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The capital of the United Arab Emirates may not be the first place you think of when planning a holiday, but if you like warm weather, vibrant nightlife and a colourful mixture of modernity, history and tradition — with fewer tourists than Dubai to boot — Abu Dhabi is the place to be.
1. Be awed by palatial majesty.
You’ve no doubt heard of (or perhaps even visited) the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, but Abu Dhabi is home to the equally impressive Emirates Palace, a luxury hotel that exemplifies the extravagant excess for which the UAE is well known. Built on a 1.3km private beach encircled by 85ha of well-manicured greenery, the 394-room hotel features 114 80m-high domes, six large terraces, nine suites decked out in marble and gold, and sports facilities for tennis, football, rugby, cricket, water sports, swimming, cycling and running.
Beyond its first-class accommodation, however, the Emirates Palace is an iconic Arabian cultural hub. It screens movies during the Abu Dhabi Film Festival and hosts operatic and orchestral performances during the Abu Dhabi Classics concert season. But the most intriguing cultural element of the Palace is the Bakarat Gallery, which displays fine art from ancient Africa, China, Egypt, Greece and Rome.
Even if its expectedly exorbitant rates are a little too dear for you, the Emirates Palace is still worth a visit. Oh and did we mention it has an ATM that dispenses gold bars?
2. Diversify your dining options.
As a cosmopolitan city rich in history and tradition, it’s no surprise that Abu Dhabi’s variety of dining options seem endless. Whether you are in the mood for French, Moroccan, Chinese or Lebanese cuisine, there is no shortage of Michelin-starred eateries in Abu Dhabi to satisfy your cravings.
If you want an Arabian experience, try Al Maqam, a restaurant in a luxury complex called Arabian Nights Villages. The complex is situated in the Abu Dhabi desert, and Al Maqam’s patrons can enjoy live performances while feasting on traditional local Emirati and Arabic dishes.
And though the UAE is a predominantly Muslim country, it’s not difficult to find establishments that serve alcohol or pork, should you want to have either.
3. Educate yourself.
Besides partaking of the modern delights of Abu Dhabi, you can expand your historical knowledge by visiting the Abu Dhabi Heritage Village. It is a reconstruction of a traditional oasis village, whose museum showcases elements of desert life, such as a goat-hair tent and falaj irrigation system.
You can attend a workshop featuring traditional pottery, weaving and metal work skills, courtesy of master craftsmen and craftswomen, who will gladly teach you a thing or two should you be interested.
4. Make the mosque of your stay.
Being part of a predominantly Muslim country, religion, history and culture in Abu Dhabi are inextricably intertwined. Even if you are not religious, it would be a waste to travel to Abu Dhabi and not visit the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
Completed in 2007 after 11 years of construction, the mosque was initiated by the UAE’s late president, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The carpet in its main prayer hall is said to be the world’s largest, and the hall’s 96 columns feature a unique combination of marble exteriors and mother of pearl inlays.
Do observe essential etiquette when visiting: apart from your hands, your entire body should be covered; women are required to also cover their hair. Be as quiet as possible, especially during prayer times, and remember to enter with your right foot first and exit with your left foot first. Photography is typically permitted inside the mosque, but do avoid taking photos during prayer times.
5. Savour the desert.
Once you are in Abu Dhabi, you are literally surrounded by desert, so why not have fun with it? There are a number of tour operators that organise desert safaris, where you can ride a 4×4 or camel — or both.
You can visit a camel farm, where you can interact with camels of different ages and sizes, and learn how to ride a camel. If you prefer, you can also go sandboarding across the dunes, and watch the breath-taking sunset while you relax and enjoy some fragrant shisha.
To book your next flight out to Abu Dhabi, visit http://www.wego.ae now. If a visit to neighbouring Saudi Arabia is in the works as well, visit http://sa.wego.com!
This article was produced as part of a content partnership between PropertyGuru and Wego