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Abu Dhabi - capital city of the United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi as seen from space.

Abu Dhabi (dead link: January 2023) is the federal capital and the seat of the three branches of government of the United Arab Emirates. It is the largest city of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The city is a collection of islands connected together and features colossal monuments, elegant museums, green boulevards, high-rise buildings, international luxury hotel chains and opulent shopping malls.

Understand

History

Abu Dhabi is the capital and seat of the government of the United Arab Emirates, hence it is the go-to destination for any major political event or ministerial headquarters. It is not, however, the commercial or tourism capital of the country — that would be Dubai — but massive investment in aviation and tourism since the 2000s has definitely spruced up what used to be quite a dull place.

The city was not intended to be the capital of the UAE. The capital of the UAE was supposed to be a planned city between Abu Dhabi and Dubai and was to be called 'Al Karama' (which means dignity in Arabic) as stated in the first version of the constitution. However, considering the earlier stage of the union was a volatile time, with multiple issues and various ordeals occurring, Abu Dhabi was made the temporary capital as it was the home of the UAE founding father Sheikh Zayed. Later, Abu Dhabi was declared to be the permanent capital of the UAE by the agreement of the rest of the seven UAE founding fathers. The capital and the seat of the three branches of the government were to be in the Abu Dhabi Capital District, while the rest of the city would continue to be a city catered to the native population and residents. Abu Dhabi is also the headquarters of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, with an enormous walled city outside of Abu Dhabi called Sheikh Zayed Military City hosting the defensive headquarters of the military. As a result, it is a common sight to see Emiratis in military fatigue around the city.

People

The story behind the name...

"Dhabi" is the Arabic word for a particular antelope species of gazelle that was once common in the Arabian region. "Abu" means father; hence, Abu Dhabi means "Father of the Dhabi". The name of the city is thought to have originated from an old folklore legend in which Bedouins from Bani Yas tribal affiliation hunting a gazelle chased it all the way from the desert to the land on the coast and discovered the location. The Bedouins called it "Abu Dhabi", pertaining to the gazelle that led them there.

Many international companies, diplomatic outposts, and embassies are based in Abu Dhabi. The city has a population of approximately 1.5 million residents (2021), while the native population forms the minority with approximately only 420,000 UAE nationals in the entire emirate. In a bid to attract foreign investors and urban planners, the city followed in Dubai's footsteps by forming tax-free zones, loosened Islamic laws, and increased real estate sales to expatriates. As a diplomatic center of the government, various monuments and museums were built. The most recognizable icon is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque which is a common visiting site for tourists and diplomats. The mosque allows non-Muslims to enter and explore the Islamic architecture of the mosque. Various monuments honoring Emirati achievements also exist, with the most commonly recognized the Oasis of Dignity (called Wahat Al Karama locally). The large monument faces the mosque and has the names of fallen Emirati soldiers inscribed in the memorial.

Diplomacy

In order to build the international status of the city as a diplomacy center, the UAE government formed very close relationship with other governments; most recognizably France and the United States. As a result, a lot of American-based companies and personnel are based in the city. The American embassy is the largest embassy in Abu Dhabi and almost recognizable as a landmark with its triangular design, as well as Abu Dhabi airport is one of the few airports which allows pre-clearance immigration to the United States; allowing travelers to enter the US as domestic US travelers.

The official language of Abu Dhabi and the rest of the UAE is Arabic, but English is the de facto lingua franca, and almost everyone speaks it. Local Emiratis are a minority in Abu Dhabi (~20%), and most of the population, is comprised of foreigners; most retail workers and service staff are from India or the Philippines and do not speak Arabic. All signs are bilingual in Arabic and English and the city's atmosphere is very friendly to visitors. Occasionally, foreign head of states visit Abu Dhabi, so seeing roads lined with flags of various countries is a common sight. Seeing F-16 fighter jets flying over the skies of Abu Dhabi is also a common sight, as a major UAE-US airbase (Al Dhafrah airbase) is near the city and sometimes jets escort foreign dignitaries traveling to the UAE. The city's vibe changes depending on which foreign head of state visits it. The city was decorated with Chinese flags and the red color when the Chinese president visited, while the city was garnished with yellow and white when Pope Francis visited. The UAE flag is almost always everywhere, decorated with the red-white-black-green colors decorating the streets, buildings, tunnels, and skyscrapers.

Abu Dhabi skyline at night showing Emirates Palace and Etihad Towers in the background.

Entertainment

The city has also been expanding its entertainment industry vastly, creating massive projects such as Formula 1 track, the Ferrari World theme park, and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. There are several museums, such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Guggenheim museum (under construction), and the UAE's national museum - Zayed Museum (under construction).

The city is also a frequent host of Judo competitions by the International Judo Federation, Formula One races, and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) championships. The city also hosts the finals of the UAE football Pro-League as well as Asian Federation Cup games in Sheikh Zayed Sports Stadium.

Climate

The city has an arid climate, with very hot temperatures in the summer. Annual precipitation totals .

Orientation

Most of Abu Dhabi is on a wedged-shaped island connect by two bridges to the mainland, and two other bridges to other islands which also eventually connect to the mainland.

Street addresses in Abu Dhabi are simultaneously very logical and hopelessly confusing. Many roads have traditional names, like "Airport Rd", which may not correspond to the official names, like "Maktoum St", and the city is divided into traditional districts like "Khalidiyya". However, the city has been split up into numbered "zones" and "sectors", with all roads in each sector numbered, First St, Second St, etc., and the vast majority of street signs only refer to these. The system of main streets is straight forward enough once you realize that the odd numbered streets run across the island and the even numbers run along it. So First St is in fact the Corniche, and the odd numbers continue out of town to 31st St which is near the new Khalifa Park. Airport Rd is Second St and the even numbers continue to the east through to 10th St by Abu Dhabi Mall. On the west side of Airport Rd, the numbers go from 22nd Street to 32nd St by the new Bateem Marina. Alas, confusion is caused by the local streets, which are on green signs (main streets are on blue signs) and are also called First, Second, etc. Most locals opt to ignore the system entirely, and the best way to give instructions is thus navigating by landmarks, if taking a taxi, odds are you will get to "behind the Hilton Baynunah" much faster than "Fifth Street, Sector 2". Thankfully, GPS and Google Maps have made life much easier. Using ride-share apps or even telling the name where you want to go to a taxi driver will let them immediately know where exactly you want to be dropped.

