Abu Dhabi trips and vacations

Vacations to Abu Dhabi are as luxurious as you can imagine. Its most lauded hotel, the five-star Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, is an attraction in its own right. And the Sheikh Zayed Mosque is one of the most lavish places of worship in the world. The icing on the extravagant cake is Observation Deck at 300, on the Etihad Towers’ 74th floor, which offers high tea at a high altitude.

Formula 1 fans agree that this city is best experienced at breakneck speed at the world-famous Yas Marina Circuit. But there are other ways to get your thrills. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi has the world’s fastest roller coaster. CLYMB Abu Dhabi boasts both the world’s tallest indoor climbing wall and biggest indoor skydiving tunnel. Head out to the desert, where you can bike down some of the tallest sand dunes on Earth.

For all the modern glamour of the skyscrapers, theme parks and designer malls here, you can also find plenty of traditional Emirati experiences to enjoy on your trip to Abu Dhabi. Explore its ports, where the trading of fresh ingredients, spices and wares has kept its waterways busy for centuries. You can also try local ‘gahwa’ (Arabic coffee) and visit the lively Al Ain Camel Market.

The Corniche is where to stay in Abu Dhabi for tourist-friendly beaches and ample greenspace. You’ll also find children’s play areas, separate pedestrian and cyclist paths, and plenty of cafes and restaurants within easy reach. Backed by an imposing skyline of glittering skyscrapers, this is the Abu Dhabi hotspot you see in glossy magazines and Instagram pages.

Good for: Beaches, parks, cycle paths

Just a short drive from the city is Saadiyat Island, the best area to stay in Abu Dhabi to combine culture and the coast. Saadiyat’s cultural district is home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi art museum and Manarat Al Saadiyat cultural center. Saadiyat Island also boasts some of the UAE’s finest seafood restaurants. Head down to Kai Beach or Saadiyat Beach. If you’re lucky, you might just spot dolphins or turtles.

Good for: Museums, restaurants, wildlife

Mostly known as the home of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Island is also where you’ll find theme parks and waterparks to keep kids young and old entertained. But away from the rides, Yas Island is a tranquil sanctuary, thanks to its pristine beaches and wellness retreats, including Yas Island Rotana. If retail therapy is more your thing, Yas Mall is Abu Dhabi’s biggest shopping center.

Good for: Family activities, wellness retreats, beaches

If there’s one thing Abu Dhabi is not short of, it’s beaches. The beaches in Abu Dhabi offer crystal-clear seas, powdersoft white sand and year-round sunshine. Corniche, Saadiyat and Yas Beaches are all popular with families. And Al Bateen beach is ideal for games of beach volleyball and various water sports like kayaking and paddleboarding.

With a history spanning centuries and a rapidly growing arts scene, it’s no surprise that the museums in Abu Dhabi are as varied as they are world class. The Louvre Abu Dhabi is set to be joined by the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi in 2025. Or get a taste of Emirati history with the Abu Dhabi Heritage Village. And you can see an impressive collection of artwork from across the Islamic world at the Miraj Islamic Centre.

Though it’s a little more subdued than neighboring Dubai, nightlife in Abu Dhabi comes alive with an eclectic mix of bars, pubs and nightclubs. You’ll find swanky beach clubs on Saadiyat Island, while Yas Island is home to larger nightclubs that pump music into the early hours. Coffee lovers will be pleased to hear that Abu Dhabi’s cafe culture extends into the night, as well.

With friendly sharing plates of grilled fish served on a bed of rice, the heart of Emirati cuisine is fresh off the boat. Plenty of restaurants offer an authentic Middle Eastern taste, but with such a global outlook it’s only right for all cultures to mingle at restaurants in Abu Dhabi. Besides Emirati cuisine, expect Mexican, Italian, Korean and everything in between.

Something would be amiss if you came to the United Arab Emirates and didn’t indulge in some retail therapy. Shopping in Abu Dhabi is as varied as you’d expect. Find glamorous malls, centuries-old ‘souks’ (marketplaces) and buzzing night markets to explore. If nothing else, shopping offers an excuse to escape the heat in an air-conditioned mall. Win-win.

There’s no end of things to do with the family in Abu Dhabi. While most of the city and the wider desert area caters well for family activities, Yas Island is where the fun really begins. Here you’ll find theme parks like Ferrari World, water parks like Yas Waterworld and indoor play centers like Fun Works, inside Yas Mall.