Abu Dhabi accommodation from AU$125

The capital of the UAE and the seat of the country’s government, Abu Dhabi is also the biggest emirate, covering 972 square kilometres. It’s also extremely rich, thanks to the huge supplies of oil that the UAE discovered in the 1950s.

Things to do

You’ll be struck by the grandeur of Sheikh Zayed Mosque, one of the biggest mosques in the world. With 82 domes of various sizes, its white and gold exterior gleams in the sunshine and lights up at night like a magical palace. Inside is the world’s largest hand-rolled carpet, one of the biggest chandeliers you’re ever likely to see and a prayer hall that can fit thousands of people!

If theme parks are more your style, a day on Yas Island is what you need! There you’ll find Ferrari World, which has more than 20 rides and attractions inspired by the famous car brand, including the world’s fastest roller coaster: the Formula Rossa. On this ride, you strap yourself into a bright red car and take off at Grand Prix speeds! Visit Yas Waterworld, which is packed with rides and waterslides.

Yas Island isn’t just about theme parks either. Yas Marina Circuit has the longest straight of any Formula One (TM) track in the world today, and O1NE Yas Island is a huge, busy, pumping nightclub with the world’s biggest privately owned graffiti wall (as you can see, there are plenty of "world’s biggest’s" in the UAE).

Wot else can you do? Hit the beach, of course! Corniche Beach is a family-friendly place to take a dip or laze beneath an umbrella. If you’d rather stay dry, take a 4WD safari tour through the Abu Dhabi desert on a trip that includes camel rides and dune bashing.

Shopping and dining

There’s a lot of shopping in Abu Dhabi: browse traditional Middle Eastern carpets, pick up some silks and souvenirs at an Arabian souk (market) and check out air-conditioned shopping malls like Marina Mall, where tall indoor palm trees won’t let you forget you’re in the UAE. Dining in Abu Dhabi is delightfully multi-cultural and often upscale, with celebrity chefs for the big spenders, burgers and pizza for your fast food fix, and excellent Middle Easter food, including Lebanese, Persian and Armenian.

Getting here

Wot else do you need? How about one our flights to Abu Dhabi? Hire a car or get around Abu Dhabi in taxis on buses. Book your Abu Dhabi accommodation with us and save money for shopping and once in a lifetime experiences in Abu Dhabi.