A budget trip to Abu Dhabi for 2 days
We arrived in Abu Dhabi late at night, so we needed to spend the night not too far from the hotel, in a place where we could be checked in at two in the morning. We booked the Top House Zayed Airport Hotel
It wasn't a very visually pleasing place, but it was cheap, you could check in at night, and it wasn't too far from the airport. This is what the room we spent the night in looked like.
Day 1
In the morning, we went on foot to have breakfast at the BBC RESTAURANT KHALIFA CITY restaurant. It is located near the hotel and is open from the very morning, so it was a good option for us.
After breakfast, we took a carpool and went to the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. This is one of the largest mosques in the world, crowned with 82 white domes of various sizes.
The roads in Abu Dhabi are good, and there are few cars on them, so driving there is quite safe and comfortable.
Photo from the car
Sheikh Zayed Mosque is one of the largest mosques in the world, crowned with 82 white domes of various sizes. It is a very beautiful place that I definitely recommend to visit.
Here are some photos that were taken in this place
After the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, we went to the Louvre Abu Dhabi. It was one of the longest drives in the city. The Louvre Abu Dhabi impresses with its modern architecture and unique dome through which light penetrates, creating a “rain of light” effect. The museum collects works of art from all over the world, allowing you to explore different eras and cultures in one place. We spent several hours there, and it was quite interesting.
Here are some photos from this place
The next step was to go to the other end of the embankment. It may seem a little illogical, but the attractions there were closing early and we wanted to visit them.
We arrived at Qasr Al Watan but were disappointed. It turned out that this place was closed for a few days.
We hear that Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi is awe-inspiring with its grand architecture and rich interiors that reveal the cultural heritage and lore of the UAE. Visitors can explore the royal halls, enjoy light shows, and get a unique perspective on Arab history and art. However, we were not able to visit it.
However, free buses for tourists run from Qasr Al Watan. We took one of them and went to the Etihad Towers
The Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi impress with their modern architecture and offer breathtaking panoramic views of the city and the bay from the 74th floor observation deck. This place also attracts with its luxurious restaurants, upscale shops, and the opportunity to experience the atmosphere from movies such as Fast and Furious 7.
We went upstairs to the Observation Deck at 300
The Observation Deck at 300 in Abu Dhabi offers stunning 360-degree views of the city and the Arabian Gulf from the highest point in the Emirates. It's the perfect place to enjoy the picturesque scenery while savoring exclusive drinks and desserts in a stylish atmosphere.
There was a breathtaking view from where you could see the whole city.
We rested there, had coffee, and then moved on. The next point was the Emirates palace, which is within walking distance.
The Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi impresses with its luxurious gold and marble architecture, offering visitors a true Arabian hospitality experience. Here you can enjoy excellent restaurants, picturesque gardens and stunning beaches against the backdrop of one of the most grandiose hotels in the world.
This place looks very rich and worth a visit
After the Emirates Palace, we decided to take a walk along the waterfront. We rented scooters and headed to Qasr al Hosn
Qasr Al Khosn, the oldest building in Abu Dhabi, allows you to immerse yourself in the rich history of the emirate by exploring the fortress that has witnessed the development of the city. Visitors can view exhibits that tell the story of the region's cultural heritage and enjoy the architecture of this landmark.
We were not too impressed with this place.
However, we discovered that there was a House Of Artisans nearby
There was an interesting exhibition and we even took part in the traditional preparation and tasting of coffee
By this time it was evening, it was quite dark, and we went to the hotel. We booked Dinar apartments for the night.
The room itself was nice, but the entrance looked pretty scary.
After leaving our things at the hotel, we went for a walk to The Galleria Mall, a large shopping center on a separate island.
Day 2
In the morning we went to Mina Market
The Mina Market in Abu Dhabi offers an authentic experience of local culture, where you can buy fresh seafood, fruits, vegetables and traditional handicrafts. Visitors can observe the daily life of the city while enjoying the vibrant colors and aromas of this lively market.
We ordered a wonderful fish set there and ate to our hearts' content. Everything was cooked very tasty and authentic.
After we ate, we went to the Date Market. We were quite disappointed with it. It's just a few rows of small shops with ordinary products and rather aggressive salespeople.
After that, we went to Yas Island, to Yas Mall
Yas Island is an island of entertainment. There's a big shopping center, a big Waterworld, and the world's fastest rollercoaster, Ferrari World
We spent some time there and then went to the airport and flew home.
Overall, we liked Abu Dhabi. It's an interesting place with beautiful sights. Here are a few more places that we highlighted for ourselves in this city, but which I did not mention in the main story.
Formal Park
Capital Garden
Formal Park in Abu Dhabi attracts with its well-groomed green lawns, picturesque alleys and relaxing atmosphere. It's a great place for family picnics, strolls, or enjoying the views of the modern city.
The Capital Garden in Abu Dhabi is a green oasis in the city center where you can enjoy the tranquility of fountains and shaded trees. The park is ideal for family picnics, strolls and relaxation in a cozy atmosphere away from the bustle of the city.
We visited these places at night and were not impressed. It was just a green park.
Marina Mall
The Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi offers an unforgettable shopping experience with many branded stores, as well as exciting entertainment such as an observation deck and an ice rink. Here you can enjoy the view of the Corniche, visit restaurants with excellent cuisine and spend the whole day in comfort.
It was on a separate peninsula, and we decided not to waste time traveling to it.
Capital Gate
The Capital Gate in Abu Dhabi is known for its impressive tilt and being listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's tiltiest tower. This architectural gem offers unique photographic opportunities and houses a luxury hotel with stunning views of the city.
We saw it from afar, but didn't go to it separately
Al Bahar
This house has special “things” on the walls that protect it from the sun. And they close or open depending on where the sun is.
We drove by this house and just looked at it from the car.
Aldar HQ
The Aldar HQ in Abu Dhabi is the world's first circular building, 110 meters high, which won the Best Futuristic Design award at the BEX conference in 2008. This architectural gem impresses with its unique shape and innovative environmental solutions, making it a must-see for fans of modern architecture.
It's the same story with Al Bahar. We were just driving by.
Sheikh Zayed Bridge
We drove along it on our way to the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. It's beautiful, but not enough to visit it separately.
Masdar City
It's a very interesting place, but unfortunately we didn't have enough time to see it.
I hope that my experience will be useful to you. Please write your questions, comments, or give me any other feedback.
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