Abu Dhabi - "Little New York", "Manhattan of the Middle East", "Garden City". The turbulent life of a modern metropolis is combined here with Eastern traditions. This is the greenest city in the UAE, in Abu Dhabi you can lie on the grass in the park, smoke a hookah on the waterfront and just bask in the sun.

How to get to Abu Dhabi

From Sheremetyevo-2 Regular flights are made to Abu Dhabi International Airport (tel: 575 7611). The duration of the flight is 5 hours. Abu Dhabi International Airport is located on the mainland, 30 km from the center. From the airport to the city center you can get:

• by taxi. It will cost from 60 to 70 DHS. For 65-75 DHS you can get to the city by taxi Al Ghazal or Golden Class (575 7466). On the way, you will spend about 40 minutes
• every 30-45 minutes in Abu Dhabi there is a bus (901 route), which can take you to the city for only 3 DHS.
• If you fly Etihad to Abu Dhabi, Dhabi or Dubai can be reached by a free shuttle bus that runs on schedule. He departs from the main bus station, which is located in front of the airport, next to the car rental office.

The main bus station and the intercity taxi stand is in the south of the city, at the intersection of East Rd and Haza'a bin Zayed streets. From there buses go to Dubai (15 DHS, on the way 2, 5 hours), Al Ain (from 6:30 to 22:00, departures every 10 minutes, fare 10 DHS, en route 2 hours), Liv (departure times per hour, on the way 3, 5 hours, fare 15 DHS.)

The best and fastest way to get to Dubai is by bus Emirates Express (tel: 800 4848), which depart every 20-40 minutes from 6: 20 to 23:40, 24 buses per day, fare 15 DHS, on the way 2 hours

Transport

Better all around the city by taxi, as the network is transport is poorly developed here. As a rule, taxis are not equipped with air conditioning, they also lack seat belts. As for tariffs, you are unlikely to pay for a taxi more than 10 DHS.

Buses run around the city, but their routes are not intended for tourists, but for local residents, stops are located next to schools, hospitals, etc.

If you have an international driving license, you can rent a car. To do this, you will also need a passport or a copy of it. There are a lot of rental companies in the city - both large international and small local ones. It's better to rent a car in a European company, there is an optimal price-quality ratio, as well as a 24-hour service. For example, in Avis (phone: 575 7180), Budget (phone: 633 4200), Europcar (tel: 626 1441) or Thrifty (tel .: 575 7400).

Money

There are many banks in the city equipped with ATM machines, where you can withdraw money. Most of all ATMs are on the streets of Sheikh Hamdan and Sheikh Khalifa, they are also in all shopping centers and in many five-star hotels. Exchange offices are located in the streets of Sheikh Hamdan and Liwa.

Climate of Abu Dhabi

Average monthly temperature, ° C

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

sen

Oct

but I

Dec

in the afternoon

+23

+24

+28

+33

+38

+39

+42

+41

+40

+35

+30

+25

at night

+11

+13

+15

+19

+22

+24

+27

+28

+25

+21

+17

+14

water

+19

+18

+23

+27

+27

+27

+29

+32

+27

+27

+25

+24

In Abu Dhabi, a subtropical climate. In summer there is very high humidity, and the temperature is in the region of +40 ° C, although because of the abundance of plants in this city is slightly cooler than in neighboring regions. It's best to come to Abu Dhabi from October to May, when it's only about +30 ° C, and the water temperature is + 20-25 ° C. Precipitation is very small, most of it falls in the winter.

See also the current weather forecast in Abu Dhabi for the next few days.

Hotels

Abu Dhabi is dominated by 4 * hotels. Five- and three-star hotels are approximately the same number, but there are fewer than four-fours. Even rarer are "kopecks" and "odnushki" - these hotels are located mainly in the business part of the city and are considered urban. By the way, "five-star" in Abu Dhabi is both urban and beach.

Shopping

In Abu Dhabi, a huge number of shops and shopping centers, where you can buy clothes and shoes of famous brands, cosmetics, products for children and in general everything that your heart desires. The Central market has about 400 stores. From here, no one will leave empty-handed.

As souvenirs you can buy Arab coffee pots, daggers, different boxes and chests with spices. All this can be found on the street of An-Nasr. Various decorations are sold in the State Center of Women's Craft, here you can see how these decorations are made. In Abu Dhabi you will pick up good spirits, here you will sell fabulous fabrics, you should buy jewelery - there is a small gold market on the northern embankment.

On the Green Market you can buy fresh vegetables, fruits, meat and fish. It is worth to visit the carpet market and camel market.

Kitchen and restaurants

Here you will find restaurants of Italian, Chinese, Mexican, Indian and even Russian cuisine. The most popular restaurants of Abu Dhabi are Al Safina, Al Sofon and Al Dhafra. Asian dishes can be enjoyed at the Shamyat Restaurant.

Entertainment, excursions and attractions of Abu Dhabi

The ten-kilometer embankment of the city of Corniche Road, turned into the largest park zone in the Middle East, where the most part of the 90 fountains of the capital is wasted.

The oldest building in the city is Al Husn Palace, it is also called "Old Fort" or "White Fort". It is used as an archive of historical documents under the Cultural Foundation. Almost anywhere in the city you will find a mosque. The most famous of them is Sheikh Zayed Mosque. Pay attention to the palace of Sheikh Al-Jaraf.

Those who want to penetrate the culture of the East can visit the village of Heritage Village and get acquainted with the life, traditions and way of life of local residents. On weekends and holidays there is also a demonstration of folk songs and dances. The entrance is free.

It is worth to visit and the neighboring islands of Abu Dhabi: Futeysi, Sir-Bani-Yas and Umm al-Har. At Foutaisi there is a water sports center. You can see the ancient stone tombs on Umm al-Har, and on Sir-Bani-Yas there is a reserve in which rare species of animals live.

Fans of outdoor activities like a jeep safari in the desert. Those who are not friends with cars can saddle a camel and walk along the dunes. At night, the metropolis also does not sleep. There are night clubs and discos in Abu Dhabi.

Excursions

Diversify your holiday with exciting excursions. Whatever you choose, whether it's kart racing or motorcycle racing, parachute jumping, mountain safari, a trip to the coral island, during which you can swim with scuba, deep sea fishing in the open sea or visiting the Moroccan bath - a lot of positive emotions are guaranteed. There is also a sightseeing bus tour around the city. Photo of the City of Abu Dhabi (14)