Abu Dhabi


Abu Dhabi, literally translated as “father of the gazelle” is the largest of the seven states of the United Arab Emirates, and also the richest, claiming 70% of the UAE’s wealth, and 10% of the world’s known oil reserves. It is also reputed to be the richest city in the world. Federal capital, and Government and commercial centre of the UAE, Abu Dhabi shares borders with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the West, the Sultanate of Oman to the East and Dubai to the North. The capital city, also named Abu Dhabi is located on an island just 250m off the mainland, and is linked to the mainland by two bridges. An ideal destination for the holidaymaker, Abu Dhabi has miles of unspoilt beaches, a cosmopolitan city (not for nothing named the “Manhattan of the Middle East”!), and a long list of attractions, which, combined with the range of hotels and resorts on the Gulf coast make it a great place to stay. A vast proportion or Abu Dhabi’s land mass is comprised of the Empty Quarter a vast desert known for its huge and spectacular sand dunes.
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Fast Facts

Capital City – Abu Dhabi
Population Size: 1.8million (or which 80% are expatriates)
Country Size: 26000 square miles (67000 sq km)
Currency/FX rate: Emirati Dirham (current rate £1 = 7.37 dirham)
Time Zone: +4GMT
Language: Official language is Arabic, though English is widely used. Hindu, Urdu and Tagalog are also common languages
Weather: Subtropical climate with year round sunshine and infrequent rainfall. Hottest from June to September, with average temperatures above 40 degrees C. Sandstorms are also likely during this time. Coolest in January and February.
Visa: British travellers to Abu Dhabi do not need a visa.
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Getting There/Getting Around

Find the cheapest flights to Abu Dhabi using the fare finder – just enter your destination (Abu Dhabi) into the form and the fare finder will find the cheapest fare we have.

Abu Dhabi airport (airport code AUH) is located 20 miles east of the city – buses and taxes are widely available. There is also an international airport at Al Ain (AAN)

Once in Abu Dhabi, travelling around is straightforward. The main means of transportation is by car, and car hire in Abu Dhabi with a wide range of car rental companies can be arranged by your tour operator. Holidaymakers wishing to hire a car in Abu Dhabi should be in possession of an International Driving Permit. Driving in Abu Dhabi is easy, with well-maintained roads and generally free-flowing traffic, although it is best to avoid the worst congestions between 7am and 9am, 1pm to 2pm and 6pm to 8pm.
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History and Culture

Parts of Abu Dhabi were occupied as long ago as the third millenium BC, and early inhabitants were likely to have been nomads, living by herding and fishing. The state gained in importance towards the end of the 18th Century due to the rise of a significant tribal confederation, also in control of Dubai. Right up until the mid 20th Century, Abu Dhabi’s inhabitants earned a living through camel herding, date production and pearl diving, but the state’s economic standing was irrevocably altered in the 1950s by the discovery of oil, when Abu Dhabi became the first emirate to export oil. Since then, Abu Dhabi has continued to grow in terms of wealth and importance in the region, and in 1971 became the driving force behind the creation of the United Arab Emirates.

Abu Dhabi is positioning itself as the cultural capital of the Middle East region, and as such boasts a wide range of cultural organisations. Work is on track for the 2011 opening of the US$400million Guggenheim Museum which will house a collection of contemporary art.

Although resolutely a modern city, there are historical sites to visit in Abu Dhabi, including Diwan Amiri, or the White Fort, built in 1793, and the oldest building in Abu Dhabi. There are also many mosques, a museum, and the historic Batin area, where the traditional fishing dhows bring their catches ashore. You can also visit the ancient burial mounts at Um al Nar. 60 miles from Abu Dhabi is Al Ain, an oasis town and former caravan stop.

Abu Dhabi is going to great lengths to preserve and showcase its past culture and traditions, through a programme of restoration of buildings and the establishment of museums and cultural centres. The traditional Bedouin way of life is also honoured throughout the country.
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Things to Do

Corniche and Breakwater, Abu Dhabi City: Abu Dhabi City is easy to explore on foot and has plenty to occupy holidaymakers. The City is justifiably proud of the Corniche, a paved walkway running along the beachfront, interspersed with parks. The Breakwater is an area of reclaimed land upon which a luxury shopping mall, the Heritage Village (providing an insight into the Bedouin lifestyle), and numerous restaurants have been built. It is possible to enjoy both of these attractions by taking a traditional dhow cruise along the Corniche – these can be booked through your tour operator.

Beaches: Abu Dhabi boasts a large number of golden sandy beaches, and many have been transformed into beach parks with a wealth of facilities.

