Ferrari World
Strap yourself in for the ride of a lifetime at Ferrari World,
which opened at Abu Dhabi's Yas Island in November 2010. At over 2
million sq feet (200,000 sq m) this is the largest indoor amusement
park in the world. The headline attraction is the Formula Rossa
rollercoaster, by some margin the world's fastest, attaining speeds
of up to 160 miles p/h (240km) and an acceleration of 4.8 G, which
is what a Formula One racing driver experiences at full throttle.
The park's many attractions include the largest Ferrari gallery
outside of the brand's headquarters in Marinello, Italy; the Speed
of Magic immersive 4-D film experience; the G-Force space shot
tower; Bell'Italia, which reproduces Italy's main attractions in
miniature; and various state of the art racing simulators. An
enormous red-domed roof encloses the facility, creating a
futuristic and unique structure that has been nominated for several
architectural awards. Ferrari World includes six restaurants,
featuring four Michelin-starred chefs.
Address:
Yas Island, 30 minutes' drive from Abu Dhabi
Ferrari World
Alberto Gonzalez Rovira
Al Hosn Palace (White Fort)
The oldest building in young Abu Dhabi is the Al Hosn Palace,
known colloquially as the White Fort. It was constructed in 1793 as
the official residence of the former ruling family, and was
extensively renovated in 1983. Today it houses the Cultural
Foundation, featuring a museum of traditional artefacts and
historical photographs. The Palace is renowned for the magnificent
tile work over its main gate.
Address:
Khalid bin Walid St
Opening time:
Opening times may vary during Ramadan. Museum is open
but building expanse closed due to renovations.
White Fort
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Heritage Village
Designed as a living museum depicting traditional Bedouin life,
the Heritage Village over the Abu Dhabi Corniche features tents,
courtyard houses, an ancient irrigation system, workshops where
craftsmen ply their trades, a museum and much more.
Address:
The Breakwater
A camel at the Heritage Village
lucadex
Liwa Oasis
Numerous local tour operators in Abu Dhabi offer trips from the
city to the famed Liwa Oasis, about three hours drive away along a
modern highway. This green, agricultural strip at the edge of the
Rub Al Khali ('Empty Quarter') is surrounded by desolate desert
with farms abutting towering sand dunes. Visitors enjoy overnight
camel trips to camp in the desert. The oasis, made up of a string
of small towns and villages, is resplendent with pools of fresh
water and date plantations, and is the ancestral home of the Bani
Yas tribe from whence sprang Abu Dhabi's ruling family.
Liwa Oasis
Nick & Mindy Martin
Marina Mall Fun City
The Fun City at Marina Mall is a great place for kids, offering
an exciting range of arcade games and rides to enjoy. Favourite
rides at the amusement centre include the thrashing shark
rollercoaster, the whizzy little bumper cars and the 'Extreme
Shock' machine - actually very safe!
Address:
Marina Mall, Ras Al Akhdar
Marina Mall
Sarah Ackerman
Bowling, Paintball and Table Tennis
Kids in Abu Dhabi will love honing their skills in the bowling
alley at the Armed Forces Officers' Club, or perhaps playing a game
of paintball or table tennis. There is also a large playground and
an Olympic-size swimming pool at the club for kids to cool off in
after all that action. The Armed Forces Officers' Club also has a
Ladies recreation area with massage tables, a swimming pool, steam
bath, sauna and gym.
Address:
Al Maqtaa, near the Grand Mosque
Opening time:
Daily 10am-10pm.
Bowling Alley
a4gpa
Hili Fun City
A great attraction for children and often called the 'Disneyland
of the Middle East', Hili Fun City is the largest theme park in the
Gulf. Completely refurbished and modernised in 2009, the park
offers a number of rides and amusements, including a mini train
tour, an ice skating rink, a rollercoaster and sky-flyer, and the
Dynamic Motion Theatre. There are also beautifully landscaped
gardens and various picnic spots to enjoy at the park.
Address:
Al Ain
Opening time:
Fridays, Saturdays 10am-10pm, weekdays 4pm-10pm.
Closed Sundays. Wednesdays are female admission
only.
Ice Skating
Steven Depolo
Hiltonia Beach Club
Belonging to the Hilton Abu Dhabi Hotel, the Hiltonia Beach Club
is an exclusive beach with excellent facilities. Open to non-guests
on weekdays for a fee, the beach offers lounge chairs and umbrellas
in the sand, and water sports like snorkeling, fishing,
windsurfing, water skiing, kayaking and sailing. There is also a
café and cocktail bar, and three swimming pools with water
slides.
