Do you have a vacation coming up? Here’s a fun idea:
If you live in Dubai, go south to Abu Dhabi. You need private transport for this. This way, you can be on the road when you want, go wherever you wish, make as many stops as you need, and never have to worry about public bus schedules or finding a taxi where you are. You don’t even have to buy a car and deal with the cost and hassle of ownership. You can just rent a vehicle from a car rental service.
Now that’s settled, what places will be lovely to visit on a trip to Abu Dhabi? Consider this itinerary, which will take you on a leisurely drive through Abu Dhabi.
Yas Island in Abu Dhabi is home to a massive recreational hub. It’s a worthwhile stop, especially if you are traveling with family. One of its top attractions is its four theme parks: Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World™, and SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. They will definitely make your Abu Dhabi drive worth it.
Aside from the theme parks, Yas Island has a proper links golf course (Yas Links), an indoor skydiving and wall climbing hub (CLYMB), an indoor arena where you can enjoy concerts and other shows (Etihad Arena), the biggest mall in Abu Dhabi (Yas Mall), and an enchanting light and sound fountain show (The Fountains).
You can also swim (Yas Beach), catch the Formula One Races if your visit coincides with the race weekend in December (Yas Marina Circuit), spend the afternoon lounging at a beach club (Café Del Mar in Yas Bay), and choose from a wide array of dining options in any of the Yas Island hotels, in Yas Mall, around Yas Marina, and on the Yas Bay Waterfront.
After several days on Yas Island, drive northwest on Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed St. (E12) through Fahid Island to Al Jubail Island. Here, stop at Al Jubail Mangrove Park, a mangrove habitat andsanctuary.
The park offers a variety of experiences. You can walk the two-kilometer boardwalk on your own or with a park ranger, or join a 20-minute electric-car tour. Other activities include morning and evening yoga sessions, electric dragon boat experiences, and kayaking tours.
Taking the same road, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed St., drive from Al Jubail Island to Saadiyat Island. Saadiyat Island is a resort island destination with five luxury resorts and a cultural district.
The two remarkable white-sand beaches, Soul Beach and Kai Beach, are a must-visit. Make sure you have swimwear, sunblock and a beach hat ready. You may also get a day pass for Saadiyat Beach Club or Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort’s SAL Pool and Beach Club; both will give you access to swimming pools, their exclusive stretches of Saadiyat Beach, and other facilities and amenities.
You can stay at one of the resort hotels on the Island. Apart from Jumeirah, other options include Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island, Saadiyat Rotana Resort and Villas, and St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort.
Dine at any one of the excellent hotel restaurants or head to Mamsha Al Saadiyat. On the promenade are tens of cafés, coffee shops, and restaurants that do not only serve sumptuous options but also a hefty dose of lovely sand and sea views. If you like golf, visit Saadiyat Beach Golf Club. It borders many of the resorts on the Island.
While on Saadiyat Island, take a trip to the Cultural District. The top attractions there include:
After a few leisurely days exploring Saadiyat Island, get back on E12, crossing Sheikh Khalifa Bridge to the city island of Abu Dhabi. Staying on Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed St., go through Shk Zayed Bin Sultan Tunnel and merge onto Corniche St. Stay on this scenic, coastal road until you reach Abu Dhabi’s iconic two-kilometer Corniche Beach.
This swimming beach is divided into three sections: one free-entry beach and two shielded (more private) beaches. Off the sand, there’s a boardwalk, gardens, children’s play areas, and many other sights and activities. There’s also a wealth of dining options on the promenade and across the beach on the other side of Corniche St.
From Corniche St., you can drive to Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, one of the world’s most exclusive luxury hotels. It has a 1.3-kilometer private stretch of white sand beach, multiple swimming pools, and an architecture and interior so opulent the hotel can pass for a royal palace. You can spend the night here or book a room at one of the many other hotels in this area or, on the other side, in the business district.
From Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, it’s a short drive to Qasr Al Watan, the Palace of the Nation.
This working palace is where the president, vice-president, and Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince have formal offices. It is open to the public, and you can explore its halls and enjoy its exhibits, the art, the interior, and the light and sound Palace in Motion show after sundown. From Qasr Al Watan, you can travel south and stop at Observation Deck at 300, the highest vantage point in Abu Dhabi, to enjoy sweeping views of the capital and the sea.
When you’re ready to return to Dubai, take Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed St., then make a stop at the breathtakingly lovely Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Suggestion: Visit at night. The Grand Mosque is stunning in the daytime, but its lunar lighting system transforms it into an ethereal vision when the sun sets.
From the Grand Mosque, retake Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed St. and cross Al Maqta Bridge. Exit to Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan St. (E10) and merge onto Shk. Maktoum Bin Rashid Rd (E11). Stay on E11 until you reach Dubai.
You don’t need to go too far to have an incredibly wonderful vacation.
Rent a car, pack your summer clothes (don’t forget your swimwear, cover-up, sunblock, and beach hat), and take a leisurely road trip.
Drive to Abu Dhabi to see the emirate’s incredible sights, beautiful beaches, iconic landmarks, and architectural masterpieces.
