Despite the skyline, Al Reem Island isn’t reclaimed land — it’s a natural island, 8.8 square kilometres sitting just 600 metres off the Abu Dhabi mainland, that happened to get built up fast. It was also one of the first parts of the capital where foreigners could actually buy property, which is a big part of why more than 55,000 residents now call it home, drawn from a genuinely international mix of relocating professionals and long-term families rather than the short-stay tourist crowd found on some of the capital’s other islands.
Green spaces, a new mall and an easy island setting make it a comfortable base, as part of our main Abu Dhabi guide.
Updated: July 2026 — by Monica Bonalto
Getting your bearings on Al Reem Island
The island’s skyline is led by Sky Tower, at 312.2 metres and 80 floors the tallest building on Al Reem, completed in 2010 with a mix of residential, office and hotel units, alongside the four 238-metre Gate Towers and the 236.7-metre Sun Tower, completed in 2010. The island pairs these residential towers with Reem Central Park — a roughly 1-million-square-foot waterfront park with jogging and cycling tracks, a skate park, play areas and a 2,000-worshipper mosque with a reflective pool, all free to enter since it opened in December 2018 — Reem Mall and a waterfront promenade, spread across residential clusters with names like Shams, Marina Square and City of Lights, linked to the city by bridges and moments from Al Maryah Island.
Snow Abu Dhabi itself opened on 8 June 2023 as the capital’s first indoor snow park, with more than 20 rides and attractions across an Enchanted Forest theme, a roughly 20-inch snow base and rides like the Crystal Carousel and the Polar Express Train alongside straightforward sledging and tubing.
Reem Mall, snow included
Built at a cost of around $1.3 billion and fully open to the public since May 2024, Reem Mall spans roughly 2.8 million square feet across five floors, with more than 400 stores, about 85 restaurants, and Snow Abu Dhabi — the capital’s first indoor snow park, covering roughly 9,700 square metres and kept at around minus 2°C — an indoor snow park that’s still a novelty even in a city used to indoor skiing and surfing.
Eating and drinking
Community spots, cafes and Reem Mall dining cover most cravings, strong on family-friendly value, with the Shams Boutik retail podium beneath Sky and Sun Towers adding a second, quieter cluster of cafes away from the mall crowds — start with the best restaurants in Abu Dhabi and the best bar food in the city. For a bigger night, Al Maryah’s fine dining is a two-minute bridge away — many of those tables feature in our guide to the best French restaurants in Abu Dhabi — and the capital’s best clubs and bars are a short taxi from here.
Serviced suites, not resort hotels
Al Reem doesn’t do beach resorts — its stays lean towards long-and-short-stay serviced suites like Oaks Liwa Executive Suites and Cristal Salam, aimed as much at relocating professionals as visitors, with full kitchens and a residential feel rather than a lobby-and-pool one — a practical choice if you’re in town for weeks rather than days. It’s a well-priced, central base near the waterfront; for something grander, nearby options feature in our roundup of luxury staycations in Abu Dhabi, most just a bridge away on Al Maryah.
Two bridges to the mainland, and when to use them
Connected to the mainland by bridges — including the Sheikh Khalifa Bridge — it is best reached by taxi or car and walkable within its clusters, though the actual physical distances between the island’s different residential zones are long enough that most people still drive between them. The cooler months from October through to April are genuinely ideal for the park and waterfront promenades, while the fully air-conditioned mall keeps Al Reem Island comfortable and workable all year round regardless of season.
Top things to do on Al Reem Island
- Snow Abu Dhabi at Reem Mall — opened 8 June 2023 as the capital’s first indoor snow park: 20+ rides and attractions across an Enchanted Forest theme, a roughly 20-inch snow base, the Crystal Carousel and Polar Express Train, plus straightforward sledging and tubing.
- Reem Central Park — the island’s green heart, a genuine break from the tower-lined streets.
- Al Maryah Island, moments away — connected by bridges, so a Reem Island stop pairs easily with The Galleria’s restaurant run next door.
Al Reem Island, quick questions
Is Al Reem Island reclaimed land? No — unlike several of Abu Dhabi’s showpiece islands, Al Reem is natural, sitting about 600 metres off the mainland.
Is Reem Mall open? Yes — it’s been fully open since May 2024, with more than 400 stores, around 85 restaurants and the Snow Abu Dhabi indoor snow park.
What’s the tallest building on Al Reem Island? Sky Tower, at 292.2 metres and 74 floors.
Can foreigners buy property on Al Reem Island? Yes — it was one of the first parts of the capital opened to foreign freehold ownership, which helped drive its rapid growth.
One bridge to Al Maryah, one to the mainland
Nearby: Al Maryah Island. Or head back to the main Abu Dhabi guide.
Is there an indoor snow park in Abu Dhabi?
Yes — Snow Abu Dhabi at Reem Mall, which opened in June 2023 as the capital’s first, with over 20 rides including a carousel, a themed train, and full sledging and tubing runs.