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, situated only a 90-minute drive alongside the coast from Dubai, and there are heaps to be found there as nicely.
We advise that these vacationers who’re staying in Dubai ought to guide Dubai to Abu Dhabi tour from native tour operators to journey conveniently and uncover Abu Dhabi sights with ease and no problem. And if you wish to go to Abu Dhabi by yourself or keep in Abu Dhabi, you may choose to rent a automotive 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 Components 1 race of the season, which takes place there by the Yas Marina each November.
In the event you determine to return to the United Arab Emirates, you must spend no less than three or 4 nights of your time in Abu Dhabi to see a few of its essential sights. It’s received a big worldwide airport with house provider Etihad Airways, but it surely’s additionally simply reachable from Dubai by bus or rental automotive. We’ve got accomplished each, and whereas a bus solely units you again round 5 {dollars}, an honest rental automotive solely prices about US$40 for twenty-four hours, together with insurance coverage. Rental automobiles are very reasonably priced and undoubtedly the simplest mode of transport within the UAE when you’re over 21.
In the event you don’t like scorching 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 instances to go along 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 12 months a 12 months, solely six will drizzle a couple 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 probably the most well-known attraction of the town, and it’s full of superlatives. The mosque is made nearly totally out of 15 kinds of white marble from a number of totally different nations and richly ornamented with costly supplies comparable to gold. The primary dome is the most important 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 most important one measures nearly 50 ft in top. Thus 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 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 totally different gentle installations flip the entire constructing right into a shiny and superb blue piece of artwork that you could even see from a aircraft.
Better of all: The entry is totally freed from cost. Simply be sure you examine the opening instances earlier than you go, which is perhaps restricted resulting from spiritual occasions. Additionally they supply free audio excursions and free guided excursions.
While you go, be certain to put on applicable apparel. Usually no shorts, girls should both carry or borrow (at no cost) a non-transparent abaya and headband to put on for the whole time of being in or across the mosque. As this will get actually, and we imply really scorching in summer time, be certain to take loads of water. It’s price it, although.
2. Saadiyat Island Seaside Membership
Saadiyat Island is house to an ideal seashore that you’d fairly place someplace within the Caribbean by the appears to be like of it. The UAE are identified for broad, broad seashores, however normally, 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 implausible), 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, be 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 totally different choices for this. With the desert proper at your step, don’t miss the possibility to discover it. The everyday approach 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 an entire lot of tour operators, although, so make sure to examine which of them are good earlier than you go. We’ve got solely accomplished one from Dubai with Arabian Expedition, and it was a pleasant expertise with glorious worth. Subsequently we can not communicate for Abu Dhabi.
In the event you keep longer and make pals with locals (additionally expats) who reside in Abu Dhabi, they may be capable 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 regardless of the place you go. Nevertheless, “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. Immediately, nearly 90% of the individuals residing there should not truly Emirati. And naturally, neither is many of the meals you’ll discover. There’s a practically limitless number of meals selections that exist within the UAE at the moment, however the meals sometimes related to “native” these days is a mixture of Emirati and Lebanese delicacies.
It’s very straightforward to outcome 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 to start with, the place the locals eat, it’s truly nonetheless very reasonably priced (for instance, gentle drinks underneath a greenback), and naturally it tastes no less than pretty much as good as elsewhere whereas being far more genuine.
A simple space to search out a lot of the above-mentioned meals lies between the Corniche Seaside and the Madinat Zayed purchasing complicated. We’ve got been to Chagh Kebab and Shish Shawerma, which have been each actually scrumptious and good worth.
5. Go to the various sights 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 Components 1 racetrack internet hosting the ultimate race of every Components 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 observe. We’ve accomplished it ourselves!
- Additionally, some of the trendy lodges on the planet, the Yas Viceroy, is definitely constructed proper throughout the Components 1 observe. It appears to be like 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 most important 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 about 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 because of the various shallow lagoons and the humid local weather.
You may see some elements of them actually proper subsequent to the town, for instance from the Anantara Jap 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 timber for spiders! 🙂
7. Expertise one of many ridiculously superb lodges
Abu Dhabi has some lodges which can 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 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 – Keep in mind the seashore from earlier? That is the place to remain.
- Yas Viceroy – Illuminated extremely at night time, constructed proper throughout the Components 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 probably the most reasonably priced in June, which is low(est) season.
8. Discover lodging in Abu Dhabi, UAE
— Hostels should not allowed within the UAE. Please don’t guide any on-line when you do discover one, as a result of they’re unlawful. —
Greatest Finances 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 embellished, trendy, spacious and cozy normal rooms and 42 one bed room flats 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 supplied 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 each day. For lunch, you may 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 ground with youngsters’s pool, Sauna, Jacuzzi, Moroccan tub, Steam room and Spa can be out there on the connected resort for an extra price.
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 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 automotive. This property is 6 minutes stroll from the seashore. Situated within the heart 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 outside pool, and a well being and health heart.
The Millennium Corniche Resort 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 outside pool, and a well being and health centre.
The well being membership consists of an outside swimming pool with sunken bar, a sauna, and a fitness center. Visitors may also get pleasure from a rejuvenating physique therapy at Millennium Resort’s wellness heart. 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 seashore. Overlooking the Arabian Gulf and Corniche, this contemporary resort is a part of the long-lasting 5-tower complicated in Abu Dhabi. Other than its landscaped swimming pools and gardens, it additionally encompasses a personal seashore and a spa. Visitors can get pleasure from free WiFi All through the property.
With trendy furnishings and cutting-edge know-how, 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. Other than its landscaped swimming pools and gardens, it additionally encompasses a personal seashore and a spa. Visitors can get pleasure from free WiFi All through the property.
High quality eating could be loved at Jumeirah’s two eating places serving refined world delicacies. For informal eating, visitors can select from 5 totally different venues, whereas drinks are supplied on the resort’s 2 bars. The Jumeirah has a full-service spa with 13 therapy rooms and a big health heart with trendy gear. Situated on stage 74, the Statement Deck is the 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 seashore. Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Resort 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 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 trendy rooms. Every has floor-to-ceiling home windows and is embellished in gentle colors. An open-plan rest room with an outsized bathtub and a separate rain-shower is included.
Enjoyable massages and varied magnificence therapies can be found at Atarmia Spa. It features a fitness center 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.
Concerning the Author
Hey! We’re Emma and Yannick! A journey running a blog couple who met in Thailand in 2014, and since then now we have visited over 20+ nations 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 way of this, we love to assist and train others to journey nicely for much less, identical to we do! Pleased Travels 🙂
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