City Map Compare/Abu Dhabi vs London
vs
5 km
|

Abu Dhabi

972 km²

London

1,572 km²

Abu Dhabi vs London - City Size Comparison

Abu Dhabi vs London - City Size Comparison

Abu Dhabi

United Arab Emirates

Area972 km²
Population1.57M
Density1,615 /km²
Elevation14 m
Climatedesert climate
London

UK

Area1,572 km²
Population8.98M
Density5,712 /km²
Elevation11 m
Metro Pop.14.3M
Founded43
Climateoceanic

Area Comparison

Abu Dhabi is 1.6x smaller than London

Population Comparison

Abu Dhabi has 5.7x fewer people than London

Is Abu Dhabi Bigger Than London?

Yes — London is 1.6x larger than Abu Dhabi by area. London spans 1,572 km² (607 mi²) while Abu Dhabi covers 972 km² (375 mi²) — a difference of 600 km².

To put Abu Dhabi's size in perspective, its area of 972 km² is roughly the same size as Berlin. Meanwhile, London at 1,572 km² is about 1.4x smaller than Tokyo (city proper).

Picture Abu Dhabi another way: its area is large enough to fit about 136,000 American football fields, 16 times the area of Manhattan, or 9 times the area of Paris. London works out to about 220,000 American football fields, 27 times the area of Manhattan, or 15 times the area of Paris.

About Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The city is the seat of the Abu Dhabi Central Capital District, the capital city of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and the UAE's second-most populous city, after Dubai. The city is situated on a T-shaped island, extending into the Persian Gulf from the central-western coast of the UAE.

Abu Dhabi covers 972 km² with a population of 1.6 million. Abu Dhabi is known for Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Emirates Palace, among other attractions.

Abu Dhabi sits on a T-shaped island extending into the Persian Gulf from the UAE's central-western coast.

About London

London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of 9.1 million people in 2024. Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Western Europe, with a population of 15.1 million. London stands on the River Thames in southeast England, at the head of a 50-mile (80 km) tidal estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a major settlement for nearly 2,000 years.

Often called "The Big Smoke", London has an area of 1,572 km² and is home to 9.0 million people. The city dates back to 43. Visitors come for Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, and much more. Getting around is easy with the London Underground.

London has been a major settlement for nearly 2,000 years, tracing its roots back to Roman times around 47 AD.

Population Density

Abu Dhabi has a population density of 1,615 people per km² — a relatively spread-out city. London, with 5,712 people per km², is a densely populated city. London is dramatically more crowded, with 3.5x the population density.

Climate & Time Zone

Abu Dhabi has a desert climate climate while London experiences oceanic conditions.

Key Differences at a Glance

Density Gap

London is 3.5x more densely populated

Cities Similar in Size to Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi covers 972 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include San Diego (964 km²), Dallas (997 km²), Berlin (892 km²), Hong Kong (1,114 km²), or Santiago (838 km²).

Cities Similar in Size to London

London covers 1,572 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Bangkok (1,569 km²), Bogotá (1,578 km²), São Paulo (1,521 km²), Johannesburg (1,644 km²), or Mexico City (1,485 km²).

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Abu Dhabi bigger than London?
London is 1.6 times larger than Abu Dhabi by area. London covers 1,572 km² while Abu Dhabi spans 972 km², a difference of 600 km².
How many times does Abu Dhabi fit inside London?
Abu Dhabi (972 km²) fits inside London (1,572 km²) approximately 1 times. That means London is 1.6x the area of Abu Dhabi.
What is the population difference between Abu Dhabi and London?
London has approximately 9.0 million people, while Abu Dhabi has about 1.6 million. London has 7.4 million more residents.
Which city is more densely populated, Abu Dhabi or London?
London is more densely populated with 5,712 people per km², compared to 1,615 people per km².
How does the map comparison work?
Our synchronized map comparison tool displays both cities at the same zoom level. When you zoom in or out on one map, the other automatically adjusts to maintain the same scale, allowing you to directly compare the relative sizes of both cities.
Can I compare other cities?
Yes! Use the city selectors at the top of the page to choose any two cities from our database of 50+ major cities worldwide, or enter custom coordinates for any location.

Distance Between Abu Dhabi and London

The straight-line distance from Abu Dhabi to London is 5,473 km (3,401 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~6h 56m.

Want to explore more? Compare city sizes for any two cities worldwide, or share your location live with friends.