Get in

By plane

Abu Dhabi Airport

Abu Dhabi International Airport

To Abu Dhabi you can find intercontinental flights from US$30. They are operated by WizzAir Abu Dhabi which flies to Europe, Africa and Asia. If you are somewhat flexible in your travel, you can get an 3–6 hour flight for a very low fare. The flights (as of August 2021) depart from Italy, Greece, Poland, Hungary, Egypt, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Oman, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Israel, Armenia, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Cyprus. The airline has high growth ambitions so further destinations will be added soon.

The airport is separated into Terminal 1 (the original terminal), Terminal 3 (mostly dedicated to Etihad Airways), and a smaller Terminal 2.

Terminal 1 provides a slightly dingy appearance and a spectacularly bizarre blue-lime tiled mushroom canopy that awaits you at the gates.

Terminal 2 has no aerobridges, relying on buses to take passengers to and from their planes.

Terminal 3 is much newer and has improved shopping and gate access. All flights from Terminal 3 are Etihad, but not all Etihad flights leave from Terminal 3. In particular, flights to and from the US use the older terminal.

A fourth major terminal has been delayed during construction several times and is now expected to open later in 2022, at the earliest.

To/from the airport:

  • Al Ghazal taxis travel to the city at a flat rate and take around 40 minutes.
  • Metered taxis are now allowed to pick up passengers at the airport. Metered taxis can also bring passengers to the airport. The taxi stand is at the end of a long walkway from the main terminal. Passengers must turn left when leaving the arrivals area and travel through a long passageway to the curb area, where a covered platform next to the taxi stand is provided. Expect long lines at the taxi stand during the evening and late night hours.
  • Public bus routes A1 and A2 head to the city every 30 minutes 24 hours a day. The A1 bus goes to the city air terminal in Al Zahiya and the A2 bus terminates at the intersection of Khalifa Str and Shk Zayed Str in Al Dana, see this map for the detailed route (dead link: January 2023). It costs about 4 dirham to central Abu Dhabi (2.00 dirham base fare + 0.05 dirham per km). No tickets are sold on the bus, you need to purchase the Hafilat Smart Card (the card itself costs 10 dirham) from the ticket vending machine or public transport counter in the arrivals hall. There is also a free (no Hafilat card required) A18 minibus departing hourly between 8AM and 10PM from the airport and going directly to the Zayed Grand Mosque and continuing to ADNEC (Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre) which is a good choice when you have a long layover during the day and just want to visit the Zayed Grand Mosque for free. All public buses (A1, A2 and A18) leave from the lower level (arrivals) outside T3.
  • If you are flying on Etihad or some partner airlines, complimentary shuttle buses are provided at regular intervals to Dubai and Al Ain (you should book these at least 24 hours in advance through this site). These depart from the main car park at the front of the airport, by the car hire offices: follow the Etihad Shuttle signs. In Dubai, you can also check in at the Etihad Travel Centre, that is close to Noor Bank station.
  • Ethiad first and business class passengers can avail complimentary Mercedes chaffeur service under similar conditions as the bus fron this link to/from anywhere in the UAE.

Dubai International Airport

A viable alternative is to fly to Dubai International Airport (IATA: DXB) in the neighbouring emirate of Dubai and continue onward by bus or by taxi.

To/from Dubai airport:

  • To get a bus, you will have to go to one of several bus stations in Dubai to catch the Emirates Express to Abu Dhabi. See By bus section below.

By road

E11 highway, also called Sheikh Zayed road, towards Abu Dhabi from Dubai.

The five-laned E11 highway between Dubai and Abu Dhabi is the country's heaviest-traveled route, and the 130-km journey can be covered in about 1 hour and 20 minutes. There is a national speed limit of 120 km/h. This speed is wildly exceeded by some drivers. Stay out of the leftmost lane and drive carefully, especially at night. E11 is the longest highway in the Emirates.

If you rent a car in Abu Dhabi, chances are that the car will warn you if go above 120 km/h. Depending on the vehicle, it might just be a flashing light or an accompanying, continuous, shrill beep. If you get annoyed by this, you might not want to exceed 120 km/h.

To travel directly into Abu Dhabi from Dubai on E11, keep to your left at Al Shahama and follow the E10 highway, which passes Yas Island (exit at the E12 highway) and Al Raha Beach on the way to the Sheikh Zayed Bridge into Abu Dhabi. This bridge connects directly to Salam Street (8th Street), a wide megahighway along the northern shore of Abu Dhabi Island. As an alternative to the Zayed Bridge, there are ramps off E10 that connect to the Maqta Bridge, which leads to 2nd Street (Airport Road) and to 4th Street (East Road or Muroor Road). During off-peak periods, these routes run fairly quickly into the city.

Parking

Abu Dhabi parking meter. Parking within the city is monitored by Mawaqif, which also supply the parking meters. Parking meters have displays in English and Arabic.

Finding a parking in main island of Abu Dhabi is a disaster. Parking spaces are extremely limited and most are parking designated for specific institutions. You are more likely to save time if you Uber or take a taxi to your destination instead of driving as finding a parking can take you hours. If you end up finding a parking, you'll have to walk a long way to reach your destination. Most people who own cars but live in mainland Abu Dhabi deliberately use taxis to get around due to the parking shortage. On the brighter side, shopping malls usually have free of charge underground parking with lots of parking spaces. Some close to door parking spaces are designated for electric or hybrid cars only as an incentive to drive electric cars.

Parking areas in Abu Dhabi are clearly marked; yellow and grey for no parking, blue and black for standard fare, and blue and white for premium fare.

By bus

You can get into Abu Dhabi from the other Emirates of Dubai, Sharjah, etc., by bus. The Emirates Express between Abu Dhabi and Dubai is operated jointly by the Abu Dhabi and Dubai municipalities. The 130-km route takes around two hours. The buses operated by Dubai's RTA are luxury buses. There are also the Abu Dhabi transport buses. The first bus departs from the Abu Dhabi main bus terminal 📍 on the corner of Hazza bin Zayed the First (11th) St and East (4th) Rd at 5:30AM and the last leaves at 11:30PM; they leave at 30-minute intervals, or if the bus gets full sooner. From Dubai, the buses leave from 5:30AM, and run until 11:30PM, from the Al Ghubaiba station in Bur Dubai (opposite Carrefour Shopping). For bus times, see the timetable published on the Government of Dubai's website.

If you hold an Emirates flight ticket and arrive to or depart from Dubai airport, the airline offers a complimentary extension of your trip to/from Abu Dhabi. Buses depart from Dubai airport Terminal 3 and arrive to Emirates Abu Dhabi office located in Al Sawari Tower. Contact Emirates customer service for booking.

