The United Arab Emirates is one of the top tourist destinations in Middle East Asia. The country offers everything from natural landscapes and architectural marvels to cultural and luxurious experiences. Among the seven emirates of UAE, Abu Dhabi and Dubai are the most popular. While Abu Dhabi is the national capital of the UAE, Dubai is its commercial capital. Dubai has always been a favorite holiday destination, although Abu Dhabi has also become popular among tourists, especially families, in the last decade or so. So, if you are planning a holiday in the UAE, the question: Abu Dhabi or Dubai – which is better for holiday would be constantly on mind. Let us find out the answer together.
Overview of Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Abu Dhabi
The capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi, is known for its cultural heritage. This emirate is dotted with mosques, ancient and modern palaces, heritage buildings, and museums. Still, it is not behind when it comes to leisure and entertainment. In fact, Abu Dhabi has an entire island (Yas Island) dedicated to theme and entertainment parks. Despite all this, a major focus of the emirate is on preservation and conservation of nature, which can be reflected in its numerous attractions and activities. As this emirate is recently developing its tourism industry, there are plenty of upcoming attractions in Abu Dhabi for tourists to look forward to in the future. Overall, Abu Dhabi is a city with a laidback attitude and slow-paced life.
Dubai
Dubai is quite the opposite of Abu Dhabi, when it comes to attitude and lifestyle. While both emirates are equally luxurious, Dubai is louder, crowded, faster, and more glamorous than Abu Dhabi. Dubai is a city that boasts the highest number of world records. Home to the tallest building (Burj Khalifa), biggest manmade island (Palm Jumeirah), biggest observation wheel (Al Ain), largest shopping mall (Dubai Mall), biggest natural flower garden (Dubai Miracle Garden) and more, Dubai is a sightseeing paradise. The city is also packed with adventurous and thrilling attractions, both in the form of theme parks and activities. What makes the city exciting is that there are always upcoming tourist attractions in Dubai.
Landmarks and Attractions
Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi are filled with architectural marvels. But while Abu Dhabi has more cultural attractions and landmarks, Dubai is known for its modern architectural wonders.
Abu Dhabi
Here are some of the most prominent landmarks and attractions you can see in Abu Dhabi.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
With the space to accommodate more than 40,000 worshippers at a time, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in the UAE and a regular part of most Abu Dhabi packages. Made entirely of white marble, the mosque is made of 80 domes, 4 high minarets, 1000 pillars, and 10 glimmering pools. The interior of the mosque is as beautiful and exquisite as the exterior. As you explore inside the mosque, you will get to see the world’s largest handmade carpet, large Swarovski crystal chandeliers, and intricate walls laden with gold and precious stones.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Another major cultural attraction of Abu Dhabi is Louvre Abu Dhabi. A counterpart of the world-famous Parisian Museum, Louvre Abu Dhabi is located on Saadiyat Island, the cultural island of the emirate. The museum is spread around an area of 9200 square meters and is filled with masterpieces from the ancient and modern world. While the permanent and temporary exhibits of the museum are fascinating, the architecture of the museum itself is quite interesting.
Qasr Al Watan
Qasr Al Watan is a place that holds both cultural and national significance. Also known as the Presidential Palace, Qasr Al Watan exudes luxury and opulence. The architecture of the palace proudly represents the Arabic heritage of the country, while each of its rooms preserves the history and cultural heritage of the UAE. If you visit the place at night, you can also enjoy a captivating light and sound show.
Yas Island
Yas Island is the place that shows that Abu Dhabi is not limited to its cultural attractions. The island has some of the best family-friendly attractions, right from theme parks to shopping malls. Yas Island’s Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros., and SeaWorld are some of the best places to visit in Abu Dhabi. Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Mall, Yas Bay Waterfront, and Yas Beach are also worth exploring.
Emirates Palace
A luxury five-star hotel, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, is an iconic landmark of Abu Dhabi. The massive palace has 114 domes, with the central one decorated with gold, crystals, and pearls. It also has expansive gardens, exquisite fountains, a private beach, gorgeous pools, a relaxing spa, numerous fine dining restaurants, and a private marina.
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Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital
If there is one unique attraction in Abu Dhabi, it has to be the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital. Established in 1999, this hospital is dedicated to the national bird of the UAE, the falcon. The hospital has air-conditioned treatment rooms and every operation theater, where the falcons are treated for all kinds of minor and major ailments. The hospital treats more than 11,000 falcons every year.
Dubai
Let us look at the most famous landmarks and attractions in Dubai, some of which are world record holders.
Burj Khalifa
The tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa is the pride and honor of not just Dubai but also of the UAE. Resembling a Hymenocallis flower, the tip of the Burj Khalifa can be viewed from anywhere in Dubai. Measuring 828 meters in height, the Burj Khalifa is made of 163 floors, comprising luxury hotels, fine dining restaurants, residential apartments, and corporate offices. It also has two observation decks, one being the world’s tallest observation deck. Visiting the observation deck will give you a panoramic view of the city. None of the Dubai holiday packages can be complete without this iconic attraction.
Dubai Mall
Right next to Burj Khalifa is Dubai Mall, an enormous shopping mall covering almost 1 million square feet. With 1200 plus retail stores, it is a shopper’s paradise. But Dubai Mall is also known for its entertainment and leisure activities. The mall is home to a massive food court, numerous restaurants, a multiplex, an aquarium and underwater zoo, indoor play areas and theme parks, and lots more. Outside the mall is the large Dubai Lake, where you can enjoy the famous Dubai Fountain Show.
