MAGICAL HOLIDAYS IN ABU DHABI – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Abu Dhabi is a dream come true for anyone yearning for an unforgettable holiday experience, surrounded by incredible natural attractions, glorious beaches, rolling deserts, blissful sunshine and unrivalled hospitality.

This sensational Middle Eastern metropolis on the shores of the Arabian Gulf is also home to crystal-clear waters, beautiful mosques, ancient fortresses, fascinating wildlife and opulent 5-star hotels.

In just over 50 years, Abu Dhabi has evolved from little more than empty desert inhabited by nomadic tribes into a flourishing 21st century society which remains steadfastly attached to its culture and roots.

World-class restaurants, high-end shopping malls, iconic landmarks, award-winning theme parks, water sports galore and vibrant nightlife are other delights you’ll discover in this enthralling capital of the United Arab Emirates.

Let’s take a closer look at this wondrous archipelago of more than 200 islands to reveal why it’s the perfect choice for the holiday of a lifetime, no matter what kind of traveller you are.

What is the weather like in Abu Dhabi and when is the best time to visit?

Abu Dhabi enjoys a subtropical climate with sunshine almost every day, making it the ideal location for escaping the dark and chilly winter gloom in the UK.

The emirate enjoys hot summers and mild winters, with the peak season is from October to April, when temperatures are pleasant and less stifling, normally in the mid to high 20s.

Temperatures can rise into the early 40s in the height of summer, which is fine for lazing by the pool, but not favourable for setting out to explore the wonders of Abu Dhabi. The mercury rarely drops below 20°C in the winter months, with occasional short-lived downpours of rain or thunderstorms.

How long is the flight from the UK to Abu Dhabi?

A direct flight from London to Abu Dhabi takes around 7 hours and 15 minutes. Abu Dhabi International Airport is the second largest in the UAE, with duty free available on arrivals and departures. The emirate is 4 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

What language is spoken in Abu Dhabi?

Arabic is the official language in Abu Dhabi and English is commonly used to communicate. Most signs and restaurant menus are also in both Arabic and English. The official currency for Abu Dhabi is the UAE Dirham.

Does Abu Dhabi have a good transport system?

There are many ways of getting around Abu Dhabi, with a superb public bus service being an inexpensive option.

You’ll need to buy a pre-paid Hafilat Smart Card which can be activated at bus stations, shopping malls and convenience stores across the city.

There are also plenty of taxis available which can be flagged down in the street or booked using the Abu Dhabi taxi app. Look out for their signature silver livery and yellow roof signs.

There's also a Visit Abu Dhabi Shuttle Bus service which offers reliable transportation for local and international tourists between the main hotels and top attractions. You can claim free access after booking your hotel stay or purchasing attraction admission tickets.

Opting to hire a bicycle or car are other options available for exploring Abu Dhabi. To hire a car you'll need a valid passport copy, a credit card and a valid driving licence.

What are the top attractions in Abu Dhabi?

Abu Dhabi is blessed with epic natural, cultural and city attractions which will wow every visitor to this charming sun-kissed emirate.

Gaze in awe at the majesty of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, where you’ll find the world's biggest chandelier and hand-made carpet, pay a visit to Al Jahili Fort in Al Ain which dates back to the 1890s or feast your eyes on the masterpieces in The Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island, the first universal museum in the Arab World.

Saadiyat Island, a 27 square kilometre oasis of leisure and cultural treasures, is also home to Manarat Al Saadiyat culture and arts centre, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and many luxury hotels.

Qa?r Al Wa?an is the impressive presidential palace of the United Arab Emirates where the attractions include a huge library, high-end restaurants and a jawdropping evening light and sound show.

Qasr Al Hosn is another must-see attraction which will impress history buffs. This is the oldest standing structure in Abu Dhabi and represents a living memorial to Abu Dhabi’s rich heritage.