By taxi

Taxis are widely available everywhere. You can flag down any metered taxi on the street in Dubai or any other place in the UAE and ask to go to Abu Dhabi. Ride-share applications such as Uber are also available.

Get around

Abu Dhabi route 56 public transport bus. Abu Dhabi offers buses and plenty of taxis to get around. Since the most of the city is located in Abu Dhabi island, traffic is a common occurrence.

By taxi

Taxis are a good way to get around if you don't have a car. Abu Dhabi's taxis are relatively cheap. The main taxis are silver with yellow signs on the top. Flag fall costs 5 dirham, 5.50 dirham at night (10PM to 6AM) (2017). You can flag one down from anywhere in Abu Dhabi. Alternatively, you can book a taxi in Abu Dhabi by calling 600535353, for a 4-dirham booking fee. Taxis will charge you 1.82 dirham per kilometer (2.93 dirham per mile), and 50 fils for every minute of waiting.

Taxis are monitored using GPS and are not allowed to give above certain speeds. These change depending on where the taxi is.

Newer-looking black cabs also go around town sometimes. These are airport taxis, which you can get on at Abu Dhabi airport and get off anywhere in the city for 60-100 dirham. You can recognise them with their coloured signs on the top, displaying text in English and Arabic.

You are not expected to tip taxi drivers, but gratuity will be extremely appreciated.

By bus

The main bus station in Abu Dhabi is on Hazaa Bin Zayed Road. You can get buses here going to the different points within the city as well as inter-city buses. The bus stand also serves as a taxi stand, for inter-emirate taxis. The inter-city buses and airport buses are easy to locate at the bus terminal, and well signposted. The route services depart from various stops in the vicinity, and not all enter the bus terminal proper. There is no directional signage or and no maps.

Hafilat card. Tickets can only be loaded on disposable or reusable smart cards. No cash is accepted by the drivers. The dark bluish green buses are air-conditioned but not wheelchair accessible. Passengers can board and alight at the designated stops along the route. These locations can be identified by the temporary Department of Transport bus stop poles. Bus stops that do not have the DoT bus stop sign may not be served as not all bus stops along the route are used.

Hafilat smart cards can be purchased from ticket machines which can be found at the main bus station, the Abu Dhabi Mall area and the airport. Machines are unremarkable and hard to spot, thus ask locals. The smallest amount you can put on the card is dirham. Each bus ride costs 2 dirham plus 0.05 (regular bus) or 0.10 dirham (express bus) per kilometer, so in practice, you need to have at least 2 dirham on the card when you get on the bus. You have to punch in and punch out of each bus ride, so that the correct distance will be charged.

  • Route 5: Al Meena to Marina Mall via Abu Dhabi Mall and Hamden Street. Every 10 min, 06:30–23:30.
  • Route 7: Abu Dhabi Mall to Marina Mall via Zayed the 1st Street (also known as Electra). Every 10 min, 6:30AM–11:30PM.
  • Route 8: Tourist club to Break Water via Hamdan Street, Zayed the 2nd (via 4th) Street, Airport Road, Al Manhal Street. Every 20 min, 7:15AM–11:30PM.
  • Route 32: Sports City Carrefour to Marina Mall via Airport Road, Bus Station, and Zayed the 1st Street. Every 10 min, 6AM-10:40PM.
  • Route 54: Sports City Carrefour to Abu Dhabi Mall via East Read, Bus Station, and Hamden Street. Every 10 min, 6AM-11PM.

The older bus service, operated by the Abu Dhabi Municipality, operates bus routes within city and to the other emirates. The routes within the city are very few. The buses are modern and air-conditioned. The services are as punctual as possible and operate more or less around the clock. The front few seats are reserved for women, men should move towards the back of the bus.

By car

If you do decide to take the plunge and rent a car, beware that the street numbering system is unusual, and it can take weeks to get used to it. U-turns are allowed at almost every intersection. When the left lane signal turns green, you simply have to swing a U-turn and come back. Whatever other flaws drivers here may have, they do not run red lights. There are cameras at many intersections, fines are high, and residents who are not citizens can be deported for reckless driving or running too many red lights. When the light starts flashing, that taxi in front of you will jam on the brakes, and you should, too. When the light turns green, however, expect someone behind you to honk at you immediately to get you moving. Almost all roads are monitored by remote radars, and you will get a hefty fine by mail for violating the speed limit without anyone stopping you or telling you you've been driving fast. The speed limit on speed signs is exactly the limit on which the radar will catch you. (There is no margin If you exceed the limit as in Dubai and other emirates, you will be fined if you exceed the written sign limit.)

Outside Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi license plates have a reputation for reckless drivers due to the large sized traffic lanes in Abu Dhabi, causing Abu Dhabi drivers to drive poorly when they move to smaller lanes in other emirates. Tempered drivers are common. They can pull out in front of you, change lanes at random, and text while driving. On the other hand, the ban on drunk driving is very strictly enforced.

The E11 Abu Dhabi to Dubai road is considered the most dangerous road in the UAE. Large number of people travel back and forth between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and a large number of them don't always pay attention on the road. The road broke the record for the largest traffic accident in UAE history. Its not uncommon to see drivers reading newspapers, or watching a movie across this segment of highway. Despite excellent roads, and a traffic signal system, vehicle accidents remain the largest cause of deaths in the UAE.

On foot

While walking in Abu Dhabi is not a problem for locals, tourists from colder climates will suffer from the heat and sun. The temperatures can exceed 45°C in the summer.

While staying inside or using a vehicle is a good idea, if you have to walk, try to do it night, when it is cooler. Plus, there won't be a sun to give you sunburn. If you have to go during the day, wear plenty of SPF 50 sunblock, wear a hat and light clothing and try to keep in the shade as much as possible.

By bicycle

There is a separated cycleway that runs almost the entire length of the Corniche, as well as around Yas Island, and other parts.

Careem Bike operates an electrically assisted shared bike system. The stations are mostly located near the waterfront.

See

Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the largest mosque in the UAE. Abu Dhabi offers a lot of historical and cultural sights but it certainly isn’t lacking in modern attractions.

  • Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (مسجد الشيخ زايد الكبير), Second Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed, 24.412°, 54.474°, +971 2 441 6444, info@szgmc.ae. Sa–Th 9AM-10PM. The 8th largest mosque in the world, boasts a total of 82 domes. On Fridays, it is closed to the public and open only for worshippers. You can get there by public bus #54. Make sure to ask the bus driver to tell you when you get there. The public bus stop is 100 m before the mosque and after that is no stop for the next 5 km. The Mosque Centre offers several free tours of the mosque every day. Times vary on a daily basis, so check their website. As it is a place for worshippers, dress conservatively. In particular, women must cover their head and ankles (if they're wearing sandals). Appropriate black dress is available at the mosque. You will avoid the queue for the clothing if you wear shoes, a long dress or trousers, and take a scarf to cover your head/hair. Clothing is also available for men, but will likely be unnecessary. Even when taking photos outside the mosque, women who are inappropriately dressed will be challenged by security. free 2017-05-08 Qasr Al Watan is the presidential palace of the United Arab Emirates.

  • Qasr Al Watan, Al Ras Al Akhdar (Bus 34 or 39), 24.462251°, 54.305509°, +971 600 544 442, contact@qasralwatan.ae. 11AM-7PM. Opened to the public in 2019, this is the presidential palace for diplomatic visits. As one would expect from UAE, the palace is very opulent and features great Islamic architecture. Inside you will find a banquet hall, a library, a museum containing diplomatic gifts and several dining outlets. 60 dirham 2022-04-02

  • Qasr al-Hosn (قصر الحصن), 24.482389°, 54.354819°. The oldest stone building in Abu Dhabi, this small fort was first constructed in 1761 and served as the royal palace from the late 18th century until 1966. The site can be visited: the ticket allows you to visit the fort itself, the Cultural Foundation, the House of Artisans and enjoy the Bait Al Gahwa (traditional preparation of Arabic coffee). 30 dirham 2022-01-29 The Corniche road is a great place to take a breath from the city hustle and bustle.

  • Corniche Road, 24.47324°, 54.34087°. The city's main avenue, it curves around the coastline along Abu Dhabi's spectacular waterfront that stretches for miles from the breakwater near Marina Shopping Mall almost up to the Mina Zayed port. The shoreline is lined with a walkway for the entire length, skyscrapers, lovely beaches, parks, and other landscaped areas. There are many activities like go-kart riding, playgrounds and even stages for shows. Come in the evening and you'll feel as if all of Abu Dhabi has come here for their evening walk.

  • Yas Island, 24.5°, 54.6°. It has a Formula 1 race track, Ferrari World (a Ferrari-themed park with the fastest roller coaster in the world), the Warner Bros. World theme park, Waterworld, a shopping mall and a hotel. 2022-04-02

  • UAE flag pole, 24.477693°, 54.332135°. At 122 m, this is among the world's tallest flagpoles, and you won't miss the massive UAE flag flying from it. It is on Marina Island across from Marina Mall. 2015-12-10

  • Louvre Abu Dhabi (Musée du Louvre), Saadiyat Cultural District, Saadiyat Island, 24.533°, 54.40001°, +971 600 56 55 66, contact@louvreabudhabi.ae. Sa Su Tu W 10AM-8PM, Th F 10AM-10PM, closed on Monday. Art and civilization museum exhibits artworks from Musée du Louvre and other French collections. Opened in November 2017, the largest art museum in Arabian peninsula with , including of galleries. 60 dirham/person 2017-11-20

  • Masdar City, 24.429167°, 54.618333°. A green city project, open to tourists. Features some unique buildings. Here the UAE try new concepts in reducing energy consumption and environmental impact. You can use podcars here, a still quite rare form of public transport. 2019-11-26

  • Emirates Palace, 24.461944°, 54.316667°. Even though it's a hotel, Emirates Palace is a very popular tourist attraction. Inside, you'll get to see all the luxury and glamour of one of the most expensive hotels in the world plus, you'll have some picture opportunities. Additionally, you can get to try the very popular Palace Cappuccino, sparkled with 23-karat gold flakes for 75 dirham. 2022-04-02

  • The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi, 24.402053°, 54.495837°, +97124186666, info@thenationalaquarium.ae. Daily 10AM-10PM. Home to more than 45,000 animals across 60 different exhibits, this is the Middle East's largest aquarium. 105 dirham 2022-04-02

  • Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, Sweihan Rd St (near the Abu Dhabi International Airport), 24.4075°, 54.698611°, +97125755155, info@adfh.ae. M-Th 10AM and 2PM, F Su 10AM. Covered by TV and media outlets all over the world. Learn everything about falcons and the special meaning of those birds in the UAE. All tours have to be booked in advance. 2022-04-08

Parks

Abu Dhabi has several large green spaces, many of which include play areas and equipment for children, and the city is studded with lovely fountains, swathes of neon light, and the occasional sculpture.

  • Khalifa Park, 24.42545°, 54.46816°. The best park by far, built at a cost of US$50 million. It has an aquarium, museum, train, play parks and formal gardens.
  • Umm Al Emarat Park, 15th Street, 24.4522686°, 54.3817053°. It's a vibrant park with a shaded house and a botanical garden. The entrance fee is 10 dirham (April 2022).

Cultural events

  • Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation, 24.48285°, 54.35741°. A landmark in the Emirates, it holds cultural events and workshops throughout the year. It has a well-stocked library, children's programs, art exhibitions, benefits, and other culture-related activities that are the hallmark of any city. It's well worth a look.
  • Manarat al Saadiyat, 24.53453°, 54.41903°. An exhibition space and cultural centre with galleries, a theatre and a restaurant, opened in 2009 and with works by contemporary artists from around the world.
  • UAE Pavilion. Sand dune-inspired exhibition centre designed by Norman Foster.

Upcoming projects

There are a vast number of projects coming up in Abu Dhabi.

  • Lulu Islands, 24.499231°, 54.343831°. A group of artificial islands, already built just offshore at great expense, but sitting there doing nothing after a tourism venture failed to even start construction. 2015-09-30
  • Reem Island, 24.494470°, 54.406872°. By the time it is completed, it will be a residential, commercial and educational haven. Reem Island is progressing well, with many skyscrapers being built on the island to facilitate its growing population. The Reem Island skyline has impressive number of tall buildings. However, the north side of the island is still quite sparse. Despite this, there are many facilities available and Reem Island is a good place to live. 2017-07-12

