Gay Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi City Guide City Guides > United Arab Emirates > Gay Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi Casey SiemaskoAbu Dhabi is nothing less than exhilarating. This is the pulsating capital city of the United Arab Emirates, after all—a transcendent metropolis where sophisticated travellers hop from lavish hotels to glitzy rooftop bars to mega malls and their ultra-luxe boutiques. While there’s no denying the cosmopolitan allure of Abu Dhabi, this is also a city that weaves together centuries-old traditions with forward-thinking cultural projects. Marvel at magnificently intricate Islamic architecture. Explore world-class museums that showcase Abu Dhabi’s ever-increasing role as a leader for arts in the region. Experience long-standing Beduoin culture amidst the rolling sand dunes of the fiery desert. Abu Dhabi is very much choose-your-own-adventure in a locale where opportunities for adventure abound. All that said, it would be careless not to state that homosexuality is illegal throughout the UAE. You are unlikely to encounter any issues as a gay traveller, provided that you avoid all signs of public affection. And now, your definitive Abu Dhabi travel guide. Feel like getting away? Take a trip planned just for you, and let us do all the work. Discover Trip Design Hotels Things to do Things to see Food & Drink Shopping Nightlife Trip Design The best hotels in Abu DhabiBefore choosing your Abu Dhabi hotel, it’s key to remember the above point that homosexuality is illegal across the United Arab Emirates; many hotels will not permit two male companions to share a bed. However, as in Dubai, five-star international hotel brands tend to be the most accommodating of gay travellers. As such, our Mr Hudson-approved Abu Dhabi gay scene guide purposefully includes the most gorgeous Abu Dhabi hotels where you are less likely to encounter discrimination. If upon arrival your bed preference is changed, we do not recommend arguing with the assigned sleeping arrangements—this is an unfortunate circumstance of visiting a locale where homosexuality remains illegal. Now discover our top recommendations for a magical and memorable gay Abu Dhabi getaway. Anantara Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort Qasr Al Sarab is easily Abu Dhabi’s most beguiling hotel, an oasis of palatial villas and Bedouin-inspired decor hidden away in the spellbinding Rub’Al Khali desertThank you for reading Mr Hudson.Subscribe to City Guides or log in to continue reading. Subscribe now Log inSpecial SelectionExclusive Mr Hudson offersOut now from gestaltenMr Hudson Explores Browse the Book Explore more The best weekend trips from San Francisco for gay travellersAs captivating as coastal California can be, it isn’t your only option for weekend getaways from San Francisco. Discover the best way to spend a weekend around gay California, including Sonoma wine tastings, Lake Tahoe trails and Yosemite views along the way. Read story > San Juan City GuideThree things that rarely go hand-in-hand for gay travellers are top-tier cities with top-shelf beaches that are legit gay-friendly. Well, this rainbow unicorn exists and it’s called San Juan. To access this content, you must purchase City Guides subscription. Explore > The favourite places of Robert DriscollHaving worked for some mainstream tour operators for several years back in the ‘90s, Robert Driscoll launched Venture Out 20 years ago. He talks to Mr Hudson about some of his favourite places. Read story > Subscribe to our newsletterYou can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Sign up for exclusive insider promotions SIGN UP