You Can't Buy Happiness. But Flight Ticket to Abu Dhabi
You Can
UNKNOWN
Just like 50 km from popular Dubai
Author: Marcela Said
It was 2012. "We have to go to Abu Dhabi," announced my bestie at the time. And that one sentence was enough to change my life forever. From one trip there was another, and then another... Until finally there were about 10 of them. Ten trips full of sun, adventure and great experiences that you too can have...
Country of the Gazelle
According to legend, today's capital of the United Arab Emirates was founded on the site of a small island, where a gazelle led the inhabitants to a source of drinking water (1).
For many years, the city was in the shadow of the fame of nearby Dubai. And although today tourists have already found their way here, at the time of my visits, this metropolis was much calmer. It is not possible to confirm this officially, but according to my conversations with the locals, it was not a coincidence. The locals claim that it was a well-thought-out strategy and way of division, where each of the united emirates has its own role within the association. And while tourism has been doomed to Dubai in this game, Abu Dhabi contributes nothing less than oil to the shared pie.
It is difficult to say whether this claim is true. It makes sense. But that doesn't mean Abu Dhabi has nothing to offer the visitor.
On the contrary...
Accommodation in Abu Dhabi
CHOOSE HOW MUCH YOU WANT TO BE PAMPERED
When looking for accommodation in Abu Dhabi, you have to ask yourself only one question - how much do you want to be pampered and how much are you willing to pay for this luxury. In the city, you will find dozens of luxurious 5* hotels, but also more affordable accommodation facilities in all parts of the city. Here are some tips:
Food in Abu Dhabi
ALL THE FLAVORS OF THE WORLD 24 HOURS A DAY
Breakfast & Brunch
BECAUSE MORNING MAKES THE DAY
At home, local breakfasts are usually quite simple, not unlike ours - pastries, cheese, some vegetables, or eggs, coffee and tea. But if they go to a restaurant or hotel for breakfast, you can be sure that there will be opulent feasts on the program, which will comfortably cover two whole meals of the day...
Eggcellent Cafe
Gandofly
Authentic Dining
TRADITIONAL TASTE OF ARAB CUISINE
You can enjoy Arabic cuisine literally at every turn. You will find restaurants, stalls with street and fast food and, of course, great ingredients. In addition, due to the mix of nationalities, you can also compare different shades of Arabic cuisine.
Snack & Fast food
QUICK FINGER FOODS
If you are a supporter of classic tastes, then yes, soft drinks and other well-known fast food chains have also found their way to Abu Dhabi. But if you like new tastes, it would be a shame not to try something local in this segment as well. The advantage is that there are also brands that are influenced by the cuisines of all nationalities that the Emirates has attracted to its soil.
Salt
Hidden Bar
Bars & Restaurants
ADVANTAGES OF A COSMOPOLITAN ENVIRONMENT
You can't buy alcohol in supermarkets, but otherwise, a large part of the locals have a surprisingly friendly relationship with drinks. The ratio of immigrants is also to blame. So you will have no problem finding not only a good restaurant, but also a place for a proper party.
Luxury Moments
FINE DINING EVEN FOR THE MOST DEMANDING GOURMETS
It wouldn't be the Emirates and it wouldn't be Abu Dhabi if you didn't find ultra-luxurious places with the trendiest dishes, the most luxurious ingredients, and the most sophisticated chefs in terms of dining. More than once crowned with Michelin stars.
Fouquet's
Let's Do Shopping
BECAUSE IT MAKES SENSE TO GIVE YOURSELF A JOY
Marina Mall
A shopping center that offers a paradise for all shopaholics on 122,000 square meters. Here you will find brands such as Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Tiffany & Co, Hugo Boss, Tod's, Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Yves Saint Laurent and many others. (3)
Galleria
An ultra-luxurious shopping mall that is connected to the no less luxurious Rosewood hotel. Here you will find brands such as Jimmy Choo, Marc Jacobs, Mulberry, Paul Smith, Alexander McQueen, Moschino, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga (4) and many more
Al Ain Mall
A shopping center that, in addition to hundreds of shops and restaurants and fast food, also offers non-traditional entertainment options. In addition to bowling, you can also find a real ice rink (5). So put on your skates.
Activity List
TOP ATTRACTIONS FOR THE LIST OF WHAT YOU MUST EXPERIENCE IN ABU DHABI
Sheikh Zayed
Grand Mosque
A visit to the Grand mosque is a must in Abu Dhabi. A huge building that represents Arab traditions and luxury worthy of a capital city and a royal family. It is younger than it might seem - it was only written in 2008, when it was established. Since then, it has been one of the tourist attractions of the city. You can visit it every day except Friday (2).
More Questions...
AND ANSWERS ABOUT LIFE
AND VISITS IN ABU DHABI
.png)
.png)
.png)
Is it better to visit Abu Dhabi or Dubai?
A difficult question to which there is no definite answer. It depends on your expectations and preferences. If you're in the mood for unbridled fun and partying until the morning, go to Dubai. If you prefer a quieter more sophisticated atmosphere and luxury, go to Abu Dhabi.
How to get from Abu Dhabi to Dubai?
The distance between the cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai is approximately 130 km and the journey takes less than two hours by car. In principle, you have two basic options. You can use a bus connection at a price of about 5 EUR, or you can simply take a taxi, which will cost you about ten times as much, but will also take you to any place within Dubai.
What are the entry requirements for Abu Dhabi?
The conditions for entering the country depend on your place of permanent residence. Find out about the visa requirement on the websites of the UAE or your Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You can undoubtedly find information on the websites of airlines and travel agencies. However, be careful about the validity of your passport and the length of your stay. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months after entry and you can usually stay in the UAE for 90 days. After exceeding this time, you risk a fine.
How to save money while staying in Abu Dhabi?
A good tip is to buy a local SIM card. Especially if you want to stay longer or plan to visit the emirates repeatedly, or if you want to make some reservations in person or communicate with acquaintances living in the UAE permanently.
Information sources used:
(1) Visitabudhabi.ae: Abu Dhabi and its surroundings; Mandarinoriental.com; Marriott.com; Shangri-la.com; Rosewoodhotels.com; Hilton.com; (2) Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque official page; (3, 4, 5) Abu Dhabi Shopping Guide ; (6) Tripadvisor.com; (7) Thrillophilia.com; (8) TheNationalAquarium.ae; (9) Wikipedia.org: Jebel Haffeed; (10) Louvreabudhabi.ae; (11) Visit Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Corniche; (12) Ferrari.com; (13) Traveldesk.me, OnlyDubajVisa.com;