Do

Swim in surprisingly clear water at the Corniche

  • Swimming at the public beaches of Abu Dhabi Beach 📍 and Corniche beach 📍.
  • Private beaches: Nearly all hotels and private clubs in Abu Dhabi offer swimming facilities, usually in the form of private beaches. You can pay for a day's use, or for a year's. Another, notably cheaper, option is The Club, an organization geared towards expatriates.
  • Lessons. Some hotels also offer dance lessons, aerobics classes, and other physical entertainment. 2022-04-05 Discover the desert with a 4x4
  • Desert safari. Trips are a tourist but fun experience. They must be booked ahead, but can often be booked as late as the day before, most hotel receptionists can arrange this for you. Trips start late afternoon and end at night. You will be collected from your hotel and driven to the desert in a 4x4 vehicle. Most packages include a bone-rattling drive over the dunes, a short camel ride, a mediocre Arabic buffet and a belly dancer. The belly dancer is normally only included if there are enough of you in your party so enquire at the time of booking. Another option would be renting/buying a 4x4 and joining the many growing 4x4 clubs in the UAE. Most popular of them is the Abu Dhabi 4x4 offroad club AKA AD4x4 that offers a free learning experience for all newcomers. The club consists of all nationalities and is active with over 2,000 members and schedule trips weekly to suit all levels of driving skills. 2022-04-05
  • Shopping. The official sport of the Emirates, and Abu Dhabi offers plenty of opportunity in this area. 2022-04-05
  • Helicopter Tour, abudhabirentals@gmail.com. Board a 6-seater Eurocopter EC130 B4 and Discover Abu Dhabi from a birds' eye view with Falcon Aviation Services. Tours operate daily from 9AM to 5PM the Marina Mall Terminal. Reservations recommended (tours can be booked on an individual or private basis). 2022-04-05

Yas Island

Many of the most popular attractions for thrill seekers can be found on Yas Island, e.g. the F1 circuit, Ferrari World theme park and the Warner Bros World.

Buy

Abu Dhabi is a compulsive shopper's dream. There are several malls, most of which have the same stores as other malls. Besides establishments aimed at locals, malls also include popular foreign chain stores, as well as designer places. Many visitors will be surprised at the female fashion dichotomy - while local custom calls for women to be covered in public, most stores sell short skirts and halter tops alongside the more sedate floor-length skirts and high-necked shirts.

  • Abu Dhabi Mall, 24.496389°, 54.383611°. A three-story shopping mall. 2015-09-30 The turquoise waters surrounding Abu Dhabi islands along the Corniche, with the Marina Mall in the background
  • Marina Mall, 24.476033°, 54.321512°. Has a musical fountain and ceilings that thunder and rain. 2015-09-30
  • Yas Mall, 24.488713°, 54.608796°. Opened in 2014 next to Ferrari World on Yas Island. This is the biggest mall in Abu Dhabi and the 16th biggest mall in the world. It has the first Lego store in the UAE. It is connected to Ferrari World. 2015-09-30
  • Al Wahda Mall, 24.470159°, 54.37261°. A large, modern mall. Shops are high-end, the food court is extensive, and a large LuLu Hypermart in the basement. 2015-09-30
  • Khalidiyah Mall, Mubarak bin Mohammed St, Al Khalidiyah W9 area, POBox 4048, 24.47°, 54.3515°, +971 2 635 4000, Info@khalidiyahmall.ae. Su–W 10AM–10PM, Th-Sa 10AM–11PM. Khalidiya Mall is small but a nice place to visit. The droll fashion stores may grip you for maybe several seconds, but then the obvious lack of things to do kicks in. However, the food court is popular, alongside New York Fries, Chili's, a Dunkin' Donuts, and Baskin Robbins. Downstairs there is an extortionate Krispy Kreme and Starbucks, and a what looks to be an Indian/Arabian cuisine restaurant, which seems good but looks to be unpopular. 2017-05-05
  • Shams Boutik, 24.49614°, 54.407703°. Su-Th 10AM–10PM, F Sa 10AM–midnight. A growing mall built around the community of Reem Island. It contains a growing number of good shops, including a supermarket, three restaurants, several fast food restaurants on the first floor, a café, a kids play area, a nail salon, a bookstore and more. Despite, this, it is placed in a area that isn't usually busy, and is not very popular. 2017-07-12
  • The Mall - World Trade Center Abu Dhabi & WTC Souk, Khalifa bin Zayed the First St crossing Sheik Rachid bin Saeed St, Al Danah (at foot of Burj Mohammed bin Rahid tower), 24.488°, 54.3568°, +971 2 508 2400. Sa–W 10AM–10PM, Th F 10AM–11PM. Nice architecture in the Mall and Souk. 2017-05-05

The Souk at the World Trade Center. Once a historic district within the heart of the city – the old Central Market - The Souk is now a fully integrated, mixed-use development with a mall, a modern souk, offices and residences.

There are also many small, independent stores around the city. On the bottom floor of one building, a person can purchase fancy chocolates, computer parts, antiques and clothing. It is better to purchase things such as carpets, art, native jewellery and antiques at the independent or souk-like places than at the malls, as the price will be lower and the shopkeepers more willing to haggle.

Bargaining is a big part of shopping in the Emirates, but be prudent. Don't bargain at Marks and Spencer or Hang Ten. Save your discounting skills for independent shops dealing in antiques and the like.

Shopping in most places can be frustrating, as the assistants will follow you around the store. This is partly due to their concept of what constitutes good service, and partly because there is a shoplifting problem. Most will not be intrusive, but some employees can be very pushy and overly obsequious. Smile and thank them often, and you're more likely to be left alone after a bit.

In carpet stores - or anywhere that sells tapestries, Indian antiques, and the like don't feel too pressured to buy, and don't be shocked if they start unrolling beautiful rug after beautiful rug at your feet. You are under no obligation to buy, no matter how much time they spend with you. However, the pressure will be very steady, and shyer shoppers may want to travel in packs for comfort's sake.

Grocery stores such as Spinney's, Carrefour and the Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society are inexpensive and usually stocked with Western goods. Examine all products before purchasing. Visitors wishing to purchase pork products will likely have to enter a separate room to do so, as no nationals are permitted in these sections of the grocery stores.

Prices in Abu Dhabi tend to be very competitive. The UAE has a Value Added Tax of 5% on most products aside from basic food items.

General discount season - end of the year and midyear. These are the time where you can get some branded items with a very low price, maybe last season's stock.

Eat

Harees at Al Fanar restaurant, one of the few restaurants that serves traditional Eastern Arabian Emirati food. Popular Emirati dessert called Lugaimat.

Although Abu Dhabi hosts a wide range of palates and ethnicities, there is not much variety when it comes to cuisine. Indian food is relatively cheap, and there are a few Chinese chain restaurants with reasonable prices. Hotel restaurants are usually the most expensive. The city is home to all manner of fast food like McDonald's and Hardees, but there is little call for most people to eat at those places.

