Contact Centre Inside: 800 555 Outside: +971 2 666 4442 Issue: 2014 Top Transit Tips www.visitabudhabi.ae
get the best out of abu dhabi SHORT CAN BE SWEET WELCOME TO ABU DHABI. You re transitting a destination where you can engage with a captivating past, intriguing traditions and culture, and experience thrilling, modern-day attractions. No matter how short your stay, we ll help you find something to leave you wanting to come back for more. Our transit itineraries are designed to help you get the best out of your stay. These four, eight and 12 hour trip ideas can be combined to tailor a memorable stop-over experience, whatever your interest. This collection is not exhaustive, remember fuller details of activities, events, dining, stay and attraction options can be found at www.visitabudhabi.ae, and via our visitor information centres and information points across the city. There s now much more to see and do in Abu Dhabi and you will always be assured of a true Abu Dhabi Travellers Welcome. How to use this guide These itineraries provide essential tips on not-to-be-missed attractions and experiences for our stop-over visitors. They show how easy it is to explore the emirate, and can be combined to create action-packed, full day itineraries for the maximum 96 hour lay-over. They indicate recommended visit duration and typical journey time by road from Abu Dhabi International Airport. i ii
CONTENTS 4 Hour Stay Itinerary 1 Sample local culture and true Arabian hospitality 1 Itinerary 2 The ancient art of falconry 3 Itinerary 3 Glimpse our cultural vision 3 8 Hour Stay Itinerary 1 Abu Dhabi Blend tradition with modernity 5 Itinerary 2 Par and Spa 7 Itinerary 3 Sea, Fly, Drive on Yas Island 9 12 Hour Stay Itinerary 1 Explore our heritage heartland 11 Itinerary 2 13 Itinerary 3 At one with the sea 15 Getting Around 17 Where to Eat and Where to Stay 18 Further information 18
4 HOUR STAY Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque On the nearby beachfront, you ll find an array of exquisite hotels where culinary delights await to while away the hours. There s the Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi home to several award-winning restaurants and the signature Chi spa and its sister Traders Hotel. They re connected by waterways to the charming Souk Qary at Al Beri where you can browse and shop in an Arabian market-like atmosphere of stalls and shops. Then there s the Fairmont Bab al Bahr, with a variety of celebrity chef eateries. Inspired by 15th to early 17th century Renaissance architecture, the Ritz- Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal is the world s largest Ritz-Carlton resort, with 10 top-class restaurants. Journey time 20 minutes. visitabudhabi.ae Fairmont Bab Al Bahr +971 2 654 3000 fairmont.com/babalbahr Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal +971 2 818 8888 ritzcarlton.com Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi +971 2 509 8888 shangri-la.com/abudhabi Souk Qary at Al Beri +971 2 558 1670 soukqaryatalberi.com Souk Qaryat Al Beri ITINERARY 1 SAMPLE LOCAL CULTURE AND TRUE ARABIAN HOSPITALITY Start with a tour of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, recommended by TripAdvisor as one of the world s Top 25 landmark attractions. There are daily complimentary walk-in guided tours by trained UAE nationals who tell the story of this masterpiece of worship and give visitors an insight into local heritage and traditions. Tours last approximately 1.5 2hrs. Journey time 20 minutes. szgmc.ae +971 2 441 6444 1 2
Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital Manarat Al Saadiyat ITINERARY 2 THE ANCIENT ART OF FALCONRY The state-of-the-art Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital is an award-winning attraction dedicated to caring and protection of the national emblem of the UAE. On guided tours, learn why these noble birds of prey are so revered and try your hand at the ancient Arabian sport of falconry. Recommended visit time 2.5 4hrs. Journey time 15 minutes each way falconhospital.com +971 2 575 5155 ITINERARY 3 GLIMPSE OUR CULTURAL VISION On Saadiyat Island s Cultural District soon to be home to a premier collection of world class museums, you can visit the free-to-enter Manarat al Saadiyat exhibition centre and tour the interactive Saadiyat Story. It will tell you of the transformation of this natural island and you ll be able to explore the future with models and explanations of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Zayed National Museum, and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum Often individual art exhibitions are also held in an additional gallery. Recommended visit time 2.5 4hrs including time to enjoy the on-site restaurant, Fanr. Journey time 30 minutes each way. saadiyat.ae +971 2 643 5781 3 4
