Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates is fast becoming a tourist delight in the Middle East. The city is approximately 1:20 minutes from Dubai and can be accessed by taxis and buses. The most convenient means is by taxi which cost between AED200-400 depending on your location.
However, you can take the E100 bus at Al Ghubaiba Bus Station to Abu Dhabi Central Bus station for AED25. The buses are clean and comfortable with complimentary WiFi services.
Where to stay:
Downtown Abu Dhabi, the city centre bustling with numerous activities is where most visitors stay. Most hotels, malls and parks are located within the city centre. There are various hotels ranging from 3 to 5 star hotels within the neighbourhood and easy access to transportation to connect other parts of the city.
Abu Dhabi currently does not have a rail system, therefore taxi is the best option for visitors who wish to move around the city. There are metered taxis with reasonably cheap fares compared to other parts of the world.
These are my top things to do in Abu Dhabi;
1. Visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
No trip to Abu Dhabi is complete without a visit to the beautiful Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque which is one of the largest mosques in the world with a capacity to accommodate over 40,000 worshipers. This architectural work of art is one of the most visited landmarks in the United Arab Emirates and is open to the general public from Saturday-Thursday 9am to 10pm and on Fridays from 4:30pm- 10pm.
Taxis are available outside the mosque and cost between AED30-35 to the city center. Buses are also available within ten minutes walking distance from the mosque.
Read More: Find out what you shouldn’t do at the Sheikh Zayed Mosque.
2. Spend time at the Corniche
The Corniche is one of the most beautiful areas in the city. It has a gorgeous clean beach with azure blue waters, amazing views of the skyline, with various restaurants and bars within reach. It is a perfect destination for some family picnic, people watching or just bathing in the sun.
The beach is divided into different sections with a team of lifeguards and security personnel positioned in all areas. There is a free section which is open to the general public (entrance 4), a family beach section and a section restricted to children and ladies.
3. Visit Al Ain
If you have enough time, then take a trip to Al Ain, a historic city built round an oasis which is about 2 hours drive from Abu Dhabi City. Buses depart from Abu Dhabi bus station and arrive at Al Ain bus station and this service cost AED25. You can also take a taxi from Abu Dhabi to Al Ain which cost between AED250-350
Al Ain is the birthplace of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first president of the UAE and is home to UAE’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
4. Visit Yas Island
Yas Island is home to Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit, Ferrari World (theme park), Yas Waterworld, Yas Links (an award-winning golf course), Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi and various luxury hotels.
It is a beautiful man-made island connected to the mainland and is about 30 minutes away from the city center (by car) and 10 minutes from Abu Dhabi Airport.
5. Shopping in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi has a list of malls with numerous brand name stores; from mid-range to luxury shopping, located within and outside the city center. The top malls are Abu Dhabi Mall, Marina Mall, Al Wahda Mall, World Trade Centre Souk & Mall, Yas Mall and Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre.
Have you been to Abu Dhabi? Tell us about your experience.
A few photos from my visit to Abu Dhabi in November 2016
Sounds amazing. This is definitely on my bucket list !!
Way to go girl.