The fun thing about Abu Dhabi is that most places, from tiny falafel kiosks to grand hotel restaurants to Burger King, deliver anywhere in the city. Delivery is quick and reliable, and usually doesn't cost extra. All food is certified halal.

Vegetarians will find the city's selection of meals very satisfying. Vegetable and bean-heavy native dishes, the array of splendid pure vegetarian Indian cuisine, and the ready availability of fresh salads make eating in Abu Dhabi a stress-free experience. Strict vegans may have a little difficulty communicating their precise demands, but most places offer vegan dishes and are always willing to accommodate a paying customer. The best choice for pure vegans is one of many Indian vegetarian restaurants like Evergreen, Sangeetha in the Tourist Club area.

Check the Islamic calendar to determine whether you will be visiting during the month of Ramadan. Since Muslims fast during daylight hours, restaurants are, by law, closed during the day. It is also against the law to eat or drink anything, even water, in public. Tourists (and non-Muslim residents) have been arrested and given fines for violating this law. Large hotels generally have one restaurant open during the day to serve meals to non-Muslims. During the evening, however, it's quite a different story, as the festive atmosphere of iftar (breaking the fast) begins and residents gather for lavish, Thanksgiving-like meals. As long as you don't mind tiding yourself over in private, the evening meals are magnificent.

  • Fish market, 24.5143546°, 54.3759040°. One of the city's few remaining authentic spots, where you can have fresh fish cooked with your choice of sauce and accompaniments. 2022-05-01

Budget

Chicken Tikka Biryani served by an Indian restaurant in an Abu Dhabi mall. Some of the cheapest, but not necessarily best, food in the city can be found in many Indian restaurants. Portions are almost always generous, prices low, and quality excellent. Set meals of rice, fish curry, lentil curry (dhal), peppery soup (rasam), a vegetable side dish and perhaps a small fried fish, served on a large steel tray (thali) with little steel bowls for the accompaniments.

Near the Corniche Beach

Around the Abu Dhabi Mall

Near the Umm Al Emarat Park

In the E10 district

There are several budget-friendly restaurants in this area.

In the E9-02 district

  • Anand Vegetarian Restaurant, Hamdan Street (behind Dunia Finance Building and Al Mansouri Plaza), 24.4944184°, 54.3687613°, +971 2 6775599. This is a pure veg Gujarati (North Indian) style restaurant. The demand for Puri Bhaji, a deep fried bread and potato and check pea dish, is so great that you will have to wait your turn but it's worth it. There is a special part for ladies and families. Friday lunch with sweets and as much Puri as you want. Sometimes you will have to wait for 10 min to get a roti. 2022-05-01

Mid-range

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Splurge

  • The Olive Branch, Mafraq - Abu Dhabi, 24.33041°, 54.62360°, +971 2 659666. Open 24 hours daily serving buffet and an à la carte menu buffet serving times: breakfast 6-10:30AM, lunch 12:30-3:30PM, dinner 7-11PM. Mafraq’s all day restaurant serves up fresh Mediterranean cuisine borrowing influence from various regions, including France, Spain and Turkey. The buffet is prepared with the freshest of ingredients and the interior décor is equally breezy and funky.
  • Hunter’s B&R, Mafraq - Abu Dhabi, 24.33039°, 54.62351°, +971 2 659666. Open daily from noon to 2:30AM with food served throughout. A modern bar with green brick walls, solid wood tables and numerous flat screen TVs showing sports. God for after work drinks, or an evening with friends, Hunter’s B&R offers a casual environment with a social buzz.
  • Rimal, Mafraq - Abu Dhabi, 24.3304946°, 54.6230688°, +971 2 659666. 2PM-1AM. Rimal Asian fusion bar serves up oriental dishes in an authentic atmosphere with a modern edge. Taste the delicious flavours from Korea, China and Japan in this Asian inspired outlet, complete with Sake and signature cocktails.
  • Oasis Courtyard, Mafraq - Abu Dhabi (in Mafraq Hotel), 24.3310537°, 54.623522°. Daily from noon to 9PM with food served throughout. This poolside bar and restaurant serves drinks under the sun and a wide selection of snacks. The swim-up bar in the pool offers refreshment. Shisha is also available.
  • The Burlington Grill, Mafraq Abu Dhabi, 24.33048°, 54.62373°, +971 2 659666. Lunch noon-3PM and dinner 7PM-midnight. The hotel’s grill restaurant serves grilled meat and seafood steaks. Choose from an array of starters and salads including crab cakes, goats cheese tartlets and American-style Louisiana fish gumbo. Has al fresco dining on the terrace and an aperitif bar.

Drink

Fast Track Lobby Bar at the Radisson Blu Hotel.

Only restaurants in hotels are allowed to serve alcohol. Therefore, all nightlife is associated with hotels. The drinking age is 21, but most places don't care. Unlike some other Middle Eastern nations, the bars in Abu Dhabi will be able to accommodate most drink orders.

While you are supposed to purchase a permit to buy alcohol for private storage, Spinney's and other liquor stores usually take proof, such as passport of driver's licence, that you aren't a local Muslim.