8 HOUR STAY Corniche ITINERARY 1 ABU DHABI BLEND TRADITION WITH MODERNITY spectacular backdrop. Recommended visit time 1.5 2hrs From this 300 metre vantage point, the Emirates Palace an iconic Abu Dhabi landmark is a sight to behold and among the world s most opulent hotels. Resplendent with gold leaf chandeliers and fittings, 114 domes and a gold dispensing ATM machine, another popular pastime is taking High Tea in Le Café. Recommended visit time 1.5 2hrs Wrap up your visit with a thrill-a-minute ride on a Yellow Boats Speedboat Tour of Abu Dhabi s spectacular Corniche. Launching from the exclusive Emirates Palace Marina, this nautical perspective of the city s attractions is an experience you will simply never forget. Journey time 45 minutes each way. Heritage Village +971 2 681 4455 visitabudhabi.ae Observation Deck at 300 +971 2 881 5555 jumeirah.com Emirates Palace +971 2 690 9000 emiratespalace.com Yellow Boats Speedboat Tours +971 800 8044 theyellowboats.com Heritage Village Head to Abu Dhabi s spectacular beachfront Corniche, where you can stroll, roller-blade, hire bicycles, or bask on the lifeguarded Blue Flag public beach which has a minimal US$3 entry fee. There are lots of coffee shops to sit and sip a brew and people watch. Next, close to the expansive Marina Mall and set beneath Abu Dhabi s giant flag-pole, visit the free-to-enter Heritage Village by the Corniche Breakwater and explore a reconstruction of a desert village with a small traditional souk. Recommended duration 2 4hrs On level 74 of Tower 2 at the nearby Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, the Observation Deck at 300 offers the highest vantage of Abu Dhabi s cityscape is where guests can enjoy delicious refreshments against a 5 6
ITINERARY 2 PAR AND SPA Yas Links Abu Dhabi With three championship-ready courses within a 25 kilometre radius and six clubs within a 90-minute drive, Abu Dhabi has a wealth of golf offerings. Abu Dhabi Golf Club, the parkland course with its iconic falcon clubhouse is home, each January, to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. Saadiyat Beach Golf Club is the region s only ocean course with several beautiful beachfront holes. Yas Links is the region s premier links course. These are complemented by a city course and an intriguing sand course just a chip-and-putt from Abu Dhabi International Airport and can be easily combined with a selection of luxury spa and wellness experiences for non-playing partners. Journey time 15 30 minutes each way, dependent on club. Abu Dhabi Golf Club +971 2 558 8990 adgolfclub.com Saadiyat Beach Golf Club +971 2 557 8000 sbgolfclub.ae Yas Links Abu Dhabi +971 2 810 7710 yaslinks.com Abu Dhabi Golf Club 7 8
Yas Island ITINERARY 3 SEA, FLY, DRIVE ON YAS ISLAND Enjoy a Seawings aerial seaplane tour which covers all of Abu Dhabi city s sights from the air or choose a 20 or 30-minute Falcon Aviation helicopter tour. For a seaborne alternative, Capt. Tony s operates a range of cruises around our scenic natural islands, including Sunset Cruises, Island Beach Tours, and tailored Romantic Cruises from Yas Marina on sustainably operated craft. Back on terra firma, race like a champion at the Yas Racing School which offers expert tuition in a variety of cars, such as Aston Martin GT4 racers, from specialised instructors for those who have never driven a racing car before. The less adventurous can embark on a behind the scenes tour of the Yas Marina Circuit and its F1 Grand Prix track, and complete their visit with lunch, afternoon tea or dinner at the iconic Yas Viceroy the only hotel in the world straddling an F1 circuit. Journey time 20 minutes each way. visitabudhabi.ae Seawings Abu Dhabi +971 800 SEAWINGS Falcon Aviation +971 2 444 0007 Capt. Tony s +971 2 650 7175 Yas Marina Circuit +971 2 659 9800 or 800 YAS Yas Viceroy Hotel +971 2 656 0000 9 10
