• Airport Guides – Abu Dhabi International Airport: information  for anyone booking flights to Abu Dhabi.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi Overview: learn about Abu Dhabi and the other United Arab Emirates.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Emirates Heritage Village: find out about this popular tourist attraction.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – The Corniche: find out about Abu Dhabi’s famous seaside promenade.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi Corniche Hotels - find some great places to stay near the Corniche.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Sheikh Zayed Mosque: in this post, we take a look at Abu Dhabi’s largest mosque.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi Shopping: read about some of Abu Dhabi’s malls and souks.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Yas Island: find out about Abu Dhabi’s new tourist area.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Yas Island Hotels: read about some of hotels on the newly developed Yas Island.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Activities and Sports: learn about some of the things that you can do during your stay.

Dubai International Airport has two runways, three passenger terminals and two concourses, and is used for both domestic and international flights. A fourth terminal and a third concourse are also being planned. Many international airlines operate flights to Dubai.

Terminal 1 is mainly used for international flights. It’s linked to Concourse 1, where you’ll find a range of shops and restaurants, and the 5-star Dubai International Hotel. There are also business lounges, a health club and a children’s play area in Concourse 1.

Terminal 2 is mainly used for domestic flights and flights to other destinations within the Persian Gulf area, whilst Terminal 3 is used exclusively by Emirates. Terminal 3 is connected to Concourse 2, which is again purely for Emirates passengers, and includes restaurants, lounges and shops.

There are taxi ranks outside of each of the terminals. Shuttle buses operate to and from the airport to a number of hotels and you can also catch a bus to the centre of Dubai. There are both long-stay and short-stay car parks at the airport.

1. Go Sand Skiing - this sport is becoming increasingly popular in the Middle East, particularly in the Liwa sand dunes, near to the Liwa Oasis, about three hours’ drive from the city of Abu Dhabi. Head to the top of the dunes, strap on your sand-board and make your way down to the bottom! A number of tour operators in Abu Dhabi organise desert safaris which include sand skiing.

2. Watch a Camel Race – if you’re visiting Abu Dhabi during the winter, head off to the Al Wathba Racetrack, about 45km to the east of the city of Abu Dhabi, and watch a camel race. Camel racing takes place from the end of August until April and is one of the most popular sports in Abu Dhabi. Races are usually held at the Al Wathba Racetrack on Thursdays and Fridays.

3. Try Dune Bashing – As with sand skiing, this is an extremely popular activity in the United Arab Emirates, particularly in the dunes near the Liwa Oasis, and a number of tour operators offer dune-bashing experiences. The term “dune bashing” refers to the practice of riding up and down sand dunes at high speed in a 4×4 vehicle, and it’s a truly exhilarating experience.

4. Go Scuba Diving – the waters off the coast of Abu Dhabi are perfect for anyone wanting to go scuba diving. There are a number of diving clubs in the area, so whether you are an expert or a beginner, you should be able to find a scuba diving course or expedition to suit you.

5. Play a Round of Golf – there are a number of golf courses within the city of Abu Dhabi and in other parts of the emirate. Abu Dhabi Golf Club, for example, is about 10 minutes’ drive away from Abu Dhabi International Airport, and its 27-hole championship course plays host to the PGA European Tour Abu Dhabi Golf Championship. Other courses in the emirate include: the Al Ghazal Golf Course, which is a sand golf course near Abu Dhabi International Airport; and the Al Ain Golf Course, in the city of Al Ain. New golf courses are also being constructed on Yas Island.

6. Take a Balloon Trip – Book a hot air balloon trip with Balloon Adventures Emirates and get a bird’s eye view of the desert. The company’s balloon flights operate daily (weather permitting) between mid-September until the end of May. The flights take off early in the morning from the desert, just north of Al Ain, but the company provides free transport from locations in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The entire trip will take about 5 hours.

7. Try Indoor Skydiving – Abu Dhabi has a vertical wind tunnel facility, SPACEWALK Abu Dhabi, at the Abu Dhabi Health and Fitness Club. Professional instructors will help you to fly on a column of air and you’ll experience what it feels like to skydive. There are a number of different packages available and you don’t need any skydiving experience to take part.

8. Take a Trip on a Speed Boat – See Abu Dhabi from the water on a trip on one of the Yellow Boats. The company offers a range of different tours, including adventure tours around Lulu Island and its 50 minute long Abu Dhabi Ultimate Thrill Ride.

9. Go Jet Skiing – the waters around Abu Dhabi are perfect for jet-skiing and you can hire jet skis from a number of operators.  You may find that you can hire jet skis from your hotel -  at the Hilton International Abu Dhabi Hotel, for example, you can hire jet skis from the Hiltonia Beach Club, and jet ski rental is also available at the Golden Tulip Al Jazira Hotel and Resort, which is situated between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

10. Take a Kayak Tour – Explore the mangroves near the city of Abu Dhabi on an eco-friendly kayak tour with the Noukhada Adventure Company. The company offers a number of different tours at different times of the day and also offers kayak fishing trips.

