Top Things To Do in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI CORNICHE

Covering almost 6k in length, the Corniche follows the island city’s coastline and is dotted with parks, fountains and greenery. With wide pavements, you can cycle, rent bicycles, stroll along and stop at some of the many café’s and ice cream kiosks. You can take a picnic to the public beach; where there are shaded areas and lifeguards should you decide to swim.

HERITAGE VILLAGE

If you'd like to get an idea about what life was like in Abu Dhabi back in the olden days, a visit to Heritage Village is a wonderful choice. Heritage Village revolves around the traditional lifestyle of the Bedouins, who had such a major influence on the culture and history of this part of the world. . From farming in an oasis to learning more about what pearl divers do, there is an endless array of things to see and do at Heritage Village. As you roam its grounds, you will be able to enjoy a traditional souq and mosque, take a look at mud brick buildings and homes, ride a camel and find out what the old fashioned sport of falconry is all about

FERARI WORLD

Ferrari World is a Ferrari themed amusement park on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The park is situated under a 200,000 square roof making it the largest indoor amusement park in the world. Ferrari World officially opened on November 4, 2010. The theme park is home to Formula Rossa, the world's fastest roller coaster. You can spend a whole day at Ferrari World, with many rides and experiences to be had. There are lots of activities to do inside the buildings, with a theatre and museum pieces, so the summer heat is not a big problem. The restaurants aim to provide you with genuine Italian cuisine, with a range of food and beverage outlet options.

THE SHEIKH ZAYED GRAND MOSQUE

The majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a national landmark in Abu Dhabi, and. It is and one of the most beautiful in the world. The construction began in the late 1990’s, and was built by more than 3,000 workers! The mosque is open to the public, and entrance is free. It is most important, when visiting the mosque, that you respect the fact that you are in a place of worship, ladies will be asked to wear Abaya (which is provided) and gentlemen to be respectfully dressed. Children are welcome to visit when accompanied by adults.
www.szgmc.ae/en/

BEACHES

New beach at Corniche
This lengthy stretch of beach extends along Corniche Road from near the Hilton Hotel to beyond Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, where you’ll find its main entrance. The new beach has swimming areas, refreshment outlets, scenic gardens, walking pathways, beach volleyball pitches, children’s play areas and toilets– floating fences keep you within 40 metres of the beach, and there are plenty of lifeguards around.

Al Bateen Beach
This beach is popular with locals and is used for fishing and swimming. There are showers and toilet facilities available, but no beach umbrellas or sun beds as yet. It’s great for waterfront picnics, but if you venture into the water keep an eye out for jet skis.

Yas Island Beach
The 400m stretch of beach is located at the southern end of the island, where there are a number of homes being built, and is open to the public for an entrance fee. Water sports, food-and-beverage outlets and other facilities are expected to be made available upon completion of the second phase of development in early 2012.

BOWLING

The Khalifa International Bowling Center is in Zayed Sports City It has 40 bowling lanes and can cater for birthday parties and events. The centre offers a wide choice of food and beverages including the ‘Noodle Bowl’, and 2 permanent lobby restaurants serving burgers, chicken, pizza, pasta and salads. There is a bowling shop, ATM machines etc, in the lobby there are 6 pool tables. Khalifa Bowling Centre is open from 9am till 1am.
www.zsc.ae/khalifa-international-bowling-centre

ICE SKATING

The Abu Dhabi Ice Rink is located on the boundary of Zayed Sports City, and is an Olympic sized international standard facility, and is capable of hosting major sports and entertainment events and enjoys a seating capacity of 1,200. The rink is open to the public for public skating as well as ice hockey, figure skating, and special events and much more, people of all ages can enjoy recreational skating at the largest rink in Abu Dhabi. Enroll in our learn how to skate programs and improve your skills on the ice. The facility also has a rink side café serving snacks and hot meals to suit everyone's taste.

DESERT SAFARI/WADI BASHING

Taking a desert safari is a very popular and activity which attracts both the locals and tourists. You can choose your means of transport through the desert either on a camel or if you are more adventurous opt for a dune driving or wadi bashing in Jeeps. You have a little taste of Bedouin life out on the vast sands. Many companies offer Safari Tours, where you travel across the desert with highly skilled drivers to go dune or wadi bashing. Your trip may stop and eat dinner at a desert camp, where you will be able to do camel riding, , try shisha, henna painting and belly dancing. You will see the sun set and have great photo opportunities.

KIDS PARK

Family & Kids Park zoo is the first private zoo in UAE. Visitors can see around one hundred and twenty varieties of species (wild animals, reptiles, birds and amphibians) from all over the world. Visitors are encouraged to interact with some of the animals. The park has shows and educational sessions throughout the day, as well as watching the various animal’s feeding time.

www.uaeparkzoo.com

WOMENS CRAFT CENTRE

Women's Craft Center is a government run handicrafts center situated off the Airport Road. U.A.E. Women's Association carries out weaving, embroidery, sewing, basketry and other methods of handicrafts, and is a good place to see the skills of the local women on display. The handicraft items are on display and are for sale. If you are interested in buying genuine traditional handicrafts, the Women's Craft Center is the right place. One can have a view of the ladies actually working on their craft items sitting in groups and working together displaying their skill and talents. The tourists can get glimpses of saddu, textile weaving, embroidering, basket weaving, palm tree frond weaving and tailoring as well. Camel bags, ethnic costumes and other items are all produced here.

MALLS

Abu Dhabi’s many shopping malls are always a popular outing for old and young alike.

Abu Dhabi Mall

This is located next to the Beach Rotana Hotel and towers on the east side of the city. The Mall has more than 200 stores selling the latest in every type of product.

Marina Mall 

This is situated on the Abu Dhabi Breakwater and is surrounded by the azure water of the Arabian Gulf. It is a lovely location for the entire family to visit and enjoy with some of the best views of the city. 




Al Raha Mall 

Al Raha has a mixture of entertainment, leisure and shopping. Two cinemas show the latest movies and a number of cafés, restaurants and a food court offer a choice of dining. 


Al Wahda Mall

This mall has an inviting, spacious sun roofed design and a myriad of side passages to satisfy curious shoppers. It has a wide range of stores as well as a large supermarket and plenty of dining choices.

Khalidiyah Mall 

This mall on Al Nahyan Street features distinctive Islamic architecture and over 160 shops.

Mushrif Mall 

The expansive, three-level complex - offers a spectrum of subtle, clean, and eco-friendly features to cater to all levels of clients, including locals and expatriates. The Mall has more than 200 outlets, and an array of entertainment venues



Abu Dhabi Co-operative Society Complex

This older shopping centre still buzzes, especially during weekends and evenings. 


Hamdan Centre is
something of an institution on Abu Dhabi’s shopping scene, this vibrant centre is in the heart of the city.

Khalifa Centre

This ethnic mall is teeming with craft and souvenir shops.

Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre & Gold Centre 

Shopaholics will love this mall – it has over 400 shops selling just about everything and some traditional souk traders have moved here.

GOLD

A trip to Abu Dhabi without shopping for some real souvenir items, the kind that last forever! Go to the Madinat Zayed Gold Souk to bag reasonably priced pieces of jewelry for yourself or your loved ones back home before you head back to the airport. Price haggling is a must, however, is an art you must learn before setting off for this trip. Usually you can bargain for as much as half of the originally quoted price especially if you are purchasing more than one piece of gold jewelry from the same store, it is important to know that if you engage in serious negotiations with the seller, and the price has been verbally agreed upon, it is expected that you will make the purchase.

 

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