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August 30, 2023

Where to go, what to do, and what to see in Abu Dhabi? Which are the most interesting and captivating places to visit during a cruise stopover?

Let’s start by pointing out that Zayed Port is about a forty-minute drive from Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Among the must-visit places in Abu Dhabi, there is undoubtedly the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Corniche beach, Qasr Al Watan, Emirates Palace, and Hamdan Street. Visiting these places can give you a fairly comprehensive idea of the best that Abu Dhabi has to offer.

If you have some free time, you could climb up to admire the landscape from the panoramic observatory of Etihad Towers and visit the Louvre Abu Dhabi. For Formula 1 enthusiasts, Yas Marina Circuit and Ferrari World are perfect!

Now let’s see how to make the most of the layover hours from a cruise ship.

The cruise port of Abu Dhabi, as mentioned above, is Port Zayed. The Cruise Terminal is located just a few steps away from the ship.

How to get around Abu Dhabi:

Shuttle Bus: Cruise companies provide shuttle buses, for a fee, that take you to Marina Mall from the ship. The journey from the terminal to Marina Mall runs along the Corniche and takes about 20 minutes. In this short time, you can already get a taste of Abu Dhabi with its beaches and skyscrapers in the background.

Taxis: If you prefer to explore independently, you can find a large number of taxis waiting at the terminal exit. Taxis in Abu Dhabi are relatively inexpensive, and there are no unauthorized taxis. As soon as you get in the car, the meter starts running. Important detail: taxi drivers generally don’t accept euros, so it’s preferable to pay with a credit card or local currency, which you can withdraw at the airport once you land.

Panoramic Buses: Just outside the terminal, you can find the hop-on-hop-off double-decker panoramic buses that allow you to discover the main points of the city and offer the possibility to get on and off at various planned stops. You can buy the bus ticket online, on various reference websites, at the foot of the bus just before boarding, or some cruise companies sell the tickets directly on the ship.

Now let’s take a look at the main attractions of this magnificent city.

Marina Mall
Reaching Marina Mall is very easy, as described above, thanks to the shuttle buses provided by the company, taxis, and buses. From Marina Mall, you can choose to take a walk along the seafront to reach the Heritage (visible due to the tall waving flag) and then continue on foot to Emirates Palace.

Its unmistakable classic Arabian style, its large central dome that soars 70 meters towards the sky, and 114 surrounding domes make it unique and unmissable. Other curiosities about Emirates Palace? … The main building is one kilometer long, contains luxurious rooms, bars, restaurants, carpets weighing over one ton each, and chandeliers weighing two tons, all adorned with gold, mother of pearl, and crystals inside! There is also an ATM that dispenses gold bars, 100 hectares of gardens and fountains, and a beautiful beach.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque:

We are talking about the real pearl of Abu Dhabi, absolutely unmissable. The mosque can be seen from a distance, and upon arrival, you can admire its majestic whiteness. Inaugurated in 2008, it stands grandiose with its 80 domes, nearly 1000 columns, and impresses with its enormous gold-plated chandeliers and magnificent carpets. It can accommodate up to 40,000 worshipers and is one of the largest mosques in the world. It owes its name to Sheikh Zayed, who is buried here.

The Grand Mosque can be visited from Saturday to Thursday, from 9 in the morning to 10 in the evening, even by non-Muslims. Reaching it is relatively simple using the means mentioned above. It is located about ten kilometers from the city center, and if there is not too much traffic, you can reach it in about half an hour.

The Corniche and the beach:

A walk along the Corniche and some relaxation on the beach are undoubtedly pleasant and relaxing activities. The waterfront area has been expanded, refurbished, and embellished and is now a very popular destination for residents and tourists. The Corniche is very long, from Emirates Palace in the south to Sheraton Abu Dhabi in the north, it’s over 6 kilometers. The area is separated from traffic, but the continuous noise of cars speeding on the road is not very pleasant. It’s better to opt for the pedestrian walkway, which is in a more sheltered position and directly overlooks the sea.

Louvre Abu Dhabi:

With its unique architecture and rich art collection, it is an unmissable masterpiece. The museum is located on Saadiyat Island and resembles the features of an oriental Medina. It is covered by an immense 180-meter-diameter steel dome made up of eight thousand metal stars. The art collection inside is vast: Roman statues, Chinese armors, Klein paintings, Calder sculptures, and much more!

The Souk

The Souks are located in the area of Al-Mina Port, the old port of Abu Dhabi. They are essentially covered areas with many clothing, accessories, various gadgets, some electronics, gold, and jewelry shops! It is from here that the cruises on board the Dhow (typical local boats) depart, organized by local guides and can also be booked in advance on dedicated websites.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

It is the world’s first Ferrari-themed amusement park. It offers rides and attractions inspired by Ferrari, a large Ferrari Store, and a wide variety of dining options for the whole family.

Jumerirah Ethiad

Another not-to-be-missed attraction is Jumerirah Ethiad, also known as Ethiad Towers. Stopping at the Observation Deck will allow you to enjoy a 360° view, savor a drink of your choice, and take in the panorama.

In Abu Dhabi, there are also many well-prepared and professional guides who offer magnificent guided tours at very competitive prices.

Gina Daga

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