Read previous posts in this series by following the links below:

• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Yas Island Hotels: read about some of hotels on the newly developed Yas Island.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Yas Island: find out about Abu Dhabi’s new tourist area.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi Shopping: read about some of Abu Dhabi’s malls and souks.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Sheikh Zayed Mosque: in this post, we take a look at Abu Dhabi’s largest mosque.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi Corniche Hotels
  - find some great places to stay near the Corniche.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – The Corniche: find out about Abu Dhabi’s famous seaside promenade.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Emirates Heritage Village: find out about this popular tourist attraction.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi Overview: learn about Abu Dhabi and the other United Arab Emirates.
• Airport Guides – Abu Dhabi International Airport: information  for anyone booking flights to Abu Dhabi.

Image: Stevage

The most impressive hotel to have been constructed on Yas Island so far is, without doubt, the Yas Hotel. This 5 star hotel overlooks the marina and part of the building has been constructed over the Yas Marina Circuit, making it the perfect place to stay if you want to watch the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The Yas Hotel has 499 rooms and suites: Deluxe Rooms, Deluxe Suites, Executive Rooms, Executive Suites, Yas Grand Suites, Marina Executive Suites and Presidential Suites. The rooms and suites are luxurious and contemporary in style.

Facilities at the Yas Hotel include a gym and two roof-top swimming pools, and there is also a spa, which is due to open in 2010. Restaurants within the hotel include:

• Nautilus, a seafood restaurant which has lobster tanks, and an oyster and vodka bar;
• Amici, an Italian restaurant with a menu that includes wood-fired pizzas, pasta and seasonal salads;
• Atayeb, which serves Mediterranean and Arabic cuisine, such as tajines;
• Kazu, a Japanese restaurant with a Sake bar, a sushi/sashimi bar, a Tempura station and two Teppan tables.

The Yas Hotel also has a number of bars, including the Skylite Lounge, where you can relax and enjoy the views of the marina, and the Rush cocktail bar.

Alternatively, you could stay at the Radisson Blu Hotel on Yas Island. This hotel has 397 rooms and suites, and you can choose to stay in a Classic Standard Room, a Business Class Room, a Suite or a Deluxe Suite.

There are currently three restaurants within the Radisson Blu Yas Island Hotel:

• Assymetri, which serves international cuisine and which is open throughout the day. You can enjoy views of the Yas Island Links Golf Course whilst you dine;
• Filini, where you can enjoy Italian cuisine in a contemporary setting;
• Zeeba, the hotel’s Persian restaurant.

Other facilities within the Radisson Blu Yas Island Hotel include a bar, a spa, a gym, a swimming pool and a tennis court.

Other hotels on Yas Island include the Crowne Plaza Hotel, the Rotana Centro Yas Island Hotel and the Park Inn Abu Dhabi.

In the next post in this series, we’ll be taking a look at more things to do in Abu Dhabi. In the meantime, you can catch up with previous posts by clicking on the links below:

• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Yas Island – find out about Abu Dhabi’s new tourist area.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi Shopping: read about some of Abu Dhabi’s malls and souks.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Sheikh Zayed Mosque: in this post, we take a look at Abu Dhabi’s largest mosque.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi Corniche Hotels
  - find some great places to stay near the Corniche.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – The Corniche: find out about Abu Dhabi’s famous seaside promenade.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Emirates Heritage Village: find out about this popular tourist attraction.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi Overview: learn about Abu Dhabi and the other United Arab Emirates.
• Airport Guides – Abu Dhabi International Airport: information  for anyone booking flights to Abu Dhabi.

Image: Nepenthes

One of the main attractions on Yas Island is the Yas Marina Circuit, which was completed this year and played host to the first F1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November. More than 50,000 people can watch the action at this stunning new circuit, the only motorsports venue in the world at which all the grandstands are covered.

The next Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is due to take place on the 29 – 31 October 2010, but the Yas Marina Circuit will be open all year round and will eventually include a Driving School Building, a Karting Centre, a Drag Racing Centre and a Business Park.

Two theme parks and a water park are also being constructed on Yas Island. The first of these theme parks, Ferrari World, is due to open during 2010 and will be the largest indoor theme park in the world.

There will be more than 20 rides and attractions inside Ferrari World, including the world’s fastest rollercoaster, which will reach speeds of more than 200km per hour. The park’s designers are also planning a “G-Force Experience” ride, which will take you up through the roof of the park. Other attractions at Ferrari World will include a range of restaurants and cafes serving Italian cuisine, and Ferrari World souvenir shops.

