the best bar food in Abu Dhabi, making Khalidiyah an easy neighbourhood for a relaxed meal without heading out to the islands.
Minutes from the Corniche, Khalidiyah is also a handy, well-priced base — some of its hotels feature in our roundup of luxury staycations in Abu Dhabi. Add Khalidiyah Mall and a walkable grid of cafés, and it’s one of central Abu Dhabi’s most liveable pockets.
Explore more of Abu Dhabi
Nearby: the Abu Dhabi Corniche. Or head back to the main Abu Dhabi guide.
Good to know
Khalidiyah is one of central Abu Dhabi’s most established neighbourhoods, a dense, walkable pocket between the Corniche and Airport Road. It’s anchored by Khalidiyah Mall and a cluster of long-standing cafés, bakeries and mid-range hotels, giving it a lived-in, everyday-Abu Dhabi character. Handy for the Corniche beach and the city centre, Khalidiyah suits visitors who want to stay central without paying island-resort prices, and it’s well connected for onward trips to Saadiyat and Yas.