During my cruise in the Persian Gulf, I had the chance to visit several cities. Dubai, of course, with its endless skyscrapers including Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world on which I had the chance to climb, but I was also able visit Abu Dhabi. This city, less touristy, less publicized and much calmer than Dubai, surprised me a lot. Abu Dhabi is a city that lends itself quite well to a stay of a few days or even a day trip from Dubai.
Summary:
> Visit Abu Dhabi: Some information to know
> What to do in Abu Dhabi: the essentials of a visit to Abu Dhabi
> Where to sleep in Abu Dhabi: A few addresses
> My opinion on Abu Dhabi
Visit Abu Dhabi: Some information to know
Abu Dhabi is a city, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, but it is also the name of one of the seven emirates that make up this country. The richest of all. Indeed Abu Dhabi entered a new area after the 1960s with the discovery and exploitation of the riches of its subsoil. Indeed it is with oil (of which Abu Dhabi has 9% of world reserves) and natural gas (of which Abu Dhabi has 5% of world reserves) that Abu Dhabi was able to become the city it is now.
Abu Dhabi is a wealthy city and it shows. You cannot miss the famous 7-star hotel welcoming the most important and wealthy people with rooms costing tens of thousands of euros per night, the Emirates Palace Hotel. This hotel has a private beach built with sand imported from Algeria. It testifies to the wealth circulating in the city.
In addition to this hotel, you will find many buildings there, such as the famous Etihad Towers, huge shopping centers, the most modern museums and crazy projects.
Let's go for a little visit of Abu Dhabi and its essentials.
If you are visiting Dubai, know that it is very easy to plan a day in Abu Dhabi and visit the essentials. Many day trips are possible. With transport included, you can tour the places to see in Abu Dhabi such as the Cheick Zayed Mosque or the Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi. Book your Abu Dhabi tour from Dubai
What to do in Abu Dhabi: the essentials of a visit to Abu Dhabi
> A must in Abu Dhabi, the Sheikh Zayed Mosque> Visit Abu Dhabi, World Capital of Culture
> Yas Island, leisure above all
Visit Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Mosque
The Sheikh Zayed Mosque is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates, the 8th largest in the world. Its construction lasted nearly 12 years and cost 400 million euros. It can accommodate 40 people. She is of rare beauty, one of the most beautiful in the world. Its interior decoration is very rich, with the largest chandelier in the world, 000 m in diameter and over 10 tons. The mosque also has the largest carpet in the world, over 12 square meters.
The mosque is open to non-Muslims every day of the week except Friday. To visit the Abu Dhabi Mosque you can go there directly or opt for a guided tour of the city which will show you the main places of Abu Dhabi including the Sheikh Zayed Mosque.
Abu Dhabi, World Capital of Culture
While Dubai is aiming for the title of world capital of tourism within a few years, Abu Dhabi is coveting the title of world capital of culture and is giving itself the means to do so. Indeed, projects related to culture are multiplying and are part of a more global project, Abu Dhabi 2030. Abu Dhabi has simply dedicated an island to receive these cultural projects, Saadiyat Island. You will soon find:
The Zayed National Museum
The Zayed National Museum project was originally a project carried out in partnership with the British Museum in London. A project unveiled in 2010 which was originally due to see the light of day in 2013. A few complications prompted the British Museum to withdraw from the project. It is not known, at present, if the project will see the light of day.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi
Like the project in partnership with the British Museum, the Louvre Museum has also partnered on a “Louvre Abu Dhabi” project. A project initially started in 2007 which saw the light of day at the end of 2017. The atypical architecture of the building was entrusted to the famous architect Jean Nouvel.
Since 2009, the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum has purchased numerous works in order to enrich its permanent collection. There are objects dating from antiquity but also more recent until the XNUMXst century.
The museum is located on the island of Saadiyat about ten kilometers from downtown Abu Dhabi. If you wish to visit the Louvre Abu Dhabi, it is possible to buy your skip-the-line tickets in advance online. Admission costs just under €20.
Le Performing Arts Center
The Performing Arts Center is the arts hub of Abu Dhabi, a city of the arts. This centre, the construction of which has not yet begun, should include 5 theatres, a concert hall, a music hall and even an opera house. It will have a very particular shape. Its creator wanting to give an organic and vegetal side to this building. It is planned on the same island as the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, the new cultural district of Abu Dhabi.
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi
The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will be the 6th (and largest) Guggenheim Museum. After Berlin, Bilbao, Las Vegas, New York and Venice, Abu Dhabi will soon inaugurate the largest Guggenheim museum in the world with an area of 30 square meters. The construction of this museum is planned for 000.
Credit: Guggenheim.org
Yas Island, leisure first
In addition to these places dedicated to culture, mainly located on the island of Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi recently created an island dedicated to leisure. This island hosts the craziest attractions, it is Yas Island. This island is intended to host the craziest attractions in order to have fun. It already hosts some world famous places.
Abu Dhabi and its Formula 1 circuit
First of all, there is the famous circuit of Formula 1, Yas Marina. On this circuit, a stage of the Formula 1 world championship takes place every year. Like all the buildings in Abu Dhabi, this circuit has a very special design because it passes under a hotel, which is also very stylish. Every year at least November, the best Formula 1 drivers compete on this 5,5 km long circuit. The circuit also hosts Moto GP races.
It is possible to visit this Formula 1 circuit for around thirty euros.
Ferrari World d’Abu Dhabi
Close to this circuit you cannot miss the famous Ferrari World. Indeed it is on this island that Ferrari has decided to set up its indoor amusement park. Opened in 2010, it has a very elaborate design with the largest roof in the world, 220 square meters. This park has many roller coasters, including the fastest in the world as well as the largest Ferrari logo in the world. An amusement park that will delight young and old alike with sensational attractions!
Entrance to Ferrari World costs around 70€, it is possible to buy tickets on the internet in advance.
Yas WaterWorld, Abu Dhabi's water park
Let's continue our journey a bit to head towards one of the largest water parks in the world. The Yas WaterWorld. A huge water park of 15 hectares which has not far from 43 attractions including a water slide 238 meters long. This amazing water park hosts the Flowboarding World Championship every year. The park is divided into 8 zones, each with their own particularity. This park has received many distinctions including that of the main attraction of the Middle East in 2013, it was also elected among the 12 best water parks in the world!
The park was designed to meet sustainable development standards.
Where to sleep in Abu Dhabi?
Several places are to be favored if you are looking for where to sleep in Abu Dhabi, the first being the Corniche, Corniche Road, a promenade several kilometers long which runs along the sea. This place is a prime place to stay in Abu Dhabi.
Even if Abu Dhabi is full of overpriced hotels, it is quite possible to stay at a lower cost in Abu Dhabi. I can recommend two ideally located hotels, the Novel Hotel City Center and the Sofitel Abu Dhabi. These two hotels offer very good services for reasonable prices, at less than 90€ per night.
If you have a slightly more comfortable budget, you can go to Al Maryah Island, which has very nice hotels without spending several thousand euros on a room. This is the case of the Rosewood Abu Dhabi or the Four Seasons.
Four Seasons – Abu Dhabi
My opinion on Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is an amazing city. Much less “bling bling” than Dubai, the city has plenty to do and see. Visiting Abu Dhabi is a must on a trip to the Middle East. It is possible to visit the city from Dubai very easily. The city combines culture and leisure with its themed islands. I recommend that you spend 1 to 2 days in Abu Dhabi.
