While situated about two hours from each other by road, mega cities Abu Dhabi and Dubai offer varied experiences as travel destinations. Each has a distinct personality that appeals to a different sort of explorer: Abu Dhabi has an calmer, more mature vibe, while Dubai is a shade more roguish, always pushing boundaries.
But given the proximity, it’s perfectly possible to combine a trip and take in the highlights of both should time permit. As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
The Basics
Abu Dhabi
Capital city Abu Dhabi is the largest by area of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi is the second-largest city by population in the UAE (second to Dubai) — and it’s big in both size and character.
In the decades before the discovery of oil, it was a coastal hamlet, and fishing and pearl diving were the main occupations. Fueled by oil money, the palm-frond huts gave way to skyscrapers and buildings that sport mind-bending designs. But life here still operates at a languid pace, and Emirati customs and traditions guide day-to-day life.
The coast has always been a big part of Abu Dhabi’s story — as has the desert — and its waters are stunning with their incredible aquamarine color. With year-long sunshine and a string of luxury waterfront hotels like the stunning The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi, hitting the beach is a definite highlight of an Abu Dhabi vacation.
Dubai
There’s no place like Dubai. A city dialed up to the max, things change here in the blink of an eye. With more and more people flocking to Dubai to live or visit, clearly everyone wants a piece of it.
In a day you can go from sipping hot chocolate and watching people ski to jumping out of an airplane over the jaw-dropping Palm Jumeirah islands. Or you might find yourself camping in the desert with the once nearly extinct oryx for company or going on a shopping expedition in one of the world’s largest malls. And after all that, you’d still have plenty more to fill another Dubai visit.
Summers can be oppressive, but sweet deals on travel and accommodations mean that the city rarely sees a true off-season anymore.
Activities
Abu Dhabi
To begin where it all started, make your way to Qasr Al Hosn with its carefully restored watchtower, the oldest permanent structure in the city. A well-curated multimedia exhibit tells the story of how Abu Dhabi transformed from a small fishing village to the seat of the ruling family.
If Qasr Al Hosn stands out for its simplicity, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque captivates with its pristine, milky-white marble domes and stunning floral inlay design. Free guided tours led by young Emiratis are a wonderful way to take in the highlights.
At the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, come face-to-face with falcons, incredible birds of prey that are an integral part of Emirati culture. Learn about these sharp predatory birds, get a chance to hold one and have your photo clicked.
On Yas Island, set your heart racing as you give the world’s fastest rollercoaster a go at Ferrari World and watch F1 pros lap the track at Yas Marina Circuit. If car racing is your passion, nothing beats a stay at the futuristic W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, the only hotel built on an F1 racetrack.
Culture fiends and art enthusiasts will be spoiled for choice at Saadiyat Island’s fantastic museums. Marvel at the Louvre Abu Dhabi’s magnificent perforated steel dome that lets in a rain of light, or find a moment of complete calm at the Abrahamic Family Home.
Dubai
Like a needle piercing the sky, the Burj Khalifa dominates the Dubai skyline. Gawk at this engineering and architectural marvel from The Fountains at Dubai Mall, and then take an elevator up to get a bird’s-eye view of the city. While the city panorama looks best during the day, stay in the area till sunset when it turns into a magical wonderland with musical fountains, a light show and the twinkling streetlights of downtown.
Catch a glimpse of the Dubai of yore in the tangle of alleyways of the Al Fahidi Historical District. Set within the restored coral and palm-wood homes with traditional burjeels (wind towers) are galleries, a heady Coffee Museum and the ever-popular bougainvillea-draped Arabian Tea House.
From Al Fahidi, walk down to the water’s edge and hop aboard a motorized abra (wooden boat) and cross the creek to the Gold Souk. Splurge on opulent jewelry or just walk around and take in the sparkling sights.
From the past, propel straight into the future at the eye-catching Museum of the Future, where it’s all about imagining and creating tomorrow’s world.
If seeking thrills ranks higher than cultural pursuits, head to Play DXB (an indoor virtual-reality park at the Dubai Mall), get lost in the world of Lego at Legoland Dubai, meet Marvel Comics superheroes at IMG Worlds of Adventure, or go on Hollywood-inspired amusement park rides at Motiongate Dubai.
Food
Abu Dhabi
True to the UAE’s spirit of welcoming people from around the world, the cuisine in Abu Dhabi features diverse global flavors. From small hole-in-the-wall places to sophisticated eateries, Abu Dhabi has it all.
For a meal to remember with spellbinding views of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Li Jiang at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal is the place to be. The restaurant’s stir-frys, hand-pulled noodles and seafood dishes come highly recommended.
