Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Most of you’d most likely consider Dubai as THE place to go within the Center East, and that’s for a purpose. However the precise capital metropolis of the United Arab Emirates is Abu Dhabi, situated only a 90-minute drive alongside the coast from Dubai, and there are heaps to be found there as properly.
We propose that these vacationers who’re staying in Dubai ought to e-book Dubai to Abu Dhabi tour from native tour operators to journey conveniently and uncover Abu Dhabi points of interest with ease and no trouble. And if you wish to go to Abu Dhabi by yourself or keep in Abu Dhabi, you may choose to rent a automobile or hire a taxi and benefit from the tour your self
Internationally, Abu Dhabi is most well-known for its spectacular mosque or the annual remaining Formulation 1 race of the season, which takes place there by the Yas Marina each November.
In the event you determine to come back to the United Arab Emirates, you need to spend not less than three or 4 nights of your time in Abu Dhabi to see a few of its major points of interest. It’s received a big worldwide airport with residence service Etihad Airways, nevertheless it’s additionally simply reachable from Dubai by bus or rental automobile. We have now finished each, and whereas a bus solely units you again round 5 {dollars}, an honest rental automobile solely prices about US$40 for twenty-four hours, together with insurance coverage. Rental automobiles are very inexpensive and positively the simplest mode of transport within the UAE in the event you’re over 21.
In the event you don’t like sizzling climate an excessive amount of, attempt to go between November and March. From June to September, temperatures normally peak at 45 to 50°C, which is 113 to 122°F, mixed with a drenching humidity. In our opinion, April and early Could, in addition to October and early November, are one of the best occasions to go together with good daytime peaks round 35°C (95°F), and evenings are nonetheless good and heat to take a seat exterior.
However the factor that issues: Out of the one year a yr, solely six will drizzle just a few drops of rain onto the town! Which means, everytime you go, you’ll be in for an excellent portion of sunshine!
1. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is unquestionably essentially the most well-known attraction of the town, and it’s full of superlatives. The mosque is made nearly totally out of 15 types of white marble from a number of completely different international locations and richly ornamented with costly supplies similar to gold. The primary dome is the most important mosque dome on the planet with a diameter of over 100 toes, and there are greater than 40 different domes positioned atop the mosque. One other spectacular factor is the German made chandeliers within the inside half, of which the most important one measures nearly 50 toes in peak. So far, solely two bigger chandeliers have ever been constructed on our planet.
Contained in the central prayer corridor, you’ll discover the world’s largest carpet at greater than 60,000 sq. toes. It weighs an unbelievable 47 tons, and it took over 1,000 carpet knotters greater than two years to finish it.
With its beautiful structure, it’s definitely some of the lovely mosques current. And as if all that wasn’t sufficient, it will get much more fascinating as quickly because the solar goes down, when completely different mild installations flip the entire constructing right into a shiny and superb blue piece of artwork that you may even see from a aircraft.
Better of all: The entry is totally freed from cost. Simply ensure you examine the opening occasions earlier than you go, which is likely to be restricted resulting from spiritual occasions. In addition they provide free audio excursions and free guided excursions.
While you go, be certain to put on acceptable apparel. Typically no shorts, girls need to both convey or borrow (without cost) a non-transparent abaya and scarf to put on for your complete time of being in or across the mosque. As this will get actually, and we imply really sizzling in summer season, be certain to take loads of water. It’s value it, although.
2. Saadiyat Island Seaside Membership
Saadiyat Island is residence to an ideal seaside that you’d moderately place someplace within the Caribbean by the seems to be of it. The UAE are recognized for broad, huge seashores, however normally, the colours aren’t the prettiest round. This one is an exception, although, and positively nearly as good because it’ll get within the UAE. Sadly, two resorts occupy most of it (the Park Hyatt and the St. Regis, that are each unbelievable), however there’s a little seaside membership that’s open to the general public. In the event you can’t afford staying at one of many resorts, be certain to test it out. It’s not a discount at round US$20 to 100 per day (relying on the season, date, and so forth.), however you’ll have limitless entry to the sauna, jacuzzi, steam room, seaside, pool, and loungers for so long as you need.
3. Go on an journey within the desert
There are various completely different choices for this. With the desert proper at your step, don’t miss the possibility to discover it. The everyday means for vacationers is a desert safari, the place you may check out sand boarding, camel using or dune buggies to call only a few actions. There are a complete lot of tour operators, although, so remember to examine which of them are good earlier than you go. We have now solely finished one from Dubai with Arabian Expedition, and it was a pleasant expertise with wonderful worth. Due to this fact we can’t converse for Abu Dhabi.
In the event you keep longer and make pals with locals (additionally expats) who stay in Abu Dhabi, they could be capable of take you on the market for a picnic, which is a very standard factor to do within the night.