  • Hemingway's, 24.462524°, 54.3255185°. The main restaurant has a good Tex-Mex menu, a wide selection of beer on tap and features live music in the evening. Jazz Bar. The second venue, has great food and a good jazz band. The band normally changes every six months or so, but the quality is consistent and they take requests. The bartenders normally put on a show by tossing bottles around while mixing a mean cocktail. The third place is Cinnabar, a nightclub that normally gets going after midnight, although it can be a nice place for a quiet drink early in the evening, even though bartenders there can be rude. The music is mostly house/club, although they have a salsa night. 2015-08-24
  • The Captain's Arms, 24.499168°, 54.3811838°, +971 2 644 6666. Traditional British pub located in the hotel courtyard. The pub features traditional food and a great selection of beer on tap. The large terrace is great during the cooler months of the year. A typical hang-out for the expat crowd, but try to get there early, as it attracts a large after-work crowd. 2015-08-24
  • Wakataua Terrace, 24.49883°, 54.381113°. M-F 5PM-1AM, Sa Su noon-1AM. A Polynesian-themed cocktail bar located at the far end of the courtyard, right on the water. The cocktails are amazing. The Navy Grog is highly recommended. It has a nice view at night over the water. 2015-08-24
  • Rock Bottom, 24.502694°, 54.3739691°. One of the most popular night club locations in all of Abu Dhabi. It stays open later than most venues, and is cheaper. If you get there early enough, they have decent food you can enjoy in the restaurant area. They have both a live band and an excellent DJ, along with black lights and lasers. There is a hot dog stand later in the night, providing some delicious drunk snacks. Thursday nights can get extremely crowded. 2015-08-24
  • Havana Club, 24.4619186°, 54.3167157°, +971 2 690 7999. 7PM-2AM. The grand hotel is a must-see in Abu Dhabi and the actual club is nicely decorated, comfortable, has great service, a balcony overlooking the hotel grounds, and provides a fun time with great music and very colorful laser shows. 2015-08-24
  • Sax, 24.4960467°, 54.3657552°, +971 2 674 2020. 9AM-3:30AM. Sax is a beautifully decorated club with sleek black marble floors, two bars, a DJ, and depending on the time, a jazz band. The club is often very loud and very dark with little more than lasers lighting the room. It's not a place to go if you expect to talk at all, at least not on a weekend night. Collared shirts are required for men, and sneakers usually do not pass the bouncers either. It is not uncommon to have to pay an entry fee. There are free drinks for the ladies on Wednesday nights, so expect it to be crowded. 2015-08-24
  • PJ's, 24.4967853°, 54.3658114°, +971 800 101 101. Sa-W noon-2AM, Th F noon-3AM. A 'traditional' Irish pub, boasting brunch buffets and a long happy hour. The majority of the guests are usually British, American or Australian. There is something entertaining going on every day of the week, from 'Quiz Night' to 'Ladies Night'. If you want to start drinking early, this is the place to go. No one will bat an eye if you order beer with brunch, and you will probably find yourself staying for more than one round. The music earlier in the day is a mix of oldies and rock with faster-tempo songs for the late night crowd. This is also a great place to come to watch sports, as the quiet daytime atmosphere and televisions throughout ensure a pleasant experience. The outdoor seating near the hotel's pool is also a great asset on cooler days. 2015-08-24
  • Trader Vic's, Beach Rotana 10th Street (in the Beach Rotana Hotel (connected to the Abu Dhabi Mall)), 24.4945046°, 54.3839147°, +971 2 697-9011. 6PM-1:30AM. A famous cocktail bar/restaurant. The flattering lighting, interesting menu, and soft but fun island music make this a great place for a date or hanging out with people you actually want to talk to. The cocktail menu is pages long, and ordering a complicated fruity concoction is a must. The drinks may be a little on the expensive side at times, but the atmosphere is great. Try ordering one of their two- or four-person drinks, which come in a giant fishbow. They are a lot of fun if you do not mind sharing. 2015-08-24
  • 49ers, 24.4966854°, 54.3796802°. A steakhouse/bar. It is often quoted as "more of a meat market than a steakhouse" because of its reputation for prostitution. It is uncomfortable and the men in the bar will probably assume you are for sale. The Novotel Hotel and the Sands Hotel are also notorious for their nightclubs that men frequent when looking to purchase a date for the night. 2015-08-24
  • Heroes, 24.465828°, 54.5973175°. A friendly sports grill/bar. It'sts in the Crowne Hotel's basement, and offers reasonable meals, and fair drink prices. The bar is often full of men and women watching sports on television. Later at night they have a DJ and a live band that play softer rock songs. It is a pleasant place to hang out with friends, though the lack of windows or ventilation can make it stuffy and smoke-filled quickly. 2015-08-24
  • Mardi Gras, 24.5028332°, 54.374005°. noon-3:30AM. A small restaurant/bar. Its ambiance reminds one of a spa. The service is good, the drinks are reasonable, and the food is tasty. The band often leaves much to be desired, and the DJ is worse. 2015-08-24
  • The Yacht Club, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street (at the Intercontinental Hotel), 24.4566331°, 54.3287982°, +971 2 666 6888. Su-Tu 5PM-1AM, W Th 5PM-3AM, F noon-2:30PM. A gorgeous view of the sunset over the marina if you sit outside. Inside has a very modern, minimalistic feel. The cocktails are delicious, but expensive. 2015-08-24
  • Rabbit Hutch, 24.4831923°, 54.3506502°. The dedicated British Embassy Rabbit Hutch is a nice pub with music, a pool and a small play area for children. Although you have to know someone on the inside to get into this rather exclusive pub, the British friends and the refreshing pool is definitely worth it. They do all sorts of drinks, but don't ask for a martini, on the rocks, shaken not stirred.
  • Lebinese Flower, 24.4338808°, 54.4359934°, +971 2 6446667. Great food and nice atmosphere.
  • Arkadia (marina club), marina club,tourist club area (besides abu dhabi mall), 24.4972772°, 54.3815933°, +971 558814479. 10PM-3AM. Popular nightclub.
  • Harvesters Pub, Electra Street (in Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi Downtown), 24.4890012°, 54.3681767°. noon-3AM. A great English pub, free pool, dart boards, multiple screens showing sports, excellent fish and chips as well as other English style meals, friendly staff, English band every night except Sundays, quiz nights every Tuesday and possibly the cheapest beer in town.

Sleep

The over-the-top opulence of the Emirates Palace

Hotels are well-tended and host first class restaurants, pools and other high-end facilities.

Mid-range

  • Grand Continental Flamingo, 24.4939063°, 54.3651358°, +971 2 6262200. This is the hotel the taxis cannot find. A 2-story atrium, quiet setting, rooms with bidet, bath and over-bath shower and wide screen TVs all contribute to a pleasant stay. Only the dimness of the lighting and the overdone carpets in the room lets it down. The bath towels are also a bit small.
  • Park Inn Abu Dhabi Yas Island, +971 2 656 22 22. Clean rooms, excellent service and friendly staff. The restaurant is a great option for dinner.
  • Aloft Abu Dhabi, Atop the National Exhibition Centre, 24.4201319°, 54.4391508°, +971 2 654 5000. Trendy hotel with cool dark colors, attractive young hotel desk clerks, relatively small rooms (beds are comfortable though), good restaurant and lobby bar, fantastic outdoor lounge on the roof, and half-empty disco next door. Great if there's a convention, but it's walkable to nothing else. Car or taxi is needed to get just about anywhere. Maybe when the nearby residential/commercial development is ready in a few years, it might be more desirable. 4-star with few amenities (you bring your own bags to the room), but there is still a definite sense of style.
  • Crowne Plaza, Hamdan Street, 24.49077°, 54.36596°, +971 2-6166166. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Luxury hotel for a little less money than the Hilton or both of Les Meridiens. Best Asian and Italian restaurants in the city are on the ground level. Service can be a little slow, bed is comfortable. There is a rooftop bar upstairs which seems always empty. Maybe more a 4½-star hotel, not a 5-star. You can sometimes get a "car" instead of taxi to take you places, for not much more than the taxi.

