One of the richest cities in the world, Abu Dhabi is a heady mixture of modern amenities and distinctly Arabian traditions. Tracing its history back to around 3,000 B.C., the capital of the United Arab Emirates is overflowing with unique experiences.

Before you go, you should understand that the UAE is a conservative Muslim country. Women are expected to dress modestly at all times, the use of alcohol is limited, and public displays of affection are prohibited.^1 Also, ask permission before taking someone’s photograph. Ready to explore Abu Dhabi?

Five Things to Do In Abu Dhabi

1. You can’t visit Abu Dhabi without taking a desert safari. Choose your pace: You can race across sand dunes in 4-wheel-drive vehicles or take a leisurely journey atop camels. These package tours often include a campsite dinner complete with belly dancers, henna artists, and falconry demonstrations.

2. Take in the splendor of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the world's grandest mosques. Built to fit more than 40,000 worshipers, it's home to the largest hand-woven Persian carpet in existence, and its halls are adorned with Swarovski crystal chandeliers plated in 24-karat gold. As a place of worship and a holy site for Muslims, modest dress (no bare skin) is required for all visitors, and women are required to wear headscarves.²

3. To catch a glimpse of ancient Abu Dhabi, visit the Heritage Village by the Marina Mall. Here you'll learn about the Bedouin way of life in a reconstructed traditional village. Artisans display their crafts and demonstrate their skills at pottery, weaving, and metalwork.

4. Luxury shopping is a way of life in Abu Dhabi. High-end malls house exclusive shops like Cartier, Jimmy Choo and Versace. A welcome respite from the summer heat, they offer cultural shows and raffles, often with luxurious prizes, such as cash or cars. Two of the biggest malls are  Abu Dhabi Mall and Marina Mall, where you can dine in a revolving restaurant on top of a 30-story observation tower.

5. One of the best things to do in Abu Dhabi is to visit one of the many souks. This is the place to hone your haggling skills and purchase spices, abayas, henna, and souvenirs. Souk Al Zaafarana is one favorite destination; seek out Mubdia Village, a section exclusively for women that’s run by female merchants.³

Four Great Hotels in Abu Dhabi

Although Abu Dhabi hotels are known for extravagant amenities like water parks, nightclubs, and spas, the prices are surprisingly affordable. “For many, the hotel ends up forming a highlight of their holiday, so it’s a good idea to choose carefully,” Lonely Planet advises.⁴

If, like Corduroy the bear, you’ve always wanted to live in a palace, then stay at Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi. This hotel offers an almost ludicrous amount of luxury: a personal butler, private lounges, secretarial services, a traditional hammam Moroccan spa, even a camel ride on the beach.

The Fairmont Bab al Bahr is a modern boutique hotel in Abu Dhabi with views of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Guests love the Olympic-sized pool and the towel swans. For a beachy getaway outside of the city, Zaya Nurai Island offers sand and serenity. The huge, bright water villas seem to float over the sea.

While “budget” and “Abu Dhabi” aren’t often uttered in the same sentence, there are plenty of high-quality, low-cost hotels. One is Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi in the city center, a modern, Thai-inspired hotel with spacious rooms.

Three of the Best Abu Dhabi Restaurants

Offering a unique view of the city, the Al Dhafra Dinner Cruise takes place on a traditional Arabian dhow and offers its diners six courses.⁵ Or, dine like royalty at Mezlai, located in the Emirates Palace. Mezlai serves traditional Emirati dishes, such as mezzeh and lamb, in a sumptuous setting.

One standout restaurant in Abu Dhabi is Li Beirut, which is dedicated to contemporary Lebanese cuisine. Culture Trip praises the zaatar crusted rack of lamb and the foie gras kebbeh.⁶

Heading to Abu Dhabi soon? Don’t forget your sunglasses — or your travel insurance from Allianz Global Assistance. Get a quote online today.

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