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Every time one sets their mind to travel to the United Arab Emirates, one is left with a question, which is between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Both are absolutely friendly, and there are numerous wonderful activities in both cities. The following guide will assist you in deciding that by comparing what each city has to offer, such as tourist destinations, culture and ambiance.
Do you know that Dubai was once nothing more than a small fishing village, but what is it now? There are high-rise buildings and magnificent architecture, and the rate of growth has always been impressive. On the one hand, Dubai is very much an up-to-date part of the world and fully suburbanized, having on the other all the trappings of traditional Arabia.
Now the Burj Khalifa has been established as the tallest structure in the whole wide world. That building stands 828 meters tall. There is a very fast elevator to the 148th floor, where one can have a magical view of the city, the desert and the ocean below.
Then is The Dubai Mall, situated right next to Burj Khalifa. There is way more than shopping or purchasing in it. This store chain boasts over a dozen outlets, an enclosed fish tank, a skating rink, and much more to do as well as many food outlets: you can spend hours there.
This island of Palm Jumeirah is artificially designed in the form of a palm tree. It has luxurious hotels and villas and Atlantis, Palm resort, which, of course, comes with an aquarium, a water park, and many restaurants.
Just as Dubai’s skyline is active, so is the city’s nightlife. Some of the sites in the city have some of the best views, and the night is alive with the noise of the clubbing scene. Some of them are White Dubai, Sky View Bar and Zero Gravity.
Dubai is one of the most advanced cities in the world while at the same time boasting a wealth of traditions. To explore the history of the city, there is Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, where there are narrow lanes with traditional architectural houses and museums.
For an Arabian conventional shopping spree, consider the souks in Dubai. The Gold Souk and Spice Souk, which are situated in the area of Deira, offer gold jewelry, spices, textiles, and other items that are considered local symbols.
The emirate of Dubai is known for luxury purchasing. The Mall of the Emirates accommodates Ski Dubai, and the very large Dubai Mall is ideal for luxury wear, IT gadgets, and movies.
There are exciting things that one can do in the desert surrounding Dubai. There are amazing options for off-road tours, for example, dune bashing, riding camels, and even having traditional Bedouin dinners under the stars.
That means Dubai has something to offer families as well. Dubai Parks and Resorts is an enormous leisure and entertainment center that includes Motiongate, Bollywood Parks, and Legoland for families with children.
Families can also pay visits to the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo and Water Parks; Wild Wadi & Aquaventure, which has water features and attractions such as water slides, a lazy river and a wealth of marine life to view.
Even though it is not as glamorous commercialized as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, the capital of UAE, has turned into the cultural capital. It is concerned with its history but with an eye to the future, too. For instance, Abu Dhabi is less commercialized than Dubai, and it is, therefore, relatively more original.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of those architectural masterpieces which dot the UAE’s skyline. It has white marble domes and elaborate carved work and contains the world’s biggest handmade carpet.
This is the first universal museum in the Arab World; it was established in 2017. It has a display of art and archeological finds by members of the public from all over the world housed in a dome-like structure.
Ferrari World will suit everyone looking for entertainment that is also somewhat dangerous. It includes flying and high-speed roller coasters together with attractions that are inspired by Ferrari, one of which is the Formula Rossa, the fastest in the world.
For the cultural experience, visit the Heritage Village, where you can view traditional arts and traditional way of life or take a dhow ride to get a view of the city from the waters.
‘Cultural tourism’ attractions include Qasr Al Hosn, the first stone building in Abu Dhabi, and the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, where you can learn about falconry, a significant aspect of the cultural heritage of the UAE.
The natural environment of Abu Dhabi provides a great opportunity to have a rest from the noisy city. It is possible to rent a kayak to go through the Eastern Mangroves or take a rest at Saadiyat Beach.
But that is not all; one can also get involved in desert activities in Abu Dhabi. Visiting Liwa is a spectacular opportunity to watch some of the more beautiful dunes that can be found all over the world on just a little part of the Rub, al-Khali or the Empty Quarter desert.
Similar to other concessionary countries, Abu Dhabi’s hotels have great capacities and elegant and professional services. The Emirates Palace is one of them; for instance, it has the design of a palace, is luxurious, and even has a private beach.
Yas Island is the entertainment hub of Abu Dhabi and is home to the Yas Waterworld Yas Marina Circuit and the Yas Mall, which has made the place very suitable for families.
This ultimate indoor park presents your favorite Warner Bros characters, with the park having Warner Bros-themed rides and eating areas, Batman, Superman, and Looney Tunes, among them.
Dubai, as a destination, is the balance between tradition and modernity, while Abu Dhabi is more oriented to history and traditions. But if you want to immerse yourself in the old-school Emirati culture, Abu Dhabi is the place to go.
Dubai’s skyline, shopping and entertainment cannot be compared to other destinations; modern attractions and nightlife are also top-notch in Dubai.
Dubai is perhaps the most popular city for shopping in UAE since shopping can range from the boutique type to the old souk type. Yes, Abu Dhabi has its malls, but shopping is comparatively more subdued than in Dubai.
The two cities have wonderful outdoors to explore, but natural Abu Dhabi, such as mangrove forests and low-traffic beaches, is much calmer.
Both cities have luxurious hotels; however, Dubai has over-the-top hotels with exclusive designs and the best services.
The Dubai public transport, particularly the Dubai Metro, affords easy movement around the city. It’s considerably more restricted in Abu Dhabi, but the city is not as densely populated, and driving is easier.
It is recommended that one visits both cities from November to March as the climatic conditions at the two cities are relatively cooler and, therefore, suitable for a number of activities.
Choose Dubai if you want a city that is very active and has a lot of things to do, iconic places and luxury shopping.
Select Abu Dhabi if you want less hype, natural landscapes that are pictured here, and a concentration on the culture.
It is for this reason that if one has time, they can plan to visit both cities since they are only 90 minutes drive apart. Thus, you have the chance to get the advantages of both worlds.
The two cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi can both be said to be offering an experience when it comes to tourism. Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi are cities that guarantee a fantastic holiday, whether it is in terms of the trendy modernity or the historic and traditional culture of the region. It depends on which kind of holiday you want: energetic and leisurely in Dubai or historical and natural in Abu Dhabi.
Q1. When is the best time to visit Dubai and Abu Dhabi?
The best time to visit is from November to March when the weather is cooler.
Q2. Is Dubai more expensive than Abu Dhabi?
Yes, Dubai is generally more expensive, especially for dining, shopping, and hotels. But both cities have options for different budgets.
Q3. How long should I stay in each city?
A 3-4 day stay in each city is ideal to see the main attractions.
Q4. Can I visit both cities in one trip?
Yes, the cities are only about 90 minutes apart by car, making it easy to visit both.
Q5. What cultural experiences should I not miss?
In Dubai, visit the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood. In Abu Dhabi, don’t miss the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