Address:
Hilton Abu Dhabi
Water skiing
Tony Klarich
Although Abu Dhabi's glittering skyscrapers and opulent
boulevards suggest more of an adult wonderland than a children's
paradise, visiting parents will be happy to learn that there are
plenty of amusements that promise to keep the children entertained
during their time in the city.
The many beaches and water parks are a sure way to keep the
whole family occupied. For visitors seeking an escape from the sun,
there are plenty of malls and amusement parks which specifically
cater for children. Hili Fun City, for example, is the United Arab
Emirates' answer to Disneyland, and the amusement centre at the
Marina Mall offers a wide variety of arcade games and thrilling
rides. The Armed Forces Officer's Club has many facilities for kids
too, and even features a spa for weary parents in need of some
pampering. Khalifa Park is well worth a visit, featuring an
aquarium, museum, play parks, a train and even formal gardens to
enjoy some time out under the shade of a tree. With all these
options, Abu Dhabi is ideal for travelling families.
Sunshine and blue skies are guaranteed almost every day in Abu
Dhabi. Temperatures between June and September can be unbearably
hot for most Westerners, exacerbated by high humidity and ranging
between 85ºF (29ºC) and 109ºF (43ºC) in July and August.
Air-conditioning is the norm in all buildings. The best time to
travel to Abu Dhabi is between October and May. In January and
February it even becomes cool enough to warrant wearing a cardigan
outdoors, with temperatures ranging between 55ºF (13ºC) and 75ºF
(24ºC). Rainfall is almost non-existent.
The city has a reputation as a cosmopolitan melting pot, and Abu
Dhabi's restaurants are no exception to this rule. A wide variety
of choices is available to suit all palates, ranging from cheap and
cheerful curry and Chinese takeout to five-star French restaurants.
One great thing about the restaurants in Abu Dhabi is that diners
need not go out to enjoy them; nearly every establishment will
deliver, usually for free.
Dining out in Abu Dhabi becomes more complicated during the
month of Ramadan. As Muslims are fasting during daylight hours,
restaurants are obligated by law to close at this time. Fines are
given to anyone eating or drinking anything (even water) in public.
Some large hotels catering to Westerners will keep one restaurant
open for non-Muslim customers however, and it's a good idea to
check with your hotel on arrival.
Many high-end restaurants in Abu Dhabi add a service charge of
around 10 percent to the bill, while hotel restaurants may also add
a tourism levy of 6 percent. These charges are sometimes included
in menu prices. Tips of 10 percent are customary for waiters.
Travellers to the UAE should keep in mind strict regulations
regarding the consumption of alcohol. The only restaurants that are
licensed are in hotels and private clubs. Some restaurants are
segregated into 'family sections' where men and women must sit
separately.
Beach Rotana Brunch City
Friday brunch is an institution in Abu Dhabi and this five star
hotel sets the bar very high with an epic brunch spread, combining
the food selection of a number of its restaurants to provide
customers with a dazzling array of culinary choice. Beach Rotana's
relatively high prices are offset by the exceptional food and
complimentary champagne.
Address: 10th Street, Al Zahiya Area
Al Mina
Al Mina is a relaxed restaurant on the harbour serving
traditional Iranian cuisine, with a special focus on local seafood
like lobster and squid. Try one of the starter platters,
overflowing with hummus, tabbouleh, and dolmades. The restaurant
has both an Arabian-style indoor section and an outdoor patio with
waterfront views. Open daily from 4-11pm.
Address: Al Dhafra, Dhow Harbor
Automatic and Lebanese Flower
These restaurant chains offer a good local variety of fast food
at a low price. They do shawarmas (roast meat rapped in pita
bread), hummus, falafels and roast chicken. The mouth-watering fare
and local cultural inspiration makes them a must try.
Address: Near the corner of Hamdan & 4th Streets, Al-Manhal,
Khalidia
Pars Palace
Considered the best place to eat Persian food in Abu Dhabi, Pars
Palace is tucked away in a small backstreet behind Corniche Towers,
near the marina. A wide selection of authentic Middle Eastern
dishes, including saffron chicken and spicy kebabs, is accompanied
by complementary fresh loaves of flat bread with sheeps-milk
cheese. One of the best-value restaurants in Abu Dhabi, Pars Palace
is busy for lunch and dinner. Open 11am to 3:30pm and 6pm to
midnight.