Sheikh Zayed Bridge is an engineering marvel which was designed by renowned architect Dame Zaha Hadid. This formidable gateway to the city over the Maqta Channel is truly spectacular at night when its colourful lighting provides an awe-inspiring spectacle.

The Corniche is a stunning 8km public waterfront where you’ll discover a beautiful promenade, dancing fountains, top-class restaurants, a pristine sandy beach and breathtaking views of the city skyline.

Observation Deck at 300, the highest vantage point in Abu Dhabi, offers 360-degree views of the city, while Capital Gate, also known as the Leaning Tower of Abu Dhabi, is a 160-metre towering skyscraper where you’ll be amazed by the sights below.

Other popular attractions include the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Centre, Al Ain Camel Market, Abu Dhabi Heritage Village, a reconstructed traditional village oasis offering a fascinating glimpse of life in the UAE in the past, and Delma Island which has been inhabited for more than 7,000 years and is home to important historical pearl-diving centres.

What are the main natural wonders in Abu Dhabi?

Abu Dhabi oozes natural beauty and no holiday here would be complete without paying a visit to the magical Rub’ al Khali (Empty Quarter), the world’s largest sand desert where you’ll come across Tel Moreeb, (Terrifying Mountain), a dune which is more than 300 metres high.

Climb on to a camel for a delightful ride across the sands, set off on a dune-bashing buggy safari or enjoy a delicious meal under the stars in a traditional Bedouin camp.

Al Wathba Wetland Reserve is a haven for pink flamingos and many other species of birds, plants, reptiles and aquatic life, while Fossil Rock is a captivating natural attraction in the rocky hills and desert sands where you’ll find fossils dating back more than 80 million years.

The Mangrove National Park on the edge of the city makes up around 75 per cent of the total mangrove forest area in the UAE. Kayaking and boat cruises are a great way to explore the tranquil channels of water which are home to birds, turtles and dolphins.

Abu Dhabi also boasts many powdery white sandy beaches – private and public – where you can laze on the sands and soak up the invigorating sunshine. If you venture beneath the inviting Gulf Water you’ll find mysterious wrecks to explore and enchanting reefs teeming with stingrays, more eels and other sea creatures.

Is Abu Dhabi good for sports and leisure activities?

There’s no shortage of exciting sports and leisure amenities in Abu Dhabi to help you stay fit and active throughout your stay.

An impressive choice of water sports on the inviting Arabian Gulf includes jet-skiing, flyboarding, wakeboarding, stand-up paddleboarding, jetpacking and kitesurfing.

You can also enjoy a whale or dolphin-watching trip, a romantic dinner cruise on a traditional dhow boat and there’s also the option for snorkelling or scuba diving to explore the marine life beneath the waves.

Quad biking in the desert sand dunes is an exhilarating activity, Jubail Mangrove Park is the perfect place for kayaking and you’ll also discover superb grass and sand golf courses for practicing your swing.

Abu Dhabi also boasts the world’s tallest indoor skydiving flight chamber at CLYMB, an amazing attraction where you can also take on the challenge of scaling the towering indoor climbing walls.

An array of other popular sports and leisure options include sandboarding, bowling, cycling, karting, rifle-range shooting, hiking, sailing, horse-riding, white water rafting and parasailing.

Popular spectator sports include horse-racing and showjumping, cricket, falconry, tennis and camel-racing which takes places in various locations, including the Al Wathba Camel Race Track.

What is the traditional food and drink in Abu Dhabi?

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to dining in Abu Dhabi, with everything available from world-class restaurants to authentic Arabian street food.

You’ll be wowed by a huge choice of popular traditional dishes, while other wonderful cuisines available in the city include Italian, Japanese, Chinese, French, Mexican, Lebanese, Middle Eastern, Peruvian, British, American and Mexican.

Khuzi, also known as Ghuzi, is the national dish of the United Arab Emirates and comprises whole roasted lamb or mutton, served on top of spicy rice, and garnished with raisins, vegetable and nuts.

