Holidays in Abu Dhabi

Seamlessly combining the ultra-modern and the traditional with a big slice of adventure, Abu Dhabi is emerging from the shadow of its glamorous sibling, Dubai. The United Arab Emirates’ capital is less about extravagance and more about experience.

Abu Dhabi has its fair share of architectural marvels in opulent palaces and towering skyscrapers, the jewel being the marble minarets and domes of the astonishingly colossal Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. They happily sit side by side with authentic souks, while a dhow harbour harks back to the city’s past as a major pearling hub. You don’t even need to leave the city to find some quality beaches on your holiday to Abu Dhabi, with the coastal Cornice area offering them in abundance.

Atrractions like Ferrari World (the world’s largest indoor theme park) and Yas Waterworld are thrill-seeking options if you’re visiting on a luxury holiday, while the Louvre Museum is a new mecca for art lovers.

It’s not just all about city delights, with the epic dunes of the Empty Quarter serving up glimpses of traditional Bedouin culture. Abu Dhabi has one foot in the past and another in the future.

Abu Dhabi effortlessly combines blinding white beaches with the kind of stupendous architecture you'd only find in the United Arab Emirates. The places you can stay in Abu Dhabi mirror the city's characteristics, either set on a pristine sliver of sand, delivering first-class Arabian hospitality in a palatial setting or, most likely, both.

Abu Dhabi, and the United Arab Emirates in general, only really has two climates: hot and hotter. The city is treated to year-round sunshine and very little rainfall and whatever time of year you visit Abu Dhabi, sun cream and plenty of water is essential as the UV rays are particularly strong in the UAE.

November to March is the ‘coolest’ time of year to visit, with daytime temperatures fluctuating between the mid and high 20s (degrees Celsius), while the evenings can get as low as 13°C. It’s comfortable enough to walk around in during the day make the most of the outdoor attractions, while still easily warm enough to relax on the beach (or in a water park). November is a busy time in Abu Dhabi in terms of events, with the Grand Prix, the country’s national day and a film festival all usually taking place during this month.

From April through to October, the days in Abu Dhabi can get extremely hot. In April-May and September-October, temperatures rise without getting really ridiculous (in and around 35°C) and hotels offer better value for money. Visit the city between June and August and it’s like visiting a sauna, with the mercury regularly topping 40°C – even at night-time it only just dips below 30°C. The heat is intense, but air-conditioned hotels, malls and temperature-controlled pools offer welcome sanctuaries. So, the best time to visit Abu Dhabi depends on how hot you want your holiday!