Any tips for Abu Dhabi?

littlereddevil

We are off to Abu Dhabi in a couple of weeks.Anything we shouldn't miss?
Have been to Dubai so thinking it is similar??

rotate

AD is much quieter and lacks the hustle and bustle of Dubai.AD Emirate was/is the wealthiest of the Emirates as it has big onshore/offshore oil reserves,so has not gone out of its way to attract tourists like Dubai.The centre is like a mini Manhattan there is a small modern souk in the centre.There is a fish market and an iranian market downtown.The Corniche between the centre and the Hilton is a nice stroll,but already the weather may be too hot and humid to do much serious activity.I lived in both AD and Dubai and much prefered AD.If you find it boring it is only a couple of hours on the suicide race track to Dubai by hire care or shared taxi.
If you think road humps are big here wait till you see them on the AD-Dubai road.
have fun

Sun

good, neat & clean, quite, cheaper than Dubai and hot & humid at this time of year !

bluemorph

We went last year and had a great time, you can go dune bashing in a 4 wheel drive, go round the gold souks, take a dinner cruise and see the sky line lit up at night or just chill out around the hotel pool. Have a great time.

emma_t_3

Hi,

I used to live in AD until a year ago. Must say it's a lot quieter than Dubai and there isn't really much to do.

Places to see include Abu Dhabi Mall and Marina Mall. You can also go out on a Desert Safari, visit the Iranian Souk or take a trip up to Dubai. I reccomend taking an Al Ghazal Express taxi if you are going to Dubai - if I remember correctly it cost about 165 dhs to Dubai from AD. A few of the hotels also have beach clubs - the Hilton Hotel on the Corniche has one, as does the Khalidia Palace. Entrance to the Khalidia Palace was around 50 dhs per person at the weekend (though its about 40 + oc at the moment so unless you are sun crazy it will probably be too hot).

Taxis are extremely cheap (a lot cheaper than Dubai), and to be honest at this time of year you will not want to walk anywhere as it is so hot. Beware of the crazy driving. As with Dubai taxi drivers use landmarks rather than road names so try and take note of places you want to go and see.

Great places to eat include Chillis (near the Al Mariah cinema) which is like TGI Fridays but cheaper, Arab Udupi (indian food and extremely cheap), Hemmingways at the Hilton Hotel (also do a ladies night on Tuesday where women get free wine). The Beach Rotana also has a great restaurant - Trader Vics which do yummy but expensive cocktails. There is a chinese restuaurant called Bambu in the Tourist club area that also does an eat as much as you like with free alcohol on Tuesdays.

I could go on and on about AD but I won't. I'd reccomend you getting a copy of the Abu Dhabi Explorer (try your local library) which is a fantastic guide on AD, and has maps etc.


E