DOWNTOWN ABU DHABI
A stunning city of shiny new skyscrapers strung out along an idyllic corniche, oil-rich Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE and a rising player in the world’s financial, commercial and tourist stages. Many visitors enjoy the slower and more traditional pace of life compared to Dubai, although after spending years in the shadow of its neighbour, Abu Dhabi is now also launching into its own spectacular spate of large-scale developments, ranging from the ultra-opulent mock-Arabian Emirates Palace, one of the world’s most lavish hotels, to the futuristic architecture of Al Maryah Island and the gleaming Etihad Towers. Downtown Abu Dhabi is the city’s bustling commercial centre, where you’ll find the biggest mega-developments, the liveliest attractions, and all the busiest shops, bars and restaurants.
1. Abu Dhabi Corniche
Abu Dhabi’s showpiece boulevard sweeps for almost 5 km (3 miles) along the Downtown waterfront. A long line of skyscrapers rises to one side, while to the other are a series of gardens, popular in the evenings with strolling locals and joggers. Hiring a bike and riding up and down the waterfront is a great way to spend an hour or so, and there’s a fine stretch of public beach.
The expansive Abu Dhabi Corniche
2. Marina Mall
The Breakwater • 800 6623
• Open 10am–10pm daily (until midnight Thu & Fri)
• www.marinamall.ae
Despite its slightly out-of-the way location, the sprawling Marina Mall is one of the city’s largest and most popular shopping destinations, with shops laid out between an attractive sequence of circular atriums topped with tent-shaped roofs. The highlight of the complex is the slender Marina Sky Tower, at the back of the mall, which offers superb views over the city and Corniche from the Colombiano coffee shop (floor 41) or the Tiara revolving restaurant (floor 42).
3. Al Maryah Island
On the northern side of Downtown, this island is the site of arguably the city’s most ambitious mega-project. Planned as Abu Dhabi’s new financial and business district, much of the development has yet to take shape, although the Abu Dhabi Global Market Square gives a taste of things to come, with its huge skyscrapers and chic Galleria mall.
Looking across the water to Al Maryah Island and its new developments
4. World Trade Center
Hamdan Bin Mohammed St • www.wtcad.ae
One of the largest developments in Abu Dhabi, the World Trade Center is topped by the Trust Tower and the Burj Mohammed bin Rashid. The main attraction is its souk, offering a kind of Postmodern re-imagination of the traditional Arabian souk.
The soaring World Trade Center
5. Al Ittihad Square
A crop of supersized sculptures stand in the small park at the centre of Al Ittihad Square, creating a whimsical contrast to the surrounding tower blocks. The five sculptures feature a gigantic coffeepot, a huge perfume bottle, an elaborate plate cover, a colossal cannon and a small fort.
Potter at Abu Dhabi Heritage Village
6. Abu Dhabi Heritage Village
The Breakwater • 02 681 4455
• Open 9am–4pm Sat–Thu, 3:30–9pm Fri • www.visitabudhabi.ae
For a taste of life as it was in the city before the discovery of oil, Abu Dhabi’s Heritage Village is the place to come. In a superb location directly over the water from the soaring towers of the Corniche, the village comprises a line of traditional barasti (palm-frond) huts, some of them turned into workshops in which resident craftspeople can sometimes be seen at work.
7. Al Mina Souks
Al Mina • Open 5am–11pm
daily
Stretching away on the northern side of Downtown Abu Dhabi is the city’s Al Mina port area. A trio of small markets can be found here. The so-called Carpet Souk comprises a small square with low-key shops. The nearby food souk is the heart of the city’s retail trade in vegetables and fruit, while opposite is the lively fish market, with the day’s catch laid out along the quay.
8. Emirates Palace
Abu Dhabi’s magnificent pink palace hotel dominates the western end of the splendid Corniche. The majestic multi-domed exterior is surpassed in extravagance only by the dazzling interior which glitters with gold and sparkles with Swarovski crystals. The Emirates Palace was constructed to provide opulent accommodation fitting for the capital’s visiting dignitaries.
Iconic façade of the Emirates Palace
9. Etihad Towers
Observation deck at 300: Open
10am–6pm daily • Adm • www.etihadtowers.ae
Dominating the southwestern end of the Corniche is the huge Etihad Towers development, a cluster of five glistening skyscrapers with gently curved outlines and a gleaming metallic shine. There are superlative views over Abu Dhabi from the 74th-floor Observation Deck at 300 (in tower two) and from Ray’s Bar on the 62nd floor of the Jumeirah at Etihad Towers hotel.
Etihad Towers dominating the skyline
10. Qasr al Hosn
Al Nasr St (5th St)
Located at the heart of Downtown, Qasr al Hosn (the Palace Fort) offers an unexpected throwback to earlier times. This is the oldest building in Abu Dhabi, first established back in the 1760s, after which it served as home to the ruling Al Nahyan family for the next two centuries. Most of what you see now – a high white wall dotted with a sequence of circular battlemented towers – was built in the 1940s. The fort is currently undergoing extensive renovations and will eventually reopen as a new museum showcasing the city’s history, although the date is unknown.
THE DISCOVERY OF OIL
The Japanese invention of the cultured pearl and the subsequent collapse of the Gulf’s pearl industry led to the granting of petroleum concessions by Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan in 1939. It turned out to be a very wise move. The discovery of oil in 1958 and its export from 1962 made Abu Dhabi an extremely rich city.
