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 motive. 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 nicely.
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 sights 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 Formulation 1 race of the season, which takes place there by the Yas Marina each November.
Should you determine to return to the United Arab Emirates, it is best to spend no less than three or 4 nights of your time in Abu Dhabi to see a few of its predominant 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 car. We’ve executed each, and whereas a bus solely units you again round 5 {dollars}, an honest rental car solely prices about US$40 for twenty-four hours, together with insurance. Rental automobiles are very reasonably priced and positively the simplest mode of transport within the UAE when you’re over 21.
Should you don’t like scorching climate an excessive amount of, try 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 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 sit down outdoors.
However the factor that issues: Out of the twelve months a yr, solely six will drizzle just a few 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 unquestionably essentially the most well-known attraction of town, and it’s full of superlatives. The mosque is made virtually solely out of 15 kinds of white marble from a number of totally different international locations and richly ornamented with costly supplies akin to gold. The principle dome is the biggest mosque dome on the earth 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 probably the most 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 totally different mild installations flip the entire constructing right into a shiny and wonderful blue piece of artwork that you could even see from a airplane.
Better of all: The entry is totally freed from cost. Simply be sure to verify the opening instances earlier than you go, which may be restricted as a consequence of non secular occasions. In addition they supply free audio excursions and free guided excursions.
While you go, ensure that to put on applicable apparel. Typically no shorts, ladies need to both deliver or borrow (free of charge) a non-transparent abaya and headband to put on for your complete time of being in or across the mosque. As this will get actually, and we imply really scorching in summer season, ensure that to take loads of water. It’s value 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 appears 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. Should you can’t afford staying at one of many resorts, ensure that to test it out. It’s not a cut price 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 numerous totally different choices for this. With the desert proper at your step, don’t miss the prospect to discover it. The standard manner for vacationers is a desert safari, the place you possibly can check out sand boarding, camel driving or dune buggies to call only a few actions. There are an entire lot of tour operators, although, so you’ll want to verify which of them are good earlier than you go. We’ve solely executed one from Dubai with Arabian Expedition, and it was a pleasant expertise with glorious worth. Due to this fact we can not converse for Abu Dhabi.
Should you keep longer and make buddies with locals (additionally expats) who dwell in Abu Dhabi, they may have the ability to take you on the market for a picnic, which is a extremely widespread factor to do within the night.
4. Eat the place the locals eat
Eat the place the locals eat might be factor irrespective 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. At present, virtually 90% of the folks dwelling there should 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 at this time, 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 procuring malls or to eat at one of many many fancy lodge eating places in all places round. However to begin 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 seek out plenty of the above-mentioned meals lies between the Corniche Seashore and the Madinat Zayed procuring complicated. We’ve been to Chagh Kebab and Shish Shawerma, which had been each actually scrumptious and good worth.
5. Go to the numerous 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 among 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 observe. We’ve executed it ourselves!
- Additionally, probably the most trendy resorts on the earth, the Yas Viceroy, is definitely constructed proper throughout the Formulation 1 monitor. It appears 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 velocity of 240 kph (150 mph).
- Yas Water World – Being the biggest waterpark in the entire nation, it’s a enjoyable place to return 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 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 components of them actually proper subsequent to town, for instance from the Anantara Jap Mangroves Resort. There are a number of kayaking excursions provided, 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 wonderful resorts
Abu Dhabi has some resorts which can 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 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 – Bear in mind the seaside from earlier? That is the place to remain.
- Yas Viceroy – Illuminated extremely at evening, constructed proper throughout the Formulation 1 racetrack.
- Zaya Nurai Island Resort – Not too long ago opened non-public island with unbelievably good pool villas.
- Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort – The very best 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 should not allowed within the UAE. Please don’t e-book any on-line when 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, trendy, spacious and comfy customary rooms and 42 one bed room residences with kitchen amenities, 24-hour room service and security deposit bins. 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 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-after-day. For lunch, you possibly can 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 flooring with youngsters’s pool, Sauna, Jacuzzi, Moroccan bathtub, Steam room and Spa can be obtainable on the connected lodge 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. 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 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 middle.
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 contains an outside swimming pool with sunken bar, a sauna, and a gymnasium. Visitors also can take pleasure in a rejuvenating physique therapy at Millennium Resort’s wellness middle. The lodge 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 lodge is a part of the long-lasting 5-tower complicated in Abu Dhabi. Other than 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 trendy furnishings and cutting-edge know-how, all rooms supply views of town skyline or the coast. Every features a flat-screen TV and an iPod docking station. Some rooms embrace entry to the chief lounge. Other than 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.
Advantageous eating might be loved at Jumeirah’s two eating places serving refined world delicacies. For informal eating, friends can select from 5 totally different venues, whereas drinks are provided on the lodge’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 Remark Deck is the best vantage level of Abu Dhabi.
Greatest Tremendous Luxurious Resort Abu Dhabi, UAE – Park Hyatt Aby Dhabi Hotel 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 trendy rooms. Every has floor-to-ceiling home windows and is embellished in gentle colors. An open-plan lavatory with an outsized bathtub and a separate rain-shower is included.
Stress-free massages and numerous magnificence therapies 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 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 blogging 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, via 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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