Al Ain: The journey from Abu Dhabi city to All Ain takes you through some of the most spectacular scenery in the region. Also known as the Garden City of the United Arab Emirates, Al Ain is an oasis in the desert on the once vital trading route between Abu Dhabi and Oman. It is historically important, and home to a number of ancient forts and museums, charting the history of the place before the discovery of oil.   It is possible to visit the archaeological digs at Hili, 6 miles from Al Ain and home to a Bronze Age settlement. The oasis nature of Al Ain means that it is a fertile area and the city itself boasts a number of parks, as well as the Al Ain Zoo and Aquarium, one of the biggest in the Gulf. Al Ain Camel Market is also worth a visit as it is the last remaining working farm of its kind. The city of Al Ain is overlooked by Jebel Hafeet, Abu Dhabi’s highest mountain, at whose base is the Ain Al Faydah Natural Spring, plus the Green Mubazzarah Resort.

Liwa: A three hour drive from Abu Dhabi City, and you will find yourself in Liwa, one of the biggest oases on the Arabian Peninsula, and the gateway to the so-called Empty Quarter. Here it is possible to ride camels over the spectacular dunes, or camp out under the stars on a desert safari.

Golf: As with other states within the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi has its fair share of golf courses, be they grass or sand or both. Perhaps the best known is the Abu Dhabi Gold Club by Sheraton, which features two 18 hole courses. The Al Ghazal Golf Club is an all-sand course, with “browns” rather than the more traditional greens!

Shopping: As with Dubai, a visit to Abu Dhabi would not be complete without experiencing the fantastic shopping on offer. From traditional souks to designer boutiques Abu Dhabi city has it all. The Madinat Zayed Gold Market is a must if you after a jewellery bargain, and other popular purchases include carpets and textiles, Arabian coffee pots, and traditional furniture. Shopping malls can be found in both Abu Dhabi City and Al Ain and the biggest are the Marina Mall on Breakwater and Abu Dhabi Mall near the Beach Rotana Hotel.   Souks worth a visit are the Iranian Souk in Abu Dhabi City, and the Al Meena Souk if you are after a carpet.

Fishing: Many of the main tourist hotels offer fishing excursions as the clear waters of the Gulf off Abu Dhabi are home to a great number of fish including dorado, sailfish and the local speciality hammour.

Diving and Watersports: The waters off Abu Dhabi are suitable for year-round diving and a rich array of marine and coral life can be spotted, including clownfish, seahorses, turtles, rays, eels and barracuda. Wreck, reef and deepwater diving are all available and easily accessible from Abu Dhabi, and all levels of diver are catered for. As well as diving in the Arabian Gulf it is possible to travel to the East Coast and dive in the Gulf of Oman, or north to the Mussandam Peninsula. Waterskiing, windsurfing, jet-skiing, sailing and canoeing are also all widely available on the Arabian Gulf coast, through hotels and resorts.

Traditional Sports: Camel racing was and indeed still is a popular sport in the United Arab Emirates. Visitors can watch races on Thursday and Friday mornings during the winter at the Al Maqam Racecourse about 30 miles from Abu Dhabi City, and at the Al Ain racetrack. Holidaymakers can also have a go at riding a camel at many of the heritage sites around Abu Dhabi, and on desert safaris.

Dhow Cruising: This is a popular way for visitors to Abu Dhabi to take to the water. Traditional dhow boats offer cruises along Abu Dhabi City’s Corniche, or to the islands off the coast.
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Accommodation and Eating out.

The standard of accommodation throughout Abu Dhabi is almost universally high, and most of the hotels have an impressive array of facilities. The major hotels are concentrated around the Corniche area of Abu Dhabi City, a 40 minute journey by car from Abu Dhabi airport. 
In Abu Dhabi City it is possible to find most varieties of international cuisine, and of course local and traditional specialities.
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Events

Abu Dhabi Shopping Festival: Held every March, this is a fantastic opportunity to grab a bargain.
The UAE Desert Challenge: Held annually in November, this race starts and finishes in Dubai but passes through Abu Dhabi on its dusty journey
The Red Bull Air Race: Held for the third consecutive year in 2007, the Red Bull Air Race takes place along the Corniche, which is transformed into a racetrack along which pilots must navigate a series of obstacles just metres above the water.
Visitors to Abu Dhabi should be aware of Ramadan, the holy month when Muslims remember the revelation of the Holy Koran, and all Muslims fast from dawn to dusk over an 11 day period, Dates are not fixed as they are based on lunar observations.   During this time, eating and drinking in public areas during the day is prohibited. Also, many businesses and shops may operate different opening hours, usually opening briefly in the morning then re-opening after sunset until after midnight. Most of the tourist hotels do make concessions to foreign visitors in Abu Dhabi and keep a restaurant open.
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10 Things Not to Miss in Abu Dhabi

• Shopping
• Camel Riding
• Visit an oasis in the desert
• Dhow cruising
• Play a round of golf on a sand golf course
• People-watching on the Corniche
• A day on a private island – many hotels can arrange drop offs at private islands off the coast of Abu Dhabi
• Heritage Village – a living museum dedicated toe the Bedouin traditions and lifestyle.
• Visit the oldest building in Abu Dhabi, the Al Hosn Palace, home to the Cultural Foundation.
• A day on the beach.