Hudayriyat Island or Saadiyat Island?
Side by side on published prices, yields, new developments and drive times.
Pictured: Nawayef East by Modon
Where each one leads
Drawn only from published figures and the developments we list, each with its source.
Lower price per sq ft
Hudayriyat Island averages AED 1,852 per sq ft against AED 3,003 in Saadiyat Island, about 38% less (Bayut, from advertised asking prices, October 2026).
Lower entry price
The lowest developer price we list in Saadiyat Island is AED 2,950,000 at Sei Saadiyat, against AED 4,250,000 at Hudayriyat Golf Estates in Hudayriyat Island.
Side by side
| Measure | Hudayriyat Island | Saadiyat Island |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi |
| Tenure | Freehold | Freehold |
| Asking price per sq ft | AED 1,852Bayut, October 2026 | AED 3,003Bayut, October 2026 |
| Developments we list | 3 | 7 |
| Lowest developer price | AED 4,250,000Hudayriyat Golf Estates | AED 2,950,000Sei Saadiyat |
Each figure is shown as its publisher states it, with the period it covers. A row appears only where both areas have a figure. Read 12 November 2026.
New developments in each
Hudayriyat Island
- Hudayriyat Golf EstatesModonAED 4,250,000
- Nawayef EastModonAED 6,600,000
- Wadeem GardensModonAED 8,700,000
Saadiyat Island
- Sei SaadiyatAldarAED 2,950,000
- Mandarin Oriental Residences, Saadiyat Cultural DistrictAldarAED 7,285,952
- The Row SaadiyatAldarAED 7,648,800
- Mamsha GardenAldarAED 8,117,568
- TalayAldarAED 13,500,000
- Baccarat Residences SaadiyatAldarAED 16,000,000
What each area is like
Hudayriyat Island
A 51 sq km sports and leisure island opposite Al Bateen, being built out by Modon with villas, golf homes and waterfront apartments. The top-selling district in Abu Dhabi by value in H1 2026.
Who it suits
- Families wanting large villas close to central Abu Dhabi
- Buyers who cycle, swim, surf or play golf
- Second-home owners with long holding periods
- Investors comfortable with handovers from 2028 to 2031
In its favour
- Freehold ownership open to all nationalities (Modon)
- AED 19 billion of residential sales in H1 2026, 27% of Abu Dhabi's total (ADREC)
- About 10 minutes by car (11 km) to central Abu Dhabi over a dedicated bridge
Worth weighing
- A single master developer sells every community. There is no competing supplier and limited price discovery outside Modon's own releases
- The island depends on its bridge link to Al Bateen. Ask what further road connections are committed, and when
Saadiyat Island
Abu Dhabi's most expensive residential address: a natural island of beaches, museums and schools just off the city. Suits buyers paying a premium for culture, coastline and scarcity.
Who it suits
- Buyers who want beach and museums within walking distance
- Families using Cranleigh, NYU Abu Dhabi and other island schools
- Second-home owners with larger budgets
- Long-term holders who value scarcity over yield
In its favour
- Designated investment zone: freehold ownership is open to foreign nationals
- Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum, Natural History Museum and teamLab Phenomena are all open
- AED 13.3 billion of residential sales in H1 2026 (ADREC)
Worth weighing
- Premium pricing: entry prices are several times those on Al Reem Island or Yas Island, which compresses rental yields
- Marsa Al Saadiyat is planned for more than 58,000 residents. It is a multi-year construction programme and a large future supply of homes
Hudayriyat Island or Saadiyat Island: quick answers
Is Hudayriyat Island or Saadiyat Island cheaper per square foot?
Hudayriyat Island is cheaper on the published figures: AED 1,852 per sq ft against AED 3,003 in Saadiyat Island (Bayut, from advertised asking prices, October 2026). Averages move with the mix of homes sold, so compare like with like before relying on the gap.
Can foreigners buy property in Hudayriyat Island and Saadiyat Island?
Hudayriyat Island is a designated freehold area, open to buyers of any nationality. Saadiyat Island is a designated freehold area, open to buyers of any nationality. Sales in Abu Dhabi are registered with the ADREC.
Which new developments can I buy in Hudayriyat Island and Saadiyat Island?
In Hudayriyat Island: Hudayriyat Golf Estates from AED 4,250,000, Nawayef East from AED 6,600,000 and Wadeem Gardens from AED 8,700,000. In Saadiyat Island: Sei Saadiyat from AED 2,950,000, Mandarin Oriental Residences, Saadiyat Cultural District from AED 7,285,952, The Row Saadiyat from AED 7,648,800 and Mamsha Garden from AED 8,117,568.
Not sure which area fits?
Tell us your budget, your timing and whether you will live there or let it, and we will set the two areas against each other for you.
- Current price list and availability, direct from the developer
- No fee to you on off-plan purchases: the developer pays us
- One salaried adviser, not on commission, from first call to handover
