Abu Dhabi is Dubai’s calmer and cultural cousin. Abu Dhabi was simply a fishing village 50 years ago and during a very short space of time, it's been remodelled into a desirable, modern city. It currently boasts some spectacular attractions, beautiful beaches and many fascinating things to try and do, particularly for those that fancy a cultural break.

Experience a taste of the Middle East within the capital of the UAE where East meets West. Abu Dhabi's beaches, cultural sites and superb green areas offer a distinct experience to the flashiness and glam of Dubai. It’s more conservative, less frenzied in Abu Dhabi, however, it still has superb shopping malls, many high-end restaurants and even several nightclubs. If you're trying to find year-round sunshine, luxury hotels and authentic cultural experiences then you'll completely fancy a vacation to Abu Dhabi.

What to see

There’s lots of things to keep you busy on your trip to Abu Dhabi, from theme parks to desert adventures and spectacular sights. Head out to the sand dunes wherever you'll be able to go on an adventure in a 4x4 or begin a desert expedition. Check that you're taking your time to admire a number of the futuristic and spectacular architecture. Admire buildings like The Landmark, Aldar HQ Building and Al Bahr Towers and soak up jaw-dropping views of the city on the observation deck at 300.

Abu Dhabi boasts stunning beaches with clear blue seas and white sand. Spend a day relaxing at the beach - a number of the popular beaches include Corniche beach, Yas Beach and Saadiyat Public Beach. Another huge attraction is Ferrari World theme park, an amusement park with the fastest roller coaster on earth and futuristic 3D simulators, it’s a must-visit for Ferrari fans. There’s additionally the Emirates Palace, a grand building with spectacular design and decoration.

There are lots of shopping malls where you'll be able to take pleasure in some retail therapy, the most important include the marina Mall and Abu Dhabi Mall. Most guests to Abu Dhabi additionally spend quite a little bit of time at the Corniche by the waterfront that features a pedestrianized promenade and palm tree gardens right on the beach.

Yas Island is additionally a must-visit attraction in Abu Dhabi, it’s home to the world’s biggest water park Yas Waterworld. Here you'll notice plush hotels, beaches, shopping and lots of entertainment.

Lifestyle and Culture

People visit Abu Dhabi from around the world and should respect the culture and traditions. Abu Dhabi is more traditional and cultural than Dubai. You are not allowed to drink alcohol in public places outside of hotels, and swimwear ought to only be worn on the beach. Visitors ought to respect the local culture and dress conservatively.
There are lots of museums to go to wherever you'll find out about the local culture and the way the city has developed over the last few decades. a number of the main museums include Al Ain National museum, Zayed National Museum and Emirates National auto museum. There are additionally some stunning mosques throughout the town, including the spectacular Sheikh Zayed Grand mosque.

What’s On

There are a lot of totally different events throughout the year in Abu Dhabi. It’s undoubtedly worth planning a visit when some exciting events and celebrations are happening. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is held in November and attracts celebrities besides thousands of Formula One fans. The Abu Dhabi Film Festival is held at the end of October, it showcases films from the Emirates region.

Yas Island hosts events and shows regularly as well as Oktoberfest, Golf championships, music concerts and circus shows. If you're a foodie, don’t miss the Abu Dhabi Food Festival in February. In March. the Abu Dhabi festival is celebrated and is considered one of the biggest and best festivals in the Gulf.

Getting Around

One of the most common ways in which of getting around in Abu Dhabi is by taxi; you'll be able to stop a taxi in most places. Public transport is additionally economical and improving all the time.

You can also rent a car if you would like to explore the city. If but you’d rather pick public transport, then there are lots of choices. Tourists usually realize the twenty-four-hour hop-on hop-off bus very helpful because it permits you to check different parts of the city at in your own time. Ferries, a metro and trams are also good alternatives.

Nearby

See some of the other Emirates throughout your trip to Abu Dhabi, as well as Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman. Or venture further abroad to places like Sultanate of Oman, Bahrain and Qatar.

It takes around 5 hours to drive to Qatar, otherwise, you may always catch a flight to a close-by destination. Book some day visits from Abu Dhabi, which can take you out into the desert and the surrounding areas.

Weather

One of the advantages of visiting the UAE is that it’s gifted with year-round sunshine. you'll be able to visit any time of year and revel in marvellous sunny weather. However, it will get very hot in the summer.

If you wish to avoid very high temperatures then think about visiting between November and February, once temperatures hover around twenty-five degrees. although throughout these times the evenings may be cooler. June, July and August will get very hot, usually reaching the mid-40s. However, most places are air-conditioned, providing respite from the extreme heat.