Wheat, pig, and salt are the main ingredients of Al Harees, one of the Abu Dhabi's most traditional dishes, while Thereed is a delicious soupy stew featuring chicken, lamb or mutton and vegetables.

Robyan Mashwi is spiced and grilled giant shrimp served with rice or flatbread, while a must-try street food is shawarma, an unleavened bread wrapped around succulent lamb or chicken meat.

Fresh salads and platters of mezze sharing dishes are often served with dinner. Sweet desserts, such as Baklava, and a traditional Arabic coffee will usually finish off a meal.

Popular drinks include Laban, a yogurt-based beverage and Jalab, a delightful fruit syrup drink made from grape molasses, dates and rose water.

Highly-regarded restaurants in Abu Dhabi include Al Mabeet which offers high-class Arabian cuisine in a peaceful desert setting, Suhail, where couples can enjoy a high-end experiences in a venue named after the star that Bedouins used to navigate through the desert and Mezlai, which will tantalise your taste buds with local ingredients from mountains, sea, oases and desert.

Is Abu Dhabi good for shopping?

If you crave some retail therapy during your holiday, Abu Dhabi certainly doesn’t disappoint, with high-end air-conditioned malls to bustling markets offering the chance to shop till you drop.

Yas Mall, the city’s largest shopping centre, spans 235,000 metres and boasts a huge choice of designer label stores, fabulous restaurants and fun-packed entertainment zones.

The Galleria Al Maryah Island mall near the centre of the city is home to more than 400 stores, 100 food and beverage options and entertainment for visitors of all ages.

For a flavour of traditional local life you can head for a colourful market or souk where you can try out your bartering skills, with a huge choice of merchandise available including local crafts, handmade rugs and carpets clothing, food and jewellery.

What is the nightlife like in Abu Dhabi?

You won’t struggle to find some exciting entertainment after dark in Abu Dhabi, with its pulsating nightclubs cocktail bars, beachfront lounges and live music venues.

American-style sports bars and traditional English-style pubs are guaranteed to get you in the party spirit, while rock groups, talented duets and jazz bands provide excellent live entertainment.

Abu Dhabi is home to several multi-screen cinemas if you fancy watching a movie and couples can enjoy a romantic beachfront meal, sipping cocktails and taking in mesmerising sunsets.

Many of the city’s luxury hotels also provide packed programmes of entertainment, with karaoke nights, discos, live acts and traditional dance groups among the attractions.

Is there plenty to keep children entertained in Abu Dhabi?

Abu Dhabi is a wonderland of fun for young visitors, with dozens of fantastic attractions to ensure their holiday is brimming with excitement from start to finish.

Most of the top hotels have family-friendly amenities including kids’ clubs and discos, mini water parks and playgrounds – and there are many more thrills waiting throughout the city.

Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi on Yas Island is a spectacular indoor theme park where the phenomenal rides include The Jetsons Cosmic Orbiter, Batman Knight Flight and the Riddler Revolution.

Giraffes, leopards, crocodiles and elephants are among the attractions at Emirates Park Zoo, while more than 17,000 animals roam free at Arabian Wildlife Park on Sir Bani Yas Island.

The Kart Zone at Yas Marina Circuit is the place where kids and juniors can burn some rubber and race on an amazing 1km track. Older visitors can hit full speed in a Formula YAS 3000, race an Aston Martin GT4 or ride passenger-side in a Chevrolet Drift taxi.

A splashing time is assured at Yas Waterworld which features a looping freefall waterslide and the Middle East's longest suspended rollercoaster, while Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is home to the Formula Rossa, the fastest roller-coaster on the planet.

Hili Fun City is a magnificent theme park in Al Ain, a garden city which is part of the emirate of Abu Dhabi. It is home to 28 wonderful attractions for all ages, plus picnic and play areas. a family show amphitheatre and an ice rink.

Discover the wonders of Abu Dhabi on a fabulous sunshine holiday adventure. Start planning your getaway today at Destination2.co.uk.