Abu Dhabi
The UAE capital is only two hour’s drive from Dubai. Abu Dhabi is a city full of wonders, and due to its location on an island it is easily accessible whether you want to explore by foot, by hire car or by taxi. Located on an island and surrounded by the warm waters of the Gulf, Abu Dhabi is well endowed with a number of golden beaches. Some of these have been developed into beach parks, offering facilities such as changing rooms, adjacent gardens and food outlets. If time is limited, organised tours are the ideal way to see the attractions of Abu Dhabi and surrounding areas. City tours offer guided sightseeing around the capital, visiting the Women's Handicraft Centre, the Heritage Village, the Petroleum Exhibition and the famous Corniche. These can be arranged by your hotel or through one of the experienced local tour operators.
The recently renovated Corniche is the city's showpiece, with its beachfront location, paved walkways and lush greenery. Visitors and residents alike are usually out and about enjoying this area at any time of day - strolling, jogging, cycling or rollerblading along the waterfront or taking their families to one of the many children's play areas or grassy parks. At the western end of the Corniche is an area of reclaimed land off the main Abu Dhabi island. This features a luxury shopping mall, water sports club and Heritage Village. This area has a number of Arabic cafes and restaurants along the waterfront and a new marina and housing development are currently under construction. To explore these areas from a different perspective, visitors can cruise along the Corniche on a traditional wooden dhow or cabin cruiser. Cruises generally last for an hour, and can be booked through a tour operator.
Between Khalidiya Street and Airport Road, is the impressive heritage site of Qasr Al Hosn, built in 1793 as the official residence of the Rulers of Abu Dhabi. Adjacent is the Cultural Foundation, a modern complex designed in traditional architectural style, and home to the National Library, an auditorium, exhibition halls and a cinema. The Foundation is the hub of Abu Dhabi's cultural life, staging concerts, plays, lectures and a variety of other events. Traditional arts and crafts, such as weaving and producing handmade souvenirs, are practised at The Women's Craft Centre on Al Maktoum Street. Visitors may purchase these artefacts at fixed prices.
The new Heritage Village on the Breakwater provides a taste of life before the oil era. Its displays offer an insight into Bedouin life, as well as courtyard houses, wind towers and an example of the ancient irrigation system used in the region's oases. In different workshops craftsmen and women demonstrate traditional skills and the museum has displays of garments, coins, Holy Qurans, diving equipment, jewellery and weaponry. The Centre for Documentation and Research at the Presidential Court on Airport Road contains a collection of old photographs tracing Abu Dhabi's development from the 1930s. Airport Road itself is lined with shops, cafes and restaurants, and forms the spine of the city.
On the west side of the island is Al Bateen, with several large parks and the Bateen shipyard, which is well worth a visit to view the ancient skill of dhow building. The port district of Al Meena, on the northern tip of the island, features several traditional markets (souqs), as well as modern shopping malls. All of these areas can easily be reached by taxi or hire car. Abu Dhabi also has about 20 well maintained parks. These pockets of greenery reflect the commitment of the ruling family to the beautification of this desert city, and most contain water features and children's play areas.
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