Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

With glass skyscrapers that reflect the bustle of daily life, magnificent buildings such as the Emirates Palace, its lively souqs, excellent restaurants and long stretches of white beaches lapped by the crystal clear waters of the Gulf, Abu Dhabi is a city of outstanding contrasts.

The throbbing heart of the city lies 250 metres off-shore on an island linked to the mainland by the Al Maqtaa Bridge and Mussafah Bridge. Home to the respected Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation and the Al Hosn Palace museum, along with numerous venues for the arts, the wealthy city is the cultural as well as commercial hub of the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Population:

1,145,000

Currency:

UAE dirham Dh = 100 fils

Emergency Numbers:

Police: 999
Ambulance: 998
Fire: 997
Operator: 181

Opening Hours:

The large shopping malls usually open from 10:00 to 22:00, from Saturday to Thursday, and in the afternoon on Fridays, the day of prayer. Supermarkets often open earlier and smaller shops use to close for lunch for around two to three hours. The weekend in Abu Dhabi is Friday and Saturday.

Newspapers:

The National
Abu Dhabi World
Al Ittihad
Gulf News
Khaleej Times
The Gulf Today
Time Out Abu Dhabi

The City

Abu Dhabi can trace its history way back to the Bronze Age and has a long tradition of profitable trading. However, it wasn’t until the 1950s – when oil was found – that it was transformed from its desert landscape into the fabulous city it is today. Designed in a grid-like fashion with wide open spaces and boulevards, this is the second largest city in the oil-rich United Arab Emirates, after its neighbour Dubai, and also the seat of government and capital of the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Daily life centres around its main thoroughfares, including the busy Sheikh Zayed Street and the paved waterfront Corniche. Always bustling, the Corniche is where visitors can be seen admiring the stunning pink-washed Emirates Palace at the Ras Al Bateen, built as a hotel for visiting royalty, and locals can be seen jogging or cycling with much enthusiasm. Families with children and leisure walkers regularly enjoy the atmosphere.

A short walk from the waters edge are streets full of shiny new skyscrapers that house the city’s financial and banking institutions, its world famous company offices and its government buildings. At pavement-level, hotel and restaurants cater for every taste, while shopping malls are full of designer fashions. In contrast, the many souqs offer gold, spices or traditional craft items.

Do & See

Abu Dhabi’s attractions are diverse and vary from landmark architectural triumphs to centuries-old structures and beaches. The Corniche sweeps along the waterfront from one side of the city to other, passing by the lavishly-planted Al Markaziyah Gardens, one of the many parks in the city, and Lulu Island across the water, which is delightful with its palm trees and nature reserve.

Dining

Emirati cuisine is quite cosmopolitan and you can find food from all over the world. The specific food for the United Arab Emirates is a blend of Asian and Middle Eastern cooking.

Breakfast is usually bread served with cheese or eggs while the main meals contain plenty of meat, grain and dairy. People often drink a red tea with mint after dinner, as it helps the digestion.

Cafes

Cafes in Abu Dhabi tend to be sophisticated yet informal, and serve a wide choice of coffees with light snacks and pastries rather than fast food.