12 HOUR STAY Alternatively spend the day at the unique Wadi Adventure, a man-made white-water rafting, kayaking and surfing playground in the foothills of Jebel Hafeet. The park s 3.3 metre man-made surf wave is the world s largest and its 1.7 kilometre kayaking channel network is the world s longest, makes for a great adrenaline-filled family day out. Journey time 90 minutes each way. visitabudhabi.ae Al Ain Oasis +971 3 763 0155 Sheikh Zayed Palace Museum +971 3 751 7755 Al Jahili Fort +971 3 711 8311 Al Qattara Arts Centre +971 3 761 8080 Wadi Adventure +971 3 781 8422 Al Ain Oasis Wadi Adventure ITINERARY 1 EXPLORE OUR HERITAGE HEARTLAND The Oasis City of Al Ain, with its array of UNESCO World Heritage sites, offers insights to Abu Dhabi s rich cultural past. This charming city is within the shadows of Jebel Hafeet, a towering rocky height, home to significant fossil discoveries and over 500 ancient burial tombs dating back 5,000. Famed for working examples of the falaj the UAE s traditional irrigation system the Al Ain Oasis in the heart of the city, is filled with palm plantations, many of which are still working farms. Visit the Sheikh Zayed Palace Museum and see how the founder of the UAE lived, or the picturesque Al Jahili fort one of the UAE s most historic o the Al Qattara Arts Centre, the only arts centre in Al Ain, which is housed in an historic renovated fort on a site that dates to the Iron Age (1100 300Bc) in Al Ain s Qattara Oasis. 11 12
ITINERARY 2 YAS THAT S ENTERTAINMENT Experience the thrill of Yas Island our entertainment destination. Here you ll find the Yas Marina Circuit the world class motor sports race track which hosts the annual Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the stunning Yas Marina with its superb Yacht Club, the Yas Links Abu Dhabi Golf Course, and set on the island s tranquil southern shores, Yas Beach which is a great spot to relax and enjoy sun, sea, and sand. Use the complimentary round-island Yas Express shuttle service to reach Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the world s largest indoor theme park with more than 20 exhilarating and educational rides and attractions including the world s fastest roller-coaster the Formula Rossa. The award-winning Arabian-themed Yas Waterworld waterpark with its 43 rides, slides & attractions, including five that are oneof-a-kind is not to be missed, and has been named the World Travel Award s Middle East s Leading Attraction. Yas Waterworld Formula Rossa A combination ticket, the Yas Park Pass, which includes access to both Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Yas Waterworld is available. Journey time just 20 minutes each way! Yas Express +971 2 496 8110 yasisland.ae Ferrari World Abu Dhabi +971 2 496 8001 ferrariworldabudhabi.com Yas Waterworld +971 2 496 8236 yaswaterworld.com 13 14
relax and admire the most Arabian Gulf shoreline and islands onboard the Gulf s largest catamaran with Belevari Marine s three hour odyssey departing from the exclusive Emirates Palace Marina. Noukhada Kayaking Tours +971 2 650 3600 noukhada.ae Eastern Mangroves Hotel +971 2 656 1000 abu-dhabi.anantara.com Al Dhafra +971 2 444 9914 aldhafra.net Abu Dhbai Pearl Journey +971 2 641 9914 adpearljourney.com ITINERARY 3 AT ONE WITH THE SEA Enjoy the waters of the Arabian Gulf with an early morning Noukhada Kayaking Tour of the protected eastern mangrove forest that meanders along the city s coastline. Learn about the natural wildlife habitats from an experienced guide before enjoying a buffet breakfast brunch at the nearby Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara. Alternatively, get your camera ready for the early morning bustle of the Mina Zayed Fish Souk to capture the array of locally-caught fruits of the sea before calling for lunch at the Al Dhafra Tourist Village for an authentic Emirati dining experience. Sample a wide selection of the market s fresh fish and shellfish and try Jesheed a shark speciality garnished with turmeric. Later, take a break from the busy city and join the Abu Dhabi Pearl Journey for a two hour cruise to understand the enchanting history of the Arabian Gulf s ancient pearling industry you re guaranteed to find a pearl to take home as a souvenir. Then, Belevari Marine +971 2 643 1494 belevari.com Eastern Mangroves Hotel 15 16
GETTING AROUND Abu Dhabi has a well-planned road system and getting around Abu Dhabi is easy. Visitors will find all major car rental companies at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Taxis are reasonably priced and plentiful and can be picked up at the airport taxi rank, flagged down by the roadside or booked by phone through the TransAD hotline 600 535353. Emirates Palace WHERE TO EAT AND WHERE TO STAY Abu Dhabi has an extensive array of fine quality dining and accommodation options, easily searched via visitabudhabi.ae or through our dedicated Where to Eat and Where to Stay publications available from any visitor information centre and selected locations across the emirate. Saadiyat Beach Club Dinner Arabian Nights Restaurant FURTHER INFORMATION visitabudhabi.ae contains a wealth of additional information as does our extensive network of visitor information centres and electronic visitor information points at Abu Dhabi International Airport and across the emirate. 17 18