A CORNICHE AND CITY WALK
MORNING
Start with a stroll around the stunning new Abu Dhabi Global Market Square (Sowwah Square) on Al Maryah Island and a wander through the boutique shops of the Galleria. Afterwards, head along the waterfront before crossing the bridge to the Downtown area. Wander past the Abu Dhabi Mall and along 5th St, one of the city’s liveliest shopping areas, then have a look into the souk at the World Trade Center and admire the quirky statues in Al Ittihad Square. From here it’s a short stroll past Qasr al Hosn to the Lebanese Flower restaurant, where you can break for lunch.
AFTERNOON
Walk down past Al Markaziyah Gardens to the spectacular Corniche and then take a stroll along a bit of the waterfront before jumping in a cab and heading past the Etihad Towers for afternoon tea in the opulent surroundings of the Emirates Palace hotel. Catch another cab for the short drive to the Abu Dhabi Heritage Village, after which you can watch the sun set from the top of the Sky Tower in the Marina Mall.
Catch a taxi back to Downtown and enjoy the spectacular nighttime view of Al Maryah Island from the terrace of the fashionable Finz restaurant at the Beach Rotana hotel. End the day with a drink at the hotel’s German-themed Brauhaus pub.
Places to Shop
1. Abu Dhabi Mall
Tourist Club area • 02 645 4858
• Open 10am–10pm daily (until 11pm Thu & Fri) •
www.abudhabi-mall.com
Known as “AD Mall”, this popular spot has all the top-name shops.
A water feature at Marina Mall
2. Marina Mall
This enormous mall is packed with stores, cinemas and cafés. There is even an ice rink.
3. Carpet Souk
Mina (Port) Rd
This souk is more about the buying experience than the items on offer (carpets, rugs, kilims and cushions).
4. Al Wahda Mall
Near Central Bus Stop • 02 443
7000 • Open 10am–10pm daily (until 11pm Thu–Sat)
• www.alwahda-mall.com
With more than 250 stores and a cinema hall, this recently expanded mall is now the largest in Abu Dhabi.
5. Iranian Souq
Mina (Port) Rd
Amid the plastic items and plants sold here, you’ll find Iranian painted crafts.
6. Fotouh Al Khair Mall
Airport Rd • Open
10am–10pm daily • 02 622 2241 • www.fotouhalkhairmall.com
Expats love this bright mini mall. It is home to Marks & Spencer and a number of other popular UK brands.
7. Khalifa Centre
10th St, opposite Abu Dhabi Mall,
Tourist Club area • Open 10am–1pm & 4–10pm
Sat–Fri • 02 667 9900
Bargain here for exquisite Persian rugs, sheeshas, tribal kilims and even silver prayer boxes.
8. Hamdan St
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed St (Hamdan
St)
This street sells almost everything. It has jewellery stores and Arabic and Bollywood music shops, as well as discount supermarkets.
9. The Galleria
Al Maryah Island • Open
10am–10pm daily (until midnight Thu & Fri) • 02 616
6999 • www.thegalleria.ae
Spanning three floors, the Galleria houses numerous luxury boutique stores from across the world.
10. World Trade Center Souk
Off Al Ittihad Square • 02 508
2400 • Open 10am–10pm daily (until 11pm Thu & Fri)
• www.wtcad.ae
Explore craft and souvenir shops at this stunning souk within the World Trade Center. You can also buy local food, spices and honey here.
The World Trade Center Souk
Restaurants and Bars
1. Hanoi
Khalifa Bin Zayed St • 02 626
1112 • Open 11:30am–10:30pm daily • D
The capital’s original Vietnamese restaurant, this place serves classic unpretentious dishes.
2. Beijing
Madinat Zayed • 02 621 0708
• Open 11am–midnight daily • D
Authentic Chinese food need not be expensive, as this popular spot pulls out all the stops to prove.
3. Hakkasan
Emirates Palace Hotel, Corniche West St
• 02 690 7999 • Open 6pm–midnight daily &
noon–3pm Fri & Sat • DDD
This award-winning Chinese eatery serves up exquisite Cantonese staples. The opulent surroundings were designed by French interior designers Gilles & Boissier.
4. Zuma
Al Maryah Island • 02 401 5900
• Opening hours vary; call ahead • DD
A sophisticated restaurant serving superb Japanese fare. Choose from a wide selection of dishes offered by the main kitchen, the robata grill, and the sushi counter.
5. Lebanese Flower
Near Choitrams Supermarket, cnr Hamdan
& Fourth St, Khalidya • 02 665 8700 • Open
8am–2am daily • No alcohol • D
A must-visit restaurant serving scrumptious mezze (Arabic appetizers), smoky mixed grilled meat plates and honey-soaked baklava.
6. Vasco’s
Hilton Abu Dhabi, Corniche Rd West
• 02 681 1900 • Open noon–3:30pm &
7pm–11pm daily • DDD
A smart restaurant offering an incredible blend of European cooking with a pinch of Asia.
7. Sayad
Emirates Palace Hotel, Corniche Rd West
• 02 690 7999 • Open 6:30–11:30pm daily •
DDD
Expect playful decor and fine seafood cuisine at this swanky restaurant.
Sayad, with views to the sea
8. Royal Orchid
Al Salam St • 02 677 9911
• Open noon–11:30pm daily • No alcohol •
D
An authentic little Thai restaurant with a great atmosphere.
9. India Palace
Al Salam St • 02 644 8777
• Open noon–midnight daily • No alcohol •
D
Dine on North Indian cuisine in an opulent Anglo-Indian-style setting.
10. Jazz Bar & Dining
Hilton Abu Dhabi, Corniche Rd West
• 02 681 1900 • Open 7pm–2am daily (until 3am Thu
& Fri)
Enjoy live jazz and great cocktails at this Art Deco-inspired bar.