7 Awesome Things To Do In Abu Dhabi, UAE

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, positioned only a 90-minute drive alongside the coast from Dubai, and there are heaps to be found there as properly.

We advise 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 possibly can decide 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 closing System 1 race of the season, which takes place there by the Yas Marina each November.

In the event you resolve to return to the United Arab Emirates, it’s best to spend a minimum of three or 4 nights of your time in Abu Dhabi to see a few of its fundamental points of interest. It’s acquired a big worldwide airport with residence provider Etihad Airways, however it’s additionally simply reachable from Dubai by bus or rental car. We now have executed each, and whereas a bus solely units you again round 5 {dollars}, a good rental car solely prices about US$40 for twenty-four hours, together with insurance. Rental vehicles are very reasonably priced and undoubtedly the simplest mode of transport within the UAE for those who’re over 21. 

In the event you don’t like sizzling climate an excessive amount of, try to go between November and March. From June to September, temperatures often 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 the very best occasions to go together with good daytime peaks round 35°C (95°F), and evenings are nonetheless good and heat to sit down exterior.

However the factor that issues: Out of the three hundred and sixty five days a yr, solely six will drizzle a number of drops of rain onto town! Meaning, everytime you go, you’ll be in for an excellent portion of sunshine!

1. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is certainly essentially the most well-known attraction of town, and it’s full of superlatives. The mosque is made virtually 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 biggest mosque dome on the planet with a diameter of over 100 ft, 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 biggest one measures virtually 50 ft 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. ft. It weighs an unbelievable 47 tons, and it took over 1,000 carpet knotters greater than two years to finish it.

With its gorgeous structure, it’s definitely one of the vital 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 gentle installations flip the entire constructing right into a shiny and wonderful blue piece of artwork which you can even see from a aircraft.

Better of all: The entry is totally freed from cost. Simply be sure you test the opening occasions earlier than you go, which is perhaps restricted on account of non secular occasions. In addition they provide free audio excursions and free guided excursions.

Whenever you go, make certain to put on acceptable apparel. Typically no shorts, girls should both deliver or borrow (free of charge) a non-transparent abaya and headband to put on for your entire time of being in or across the mosque. As this will get actually, and we imply really sizzling in summer season, make certain to take loads of water. It’s price it, although.

2. Saadiyat Island Seashore Membership

Saadiyat Island is residence to an ideal seashore that you’d relatively place someplace within the Caribbean by the appears of it. The UAE are recognized for broad, broad seashores, however often, the colours aren’t the prettiest round. This one is an exception, although, and undoubtedly pretty much 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 improbable), however there’s a little seashore membership that’s open to the general public. In the event you can’t afford staying at one of many resorts, make certain to test it out. It’s not a cut price at round US$20 to 100 per day (relying on the season, date, and many others.), however you’ll have limitless entry to the sauna, jacuzzi, steam room, seashore, 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 standard means for vacationers is a desert safari, the place you possibly can check out sand boarding, camel using or dune buggies to call only a few actions. There are an entire lot of tour operators, although, so remember to test which of them are good earlier than you go. We now have solely executed one from Dubai with Arabian Expedition, and it was a pleasant expertise with wonderful worth. Due to this fact we can not converse for Abu Dhabi.

In the event you keep longer and make pals with locals (additionally expats) who stay in Abu Dhabi, they could have the ability to take you on the market for a picnic, which is a extremely well-liked factor to do within the night.

4. Eat the place the locals eat

Eat the place the locals eat might be an excellent factor irrespective of the place you go. Nevertheless, “native” is mostly arduous to specify for the UAE, as a result of 50 years in the past there was hardly something there other than some desert Bedouins and fishing villages. In the present day, virtually 90% of the individuals dwelling there usually are not truly Emirati. And naturally, neither is a lot of the meals you’ll discover. There’s a practically limitless number of meals decisions that exist within the UAE immediately, however the meals sometimes 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 in all places round. However to start with, the place the locals eat, it’s truly nonetheless very reasonably priced (for instance, tender drinks beneath a greenback), and naturally it tastes a minimum of pretty much as good as elsewhere whereas being far more genuine.

A simple space to seek out numerous the above-mentioned meals lies between the Corniche Seashore and the Madinat Zayed purchasing complicated. We now have been to Chagh Kebab and Shish Shawerma, which had 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 System 1 racetrack internet hosting the ultimate race of every System 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 executed it ourselves!
• Additionally, one of the vital fashionable resorts on the planet, the Yas Viceroy, is definitely constructed proper throughout the System 1 observe. It appears 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 pace of 240 kph (150 mph).
• Yas Water World – Being the biggest waterpark in the entire nation, it’s a enjoyable place to return for individuals 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 ready to open on Yas Island.

6. Go kayaking within the mangroves

Would mangroves have come to your thoughts when fascinated with the Arabian Peninsula? Most likely not. However in Abu Dhabi, they really do have massive areas of mangroves due to the numerous shallow lagoons and the humid local weather.