The other theme park on Yas Island will be the Middle East’s first Warner Bros. Theme Park.

Other Yas Island attractions will include Yas Mall, where you’ll find more than 500 stores, and several golf courses and marinas. There are also a number of hotels on the island and we’ll be looking at some of these in the next post in this series.

You can find out more about Abu Dhabi in previous posts in this series:

• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi Shopping: read about some of Abu Dhabi’s malls and souks.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Sheikh Zayed Mosque: in this post, we take a look at Abu Dhabi’s largest mosque.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi Corniche Hotels
  - find some great places to stay near the Corniche.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – The Corniche: find out about Abu Dhabi’s famous seaside promenade.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Emirates Heritage Village: find out about this popular tourist attraction.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi Overview: learn about Abu Dhabi and the other United Arab Emirates.
• Airport Guides – Abu Dhabi International Airport: information  for anyone booking flights to Abu Dhabi.

Image: Nepenthes

Abu Dhabi Shopping Malls

Abu Dhabi Mall is the largest mall in Abu Dhabi and is situated on Second Street, next door to the luxurious Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi Hotel. It will take you about 30 minutes to drive to the mall from Abu Dhabi International Airport. Opened in 2001, Abu Dhabi Mall now has more than 220 stores, as well as restaurants and a large food court. The third floor of the mall is a dedicated family entertainment centre, complete with 6-screen cinema and bowling alley.

Another popular mall in Abu Dhabi is Marina Mall, which is situated near to the Breakwater on the Corniche. It contains more than 160 stores, including designer names such as Versace, Gucci and Louis Vuitton, as well as a 9-screen cinema, a hypermarket, cafes and fast food outlets.

Khalidiyah Mall is situated in the Al Khalidiyah district of Abu Dhabi. It has three levels and you’ll find a wide range of stores there, including many international brands, such as Debenhams, Monsoon and B.H.S. There are also cafes and food outlets, such as Starbucks, Burger King and The Pizza Company, as well as a family fun centre (Sparky’s) and a cinema.

Other malls in Abu Dhabi include Al Wadha Mall (Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Street), the Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre (Muroor Road) and the Al Muhairy Centre (in the Al Khalidiyah district).

Abu Dhabi Souks

If you’re looking for a bargain and don’t mind haggling, head for one of Abu Dhabi’s famous souks. The open-air Iranian Souk, in Al Meena Road,  is one of the largest in the city, and you can buy a wide range of goods here, including spices and jewellery. If you’re looking for a traditional carpet or rug, head for the nearby Al Meena Souk, also known as the Afghan Souk.

Other souks in Abu Dhabi include the Old Souk, in the north-west of the city and the Madinat Zayed Gold Souk, which is situated near to the Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre.

You can find out more about Abu Dhabi in previous posts in this series:

• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Sheikh Zayed Mosque: find out about Abu Dhabi’s largest mosque.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi Corniche Hotels
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – The Corniche: learn more about Abu Dhabi’s famous seaside promenade.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Emirates Heritage Village:  learn more about this popular tourist attraction.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi Overview: this post contains key information about Abu Dhabi and the other United Arab Emirates.
• Airport Guides – Abu Dhabi International Airport: essential information about the airport for anyone booking flights to Abu Dhabi.

Image: Ijanderson977

The Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque, also known as the Grand Mosque, is one of the largest mosques in the world, with room for more than 40,000 worshippers, and it is also one of the most beautiful. Surrounded by artificial lakes and with 80 white marble domes, the exterior of the mosque is an impressive sight, but you can also take a tour of the building and see some of its equally beautiful interior.

Tours of the mosque are available at 10am on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays (excluding public holidays). There are no tours available on Saturdays, but you can still visit the mosque between 9am and 12pm. The mosque is closed to visitors on Fridays. Tours of the mosque are free of charge, and last for between an hour and an hour and a half .

During the tour, you will be able to see the largest hand-woven Persian carpet in the world, which covers the floor of the main prayer hall, and the mosque’s seven Swarovski crystal chandeliers, which are plated with 24-carat gold.

If you’re visiting the mosque, remember to dress appropriately. Wear long-sleeved clothing and a long skirt or long trousers. Women must wear headscarves within the mosque (these are available at the entrance) and you must not smoke or eat within the mosque. You must also make sure that you don’t touch the architectural features within the main prayer hall or the Holy Quran.

You can find out more about Abu Dhabi in previous posts in this series:

• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi Corniche Hotels
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – The Corniche: learn more about Abu Dhabi’s famous seaside promenade.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Emirates Heritage Village:  learn more about this popular tourist attraction.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi Overview: this post contains key information about Abu Dhabi and the other United Arab Emirates.
• Airport Guides – Abu Dhabi International Airport: essential information about the airport for anyone booking flights to Abu Dhabi.

