Located on the island of the Persian Gulf, Abu Dhabi is the capital of the
United Arab Emirates. Being a waterside location, it attracts millions of traveler from all around the world. When the city was discovered in 1760 by the nomadic Bani Yas tribe, it was settled as a small fishing village, after the oil boom it turned into a well-ordered, industrious city. Later, it turned into the modern city and center of government and business of the Emirates.
Best Time to Fly
The best time to book
cheap flights to Abu Dhabi is between April and May or September to October. During this time of the year, the weather is pleasant- not so hot, not so cold.
Top 5 Attractions in Abu Dhabi
- Louvre Abu Dhabi: Located in Abu Dhabi, it is an art and civilization museum. Established in November 2017, the museum has a diversity of art on display. From ancient Egyptian statuary to popular paintings by Picasso, Louvre Abu Dhabi has it all. The architectural composition of the museum is a reason to visit itself. It has a permanent collection that runs over 12 galleries, and various temporary exhibitions.
- Boat Tours: To get the best views of the glittering skyscrapers of the city, head out for boat tours. The skyline view of the city is spectacular as you drift out from the marine. The city can be truly experienced by the water from where you can witness the eye-catchy view of the city skyscrapers while snorkeling on several islands in the bay.
- Qasr Al-Hosn: Also known as the Old Fort, it is the oldest building in the city and also one of the major historical points of interest for tourists. Built-in 1793, Al-Hosn Fort was the seat of government and residence to the ruling family. The interior of the fort has been modernized recently. Now it is popular as a museum that exhibits the culture and history of Abu Dhabi. It showcases the oral histories and plenty of historical photos. The notable features of the museum include the main northern gate.
- Heritage Village: Heritage Village is an original replication of a typical Bedouin village. Located in a pretty beach area of the city, Heritage Village gives a perfect glimpse of the traditional dessert way of life. You can enjoy shopping while exploring the artifacts and watching artisans making pottery and weaving fabric on a loom.
- Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital: It is the first and largest hospital in the world which is dedicated to the Falcon (National Bird of UAE). This hospital provides guided tours for interested visitors. All the ill and treated falcons are treated here. Falcon Hospital allows you to get close and personal with these birds. There is also a museum explaining the history of falconry. If you are ready to take challenges then you may get a chance to feed the prey birds.
Best Outdoor Activities in Abu Dhabi
- Bounce Around Aquafun A’l Bahar: It is the shining star of the beachfront in A’l Bahar. It houses more than 20 restaurants and cafes, big water tournaments and some kid-friendly activities. It allows children of more than 5 years to enjoy the inflatable. You don’t need to worry about safety as there are seven lifeguards on duty.
- Get in the driving seat at Yas Marina: Home to the Abu Dhabi Grand Pix, Yas Marina Circuit offers you a great driving experience. For kids, there is a playground and a musical water fountain at CrossFit.
- Go Wild at Extreme Zone: From zip-line adventurous ropes to a large trampoline park, Extreme Zone offers a next level thrill through the range of activities. The outdoor zone located in Deerfields mall is a perfect place to test and improve the focus, strength, and balance of the kids. There are 36 interconnected trampolines to keep the kids bouncing around including a parkour-style and basketball arena.
- Live a luxuriously at Emirates Palace: Enjoy some of the United Arab Emirates most prestigious beaches and clubs. Relax a good time with your family and friends. If you are a fitness freak then you can join group fitness classes such as Zumba, yoga, and Pilates. Children can go for a jog on the 6km track, long bike rides, and also take tennis challenges.
- Spend a day at Umm Al Emarat Park: Umm Al Emarat Park is one of the oldest and largest in the city. It features an amphitheater, an animal barn, botanic, children and evening garden, and much more. There is a Shade House to cool off that houses various species of plants and its upper deck level gives an incredible view of the park and landscape around the park.
Shopping and Nightlife
Indeed Abu Dhabi has a lot to offer!! It has something for everyone, from stunning boutiques to huge malls, bustling souks to attractive shops, the city has endless options to shop from.
The country has strict rules on the sales of alcohol, but still, there are few bars, flashy clubs, and rooftop lounges, where you can enjoy free time.
How to Reach
Abu Dhabi International Airport is the main hub of the city that caters to and from
flights from all around the world.
How to Get Around the city
Taxi is a very common and convenient way to get around Abu Dhabi. It is a relatively cheap way to travel within the city. You can easily hail a taxi from any dedicated taxi stand. Taxi can be easily booked over the TransAD hotline. As soon as you log in with your details and mobile numbers from the comfort of your home, the hotline will send you an automated system generated text with the details of the driver, taxi, and estimated time of arrival.
You can find various types of Taxi in Abu Dhabi and the most common type is the silver taxi which is operated by authorized companies. The gold and white-colored taxis are phased out. The fares of the taxi will be charged meter wise and the driver can negotiate in advance. Recently, a pink taxi is introduced especially for females and boys under the age of 10. These taxis are driven by women and the fares are similar to the fares of the silver taxis.
The bus services in the city are managed by the Department of Transport (DOT). Buses here are handicapped accessible and fully air-conditioned that operates in Abu Dhabi and suburbs, Madinat Zayed, and Al Ain. A single round within the city will cost you AED 1 and frequent passengers can buy Ojra Bus Passes from Red Crescent kiosk. The types of passes include One Trip Ticket, Monthly Pass, Senior Citizen Pass, and Special Needs. The day past costs AED 3 and the monthly pass costs AED 40 with unlimited travel.
If you want to discover the city by car then you can rent it from any rental agencies. There are various car rentals companies in the Abu Dhabi Emirates from where you can choose from a wide range of makes and sizes. A valid driving license is compulsory for both rental and private cars. To rent a car, visitors need a credit card, passport, and an international driving license. For UAE residents, a valid UAE driving license is needed to rent a car.
