Welcome to Abu Dhabi, the capital of The United Arab Emirates. A saying goes by, “ You can leave Abu Dhabi, but it will never leave you .”Abu Dhabi is a vibrant and fast-growing city that combines state-of-the-art facilities & infrastructure.
The city often gets overshadowed by its much more prominent and glitzier neighbour Dubai, just one hour down the road. However, it’s a great place to spend a few days more so as it can often be much cheaper than Dubai. Arabic is the official language, but English is widely spoken as an extensive ex-pat community. Let me share my favourite tourist attractions, restaurants, and hotels in Abu Dhabi.
The Abu Dhabi Airport:
The Abu Dhabi airport is the second largest in the UAE after Dubai International airport. Etihad Airways dominates its terminal spaces, the second-largest in the UAE after Emirates.
Getting around the city: Getting around Abu Dhabi is relatively easy. Public transport is well connected with buses, taxis, ferries, hydroplanes and rental cars. Another way to get around the capital is by walking, but only in winters. One can also rent cycles to tour Abu Dhabi with family.
Local and Cultural attractions –
Abu Dhabi Presidential Palace:
he Presidential palace is the home of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
The tourists can take a glimpse inside the Presidential Palace at a building in the palace compound named Qasr Al Watan – or Palace of the Nation, which depicts cultural understanding of The UAE.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque:
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the largest in The UAE and the third-largest. It is a colossal place of worship, big enough to accommodate over 40,000 visitors. The mosque symbolizes tolerance and respect and blends different Islamic architectural schools. The mosque has a conservative dress code – For men and women, legs and arms need to be covered, which means no shorts or skirts above the ankle, and any clothes worn should be loose-fitting.
Yas Island:
Yas Island is an artificial island and is the home to the famous F1 race track, an excellent links golf course, an impressive shopping mall, several theme parks, a beautiful beach, stunning hotels, and much more. It is the ideal place for family fun as one can bring the kids, from toddler to teen, for a fun-filled holiday by the sea.
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi:
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is the world’s only Ferrari-themed amusement park and home to the world’s fastest roller coaster.
Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi: Located just 5 minutes away from the Ferrari World is the world’s leading water park – the Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi, where one can feel the rush of a looping freefall waterslide, surf the waves of excitement hang on the Middle East’s longest suspended rollercoaster.
CLIMB Abu Dhabi: CLYMB is an indoor attraction on Yas Island. It boasts the world’s tallest indoor climbing wall and most enormous indoor skydiving flight chamber, which offers an unforgettable and adventurous experience for travellers visiting Abu Dhabi worldwide.
Louvre Abu Dhabi: The Louvre Abu Dhabi is an iconic gallery museum located in the heart of the Saadiyat Cultural District on Saadiyat Island.
Architecturally stunning in scale and detail, It houses one of the most impressive art collections in history and is one of Abu Dhabi’s biggest tourist attractions.
Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi:
Located on Yas Isand near Ferrari World, The World’s Biggest Indoor Theme Park, Warner Bros. World takes into a fantastic world of action and adventure, whimsy and wackiness straight out of favourite cartoons and movies. The park contains 29 rides and shows.
Also Read: Travel to Dubai – The land of sky-scrapers with full-on swagger!
Mangrove National Park:
Filled with a variety of flora and fauna, Mangrove National Park is the natural haven in the heart of Abu Dhabi. This park is a hub for tourists who prefer activities that bring them closer to nature. The park has around 60 species of birds and is home to turtles, marine mammals, and a myriad of shellfish, fish, and crabs. A meandering boardwalk takes us through the mangroves and allows us to discover the city’s essence.
The Corniche:
The Corniche is the waterfront of Abu Dhabi and has a long stretch across the northwest shore of the city. The waterfront is magnificently landscaped with white sandy beaches, broad walkways, and bicycle lanes.
Emirates Palace:
Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace is a luxury five-star hotel located in the heart of Abu Dhabi at the west end of Abu Dhabi corniche. The Emirates Palace is one of the most luxurious and expensive hotels globally. Admission to the hotel is free, but one can only get access to lobbies and exhibitions. The beautiful gardens, private beach, and breathtaking rooms are reserved for hotel guests.
Etihad Towers and Observation Deck At 300:
Known as the leaning tower of Abu Dhabi, The Etihad Tower s is located on the Corniche, in front of the Emirates Palace Hotel. On Level 74 of Tower 2 at Conrad, Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers is the Observation Deck, where guests enjoy the panoramic views 300 meters above the nation’s capital by taking a sip of exclusive TWG Tea Grands Crus Prestige blends such as Silver Moon Tea, Brothers Club Tea, and White House Tea or the venue’s signature mocktail, the Etihad Sparkler.
Food and Accommodation:
In Abu Dhabi, one can find any cuisine to satiate one’s taste buds. Khazi, also known as Ghazi, is the national dish of the UAE and is considered very popular here. In addition, there are options for vegetarians and Indian dishes too.
One of the best places to stay in Abu Dhabi for families is Yas Island which offers a wide range of options. One can also stay near the Corniche City Center or the business district. There are many luxurious hotels and resorts in Abu Dhabi and mid-range and budget options to stay.
The trip to the glistening city of Abu Dhabi has been an incredible journey with many memories. For some, it’s travel; for others, it may be a business venture, a lifestyle change, or even just a big life decision. It teaches whatever one is passionate about; one should pursue it relentlessly.