Address: Al-Khalidiya
Hediard
This elegant French patisserie is popular over lunch for its
excellent people-watching and relaxed environment. Linger over a
cup of coffee and a petit four, or indulge in a leisurely meal of
French fusion cuisine. Located in the Marin Mall, Hediard is open
daily from 9am to midnight.
Address: Marina Mall, Ras Al Akhdar
Abu Dhabi International Airport
Location: The airport is 20 miles (32km) east of Abu
Dhabi.
Time: GMT +4.
Transfer Between Terminals
The three terminals at the airport are within walking distance
of each other.
Getting to the city:
The green and white A1 bus goes to the city and stops outside
Arrivals at Terminals 1 and 2. It departs every 40 minutes,
24-hours a day. Travel time to the city is approximately 40 minutes
depending on traffic.
Car Rental:
Car rental companies represented at the airport include Thrifty,
Avis, Budget and Europcar.
Airport Taxis:
Metered airport taxis are readily available outside the arrivals
hall. The journey to Abu Dhabi takes approximately 30-35
minutes.
Facilities:
There is a business centre with internet access, showers, ATMs,
a duty-free shop, restaurants, and a VIP lounge. Facilities at the
airport itself include duty-free shops, a meet and assist service,
a VIP lounge, pharmacy, medical service, ATMs, bureaux de change,
restaurants and cafes, and post office.
Parking
There are many parking options at Abu Dhabi International
Airport: short-term parking is conveniently located near the
terminal and costs AED 20 per hour. 24 hours costs AED 240.
Al Ain International Airport
Location: 8 miles (18km) northwest of Al Ain
Parking
There is free parking located across the road from the
terminal.
While quieter than Dubai, Abu Dhabi has a very festive
nightlife. Most of the bars and clubs are located in the city's
upmarket hotels, which are allowed to serve alcohol under UAE law.
The nightlife only really kicks off at around 11pm. Many venues
have a strict dress code to adhere to, but still offer a relaxed
and safe atmosphere to enjoy. There are a number of English,
Mexican and American-style bars and pubs in Abu Dhabi. Some of the
most popular include the Harvester's Pub at Sands Hotel, the Jazz
Bar at Hemingway's and the Irish pub at the Abu Dhabi Grand. Live
performances, happy hour, ladies nights and quiz evenings are
regular events in Abu Dhabi bars. The local nightclubs feature
international and local DJs, as well as live performances from Arab
singers and belly dancers. Exotic cocktails, vintage brandies and
Arabic mezzes (snacks) are also offered by most venues. Popular Abu
Dhabi nightclubs include Le Meridien's Gauloises Club, and the
Tequilana Discotheque at the Hemingway's complex.
Abu Dhabi is well-supplied with a vast number of metered taxis
offering very reasonable fares. These are the best way of getting
around in town, and outside of it. There are unmetered taxis too,
and when using these it is best to agree on a fare up front. Most
taxi drivers speak English. It is worth noting that a surcharge can
be added for air-conditioning in the taxi.
There is a limited bus system, but it does not follow fixed
routes. Most hotels offer bus services to principal destinations,
including the airport. Car and limousine rental is slightly more
expensive but of course petrol is cheap. Driving in the Emirates,
however, can be a hair-raising experience, with an established
hierarchy as to who has right of way, so it is often best to hire a
vehicle with a local driver. There is also the Abu Dhabi Metro Rail
system which is convenient and aims to relieve traffic congestion.
It provides optimal connectivity between Abu Dhabi Island and the
suburbs.
Abu Dhabi is not typically considered to be a tourist
destination, but there is whole lot more to see and do here than
shopping or business meetings. More good news is that many of Abu
Dhabi's quality attractions are free. Travellers should take note
that getting around the city by foot is not much of an option due
to the extreme heat and the best time of year for sightseeing in
Abu Dhabi is between October and May.
Famed for its amazing shopping opportunities, many visitors
might choose to scrap any sightseeing and spend their time
wandering the seemingly endless malls and districts. For those less
interested in shopping, a good place to start is Corniche, Abu
Dhabi's spectacular waterfront which stretches for miles. Stroll
along the walkway, stop on one of the sandy beaches or take the
kids to the playgrounds or go-karting track. The Sheikh Zayed
Mosque is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates and a
must-see for visitors to the city.
Most of Abu Dhabi's hotels have their own beaches, and swimming
or simply lazing in the sun is a popular pastime for weary
travellers looking to get their feet up.