Global Village Dubai
Global Village Dubai is the city’s major leisure and entertainment destination. A seasonal attraction that happens between October and April, Global Village celebrates the culture of 90 countries from all around the world. The place is divided into different pavilions that represent different countries. As you explore these pavilions, you will be able to enjoy the handicrafts, local products, food, and culture of the countries they represent.
Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah or the Palm Island is the largest manmade island in the world. Shaped like a palm with 16 fronds, the palm island is the epitome of luxury, innovation, and grandeur – everything that Dubai stands for. The island is filled with opulent villas, grand hotels, shopping malls, boutiques, restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, and more. The center of attraction here is Hotel Atlantis the Palm, which is its crowning glory.
Burj Al Arab
The Burj Al Arab requires a special mention here for two reasons. One for its special sail-shape and the other for being the only seven-star hotel in the world. The hotel is known for its plush interiors, grand suites, gourmet restaurants, and some unique rooms as well (one located underwater). Some other unique features of this hotel are its gold-plated decor, private helipad, underwater restaurant, and more. The hotel offers a guided tour for those who want to see its interior.
Desert Safari
You cannot talk about the attractions of Dubai without talking about its desert safari. Complete with adventure and entertainment, the desert safari in Dubai promises an evening (or morning) full of fun memories. The Dubai desert safari adventure activities include dune bashing, camel riding, sandboarding, and quad biking. Performers entertain you with Tanoura dancing and belly dancing performances. And the most important part is the BBQ dinner at the end of the safari.
Outdoors, Beaches, and Adventures
Both Abu Dhabi and Dubai offer numerous outdoor attractions, beaches, and adventurous activities.
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi has plenty of outdoor spaces, beaches, and adventurous activities. Here are the things you can enjoy in Abu Dhabi.
- Beaches: The most prominent beach in Abu Dhabi is Corniche Beach. Gentle and serene, it is the perfect place to enjoy a sunset in the evening along with some quality time with your family. Abu Dhabi Corniche is filled with restaurants, cafes, a walkway, cycling and jogging paths, and a play area as well. Yas Beach and Saadiyat Beach are some other popular beaches here. The best part about the beaches in Abu Dhabi is that they are not very crowded.
- Outdoors and Adventures: There is no dearth of outdoor spaces and adventures in Abu Dhabi. What makes Abu Dhabi special is that a lot of effort is put into preserving nature. One example of the same is the Mangrove National Park. You can explore the park either by taking a walk on the boardwalk or go on a kayaking tour. Exploring this national park is both peaceful and interesting, as you get to see a whole lot of fauna in the form of dolphins, herons, flamingos, and more. Another outdoor attraction that should be on your itinerary is the wildlife reserve on Sir Bani Yas Island. Here, you can go on a wildlife safari and get the chance to see animals like gazelles, Arabian oryx, giraffes, cheetahs, and more. While beach and water sports are available in Abu Dhabi, this emirate is more inclined towards breezy and laidback activities.
Dubai
Although Dubai is known for its architecture and constructions, there is no dearth of outdoor spaces and attractions here. And as for adventurous activities, Dubai is one of the top-most countries for the same, especially extreme adventures.
- Beaches: Dubai has some of the coolest beaches in the world, and the best part is that most of them are public beaches. Jumeirah Beach, JBR Beach, Sunset Beach, Kite Beach, Marina Beach, and Mamzar Beach are some of the best beaches here. A point to note here is that unlike the beaches in Abu Dhabi, the Dubai beaches can get quite crowded, especially during the winter months. Moreover, they are full of activities and offer an array of water sports, including parasailing, kite surfing, surfing, jet skiing, flyboarding, banana boat riding, and more.
- Outdoors and Adventures: Dubai is home to some of the most fantastic indoor attractions like an indoor ski resort, indoor aquarium, and even an indoor rainforest. Still, the city has plenty of outdoor areas, including Zabeel Park and Burj Park, where you can enjoy a picnic with your loved ones. But when it comes to adventurous or thrilling activities, no place can compete with Dubai. You can enjoy extreme sports like sky diving, scuba diving, ziplining, bungee jumping, hot air ballooning, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which city is best for shopping in the UAE?
When it comes to shopping, Dubai is clearly the winner. Dubai has a collection of shopping malls where you will get to see stores of almost all international and local brands. Moreover, Dubai also has traditional souks where you can shop for souvenirs and local products. Abu Dhabi also has many shopping malls, but the variety is more in Dubai. Also, Dubai hosts the extravagant Dubai Shopping Festival every year.
2. Which city has more affordable accommodation options?
Abu Dhabi is where you can enjoy luxury accommodation options without splurging too much. In short, luxury accommodation is available at affordable rates here. On the other hand, Dubai offers all kinds of accommodations, right from budget-friendly ones to ultra-luxurious ones. You can book one as per your budget.
3. Which city is better for families?
Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi are great family-friendly destinations.
4. Which city has a better nightlife?
Nightclubs, bars, and lounges are available in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. But the latter is more low-key, with people preferring Dubai for a happening nightlife.
5. Which city has better transportation?
Public transportation is available in both cities. Abu Dhabi has a more spread-out layout, and you will have to rely on taxis and rented cars more. In Dubai, you can use cabs, metros, and buses to move around the city.
Abu Dhabi vs. Dubai: The Verdict
Choosing Abu Dhabi or Dubai for your holiday will depend on your personality and preferences. If less crowd, laidback attitude, and cultural attractions are your preference, Abu Dhabi is the one for you. On the other hand, if you like glamor, chaos, buzz, and activity, you must go for Dubai. If you are still not able to make up your mind, you can also plan to visit both the emirates when you are in the UAE. With just two hours of drive between Abu Dhabi and Dubai and a great transportation system, visiting both Dubai and Abu Dhabi on a single vacation is not a far-fetched idea.
