Abu Dhabi Holidays
Overview
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A beautiful garden city with an island setting and lush parkland, Abu Dhabi is an unlikely capital, but as the corporate heart of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi hotels offer luxury as standard and fabulous dining. With upmarket shopping and a rich cultural legacy, Abu Dhabi holidays make for a great alternative to her sister city, Dubai.
Abu Dhabi Highlights
Beaches: Dip your toes in the warm inviting waters of the Gulf Coast. It is the perfect place to relax. Your luxury hotel may have its own beachfront location or there are many public areas for you to take a dip.
Souks, shopping & gold: Take a journey into the past and wander through the souks of Abu Dhabi, selling spices, crafts and most famously known for gold. Haggle your way to a bargain, and spend the rest of your day in stark contrasts of the sparkling brand new, malls of the city with all well known designer brands.
Desert adventure: Dune bashing as it is commonly known is a 'must do' activity in the United Arab Emirates. Despite being the commercial capital you can easily leave the city to a sight of desert landscape. Take a seat in a 4x4 Jeep and experience a thrilling ride up and over the sand dunes. Let the adrenalin subside and gaze at the stars whilst enjoying your desert barbecue and an evening show.
Dining: Abu Dhabi has certainly advanced in five star cuisine and if its on your hotels door step, within the city centre or further out towards the desert, some fabulous international cuisine can be found across Abu Dhabi. Why not visit the Corniche - Abu Dhabi's waterfront that extends for miles, with some great entertainment and beautiful backdrop for a perfect dining experience.
Abu Dhabi Factfile
When to go
Temperature Range: 23°C - 41°C
Most popular: October - April
Best value: January, June, July, August, September, December
Best weather: October - April
Travel Information
Direct flights: Etihad
Indirect flights: Emirates, British Airways, Qatar Airways
Visa information: None for British citizens
Health information: No specific vaccinations required
Time Difference: GMT +4 hours
When To Go
Best Value
To avoid the highest prices of November to April, stick to the summer months. There will be fewer crowds and you could get that same stunning scenery for a bargain price. Although these are the hottest months, the endless indoor and outdoor activities will keep you entertained. Hotel prices are considerably cheaper between June-August.
Best Time to Go
If you are looking for sunny days on the beach and comfortable temperatures head to Abu Dhabi between November and April, the heat will not be too intense. Should you take a evening dune safari, prepare for the temperature to drop slightly. Mid April and Abu Dhabi's summer commences, through to October, temperatures are high but there is always the perfect spot to drink a cocktail, visit the shopping malls or enjoy some world class cuisine.
Most Popular
Most people choose to visit Abu Dhabi between October to April. You can take full advantage of the outdoors with slightly cooler temperatures and plenty of activities available such as dune safari's and city tours, you don't have to hop from one shady spot to another.
Hottest
Temperatures rarely drop below 20°C. The hottest months are June to September. Temperatures can reach up to 40°C.
Climate
Abu Dhabi has blue skies and sunshine year round. Rainfall is irregular, but usually occurs between December and March and is the high season where temperatures average at a comfortable 25°C. In the summer months, June-September, the low season, can see temperatures soar to over 40°C and the humidity can levels are very high.
Abu Dhabi Travel Information
Flight information
There are a number of carriers offering flights to Abu Dhabi from the UK.
Direct Carriers: Etihad offer direct services to Abu Dhabi from the UK.
Indirect Carriers: Qatar Airways, British Airways and Emirates all offer services via another airport in the Middle East.
Departure Taxes: There are no relevant departure taxes in Abu Dhabi.
Visa information
British Citizens are not required to have a visa to enter Abu Dhabi but will be given a 30 day visa on arrival free of charge. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in Abu Dhabi. Please contact the United Arab Emirates Embassy for up to date country and visa information on 020 7581 1281.
How to obtain a visa
If you need a travel visa for your upcoming trip, Hayes & Jarvis are pleased to offer our customers the expertise and experience of CIBT, the Global Visa and Passport Professionals. CIBT UK Ltd specialises in fast, dependable visa application services. Don't wait until the last minute, for an application form and discounted pricing. Call 0844 800 4650 or visit www.uk.cibt.com/hayesandjarvis
