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Abu Dhabi

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Abu Dhabi
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Abu Dhabi Travel Guide

  • About Abu Dhabi
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.Another headline-grabbing development in the emirate is Saadiyat Island, which was a deserted no man’s land a few years ago. Now it’s full of resorts and beach clubs, and is where Abu Dhabi’s sun-loving set make the most of the pristine white sands.The same island is also home to another impressive new development, a cultural district that includes the newly opened Louvre Abu Dhabi, designed by French architect Jean Nouvel. A Middle Eastern version of the Guggenheim Museum, complete with thousands of works of contemporary art, will follow shortly.But Abu Dhabi isn’t just about finding ways to turn petrodollars into buildings or entertainment hubs like Yas Island, the home of the Grand Prix. The centre is home to some of the most beautiful mosques in the Gulf as well as a (very) small old town and a sprinkling of dusty homes that hint at Abu Dhabi’s desert-trader past.The picturesque corniche, with its family-friendly beaches and long promenade, is also worth a visit although you won’t entirely escape all signs of oil money. This is, after all, the home of the infamously pricey Emirates Palace Hotel, with its gold vending machines and gold-leaf flecked cappuccinos.Abu Dhabi might be relatively restrained compared to its neighbour but it still can’t resist a bit of bling.
  • Abu Dhabi History
While much of the city is new, Abu Dhabi (which translates as ‘Father of the Gazelle’) has roots that go much deeper. The first people to inhabit what would become the Emirati capital were probably nomadic tribesmen, although the earliest building, discovered in 2010, is a Nestorian church that dates from 600 CE.The monks of Abu Dhabi appeared to have remained for several centuries, accruing mentions in 16th century European literature as well as by jeweller Gasparo Balbi who set off to India in 1579 in search of pearls.Quite a lot of what happened to the monks of Abu Dhabi is unknown but what is certain is that the area was settled by the Bedouins of the Bani Yas tribe, the ancestors of today’s natives, in 1761.Having initially settled in Liwa Oasis, the tribe, led by the Al-Nahyan family, moved into what would become Abu Dhabi to take advantage of the pearl trade.A century later, with trade booming, ruler Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed al-Nahyan (also known as Zayed the Great) signed a protection agreement with Britain and the city duly became one of the Trucial States.While the protection agreement kept the citizens safe, it didn’t make them rich and at the dawn of the 20th century, Abu Dhabi was one of the poorest towns in the area – largely as a result of the Japanese discovery of how to make cultured pearls. But in 1958, its fate and fortunes changed forever as oil was unearthed in the desert.But with oil came turbulence and in 1966, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan staged a coup against his ruling brother. In 1971 the United Arab Emirates was established and Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan became the UAE’s first president.In November 2004, after his death, his oldest son Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan became the leader of Abu Dhabi and was later elected President of the United Arab Emirates.
  • Did you know?
Abu Dhabi’s original name was Milh which means ‘Salt’. At 5,627 sq m (60,570 sq ft), the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque in Abu Dhabi has the largest carpet in the world. Built in 1761, the White Fort was first painted white during renovations in the 1970s.
  • Weather in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi has an arid, sub tropical climate characterised by extremely hot summers and cool winters.Summer (April to September) is the peak season. August is the hottest month of the year with an average temperature of 36ºC (96ºF). It’s also the best month to go for a swim as the average sea temperature is 33ºC (91ºF). However, summer can be unbearable outside and temperatures can reach more than 45°C (113°F).Winter (October to March) is still pleasantly warm, if not hot. Temperatures range from a pleasant 15°C (59°F) to 30°C (86°F). While winter is certainly T-shirt and flip flop weather, it’s worth packing some warm clothes for cooler evenings. On rare occasions it is overcast or there is a sand storm, these usually clear up within a few days.

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