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Abu Dhabi or Dubai? Where Is Your Next Vacation?

If you’re considering a trip to the United Arab Emirates you may be trying to decide between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Both cities have a lot to offer but each is unique in its own way. Below you’ll find some useful tips and insights into what each city offers.

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is a dynamic commercial metropolis. The city is located on an island and is joined to the main land by bridges. The Emirate includes many small islands, some of which are wildlife sanctuaries, as well as wetlands and mangrove colonies.

Abu Dhabi is home to one of the UAE’s top landmarks, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, marble, precious stones, gold, ceramics and crystals were used to create this masterpiece. With more than 2,000 parks, gardens, a 7km long beachfront promenade and 10km of beaches Abu Dhabi is one of the UAE’s greenest cities.

The cosmopolitan city with many expatriates has a variety of cuisines on offer. You can find Arab food as well as South Asian cuisines. Shopping at the Abu Dhabi Mall is a pleasure, there are cinemas, activities for families and of course top brand name stores.

While in Abu Dhabi visit Ferrari World; the Emirates National Auto Museum; the Emirates Palace; visit the zoo; attend events at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Center and the Saadiat cultural island that is being developed to house branches of the Louvre, Guggenheim and other museums and performing arts centers.

The island is home to golf clubs, beach resorts and restaurants. For families Yas Island has non-stop entertainment including a huge water park and world class race track.

Dubai

Dubai is a city which dazzles visitors with its state-of-the-art architecture and skyscrapers like the Burj Khalifa and the man-made islands like the Palm. However it also has many historic sites. Dubai is the most expensive city in the Middle East and the rich, famous and celebrity visitors enjoy top luxury accommodation services and attractions.

The latest addition to the Dubai landscape is Dubai Flower Centre, the world’s largest flower garden.

Dubai has a diverse cultural population with over 84% of residents being foreign born. To see the traditional culture of the UAE visit the Dubai Creek. The cuisine in Dubai is predominantly Arabic with South Asian and Chinese fast food outlets.

Up-market restaurants offer a wide range of international cuisines, especially in the luxury hotels. Biryani is one of the most popular Dubai dishes. Alcohol is available in bars and hotels but only to non-Muslims.

Dubai is known for its nightlife and there are bars and clubs, mostly within hotels. For entertainment there is the largest cinema complex in the UAE in the Dubai Mall, the Heritage Village where you can see traditional dancing, taste traditional food and learn about the Bedouin culture.

Dubai is famous for shopping, the Dubai Mall is one of the world’s largest shopping complexes, with entertainment, dining and many, many stores.

Not to miss sites in Dubai include the Bastakiya District where you can see Old Dubai; Dubai Museum; Jumeirah Mosque; the Dubai Fountain; Dubai Marina; Wild Wadi Water Park; zoo; play golf; the beaches and watersports; the indoor ski center and ice rink. The desert is easily accessible and many tourists take tours into the desert for sand sports like dune bashing.

So you see both cities really have a lot to offer, perhaps consider visiting both or making a day trip from one to the other.

Adewale Adelani

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