Abu Dhabi is one of those cities that you have to visit at least once in your lifetime. To make the most of your time and get to know its culture and traditions, the best option to get around is to rent a car. By doing so, you have total freedom to go from one neighborhood to another without wasting any time. In this article we explain how to plan your driving route through Abu Dhabi and its most interesting neighborhoods.
Driving route through Abu Dhabi: Neighborhoods not to be missed
The capital of the United Arab Emirates is certainly not a small city. With over 970 square kilometers and a million inhabitants, some of the tourist attractions are near to one another, but this is not the norm.
Generally, the distances to be covered on a driving route through Abu Dhabi are too large to walk, in most cases. This is especially true if you want to visit the most important neighborhoods in the city, like those listed below.
Downtown
Downtown Abu Dhabi is one of the busiest neighborhoods, where many stores, hotels and shopping malls are found. In fact, this is where many of the city’s office buildings and companies are located, as well as some of the main hotels.
From downtown Abu Dhabi you can access Corniche beach and its promenade, about 5 miles along the coastline. Due to its prime location, the Abu Dhabi beach accessible from this area is one of the busiest.
Al Khalidiya
At the western end of Corniche beach lies the Al Khalidiya neighborhood, another of the city's most sought-after residential areas. Its proximity to the downtown area and the beach makes it quite a luxurious area, with its own shopping mall and a wide range of stores, restaurants, art galleries and exhibitions.
There are also more parks in this neighborhood than in others, although it should be noted that parks in Abu Dhabi are generally not very big.
Al Rawdah
At the opposite end we find Al Rawdah, a neighborhood that stands out, above all, because it is the site of the popular Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the most significant mosque not only in Abu Dhabi, but in the entire United Arab Emirates. In this neighborhood it is also easy to find international restaurants of all kinds, as well as different countries’ embassies. And, since it is not right in the center, there is not so much overcrowding.
Saadiyat Island
The literal translation of this enclave’s name is "island of happiness", and no wonder. Although it is not very large, it has important cultural attractions like the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Zayed National Museum and, soon, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. As well as the museums, this small island is home to a large golf course.
Another of the most interesting spots on this island is the beach, characterized by its white sand dunes. In fact, if you go to this beach, look carefully, because it is not uncommon to see hawksbill turtles there. The most curious thing is that this island was originally where the fishermen lived. In the mid-twentieth century it began to transform into an essential cultural center in Abu Dhabi.
Madinat Zayed
We move on to Madinat Zayed, the largest city in the Al Dhafra region. Although it is not a neighborhood in the city of Abu Dhabi as such, if you rent a car it is an interesting place to visit to spend the day. This way, you can also get a taste of what day-to-day life is like in a smaller city near Abu Dhabi.
Getting around Abu Dhabi's neighborhoods
In Abu Dhabi, like in most major cities, you can get around using public transport. However, the alternative most tourists choose is to rent a car in Abu Dhabi with OK Mobility. The quality-price ratio of car rental in this city is quite good, and having your own vehicle allows you to plan your route with greater freedom.
So, if you are thinking of traveling to Abu Dhabi soon, we suggest you rent a car at the airport. This way, you can make the most of your time in the capital, and focus on enjoying your trip!
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