You possibly can see some elements of them actually proper subsequent to town, for instance from the Anantara Jap Mangroves Lodge. There are a number of kayaking excursions provided, which is a superb and strange expertise that most individuals going to the UAE would by no means have heard of. Simply don’t mistake the little crabs on the timber for spiders! 🙂

7. Expertise one of many ridiculously wonderful resorts

Abu Dhabi has some resorts which might be such an expertise; they deserve their very own spot right here. From extravagant desert resorts to spectacular skyscrapers to luxurious personal 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 seashore from earlier? That is the place to remain.

• Yas Viceroy – Illuminated extremely at evening, constructed proper throughout the System 1 racetrack.
• Zaya Nurai Island Resort – Not too long ago opened personal island with unbelievably good pool villas.
• Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort – The most effective desert resort within the emirate of Abu Dhabi, a 2-hour drive from town.

Tip: They’ll be essentially the most reasonably priced 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 for those who do discover one, as a result of they’re unlawful. —

Greatest Funds Lodge in Abu Dhabi, UAE – Ibis Capital Gate

The three-star Ibis Abu Dhabi Gate Lodge is ideally positioned on the finish of the creek between Abu Dhabi Gate Metropolis and
Bain Al Jessrain in Al Maqta space. Ibis Abu Dhabi Gate Lodge 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, fashionable, spacious and comfy commonplace rooms and 42 one bed room residences with kitchen amenities, 24-hour room service and security deposit packing 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 offered in all public areas and rooms.

Visitors can get pleasure from 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 intensive high quality breakfast buffet from 06:30 am – 10:30 am daily. For lunch, you possibly can get pleasure from an intensive 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 kids’s pool, Sauna, Jacuzzi, Moroccan bathtub, Steam room and Spa can be out there on the connected resort for a further payment.

Greatest Mid-Vary Lodge Abu Dhabi, UAE – Millennium Corniche

The Millennium Corniche Lodge Abu Dhabi is a 30-minute drive from Abu Dhabi Worldwide Airport. Town’s ADNEC exhibition heart 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 seashore. Positioned within the heart of Abu Dhabi and a simply quick stroll away from the Corniche, the Millennium Corniche Lodge Abu Dhabi provides 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 heart.

The Millennium Corniche Lodge Abu Dhabi has luxurious rooms and suites with hardwood furnishings. All of the spacious rooms and suites characteristic 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 consists of an out of doors swimming pool with sunken bar, a sauna, and a health club. Visitors may also get pleasure from a rejuvenating physique remedy at Millennium Lodge’s wellness heart. The resort has three eating places that includes a world delicacies, Italian delicacies, and a Moroccan specialty restaurant.

Greatest Luxurious Lodge Abu Dhabi, UAE – Jumeirah at Etihad Towers

Abu Dhabi Worldwide Airport is a 30-minute drive from the Jumeirah at Etihad Towers Lodge. Marina Mall is a 5-minute drive away. This property is 5 minutes stroll from the seashore. 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 incorporates a personal seashore and a spa. Visitors can get pleasure from free WiFi All through the property.

With fashionable furnishings and cutting-edge expertise, all rooms provide views of town skyline or the coast. Every features a flat-screen TV and an iPod docking station. Some rooms embrace entry to the manager lounge. Aside from its landscaped swimming pools and gardens, it additionally incorporates a personal seashore and a spa. Visitors can get pleasure from free WiFi All through the property.

Effective eating might be loved at Jumeirah’s two eating places serving subtle world delicacies. For informal eating, friends 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 remedy rooms and a big health heart with fashionable tools. Positioned on stage 74, the Statement Deck is the very best vantage level of Abu Dhabi.

Greatest Tremendous Luxurious Lodge Abu Dhabi, UAE – Park Hyatt Aby Dhabi Hotel and Villas

This property is 4 minutes stroll from the seashore. Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Lodge and Villas is located on a 9 km stretch of personal seashore on Saadiyat Island. Abu Dhabi Worldwide Airport is 35 minutes’ drive away.

This 5-star resort provides 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 fashionable rooms. Every has floor-to-ceiling home windows and is adorned in tender colors. An open-plan lavatory with an outsized bathtub and a separate rain-shower is included.

Stress-free massages and varied magnificence remedies can be found at Atarmia Spa. It features a health club and personal remedy rooms for women and men. Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Lodge and Villas has three in-house eating places.  Every provides a wide array of worldwide delicacies. The Seashore Home Restaurant options panoramic views of Saadiyat Seashore and the landscaped resort gardens.

Concerning the Author

Hey! We’re Emma and Yannick! A journey blogging couple who met in Thailand in 2014, and since then we have now visited over 20+ international locations with no plans to cease! We journey the world in luxurious, with out paying the value for it, via journey hacking and insider information. By means of this, we love to assist and educate others to journey properly for much less, similar to we do! Comfortable Travels 🙂

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