4. Eat the place the locals eat
Eat the place the locals eat might be an excellent factor regardless of the place you go. Nonetheless, “native” is usually onerous to specify for the UAE, as a result of 50 years in the past there was hardly something there aside from some desert Bedouins and fishing villages. As we speak, nearly 90% of the folks residing there usually are not really Emirati. And naturally, neither is a lot of the meals you’ll discover. There’s a practically limitless number of meals selections that exist within the UAE right this moment, however the meals usually related to “native” these days is a mixture of Emirati and Lebanese delicacies.
It’s very straightforward to consequence to worldwide chains inside all of the purchasing malls or to eat at one of many many fancy resort eating places all over the place round. However initially, the place the locals eat, it’s really nonetheless very inexpensive (for instance, delicate drinks beneath a greenback), and naturally it tastes not less than nearly as good as elsewhere whereas being far more genuine.
A straightforward space to seek out a lot of the above-mentioned meals lies between the Corniche Seaside and the Madinat Zayed purchasing complicated. We have now been to Chagh Kebab and Shish Shawerma, which have been each actually scrumptious and good worth.
5. Go to the numerous points of interest of Yas Island
Yas Island was nothing however a stretch of sand within the early 2000s. Since then, it’s grown to the main spot for native and worldwide tourism in Abu Dhabi. These are a number of the issues to do on Yas Island:
- Yas Marina Circuit – A Formulation 1 racetrack internet hosting the ultimate race of every Formulation 1 season ever since 2009. The race takes place in late November and lasts from about an hour earlier than sundown to lengthy after darkish, which is spectacular to look at. We’ve finished it ourselves!
- Additionally, some of the fashionable accommodations on the planet, the Yas Viceroy, is definitely constructed proper throughout the Formulation 1 observe. It seems to be extra like a spaceship than like a resort.
- Yas Ferrari World – A big Ferrari themed park, additionally internet hosting the world’s quickest curler coaster with a prime velocity of 240 kph (150 mph).
- Yas Water World – Being the most important waterpark in the entire nation, it’s a enjoyable place to come back for folks of all ages.
- In 2018, the world’s third Warner Bros. World is scheduled to open on Yas Island.
- In 2022, the world’s first SeaWorld with out orcas is about to open on Yas Island.
6. Go kayaking within the mangroves
Would mangroves have come to your thoughts when occupied with the Arabian Peninsula? In all probability not. However in Abu Dhabi, they really do have giant areas of mangroves because of the numerous shallow lagoons and the humid local weather.
You’ll be able to see some components of them actually proper subsequent to the town, for instance from the Anantara Japanese Mangroves Resort. There are a number of kayaking excursions provided, which is a good and weird expertise that most individuals going to the UAE would by no means have heard of. Simply don’t mistake the little crabs on the bushes for spiders! 🙂
7. Expertise one of many ridiculously wonderful accommodations
Abu Dhabi has some accommodations which might be such an expertise; they deserve their very own spot right here. From extravagant desert resorts to spectacular skyscrapers to luxurious non-public islands, it’s all of your alternative. Simply to call some:
- Emirates Palace – The costliest resort constructing ever constructed in the entire world.
- Jumeirah Etihad Towers – Greatest-rated resort in Abu Dhabi and most spectacular constructing alongside the Corniche.
- The St. Regis or Park Hyatt Saadiyat Island – Bear in mind the seaside from earlier? That is the place to remain.
- Yas Viceroy – Illuminated extremely at night time, constructed proper throughout the Formulation 1 racetrack.
- Zaya Nurai Island Resort – Just lately opened non-public island with unbelievably good pool villas.
- Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort – The perfect desert resort within the emirate of Abu Dhabi, a 2-hour drive from the town.
Tip: They’ll be essentially the most inexpensive in June, which is low(est) season.
8. Discover lodging in Abu Dhabi, UAE
— Hostels usually are not allowed within the UAE. Please don’t e-book any on-line in the event you do discover one, as a result of they’re unlawful. —
Greatest Price range Resort in Abu Dhabi, UAE – Ibis Capital Gate
The three-star Ibis Abu Dhabi Gate Resort is ideally situated on the finish of the creek between Abu Dhabi Gate Metropolis and
Bain Al Jessrain in Al Maqta space. Ibis Abu Dhabi Gate Resort is ideal for each enterprise and leisure. ADNEC (Abu Dhabi Nationwide Exhibition Centre) and Abu Dhabi Airport are simply quarter-hour away whereas Yas water world and Ferrari world are simply 20 minutes away.
That includes 252 individually adorned, trendy, spacious and cozy customary rooms and 42 one bed room residences with kitchen amenities, 24-hour room service and security deposit containers. For leisure, every room is fitted with a flat-screen LCD TV with satellite tv for pc channels. Free high-speed Wi-Fi is supplied in all public areas and rooms.
