The UAE offers two types of transit visas — one for 48 hours which is free of charge, and another for 96 hours for `946 only. These transit visas are only sponsored by the UAE-based airlines, and are not extendable.
That said, the city packs quite a punch in terms of heritage, culture, glamour and natural beauty. From historic architecture to pristine beaches and entertainment venues — Abu Dhabi has something for every kind of traveller.
Here are a few experiences to look forward to if you are on a short transit to the emirate:
Afternoon by Yas beach
Surrounded by thick mangroves, Yas beach is fast picking up as a key entertainment spot on Yas island. The beach is packed with restaurants and bars serving an extensive selection of Arabic and global cuisine. There are food kiosks for fresh pizzas, local food and healthy smoothies among others. If you are looking to enjoy some privacy, book a chalet on the beach that comes with a sofa, padded chairs, minibar, a safe and restroom with an
open shower.
Jet-sking (`4,846 for 30 minutes), Double kayaking (`1,609 for 30 minutes and flyboarding (`6,625 for 30 minutes) are some of the adventure activities available on the beach.
Shopping at Yas mall
After a relaxing afternoon by the beach, head to Yas Mall for some retail therapy. Spread over 2,30,000 sq m space, this shopping centre boasts 370 international brands and 68 F&B outlets to choose from. Aspinal of London, Claire’s, Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors and Mont Blanc have their shops set up here. In addition to being an ideal spot for shopping and dining, Yas Mall also houses entertainment venues such as Adventure HQ Vox Cinemas and Lego: Pop-in and Play. However, the highlight is that the mall offers direct access to Ferrari World.
A walk through the Corniche
Spend a quiet evening at the Corniche promenade, featuring an 8 km long waterfront which makes it popular amongst joggers, cyclists, and skaters. There are cafes and restaurants for families to share some quality time. Among the recent attractions at the Corniche is A’L Bahar, an 80,000 sqm mixed-use development consisting 48 dining, retail and leisure outlets.
Live like a local
Know more about an Emirati household and its culture by signing up for the Emirati House experience. Organised by Maitha Essa, a passionate tour guide, this is a 3.5-hour long experience which starts with a discussion on Emirati hospitality, followed by a scrumptious dinner. During the course of the experience, Essa will guide you through the basic etiquette and practices that one must follow in an Emirati household. For instance, refusing coffee can be considered offensive in an Emirati household, and once done, you signal it by shaking the cup from side to side.
A trip to Al Ain
An hour and a half drive from the city, Al Ain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a confluence of Abu Dhabi’s culture and history. Start your tour with a visit to the Al Ain Oasis — spread across 3,000-acres, the site has over 100 varieties of vegetation. Interactive virtual contents are exhibited at the Eco-Centre, highlighting conservation and traditional farming methods.
An eight-minute drive from the oasis, is the Al Ain Palace Museum which showcases the life and times of the late Sheikh Zayed and his family who resided in the palace prior to 1966.
Near the museum (a five-minute drive) is the Al Jahili Fort. On display is a permanent exhibition dedicated to Wilfred Thesiger, an explorer, travel writer and photographer.
Emirati lunch
Wind up your trip to Al Ain with a lavish Emirati lunch at Al Fanar Restaurant and Café. Located near Souq Al Zaafranah, the restaurant exudes a classic old-world charm. Samboosa (deep-fried pastry), shorbat harees (wheat and meat soup), machboos laham (meat cooked with yellow rice simmered in the meat stock with Arabic spices and dry lemon) are a few Emirati delicacies to savour at Al Fanar Restaurant and Café. Don’t forget to try out leqaimat — a sweet dish made of golden crisp-fried dough balls coated with date syrup. visitabudhabi.ae
