Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Most of you’ll in all probability 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 effectively.
We recommend 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 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 last Method 1 race of the season, which takes place there by the Yas Marina each November.
If you happen to resolve to come back to the United Arab Emirates, you need to spend no less than three or 4 nights of your time in Abu Dhabi to see a few of its most important points of interest. It’s obtained a big worldwide airport with house service Etihad Airways, nevertheless it’s additionally simply reachable from Dubai by bus or rental automobile. We have now performed 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 vehicles are very inexpensive and positively the best mode of transport within the UAE in case you’re over 21.
If you happen to 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 Might, in addition to October and early November, are the perfect 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 twelve months a yr, solely six will drizzle a number of 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 certainly essentially the most well-known attraction of the town, and it’s filled with superlatives. The mosque is made nearly totally out of 15 types of white marble from a number of completely different nations and richly ornamented with costly supplies reminiscent of gold. The principle dome is the biggest mosque dome on this 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 nearly 50 ft in top. 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 beautiful structure, it’s actually some of the stunning 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 wonderful blue piece of artwork that you would be able to even see from a airplane.
Better of all: The entry is totally freed from cost. Simply ensure you verify the opening occasions earlier than you go, which is likely to be restricted on account of non secular occasions. Additionally they supply free audio excursions and free guided excursions.
Once you go, be sure to put on applicable apparel. Usually no shorts, ladies need to both deliver or borrow (totally free) a non-transparent abaya and scarf to put on for the whole time of being in or across the mosque. As this will get actually, and we imply really sizzling in summer time, be sure to take loads of water. It’s price it, although.
2. Saadiyat Island Seashore Membership
Saadiyat Island is house to an ideal seaside that you’d moderately place someplace within the Caribbean by the seems of it. The UAE are recognized for broad, broad seashores, however normally, the colours aren’t the prettiest round. This one is an exception, although, and positively 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 seaside membership that’s open to the general public. If you happen to can’t afford staying at one of many resorts, be sure to test it out. It’s not a discount 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, seaside, pool, and loungers for so long as you need.
3. Go on an journey within the desert
There are lots of completely different choices for this. With the desert proper at the doorstep, don’t miss the possibility to discover it. The everyday method for vacationers is a desert safari, the place you possibly can check out sand boarding, camel using or dune buggies to call just some actions. There are an entire lot of tour operators, although, so you should definitely verify which of them are good earlier than you go. We have now solely performed one from Dubai with Arabian Expedition, and it was a pleasant expertise with glorious worth. Due to this fact we can’t communicate for Abu Dhabi.
If you happen to keep longer and make pals with locals (additionally expats) who reside in Abu Dhabi, they could have the ability to take you on the market for a picnic, which is a very common factor to do within the night.
4. Eat the place the locals eat
Eat the place the locals eat might be a very good factor irrespective of the place you go. Nonetheless, “native” is usually exhausting 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. At this time, nearly 90% of the folks dwelling there are usually not really Emirati. And naturally, neither is a lot of the meals you’ll discover. There’s a almost limitless number of meals decisions that exist within the UAE at the moment, however the meals usually related to “native” these days is a mixture of Emirati and Lebanese delicacies.
It’s very simple to consequence to worldwide chains inside all of the buying malls or to eat at one of many many fancy lodge eating places all over the place round. However initially, the place the locals eat, it’s really nonetheless very inexpensive (for instance, comfortable drinks below a greenback), and naturally it tastes no less than pretty much as good as elsewhere whereas being far more genuine.
A straightforward space to seek out plenty of the above-mentioned meals lies between the Corniche Seashore and the Madinat Zayed buying advanced. We have now been to Chagh Kebab and Shish Shawerma, which had been each actually scrumptious and good worth.
5. Go to the various 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 few of the issues to do on Yas Island:
- Yas Marina Circuit – A Method 1 racetrack internet hosting the ultimate race of every Method 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 performed it ourselves!
- Additionally, some of the fashionable resorts on this planet, the Yas Viceroy, is definitely constructed proper throughout the Method 1 monitor. It seems extra like a spaceship than like a lodge.
- 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 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 ready 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 various shallow lagoons and the humid local weather.
You possibly can 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 supplied, which is a good 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 bushes 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 selection. Simply to call some:
- Emirates Palace – The costliest lodge constructing ever constructed in the entire world.
- Jumeirah Etihad Towers – Greatest-rated lodge in Abu Dhabi and most spectacular constructing alongside the Corniche.
- The St. Regis or Park Hyatt Saadiyat Island – Keep in mind the seaside from earlier? That is the place to remain.
- Yas Viceroy – Illuminated extremely at night time, constructed proper throughout the Method 1 racetrack.
- Zaya Nurai Island Resort – Lately opened personal 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 are usually not allowed within the UAE. Please don’t e book any on-line in case you do discover one, as a result of they’re unlawful. —
Greatest Funds Resort in Abu Dhabi, UAE – Ibis Capital Gate
The three-star Ibis Abu Dhabi Gate Resort 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 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 embellished, fashionable, spacious and cozy commonplace rooms and 42 one bed room residences with kitchen services, 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 in depth high quality breakfast buffet from 06:30 am – 10:30 am daily. For lunch, you possibly can get pleasure from an in depth worldwide buffet and an Indian eating expertise for dinner in Horizon Restaurant. Entry to the outside swimming pool on the 2nd flooring with kids’s pool, Sauna, Jacuzzi, Moroccan bathtub, Steam room and Spa can also be accessible on the hooked up lodge for a further payment.
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 lodge. 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 brief 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 outside 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 outside pool, and a well being and health centre.
The well being membership contains an outside swimming pool with sunken bar, a sauna, and a health club. Visitors also can get pleasure from a rejuvenating physique therapy at Millennium Resort’s wellness middle. The lodge has three eating places that includes a global 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 lodge is a part of the long-lasting 5-tower advanced in Abu Dhabi. Aside from its landscaped swimming pools and gardens, it additionally incorporates a personal seaside and a spa. Visitors can get pleasure from free WiFi All through the property.
With fashionable furnishings and cutting-edge expertise, all rooms supply views of the 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 seaside and a spa. Visitors can get pleasure from free WiFi All through the property.
Superb eating may be loved at Jumeirah’s two eating places serving refined world delicacies. For informal eating, friends can select from 5 completely different venues, whereas drinks are supplied on the lodge’s 2 bars. The Jumeirah has a full-service spa with 13 therapy rooms and a big health middle with fashionable tools. Positioned on stage 74, the Statement 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 lodge gives air-conditioned rooms with a balcony. It has a well being membership with an outside 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 embellished in comfortable colors. An open-plan lavatory with an outsized bathtub and a separate rain-shower is included.
Enjoyable massages and numerous magnificence therapies can be found at Atarmia Spa. It features a health club 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 Seashore Home Restaurant options panoramic views of Saadiyat Seashore and the landscaped lodge gardens.
Concerning the Author
Hey! We’re Emma and Yannick! A journey running a blog couple who met in Thailand in 2014, and since then we’ve visited over 20+ nations with no plans to cease! We journey the world in luxurious, with out paying the worth for it, by way of journey hacking and insider data. Via this, we love to assist and train others to journey effectively for much less, identical to we do! Glad Travels ????
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