Magnificent Masdar City offers visitors a fascinating vision of the future. It’s a pioneering project that’s described as a ‘greenprint’ for how we could all live and work in the decades to come.
The buildings blend futurism with Arabic traditions and are all powered by clean energy. The city has been carefully designed and planned with narrow walkways to capture the wind and create shade – while driverless automated vehicles offer eco-friendly transport.
This is a unique attraction that’s always developing. The aim is to build a thriving community of tens of thousands of residents, one neighbourhood at a time. A visit now lets you see the exciting Masdar City plan mapped out.
Eco-friendly explorers and people with a passion for science who want to see a glimpse of what life could be like in the decades to come.
The sci-fi style surrounds of a futuristic city project that’s developing all around you, offering a chance to witness the technology of tomorrow.
Head to Masdar Park for a green space that offers a children’s playground, art installations and a music wall – with a sustainable twist.
Power up your phone using the park’s solar-powered benches and grab a bite to eat from one of the many food and drink outlets. Operating from recycled shipping containers power by solar panels, you’ll find street food, local delicacies and refreshing beverages.
Artwork includes the charming ‘Tree of Light’. Made from recycled building materials, each touch causes this incredible installation to change colour.
There are plenty of opportunities for physical activity in Masdar City – starting with its running and cycle route. The Al Mamsha trail weaves its way around a three-and-a-half mile (six kilometre) path, with three bike-share stations dotted at convenient intervals.
There’s an outdoor gym near the Masdar City solar park, if you fancy a spot of exercise. You can also shoot hoops at the local basketball court or enjoy a game at the football pitch.
The global challenge of how to feed the planet is one of the concepts that is tackled head on by Masdar City. Visit the Bustani eco-village and you’ll see innovative home farming solution, demonstrating how to grow food at home.
This educational show home also explores the broader issues of food security and sustainable agriculture too. See prototypes for new products that will revolutionise water and waste recycling in the future.
Head to the Masdar Building and you’ll be able to pick up a map that sets out a self-guided tour of Masdar City.
Explore the cluster of buildings which blend modern technology with inspiration from classic Arabic architecture. Check out the wind tower, domed knowledge hall and wavy terracotta residential buildings.
You’ll be able to see everything in this compact city in a comfortable hour to 90 minute-walk. Make sure you pack a hat and take your camera.
Masdar City is leading the way in trialling cutting edge new driverless technology and aims to be a completely car free city in the future. While fully autonomous vehicles will eventually navigate the roads, the city has been operating the world’s first permanent ‘Personal Rapid Transport’ system since 2010.
Pods travel along on a below-street-level track between the North Car Park and Masdar Institute. The vehicles, which have ferried more than two million people already, are operated by the user via a touch screen.
You’ll find Masdar City in the Khalifa City suburb. This area, previously known as ‘Khalifa City A’, is close to Abu Dhabi International Airport and Yas Island.
Head north east on Corniche Rd and then take the E10 slip road, signposted to Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Dubai and the airport. Follow this road for about 18 minutes until you reach Al Bandar St into Masdar City.
Masdar City is just over seven miles (11 kilometres) away from Yas Island. Take Yas Dr St and Al Diyafah St/Al Khaleej Al Arabi St to Al Madkhal St and you’ll arrive in about 18 minutes.
Travel east on the E12 from Saadiyat Island towards the airport. Continue until you reach the E10, where you’ll take the exit heading right back towards Downtown Abu Dhabi. Take Al Bandar St and follow this into Masdar City. The journey takes about 27 minutes.
When driving to Masdar City, head for the North Car Park. From here there’s a driverless shuttle that connects you to the Masdar Institute campus. The shuttle runs from 6am until midnight every day.
There’s a pharmacy, two bank branches and a post office available for all of your practical needs. There’s also a supermarket on hand should you need to stock up on essentials.
Close to Masdar Park you’ll find burgers, baked goods and ice cream housed in colourful former shipping containers. The city is also home to Mexican and sushi restaurants as well as a number of great cafes.
Children will love playing in both great playgrounds at Masdar Park and Central Park.
Masdar City’s buildings have been made with low-carbon cement, recycled aluminium and steel and timber taken from sustainable forests. Each one is also designed to use at least 40 per cent less energy and water, in keeping with this project’s proud sustainable ethos,.
A network of nearly 90,000 solar panels help to power the city – while buildings also have their own solar panels too. Plus, there are other design touches to cut energy use. None of the buildings have light switches or taps, these are replaced with motion sensors.
It can typically feel 10-12 degrees cooler than Downtown Abu Dhabi in Masdar City. Its 130-foot high wind towers convert air from above into a cooling breeze that flows through the carefully-designed shaded streets. The combination of cool air and shelter from the sun creates this cooler climate.
Construction first began on Masdar City in 2008 and its first six buildings were finished and ready to use in 2010. Much of the city’s plan is due to be built in the next decade.
Bursting with 400 stores, amazing restaurants and entertainment facilities, Yas Mall is a fun-filled day out spread across three floors. These include internationally recognised brands, a cinema complex and child-friendly activities.
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Visit the home of the Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. If you’re not lucky enough to be around for the annual race, book a tour or even arrange to run or cycle around the venue.
Batman, Tom and Jerry, Scooby Doo and more await in this incredible indoor theme park. There are 29 different rides to try out, or take the little ones to meet their favourite cartoon characters.
It’s hoped 40,000 people will eventually live in Masdar City, with 50,000 more commuting in for work.
The solar farm will offset 15,000 tons of carbon emissions annually – the equivalent of taking 3,300 cars off the roads.
About 96% of construction waste from building Masdar City will be reused elsewhere in the project.
Masdar City is currently using technology that turns vapour from the air into drinking water.
Don’t miss Abu Dhabi’s most iconic landmark. Its marvellous marble domes are breathtaking – and the grand interior is no less impressive. Take a tour to see it all.
Take a trip through the entire story of humanity in this world class museum. The artworks and artefacts here are every bit as spectacular as the building’s stunning sleek domed roof.
This splendid presidential palace is open to the public and offers the opportunity to discover Abu Dhabi’s cultural, social and political history.
All imagery provided by © Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi
