Abu Dhabi's location on an island makes it compact and accessible. It iss easy to find your way around and the city is fascinating to explore on foot, by hire car or by hopping in a taxi.

A busy metropolis of spectacular high rise office towers, shopping malls, restaurants and superb hotels, interspersed with gracious residential districts, the layout of the city even today reflects its origins as a fishing village. Abu Dhabi not only looks outwards to the blue waters of the Gulf, but many of the places of interest to visitors and the main centre of commercial activity lie within five blocks of the sea. This is also the area where the majority of the leading hotels are located and, given their proximity to the water front, a beautiful sea view is almost guaranteed.

The Corniche & Breakwater :

The recently renovated Corniche is the city's showpiece, with its beachfront location, paved walkways and lush greenery. You will find visitors and residents out and about enjoying this beautiful area at any time of day - strolling, jogging, cycling or rollerblading along the waterfront or taking their families to one of the many children's play areas or grassy parks.

At the western end of the Corniche is one of the newest jewels of Abu Dhabi's burgeoning tourism sector - the magnificent Emirates Palace Hotel. From there, a road leads to the Breakwater, an area of reclaimed land off the main Abu Dhabi island. Featuring a luxury shopping mall, water sports club and Heritage Village, this area has a number of Arabic cafes and restaurants along the waterfront and a new marina and housing development are currently under construction.

Golf in Abu Dhabi :

For the keen golfer, Abu Dhabi offers several options, with excellent clubs boasting world-class facilities and the bonus of ideal weather conditions all year round. Courses are either grass, sand or a mixture of the two. The Abu Dhabi Golf Club by Sheraton features two 18-hole grass courses that will appeal to all levels of golfer; the Garden Course even has a floodlit back nine so players do not need to retire to the clubhouse when the sun goes down.

Shopping in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is a shopper's paradise and the range of products and prices is unbeatable. Whether you choose to flex your plastic in designer boutiques or haggle in the local souks, the emirate's shopping options will not disappoint.

Gold is very competitively priced in Abu Dhabi and there are many jewellery shops around town, with the biggest concentration of outlets in the Madinat Zayed Gold Market.

Popular souvenir purchases include carpets, rugs and textiles from the region, including Iran, Pakistan, India and Afghanistan, Arabian coffee pots (the symbol of hospitality), prayer beads, shisha pipes, antique silver jewellery, khanjars (curved daggers), inlaid jewellery boxes, miniature dhows, brass items and traditional wooden furniture.

Other Abu Dhabi Attractions :
Al Ain :

Known as the Garden City, Al Ain was once a vital oasis on the caravan route to Oman. Situated just 148 km east of the capital, Al Ain boasts several historical forts and archaeological sites. Fascinating insights into its origins can be found at the Al Ain Museum and the Natural History Museum at the University of Al Ain, both of which feature displays on life before the discovery of oil in the region.

Cruises :

Traditional dhow cruises are popular. A dhow is a traditional wooden sailing boat used for centuries by merchants and traders sailing the waters of the Arabian Gulf and further afield. Those intended for tourist use come equipped with modern amenities such as satellite navigation and bathrooms. Sailing days can be arranged through hotels and tour operators.