On jeep safari through the desert of Abu Dhabi
March 17, 2020
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Abu Dhabi is a destination where the desert and modern high-rises go hand in hand. Be amazed by the city's stunning architecture and beauty, as well as its interesting culture and the crazy things you can do there. For example, a visit to the imposing Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is an absolute must-do. But did you know that Abu Dhabi is also a fine travel destination for a beach vacation? And ideally combined with a visit to the metropolis Dubai. Curious about what you can do in Abu Dhabi? In this article, we share helpful tips and the best sights to discover!
The emirate of Abu Dhabi
The city of Abu Dhabi is the capital of the emirate of the same name, Abu Dhabi, and also the capital of the United Arab Emirates. But what is an emirate? That is an empire of a sheikh or emir ruled by a prince. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) consists of 7 emirates, of which Abu Dhabi is one.
Abu Dhabi is the cultural heart of the UAE, so the city is constantly developing. New imposing buildings and landmarks are being constructed regularly. One of the city's eye-catchers is the Louvre, an artistic museum. Here you can behold an impressive collection of world travelers. Because of the building's unusual architecture, the Louvre in Abu Dhabi attracts many visitors every year.
What to do in Abu Dhabi?
Abu Dhabi is a large modern city where the famous sights are not close together. You can therefore consider renting a car, for example through SunnyCars, or use public transportation or cab.
1. Take a look at the Dhow Harbour
One of the fun things to do in Abu Dhabi is to take a look at the local Dhow Harbour. A dhow is a traditional wooden fishing boat used in several places in the Middle East. Local fishermen set sail early in the morning to catch fresh fish and return during the morning with their catch. So this is the perfect time to witness this. And with modern Abu Dhabi in the background, this makes for a special spot in the city.
Tip: From the Dhow Harbour, you can easily walk to the Abu Dhabi Corniche and downtown.
2. Stroll along the Abu Dhabi Corniche
Along Abu Dhabi's coastline, a beautiful, very extensive boulevard of some 10 kilometers has been constructed. The promenade runs from the port to the Founders Memorial, near the Emirates Palace. The Abu Dhabi Corniche borders the main road that runs along the coast, parks built next to it and the beautiful white beaches. While walking along the promenade, you can enjoy the beautiful views of the Marina Breakwater and the towering buildings of downtown.
3. Enjoy sun, sea and sand at Corniche Beach
Along the Abu Dhabi Corniche you will find beautiful expansive beaches, both public and private. The public beach here is divided into 3 different zones: Al Sahil (Gate 1) for singles and groups, Gate 2 for families and Gate 3 for families with small children. On the beach you will also find cozy beach clubs where, of course, you can rent beach beds. The beach clubs often have a private beach.
4. Have lunch at Byblos Sur Mer in the Abu Dhabi Marina
By chance, we ended up in the Abu Dhabi Marina, a small harbor behind the InterContinental hotel. This is an upscale marina full of beautiful boats. Along the harbor you will find several restaurants, including Byblos Sur Mer. Located in a five-star Lebanese hotel, the restaurant looks incredibly slick. From the terrace you have an amazing view of the water and the yachts. The cuisine is incredibly good and against all odds, the food here is very affordable. The price for the dishes is between 50 - 100 AED, which is between 10 - 25 EUR. The chicken kebab with garlic and freshly baked bread was blissful, as was the Lebanese rosé!
5. Admire the Emirates Palace
At the end of the Corniche Road you will find the impressive Emirates Palace Hotel. Abu Dhabi's most exclusive hotel. Part of the hotel is open to public visitors so that you as a tourist can get a glimpse of the luxury. Just keep in mind that you are only allowed inside with clothes that reach over the knees.
It is estimated that the cost of building this hotel is around $3 billion, making the Emirats Palaces one of the most expensive hotels in the world. The architectural style is based on an Arabian palace. It has 114 domes and as many as 1,002 chandeliers. With some 100 acres of land filled with beautiful gardens, fountains, swimming pools, a helipad and a 1.3-kilometer private beach, this hotel is the icon of this metropolis.
Spend the night at this hotel in one of its 394 rooms. The rooms are luxuriously furnished and decorated with marble and gold details. How much an overnight stay costs? That can go up to about 10,000 euros!
6. Recognize the face in Founders Memorial
Next to the Emirates Palace Hotel you will find a beautifully landscaped park with a striking monument. At first you see a marble triangle with hanging wires full of black spheres. But when you look closely, you see that the black spheres together form a face. Especially at night, this face comes to life in 3D.
Founders Memorial is a monument commemorating the first president of the United Arab Emirates: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
7. Visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
The world's most expensive and impressive mosque can undoubtedly be found in Abu Dhabi. The courtyard is a feast for the eyes with its white marble stones full of beautifully inlaid floral figures. But don't forget to take a look inside as well, here you can catch a glimpse of the largest hand-woven carpet in the world. More tips? Then read our article on a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
8. Go on a jeep safari in the Abu Dhabi desert
You can hardly ignore it when you have in Abu Dhabi, we are of course talking about the desert. The perfect place to take a fantastic jeep safari. Tearing through the desert in a jeep, blowing clouds of sand and spotting dromedaries. These are special experiences you can enjoy here. Read all about it in our article on A jeep safari in the desert of Abu Dhabi!
Useful tips for your visit to the city of Abu Dhabi
Besides sharing the best sights to visit in Abu Dhabi, it's also nice to hit the road with some helpful tips.
This is how to move around the city easily
Depending on where you stay in Abu Dhabi, you can do a lot on foot, by bicycle or by electric scooter. Of course, a cab is also a good option and even an economical option in Abu Dhabi. Keep in mind that driving is done on the meter in Abu Dhabi; there are no price agreements.
Fine accommodations to stay in Abu Dhabi
The range of accommodations in Abu Dhabi is quite varied. Personally, we recommend staying in an international resort, for example with a private pool and/or beach. The Sheraton is a good hotel with comfortable rooms!
The best travel period to visit Abu Dhabi
The only period you should plan around is summer in Abu Dhabi, which corresponds to the Dutch summer months. Temperatures in the city and desert are around 40 degrees then, but can sometimes rise above 50 degrees. Not a nice temperature for both a beach vacation and city break. The months of October through May fall outside the summer period and are thus a lot more pleasant for a trip to Abu Dhabi.
Lois Weeterings
A dreamer and adventure seeker, always on the lookout for new experiences. But also a hard worker with a thousand ideas racing through my mind. As a personal travel consultant and travel blogger, I share my passion for faraway destinations, thrilling adventures, and winter sports. With deep knowledge of places like Namibia, Colombia, the ABC Islands, and the Middle East, I’m here to help you craft a trip you’ll never forget. Through my personal stories and expert tips, I aim to inspire you to explore the world your way. Always with my camera in hand, I’m determined to capture every magical moment and share it with you.
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