Why Abu Dhabi ought to be your subsequent metropolis break

Less well-known than its wild-child sister — Dubai, which lies 80 miles north east alongside the coast — the capital of the United Arab Emirates is quickly changing into one of many area’s most fun cities. While it’s nonetheless the cradle of the Emirates’ oil business, with all of the glass towers, designer-filled malls and company headquarters to match, recently it has constructed a popularity for providing travellers an genuine glimpse of Emirati heritage. And now’s the time to plan a go to, with a glittering crop of latest galleries and museums set to open quickly — and lots extra adventurous choices for these eager to discover.

The seaside is rarely far-off right here. Spread throughout a number of isles in a pure archipelago, the town presents the possibility to kick off your sneakers and paddle off Saadiyat Island’s golden sands, go kayaking within the mangroves or just unfurl a picnic blanket on the Corniche — a waterfront promenade and one in every of its loveliest sundown spots. Much of the coast is a devoted wildlife reserve frequented by dolphins, turtles and migrating flamingos. The islands listed below are related by a number of bridges and you’ll traverse the whole metropolis in as little as 20 minutes by taxi.

Downtown Abu Dhabi’s skyscrapers can really feel impersonal and exhausting to understand initially. But persistence is rewarded: its magic lies in its much less polished corners. There’s the WaveBreaker promenade the place Emirati {couples} spend lengthy afternoons feeding the seagulls, and the family-run sweetshops at Mina Market close to Zayed Port, whose proprietors received’t allow you to go away with out fistfuls of complimentary medjool dates.

As effectively as Emiratis, Abu Dhabi is populated by folks from greater than 200 international locations, and multiculturalism is in its DNA. Every night, the cafes on Saadiyat Island’s Mamsha Beach fill with numerous languages as teams of locals collect over Turkish espresso and Indian samosas. Its seafront is busy with rollerbladers, joggers and e-scooting Emiratis, their kandura robes billowing within the breeze.

The UAE’s heritage can be a supply of immense satisfaction and maybe simpler to faucet into right here than in Dubai. Take Qasr Al Hosn, an 18th-century fort sitting incongruously amid Downtown’s glass and metal, the place Emirati ladies exhibit conventional palm-weaving and thread-spinning crafts. Dressed in flowing abaya robes and battoulah face-coverings, they maintain the outdated methods alive — a glimpse of the nation earlier than its Sixties oil growth, again when locals relied on fishing, buying and selling and pearl-diving to make a dwelling.

Ever-growing, the town’s focus is presently on Saadiyat Island, which later this yr is ready to open a Guggenheim designed by Frank Gehry and an enormous museum devoted to Sheikh Zayed, the nation’s founding father. They will be part of the teamLab Phenomena modern artwork gallery, which opened in April, and the celebrated Louvre Abu Dhabi.

What to see and do

Saadiyat Island: Not content material with having one of the best seaside within the metropolis, Saadiyat Island can be the epicentre of Abu Dhabi’s artwork scene — dwelling to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, and shortly the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and the Zayed National Museum. The Louvre’s reveals vary from Van Gogh’s brooding Self Portrait (1887) to Ai Weiwei’s placing Fountain of Light, amid 23 themed galleries. It’s all set beneath an enormous dome of seven,850 ‘stars’.

The Corniche: On Abu Dhabi island, working the size of its major waterfront, the Corniche is a traffic-free haven of leafy parks, golden sands and immaculately stored trails. If you take pleasure in staying lively, that is an energising setting for working and strolling, with a formidable backdrop of skyscrapers.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: A quick taxi experience east from the Corniche, the UAE’s largest mosque dazzles with crystal chandeliers, intricate geometric patterns and lashings of 24-carat gold — however its spiritualism shines by, too. It can host as much as 50,000 worshippers, and in addition welcomes non-Muslims with informative excursions of its jaw-dropping structure, and Islamic artwork workshops for all ages. The exterior is an opus of 82 pure white marble domes and hovering gold-tipped archways.

Qasr Al Watan: With its marble columns, buffed gold leaf and glittering mosaics, Abu Dhabi’s city-centre presidential palace elevates conventional Arabic design. When you’re finished taking within the decor, browse its gallery of diplomatic presents from different nations, which embrace silver daggers, and see the lavish quarters the place the sheikhs host visiting rulers. Military bands carry out exterior each Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 4pm.

Mina Zayed: To respect Abu Dhabi’s maritime heritage, go to one in every of its most historic quarters — Mina Zayed. Mina means ‘port’ in Arabic, and that is the place you’ll discover the dhow harbour the place conventional wood-built fishing boats relaxation, in addition to Mina Market’s sweets, dates and nuts retailers, and the busy seafood eating places surrounding its fish market. It’s situated on the primary island’s northernmost tip and is all walkable.

Jubail Mangrove Park: You don’t need to enterprise removed from the town to embrace Abu Dhabi’s wild facet. A five-minute taxi experience from Saadiyat Island, this pure mangrove forest is a haven for sea turtles, herons, flamingos — and adventure-seeking travellers. Its rangers lead nature-watching walks on its overwater promenade, in addition to kayaking journeys on the water.