We’ll be taking a look at  other things to do in Abu Dhabi in future posts.

Image: Frank Haas

The most famous hotel in Abu Dhabi is the Emirates Palace Hotel, which is situated at the West End of the Corniche. One of the city’s main landmarks, the Emirates Palace Hotel is the epitome of luxury and its construction cost about $3 billion. With 394 luxurious rooms and suites, 40 meeting and conference rooms, a ballroom, an auditorium and its own 1.3km private beach, it attracts both tourists and business executives, and is popular with celebrities.

Surrounded by landscaped gardens, the Emirates Palace Hotel also boasts two swimming pools, a spa, tennis courts, and a range of restaurants and bars. If you aren’t staying in the Emirates Palace Hotel, it’s still worth visiting and, if you book in advance, you can take afternoon tea there.

The Millennium Hotel Abu Dhabi on Khalifa Street is another of the city’s 5-star hotels, and it’s only a 5 minute walk from the Corniche. It has more than 300 rooms and suites of different types (Standard Rooms, Superior Rooms, Club Rooms, Executive Suites,Junior Suites and a Royal Suite), many of which have views over the Corniche and of the ocean.

Restaurants  in the Millennium Hotel Abu Dhabi include Marakesh, a Morrocan-style restaurant and Citrus, which serves international cuisine. You can also relax in the hotel’s wine and champagne bar, Cristal. Facilities at the hotel include a gymnasium, a swimming pool, and sauna and steam rooms.

Alternatively, try the Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort on Corniche Road. This 5-star hotel has 272 rooms and suites:  Classic Rooms,  Club Rooms, Executive Rooms, Diplomatic Suites, Royal Suites and a Presidential Suite. Restaurants and bars within the hotel include Il Paradiso Seafood Restaurant, La Mamma Italian Restaurant and the Cloud Nine cigar bar. There’s also a nightclub, Zenith, as well as a private beach, swimming pools, tennis courts and a business centre.

Other hotels in the Corniche area include the Hilton Corniche Hotel Apartments and the Al Ain Palace Hotel.

You can find out more about Abu Dhabi in previous posts in this series:

• Exploring Abu Dhabi – The Corniche: learn more about Abu Dhabi’s famous seaside promenade.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Emirates Heritage Village:  learn more about this popular tourist attraction.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi Overview: this post contains key information about Abu Dhabi and the other United Arab Emirates.
• Airport Guides – Abu Dhabi International Airport: essential information about the airport for anyone booking flights to Abu Dhabi.

Look out for further posts in this series, as we’ll be looking at other Abu Dhabi hotels, as well as giving you more ideas about things to do in Abu Dhabi.

Image: Poco a poco

If you take a stroll along the Corniche, you’ll be able to admire the modern skyscrapers and luxurious hotels on one side of you, and gaze out across the beautiful crystal blue waters on the other side of you towards Lulu Island. You can sit on one of the many benches along the route and relax whilst watching the dhows (traditional Arab boats), or even head out onto the water yourself on a dhow cruise.

In 2008, a new stretch of beach alongside the Corniche was opened to the public. The beach has designated swimming areas and four beach volleyball courts, as well as shaded seating areas. There are also play areas for children and landscaped gardens nearby. Abu Dhabi Corniche Beach is open from 7 a.m. until midnight, and there is a small admission fee.

There are many hotels alongside and near to the Corniche, and in the next post in this series, we’ll be taking a look at some of them.

However, if you want to find out more about Abu Dhabi in the meantime, you can find links to previous posts in this series below:

• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Emirates Heritage Village:  learn more about this popular tourist attraction.
• Exploring Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi Overview: this post contains key information about Abu Dhabi and the other United Arab Emirates.
• Airport Guides – Abu Dhabi International Airport: essential information about the airport for anyone booking flights to Abu Dhabi.

The Emirates Heritage Village is situated near the Breakwater and is operated by Emirates Heritage Club. Here, you can take a trip back into the past to experience what life was like before Abu Dhabi became a wealthy, cosmopolitan city due to the discovery of the emirate’s oilfields.

The Heritage Village includes recreations of a Bedouin encampment, a souq, a mosque and a barasti (a traditional type of hut constructed using palm fronds). There is a small museum there, where you can see traditional Bedouin costumes, cooking utensils and other items, and you can also ride on a camel or watch a falconery display.

You can watch craftsmen such as glass blowers and weavers at work, and you will also get the chance to buy some of their products in the village’s shop.

In the next post in this series, we will be taking a look at Abu Dhabi’s famous seaside promenade, the Corniche, and some of the beaches nearby.

If you want to find out more about Abu Dhabi, try our Abu Dhabi Overview, which includes general information about Abu Dhabi and the other United Arab Emirates, and our Guide to Abu Dhabi International Airport, which includes useful information for anyone booking flights to Abu Dhabi.