Plan your trip to Abu Dhabi!

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, offers a mix of cultural, architectural, and recreational attractions. Here are some things to do during your holiday in Abu Dhabi:

1. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: Visit one of the world’s largest mosques, renowned for its stunning architecture, intricate design, and cultural significance. Guided tours are available to learn about the mosque’s history and architecture.

2. Louvre Abu Dhabi: Explore this iconic museum, which showcases art and artifacts from various civilizations and cultures. The museum’s architecture, designed by Jean Nouvel, is a work of art itself.

3. Qasr Al Watan: Visit the Presidential Palace and learn about the country’s governance and heritage. The palace offers guided tours and impressive architecture.

4. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi: Experience the excitement of Ferrari-themed rides and attractions, including Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest roller coaster. It’s a paradise for car enthusiasts and thrill-seekers.

5. Yas Island: Enjoy a day of entertainment at Yas Island, home to Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and Yas Marina Circuit, where you can experience go-karting and watch motorsport events.

6. Corniche Beach: Relax on the pristine beaches of Abu Dhabi’s Corniche, offering beautiful views of the city’s skyline. You can enjoy picnics, water sports, or simply unwind by the sea.

7. Desert Safari: Embark on a desert safari adventure to experience the UAE’s unique desert landscape. Enjoy activities like dune bashing, camel riding, sandboarding, and traditional Arabic entertainment in a desert camp.

8. Mangrove Kayaking: Explore Abu Dhabi’s natural mangrove forests by kayaking through the waterways. It’s a great way to appreciate the local wildlife and unique ecosystem.

9. Emirates Palace: Admire the grandeur of this luxurious hotel, which is an architectural marvel. Even if you’re not staying there, you can visit the hotel’s public areas, dine in its restaurants, or enjoy afternoon tea.

10. Heritage Village: Discover Abu Dhabi’s heritage and traditions at the Heritage Village, an outdoor museum showcasing Bedouin tents, craftsmen demonstrating traditional skills, and exhibits about the emirate’s history.

11. Saadiyat Island: Explore Saadiyat Island, home to cultural institutions like Manarat Al Saadiyat and NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery. The island also features beautiful beaches and upscale resorts.

12. Al Ain Oasis: If you have the time, take a day trip to Al Ain, Abu Dhabi’s oasis city. Visit the Al Ain Oasis, Al Jahili Fort, and Al Ain Zoo to experience a more relaxed and traditional side of the UAE.

Remember to respect local customs and traditions while exploring Abu Dhabi, and enjoy your holiday in this fascinating city!

What currency will I need?

The official currency of Abu Dhabi, which is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is the United Arab Emirates dirham (AED). The dirham is abbreviated as AED and is further subdivided into 100 fils. It is the same currency used across all the emirates in the UAE, including Abu Dhabi.

The United Arab Emirates dirham (AED) comes in several denominations of both coins and banknotes. Here is an overview of the common denominations in dirhams:

Coins:
– Fils: There are coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 fils.

Banknotes:
– Dirhams: Banknotes are available in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 dirhams.

When traveling to the UAE, you will need to have dirhams to make purchases and transactions. It’s a good idea to exchange some currency before your trip. Most international credit and debit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shopping malls in the UAE as well. It’s always a good idea to have a mix of smaller denominations for everyday expenses and larger denominations for significant purchases or emergencies while traveling in the UAE. Most international credit and debit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shopping malls in the UAE as well. When traveling, it’s also essential to be aware of the current exchange rates and local pricing to manage your expenses effectively.

Should I use travel cash or a card?

According to Mintel, 90% of British travellers take some travel cash with them. It’s perfect for tips, taxis, street-side vendors and locations which do not have card machines (or where they are not working). It’s easy to budget with, and share with other members of your party. It’s also not prone to technical faults, does not require internet access, and you won’t be charged to use it.

Having a debit card is also a great idea as backup – just make sure you know what fees the card issuer charges to make payments in the foreign currency (better still, find one that makes no charges at all). Bigger purchases should be made on a travel-friendly UK-issued credit card to get that additional Section 75 protection (see https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/credit-and-purchases/how-youre-protected-when-you-pay-by-card). Make sure when paying by card that you ALWAYS pay in the foreign currency – do not let the card processor do the conversion to GBP as you will always get a worse rate. That applies even if the foreign currency is already loaded onto a prepaid multi-currency card – the card issuer will decide whether to settle from your foreign currency wallet or not.

Where can I buy currency?

You will typically get a better deal buying your travel cash here in the UK before you travel. Look for the highest possible foreign currency exchange rate to indicate the best deal. For example, a rate of AED4.3581 is better than AED4.2351 when buying United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED). Airports tend to offer the worst rates – especially if you have not pre-ordered – and you may find a bureau de change on your High Street, in a supermarket or department store, in many travel agents, and at major transport hubs.

You can also buy United Arab Emirates Dirham from Travel Money Club for next business day despatch to home via fully insured Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm. Unlike the competition, we don’t hide fees and charges in our exchange rates – you just pay a fair and transparent handling fee based on how much you are exchanging. Get an instant quote now at https://yourtmc.link/quote-aed.