Dubai may be the UAE’s brashest member, but Abu Dhabi remains both the nation’s capital and the richest of all the emirates, with a blossoming, burgeoning city to prove it. Recently, there has been a greater commitment to tourism, and projects such as Yas Island with its Grand Prix racetrack and Ferrari World themepark, and the development of the Desert Islands, are proof of that. While there isn’t much you can get in Abu Dhabi that you can’t find in Dubai, its slightly slower pace makes for a refreshing change. The city lies on an island and is connected to the mainland by bridges. It is home to numerous internationally renowned hotels, a few shiny shopping malls, and culture in the form of heritage sites and souks. Abu Dhabi is marketed as the cultural capital of the UAE and is home to an annual jazz festival, a film festival, and a music and arts festival; it also hosts numerous exhibitions throughout the year. Once complete, Saadiyat Island will become the focus for much of the cultural activity. Find out more from the Authority for Culture & Heritage (adach.ae).
In the cooler months, the extended corniche is a lovely spot for a stroll, and on weekend evenings the area comes alive with families meeting up to enjoy a barbecue and shisha.
The many islands to the west of the city are popular with boating and watersports enthusiasts, and driving west past the city reveals kilometre upon kilometre of gorgeous, untouched sea and a few open beaches. The coast between Dubai and Abu Dhabi is also home to a few beaches that are popular with watersports enthusiasts, jetskiers in particular, and provide a good, quick getaway from Dubai.
The emirate is also home to a large part of the Empty Quarter (Rub Al Khali), the largest sand desert in the world. The large Liwa Oasis crescent acts as a gateway to the endless dunes and is a popular weekend destination for adventure-hungry residents from Dubai.
For further information, check out the Abu Mini Visitors’ Guide, Al Gharbia Visitors’ Guide or the Abu Dhabi Explorer – see askexplorer.com.
