Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Middle East: Round-the-World Travel Destinations

Budget Scale: 1-5

1-least expensive; 5-most expensive
3.5- Abu Dhabi is still cheaper than Dubai, but it many not be that way for long. Travelers can get by cheaply on things like food and even entertainment, but budget accommodation options are harder to find.

Indie Travel Scale: 1-5

1-not a good Indie Travel destination; 5-a great Indie Travel destination
2.5- Abu Dhabi is certainly a foreign place to westerners, but you can also easily find McDonald’s and Hardee’s on street corners around the city. It’s not the most indie of places to travel in, but you can still have some cool experiences.

Indie Travel Tips
Follow these tips to have an indie travel experience in Abu Dhabi.

Many of the sites in Abu Dhabi are actually free, so check these places out:
- Sheikh Zayed Mosque
- Corniche waterfront
There’s also plenty of green space in Abu Dhabi.
- Khalifa Park has its own aquarium, parks, gardens, and museum.
Check out the Abu Dhabi Cultural Center for events and workshops.
Go swimming at one of the many private beaches that hotels offer travelers. You can pay for a day pass even if you’re not staying there.

Why you should add Abu Dhabi to your RTW travel list

Get dusty watching the UAE Desert Challenge road rally
Wander in any of almost 20 green parks of a city in the desert
Tour Al-Hosn Palace, the oldest building in town
Pick up something fresh for dinner at Abu Dhabi’s fish market and dhow wharf
A chance to see some bona fide oil sheiks
Take a bus to Al-Ain for the camel races

Why you should not add Abu Dhabi to your RTW travel list

Accommodations are expensive.
It can be difficult to get around.

Are you heading to Abu Dhabi? What do you need to do?

Back to RTW Travel Destinations
Africa
Asia
New Zealand, Australasia, South Pacific
Central America
Europe
Middle East
North America
South America
Photo credit: 1