Where to buy groceries

Mina Market: Next yr, this charmingly ramshackle meals market will transfer to a souk-styled new-build — so the time to go to is now. It’s round eight minutes’ drive from the Corniche. One avenue specialises in dates and Arabic sweets (go to Green Lawn Dates for the plumpest medjools), whereas the hectic fruit market is piled excessive with Yemeni mangoes, Iranian pomegranates and extra.

Ether by cloud spaces: On Yas Island, amid Yas Mall’s prolific high-street names, this store stands out for its Emirati-designed and crafted homewares, garments and ceramics. It shares over 100 manufacturers, a lot of that are discovered nowhere else within the metropolis: suppose candles infused with oud perfume and painted by hand Arabic espresso cups. Prices are cheap.

Abu Dhabi Heritage Village: Thread-spinning, pottery-throwing and twisting palm fronds into purses, followers, trinket bins and extra: these are the UAE’s time-honoured crafts, preserved in Abu Dhabi’s Heritage Village. It’s on the alternative facet of the water from the Corniche and designed to seem like a conventional neighbourhood — full with mudbrick towers and palm-woven market stalls. You should buy items immediately from the Emirati ladies who made them.

Where to eat

Phsphorus Kadoura Seafood: Adjoining the fish market at Port Zayed, Kadoura places the UAE’s bounty of recent seafood within the highlight — and the feast begins with complimentary cups of fish chowder. Giant shrimps and chilli-dusted hammour fish are served on smoking charcoal grills, alongside platters piled excessive with fattoush salads, velvety hummus and fried calamari. Superb worth.

Grand Beirut: On weekend mornings, Grand Beirut’s terrace is filled with Emirati households brunching on Lebanese dishes and having fun with views of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Dip your saj flatbread into garlicky ful medames (fava beans), creamy labneh yoghurt, and chickpeas stewed in cumin and lime — and end with the signature mille-feuille dessert, topped with pistachio-dusted sweet floss.

Al Fanar: Al Fanar specialises in home-style Emirati cooking, corresponding to plump prawns smothered in tomato-rich magli sauce, and rooster machboos (a rice dish) simmered with dried lemon and cardamom. Save room for the candy legaimat dumplings, served drizzled in date syrup. It’s situated in Yas Mall and its classic UAE pictures, eclectic crockery and ornate archways make it really feel like a time capsule.

Like an area

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: Try to be first within the queue for the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, because it shortly will get busy with tour teams later within the day. Or wait till it’s quieter after darkish, when it’s lit up in colors that replicate the lunar phases — white mild round a full moon, changing into bluer because it wanes. For one of the best probability of taking panoramic photographs of the mosque, head to Wahat Al Karama struggle memorial throughout the highway, which has the perfect view; entry is free.

Yas Marina Circuit: When it’s not crammed with screaming supercars and crowds of loudly cheering followers for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina Circuit’s three-mile race observe opens to walkers, cyclists and joggers on Monday and Wednesday evenings. It’s utterly free to go to, and also you’ll be exercising alongside native folks from all walks of life.

Qasr Al Hosn: At the 18th-century fortress of Qasr Al Hosn, ensure to not miss the House of Artisans subsequent door — your ticket grants entry to each. Here, native Emirati ladies exhibit conventional palm-frond weaving, talli thread-spinning and the time-honoured ritual of getting ready Arabic espresso from scratch. Check the demonstration timings while you enter Qasr Al Hosn for extra on what’s on that day.

After hours

Ray’s Bar: On the 62nd storey of Conrad Etihad Towers close to the western finish of the Corniche, Ray’s Bar is one in every of Abu Dhabi’s high spots for sundowners. Its Cachuca Sour cocktails, with tangy ardour fruit and jalapeño-infused cachaça, are simply as enlivening because the city-wide views. This lodge bar is open to non-guests.

Yas Bay: From October to May when the climate is loveliest, this seafront promenade hosts night time markets, stay music and cultural festivals, and its fashionable eating places spill out onto the pavement. It’s additionally a five-minute stroll from Etihad Arena, which hosts the largest names in pop, rock and comedy.

Al Quaa: If you’ve acquired time for an evening away from the town, do as locals do and drive south into the desert for an hour to achieve Al Quaa — generally known as the ‘Milky Way spot’ for its minimal mild air pollution and sumptuous celestial views. Arabian Wanders presents desert tenting journeys with gear, guides and meals supplied, plus a stargazing session and campfire video games.

Where to remain

Courtyard World Trade Center: Within strolling distance of Qasr Al Hosn and the Corniche, this budget-friendly lodge has a pool on its rooftop — ideally suited for cooling off whereas admiring Downtown’s glass skyscrapers. Breakfast options Middle Eastern and Indian specialities — don’t miss the cardamom-spiced chai.

Fairmont Bab Al Bahr: On Khor Al Makta creek, with views throughout the water to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Fairmont is effectively positioned for sightseeing. A sandy seaside runs the size of the lodge, and there are native touches like Arabic espresso within the foyer and shisha on the terrace.

Jumeirah Saadiyat Island: On Abu Dhabi’s hottest seaside — a reserve the place turtles nest from March to June — this swish resort is only a 10-minute taxi experience from Saadiyat Island’s cultural district. There are a number of swimming pools, a watersports centre for paddleboarding and kayaking, and a seaside bar: the perfect sundown spot after a day exploring the Louvre neighbours.