Many people who look to book a trip to the United Arab Emirates head straight for the bright lights of Dubai; drawn in by the luxury hotels, the wide range of attractions and the favourable weather conditions.
However, it’s far from the only Emirate that is worth considering for an overseas visit however, with Abu Dhabi being arguably as impressive as its ever-popular neighbour on the fringes of the Arabian Gulf.
Here are just a few reasons why Abu Dhabi - the capital of the UAE - is such a must-visit destination…
Weather:
There isn’t really a bad time to visit Abu Dhabi, which benefits - unsurprisingly - from a desert climate. That means there is a little in the way of rainfall with sunshine guaranteed throughout the year.
There are times in the middle of summer when it can get too hot for some people with the mercury topping 40°C and for that reason, many people prefer to visit during winter when the temperatures are slightly lower but still far in excess of what you’d be facing back at home.
Let’s be honest - when you’re waking in a morning to frost on the ground and rain in the air, who wouldn’t prefer to be somewhere else enjoying the sun?
Experiences:
Like Dubai, Abu Dhabi blends the old and new together, with ultra-modern shopping malls sitting alongside ancient souks, and towering skyscrapers dominating the city skyline as much as traditional mosques that reflect the Emirate’s heritage and culture.
As a result, there is a huge amount for visitors to explore during a trip to Abu Dhabi regardless of what might pique your interest.
Should you be something of a culture lover then a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a must to marvel at a stunning building that is one of the largest of its type in the world and which took more than ten years to construct.
More than 40,000 people can fit into the mosque for worship, with visitors able to marvel at the ornate designs that include gold gilded chandeliers, more than 1,000 impressive columns and countless reflective pools.
From there, a trip to the Qasr al-Hosn is also recommended to explore a building that dates back to the 1760s and which was once the residence of the ruler of Abu Dhabi. Now home to an exhibition all about the Emirate, it provides a fascinating way in which to see to how things have changed through the years.
It’s a similar story at the Heritage Village, which provides an insight into what life would have been like in years gone by.
For those who prefer to see the modern side of Abu Dhabi, then there are few destinations that can match Yas Island when it comes to fun.
Here, you can take the children to the huge Yas Waterworld complex to sample the many water-based rides, or embrace your need for speed with a visit to Ferrari World - which is home to one of the world’s fastest rollercoasters.
Yas Island is where you’ll also find the circuit that hosts the season finale of Formula 1 every year, with guided tours available to see where the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have done battle wheel-to-wheel for the world title.
Anyone looking to partake in some retail therapy may head for the likes of Yas Mall, the Marina Mall or Abu Dhabi Mall if they are eager to visit the big name stores, with the Madinat Zayed Gold Souk and Souk Qaryat Al Beri amongst the various traditional markets.
Culinary Treats:
Meat, fish and rice are staple ingredients when it comes to cuisine in the Emirates and that’s very much the case in Abu Dhabi - where there a number of traditional meals you can look to sample.
It’s all part of the experience to try dishes such as Harees, a slow-cooked dish that visually looks like porridge but contains wheat that is mixed with a choice of meats and plenty of flavour and seasoning. It’s certainly something that tastes more appealing that it might look, and is now found on the menu at many restaurants rather than simply being a dish prepared by families in their homes.
Machboos - a national dish of the UAE made using rice and meat - is also worth checking out, as is Madrooba; which features locally sourced salted fish that is then cooked alongside various spices before being served in a thick sauce.
Nature:
You might not expect to see much in the way of greenery in the middle of the desert but Abu Dhabi could be regarded as something of an oasis in that respect.
The Emirate has been keen to introduce new green spaces to boost the quality of life for the locals and these manmade areas are just as popular with visitors who want to enjoy some peace and quiet away from the busy city streets.
Away from the city, you can head for Sir Bani Yas Island to marvel at the wildlife found in a 10,000-acre reserve, pay a visit to the Mangrove National Park and check out the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve - showing an alternative side to Abu Dhabi that many would expect to see.
Away from the city, you can head for Sir Bani Yas Island to marvel at the wildlife found in a 10,000-acre reserve, pay a visit to the Mangrove National Park and check out the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve - showing an alternative side to Abu Dhabi that many would expect to see.