Visitors can take pleasure in an eclectic eating expertise at Belgian Cafe, a contemporary but conventional Italian journey in Gabbiano Italian Restaurant and 24-hour service in Fusion Lounge. Wok & Co Restaurant serves an in depth high quality breakfast buffet from 06:30 am – 10:30 am day by day. For lunch, you may take pleasure in an in depth worldwide buffet and an Indian eating expertise for dinner in Horizon Restaurant. Entry to the out of doors swimming pool on the 2nd ground with youngsters’s pool, Sauna, Jacuzzi, Moroccan bathtub, Steam room and Spa can also be obtainable on the hooked up resort for a further charge.
Greatest Mid-Vary Resort Abu Dhabi, UAE – Millennium Corniche
The Millennium Corniche Resort Abu Dhabi is a 30-minute drive from Abu Dhabi Worldwide Airport. The town’s ADNEC exhibition middle is 15 km away. The Grand Mosque is simply 20 minutes’ drive from the resort. The Ferrari World and Yas Island are half-hour’ away by automobile. This property is 6 minutes stroll from the seaside. Positioned within the middle of Abu Dhabi and a simply quick stroll away from the Corniche, the Millennium Corniche Resort Abu Dhabi gives 5-star lodging and options views of Capital Gardens metropolis park and the Arabian Gulf. It has free Wi-Fi entry, an out of doors pool, and a well being and health middle.
The Millennium Corniche Resort Abu Dhabi has luxurious rooms and suites with hardwood furnishings. All of the spacious rooms and suites function flat-screen TVs and floor-to-ceiling home windows with backyard or Gulf views. It has free Wi-Fi entry, an out of doors pool, and a well being and health centre.
The well being membership contains an out of doors swimming pool with sunken bar, a sauna, and a gymnasium. Visitors may take pleasure in a rejuvenating physique therapy at Millennium Resort’s wellness middle. The resort has three eating places that includes a world delicacies, Italian delicacies, and a Moroccan specialty restaurant.
Greatest Luxurious Resort Abu Dhabi, UAE – Jumeirah at Etihad Towers
Abu Dhabi Worldwide Airport is a 30-minute drive from the Jumeirah at Etihad Towers Resort. Marina Mall is a 5-minute drive away. This property is 5 minutes stroll from the seaside. Overlooking the Arabian Gulf and Corniche, this contemporary resort is a part of the long-lasting 5-tower complicated in Abu Dhabi. Aside from its landscaped swimming pools and gardens, it additionally includes a non-public seaside and a spa. Visitors can take pleasure in free WiFi All through the property.
With fashionable furnishings and cutting-edge expertise, all rooms provide views of the town skyline or the coast. Every features a flat-screen TV and an iPod docking station. Some rooms embody entry to the chief lounge. Aside from its landscaped swimming pools and gardens, it additionally includes a non-public seaside and a spa. Visitors can take pleasure in free WiFi All through the property.
Positive eating will be loved at Jumeirah’s two eating places serving refined world delicacies. For informal eating, company can select from 5 completely different venues, whereas drinks are provided on the resort’s 2 bars. The Jumeirah has a full-service spa with 13 therapy rooms and a big health middle with trendy tools. Positioned on degree 74, the Commentary Deck is the very best vantage level of Abu Dhabi.
Greatest Tremendous Luxurious Resort Abu Dhabi, UAE – Park Hyatt Aby Dhabi Resort and Villas
This property is 4 minutes stroll from the seaside. Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Resort and Villas is located on a 9 km stretch of personal seaside on Saadiyat Island. Abu Dhabi Worldwide Airport is 35 minutes’ drive away.
This 5-star resort gives air-conditioned rooms with a balcony. It has a well being membership with an out of doors pool. A spacious seating space with a 42-inch flat-screen TV and an iPod docking station are in Hyatt Abu Dhabi’s trendy rooms. Every has floor-to-ceiling home windows and is adorned in delicate colors. An open-plan toilet with an outsized bathtub and a separate rain-shower is included.
Stress-free massages and numerous magnificence remedies can be found at Atarmia Spa. It features a gymnasium and personal therapy rooms for women and men. Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Resort and Villas has three in-house eating places. Every gives a big selection of worldwide delicacies. The Seaside Home Restaurant options panoramic views of Saadiyat Seaside and the landscaped resort gardens.
In regards to the Author
Hey! We’re Emma and Yannick! A journey running a blog couple who met in Thailand in 2014, and since then we now have visited over 20+ international locations with no plans to cease! We journey the world in luxurious, with out paying the value for it, by means of journey hacking and insider data. By this, we love to assist and educate others to journey properly for much less, similar to we do! Completely satisfied Travels 🙂
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