For a meal with sweeping views of the ocean, head to the stunning Buddha-Bar Beach on Saadiyat Island. With a more relaxed vibe, the food here is a mix of pan-Asian light bites like bao buns, sushi and dumplings, as well as mains.
Eat around the world, but don’t forget to sample traditional Emirati cuisine with influences of Oman, Saudi Arabia and India. Rustic Al Fanar Restaurant and Cafe delivers with wholesome rice, meat and fish dishes.
Dubai
Dubai’s list of popular and award-winning dining options seems to grow each year. From small eateries with a steady following to upscale spots helmed by coveted chefs, your taste buds are in for a real treat.
At the buzzy TimeOut Market you’ll get to sample dishes from some of the top restaurants in Dubai, all under one roof. For a quick but scrumptious bite, try the burgers at SALT on Kite Beach. They have a loyal following among both locals and visitors.
If a sophisticated Indian dining experience appeals to you, look no further than Chef Himanshu Saini’s two-Michelin-starred Trèsind Studio, where the focus is on using locally sourced ingredients in inventive dishes. If you prefer your swanky meal served with splendid views, there’s no better place than Sushi Samba, perched on the 51st floor of The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm.
Nightlife
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi nightlife offers plenty to dive into, no matter your going-out vibe. Good music, pub grub and a lively, relaxed atmosphere have been drawing crowds to PJ O’Reilly’s at the Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi for more than 25 years. Big sports nights are popular here, and the mood is always electric.
To party with fantastic views, head to Relax@12, the rooftop bar at Aloft Abu Dhabi. Take things up a notch at Lock, Stock & Barrel, the UAE’s ultrapopular party bar. This waterfront party spot in Yas Bay boasts live music and a roster of special events.
Or head to the cavernous Yas Bay nightclub WHITE and get lost in a world of trippy music, laser lights and 360-degree projection mapping.
Dubai
The wild child, Dubai entices with plenty of options to party the night away, with many bars and clubs clustered around the Dubai Marina and along The Walk at JBR. Of these, Bla Bla at one end of The Walk leads the pack of party places with 21 bars, a beach club and an all-day restaurant.
For a more laid-back party vibe with sublime views of Dubai Marina, get a table at the dreamy Siddhartha Lounge by Buddha-Bar at Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai. Roll back into the swinging 1960s and ’70s at the sparkly Aretha, a live music venue at the towering St. Regis Gardens at The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm.
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is another party hot spot that’s not to be missed. Of the many options here, Amazónico stands out with its Paraiso Rooftop Club, complete with luxe tropical vibes, foot-tapping beats and Latin American cuisine and cocktails.
Getting Around
Abu Dhabi
Sprawling Abu Dhabi is best explored by car, but if driving isn’t something that shouts holiday for you, hiring a car with a driver is an easy alternative. Taxis are also a popular way to get around, and these can be booked using the Abu Dhabi taxi app. Rideshare apps such as Uber and Careem operate in Abu Dhabi.
The Experience Abu Dhabi Shuttle Bus connects the main points of interest across the city — the service is free and wheelchair-friendly.
Buses are another low-cost option to get around within the city. You will need a HALIFAT Smart Card to pay for the journey, which can be bought at convenience stores, kiosks at malls and at the bus station.
Dubai
You can access Dubai’s varied public transportation options with a rechargeable Nol card. This card can be purchased at metro stations, some bus stations and big supermarkets such as Spinneys, Carrefour and Waitrose.
Many of Dubai’s key attractions are easy to access via its driverless metro service. While many popular neighborhoods are accessible by metro, some, like Dubai Marina, can be further explored via the tram system. Similarly, you can discover the Palm Jumeirah neighborhood by using the overhead monorail. It’s super easy to shuttle between the metro, tram and monorail systems.
For a completely different way to get around, give Dubai’s water transport system a try. Use wooden abras to cut across the creek and back. The RTA water taxi connects some neighborhoods along the coast and makes for a scenic way to get around.
In good weather, hop aboard a Careem bike and make the most of the city’s extensive bike pathways.
Local taxis, Careem and Uber are other convenient options, but they’re a pricey way to get around.
Visiting Both Cities
Since Abu Dhabi and Dubai are about 90 miles away from each other, you can absolutely visit both in one trip. If you’re up for navigating the roads, you can rent a car. Rideshare apps, including Uber and Careem, can be used to travel between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, too.
If you have more time but a tighter budget, a more cost-effective option is the buses that ply between the two cities: The E100 and E101 buses depart from each destination at regular intervals throughout the day.
Whatever you decide, visiting one city or both, you simply won’t run out of things to do in either of these UAE destinations.
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