By Abu Dhabi is absolutely glamorous, just like most of the United Arab Emirates. It is also an extremely unique country. Only a fraction of the people living in the United Arab Emirates are citizens, and less than 30% of the country’s population speaks the national language of Arabic. The citizens are very well taken care of by the government because of the absurd wealth of oil that the country enjoys, and most of the workforce below the management level is comprised of immigrants. As a result of this absurd oil wealth and the high-class life that many of its citizens can afford, this country is bursting with absurd exhibitions of wealth. In this list of the top 6 things to do, you’ll see them in full effect!
Yes, you read that right. In the Emirates Palace, which is now an absolutely stunning hotel, you can order a golden cappuccino – or as it’s officially labeled, a “Palace Cappuccino” – in one of their cafes. In my opinion, this is the best thing to do in Abu Dhabi. If you know me, you know that I have years of experience in the coffee industry and consider myself to be a bit of a coffee snob. Needless to say, when I saw that this was an option, we put it at the top of our bucket list of the top things to do in Abu Dhabi.
Now, what do I mean by a golden cappuccino? The golden cappuccinos in the Emirates Palace are your typical cappuccino, except that there is a foam pattern in the shape of the palace and there are literally flakes of 24 karat gold on top and inside of the cappuccino. Yes, drinking gold is completely safe. Yes, the coffee and foam are stellar. And yes, it is worth every penny you’ll spend on this once in a lifetime masterpiece. It does cost quite a few pennies though – about $16, actually. Again, it’s totally worth it. If you’re with a second person and want to really get adventurous, you can also try the Camelccino, which as the name would suggest, is made with camel milk. When in Abu Dhabi, do as the Emiratis do, am I right?
2. Visit Sheikh Zayed Grande Mosque
Whether you follow Islam, Judaism, Christianity, or none of the above, you really need to head to the Sheikh Zayed Grande Mosque. It is one of the most breathtaking religious structures we have ever seen! This gigantic, perfectly white mosque is one of the most iconic places in the city. Every detail is absolutely stunning, and it absolutely belongs on your list of the top things to do in Abu Dhabi.
If you haven’t been to a mosque before, don’t worry! The staff are very friendly and they’ll help you with any question you have. There are tours in many languages that go throughout the mosque as well, and we’d highly recommend joining one so that you can learn a bit about Islam during your visit. A lot of people, especially women, wonder about the dress code at the mosque in Abu Dhabi, and this is a very important question. While most mosques will simply turn you away if you are not properly dressed, the Sheikh Zayed Grande Mosque actually provides the attire for you to use during your visit, free of charge. They have fitting rooms where you can slide it on over your clothes, and simply return it before you leave. Men will not be required to cover up, but we advise that you wear conservative clothing and remain as respectful as possible during your visit.
3. Ferrari World – Ferrari’s One and Only Amusement Park
es, this is what it sounds like. It is Disney World, but instead of Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck walking around, it is Ferrari sports cars. You need to see it to believe it. It is located on Yas Island which is a very upscale area of Abu Dhabi…if you couldn’t tell based on the fact that Ferrari – one of the most luxurious brands in the world — built its only amusement park there. From roller coasters, to games, to incredible restaurants, Ferrari World has it all.
It does come at a high price. Admission tickets cost around 295 dirham, which is about $80. That is a hefty price tag, but it really isn’t any worse than Disney World is. And let’s be real – saying that you went to Ferrari’s amusement park sounds pretty sweet. If you decide to do this, be sure to buy your tickets in advance. The park has a limited capacity, and it would be a real downer to head all the way to Yas Island and find out that the park is full.
Abu Dhabi is just filled with surprises, isn’t it? The Louvre is in Paris, right?
Well, yes, it is. But they opened a second one in Abu Dhabi! That’s how glamorous Abu Dhabi is. A visit to the Louvre in Abu Dhabi will cost you 60 dirham, which is about 15 dollars. This is actually marginally cheaper than general admission to the Louvre is Paris, which is 17 euros. While not everyone is an art lover, visiting a museum of such prestige can be enjoyed by almost anyone!
If you decide to visit, be sure to buy your tickets in advance and show up on time. They’re operating at a limited capacity, and they only allow 10 minutes of tolerance for late arrivals. Also, your stay will be capped at 3 hours. Regardless, the Louvre is one of the most prestigious museums in the world, and we definitely recommend checking out the only Louvre location outside of France if you have the time!
If you’re heading out to Yas Island for a trip to Ferrari World, you should consider making a pit stop at the Yas Mall as well. This mall is one of the nicest in all of the United Arab Emirates, and there are so many great restaurants and things to do. We went rock climbing (on the tallest rock climbing wall in the world!) in the mall while we visited, but they have indoor skydiving as well! Going for a stroll around the Yas Mall is a great way to spend an afternoon or evening if you’re in the Yas Island area, and you will have countless great options for things to eat! The mall sells just about every name brand you can think of from around the world, and serves just about every type of cuisine.
6. Relax Along the Corniche
The Corniche is essentially Abu Dhabi’s Riviera. Along the city’s entire coast, you can find great beaches with plenty of restaurant and snack options and a beautifully paved pathway stretching the whole length of the city. One thing that we recommend is using one of the electric scooters that are sitting around the area to zip up and down the riviera and find the perfect place for you.
As you explore the Corniche, you’ll find a great blend of local places and international brands. We opted to treat ourselves and get some ice cream from Coldstone Creamery and enjoy it on the beach. You can use any map application on your phone to look for anything that meets your craving, and I’m sure you’ll find something!
