Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, sits off the mainland on an island in the Persian (Arabian) Gulf. Its focus on oil exports and commerce is reflected by the skyline’s modern towers and shopping megacenters such as Abu Dhabi and Marina malls. Beneath white-marble domes, the vast Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque features an immense Persian carpet, crystal chandeliers and capacity for 41,000 worshipers.

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The capital of the United Arab Emirates has always been more conservative than neighbouring Dubai but what Abu Dhabi lacks in glamour, it more than makes up for in culture. That’s not to say the home of the world’s wealthiest Grand Prix is no stranger to glitz. The city boasts a slew of glittering malls, hotels and nightclubs that are equal with anything found in Dubai. Like its neighbour, Abu Dhabi also likes to think big and rack up records if it’s not the engineering marvel that is Capital Gate (the world’s farthest leaning man-made tower according to Guinness World Records), it’s Ferrari World, home to the fastest rollercoaster on Earth. International hotel chains have quickly taken notice and Westin, Rocco Forte and Hyatt are all represented in the capital.

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Compared to Dubai, Abu Dhabi may seem a bit, well, boring. The capital of the United Arab Emirates has a long way to go to compete with all the hype, glitz and glam of its northeast neighbor. But that doesn't seem to faze the folks in Abu Dhabi; the UAE's largest emirate is already sitting on piles of oil money, so there's no rush for it to compete in the tourism market. However, this doesn't mean that there's nothing here for visitors. Before you write off Abu Dhabi as a humdrum, conservative place, consider this: The city's slower growth has allowed it to preserve more of its history and culture, which you can experience on a visit to Heritage Village or the impressive Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. And where Dubai is lacking in natural beauty, Abu Dhabi excels with a mix of rolling sand dunes, verdant oases, expansive beaches and towering mountains.

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From magnificent mosques to a modern museum, Abu Dhabi is a welcoming, world-class city that’s only just beginning to hit its stride. Rising from the desert along the shores of the Arabian Gulf, this young capital city of the United Arab Emirates glistens with architecturally impressive buildings, boasts an array of cultural and outdoor attractions and activities, and offers a culturally diverse and relaxed way to experience the Middle East.

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