Splurge

Le Meridien Hotel, one of the first 5 star hotels in Abu Dhabi. The hotel was inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II and Sheikh Zayed in 1979. The Ritz Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal.

  • Beach Rotana Hotel and Towers (Beach Rotana), Tourist Club Area, 24.494862°, 54.384690°, +971 2 6979000. Marble everywhere sums it up. The club rooms are worth it if you are having to pay full rates for the classic rooms in the main older hotel. They are not much bigger but the use of the Club Lounge is valuable if you are going to be in the hotel a lot and the TV arrangements are more modern, the view wide. It now looks over the hectic construction on the new artificial islands across the creek.
  • Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa, 24.446757°, 54.437109°, +971 2 656 1000, easternmangroves@anantara.com. 222 rooms and suites, infinity swimming pool, meeting and event facilities, wedding facilities. Prices from US$136 2017-01-18
  • Emirates Palace, Corniche East, 24.461944°, 54.316667°, +971 2 690 9000, epauh-reservations@mohg.com. Built at an estimated cost of US$3 billion, this was by many accounts the world's most expensive hotel to build, with oodles of gold and marble plating every available surface. The scale of everything is gargantuan — you need directions just to find your way from the gate to the lobby. The hotel feels like it's straight out of Las Vegas, minus the slot machines. To visit the Palace, you will need a reservation for a restaurant or bar of the hotel.
  • Hilton Abu Dhabi, Corniche East, 24.46295°, 54.32574°, +971 2 6811900. One of the older hotels in Abu Dhabi, but kept in good shape and renovated. There is a huge Hiltonia beach, pool and spa complex across the street (free for guests), and a small gym in hotel. "Plus" rooms face the sea but are otherwise identical to normal ones. It's a fair distance from the city center, which is both good (no construction noise) and bad (virtually nothing within walking distance). There are shuttle services to the Marina Mall and the city center offered.
  • InterContinental Abu Dhabi, 24.45734°, 54.32867°. One of the long-time prestige hotels. Expensive but occasional Internet deals on the hotel independent booking websites are worth it if you are willing to pay upfront online. The lobby is huge. Rooms seem a little 1980s with their decor (way too many mirrors) but beds are comfortable and the views are nice. Gym and fine (but expensive) restaurants. Abu Dhabi locals frequent the hotel piano lounge and the Brazilian restaurant. It is somewhat remote from the center of town but the setting and amenities are worth it.
  • Le Méridien Abu Dhabi, Tourist Club Area, 24.49870°, 54.38098°, +971 2 6446666. Tell the taxi driver "Lee Meridien" and he will not confuse it with Royal Meridien. Best amenity is the Meridien Village, an outdoor garden filled with restaurants and pubs, and on Thursday nights during the cooler months, a hangout for literally thousands of expats.
  • Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa Street, 24.49602°, 54.36595°, +971 2 6742020. Beautiful views of the gulf and Corniche, comfortable beds, lots of restaurants and bars (very pricey). Service is very good, but things like bringing a welcoming fruit plate to your room (formerly common in 5-star hotels) are extras now. Rotating restaurant at top, and a somewhat hidden nightclub on the 4th floor for dealings on the dark side. Sometimes can get real good deals on internet booking sites. They hold a daily desposit against your credit card if you want to put meals or other amenities toward your room charges, so make sure you have a good credit line available if you are staying here more than a few days.
  • Park Inn by Radisson Abu Dhabi, Yas Island, Yas Island, 24.46732°, 54.59810°, +971 2 6562222. Overlooks the golf course and F1 Circuit. It has 397 rooms comprising suites and business class. All day dining restaurant, Italian restaurant, Persian restaurant, lobby bar, and pool bar.

Stay safe

Abu Dhabi was ranked as the safest city in the world 3 years in a row by 2019 by the largest crowd-sourced global database Numbeo. The city is extremely safe, however it never hurts to practice common sense. Some people may try to scam you through telephone messages or automated voice calls telling you that you won the lottery, that you're in a legal trouble for violating a law, or that a Sheikh has decided to give you free money, or something of that sort.

Taxi drivers are monitored and they're very safe. Rarely, crime does occur but is quickly dealt with by the federal police as the city is the headquarters of the Ministry of Interior. Law enforcement officers, police patrols, and police horse units are a common sight in the city.

Cope

Embassies

Being the national capital, Abu Dhabi hosts a large number of embassies. A majority of them are clustered in the Embassies District (Al Safarat) south of the Al Bateen Executive Airport and in the adjacent Al Ma'ared Area, west of Rabdan St and south of Shk Rashid bin Saeed Rd (Road #18); and the adjacent Capital Centre south of Al Karamah St surrounding the Exhibition Centre. There are others further northwest in Al Danah, Al Markaziyah and in other parts of the city as well. If corresponding by mail/post use their PO box address as mail is only delivered to a PO box with no post codes. If delivering to a street address with DHL, FedEx, UPS or another private courier be sure to include recipient's phone number so that the delivery driver can call for directions or clarification on the address. Some or most countries maintain an additional consulate in Dubai and only offer consular services from their Dubai consulate or from both locations. Check website links or call before going or sending any correspondences:

  • Iran, Diplomatic Area, next to Abu Dhabi International Exhibition Center; PO Box 4080, +971 2 444 7618. 2018-09-01
  • 🇮🇶 Iraq, Diplomatic Area, AirPort Road، 33rd Al Karamah Street; PO Box 6389, +971 2 441 8022, +971 2 441 8033. 2018-09-01
  • 🇯🇵 Japan, PO Box 2430, Abu Dhabi; 28th Floor, Dubai World Trade Centre Building, Dubai, +971 2 443 5696. Su-Th 8AM-5PM; Visa Section closes 1:30PM; telephone inquiries till 3:30PM.
  • 🇯🇴 Jordan, Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street, Diplomatic Area, +971 2 444-7100. M-Th 8:30AM-3PM, Su 8:30AM-noon

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Abu Dhabi

tamm.abudhabi/entamm.abudhabi/ar-AEdmt.gov.ae/adm
Date Time:Please wait...Timezone:Asia/DubaiPopulation:1.5 MCoordinates:24.45, 54.40

Emirate of Abu Dhabi

Primary administrative division

United Arab Emirates

government.ae/en
Population:9.6 MDial code:+971Currency:Dirham (AED)Voltage:220 V, 50 Hz