What You Need To Know Before Visiting Abu Dhabi

So you are excited that you are through with renew my passport process and all is set for you to take your maiden trip to the Middle East, and not just anywhere in the Middle East, but the capital of the United Arabs Emirates. Indeed, a trip to the UAE should be exciting to many people and for a number of reasons. If you are from the west or Europe, then the all-year-round temperatures are something to look forward to.

The culture of the East is also diverse from what guys are used to in the West. This is not to mention the food, which is equally diverse and there is no better place to samples the cuisines of the region than in Abu Dhabi.

However, with so many huge disparities in terms of culture and beliefs, the experience in UAE can turn out to be a complete shock and most people often end up disappointed that they never experienced what they had hoped, simply because they heard so many things about Abu Dhabi, that they don’t know what is true and what is false.

In order to make the experience less threatening or less dramatic for you, here are some of the things you need to know before you visit Abu Dhabi-:

You don’t need to be a billionaire to visit or live in Abu Dhabi

It is a fact that Abu Dhabi is one of the world’s most expensive cities, but this does not imply that you must have a lot of money for you to have a good experience. Just as there are very expensive hotels, you will also find affordable options that will suit almost any kind of budget. The food is relatively affordable and available in a wide variety.

Both public and private transportation options are available and the transport system is very efficient. With the city being a major tourist hub in the region, there are a plethora of tour operators offering tailored packages fit for the budgets of most people. Therefore, the notion that you must be well oiled with money for you to visit Abu Dhabi, Dubai or any other city in the UAE is not true at all.

There is the true culture

To the stereotypes, Abu Dhabi has nothing to offer other than the tall skyscrapers and lots of shopping malls ideal for those going for shopping and business. This is far from the truth since behind those tall skyscrapers, there are real life and a very vibrant culture for that matter. If you look beyond the bling, you will find a rich heritage which brings together Arab, Islamic and Bedouin traditions all in one place. If you want to know more about the history of the region, there are lots of museums from where you can get very vital history lessons.

Abu Dhabi is not dry

If you were thinking you won’t have to drink until you get back to your country because alcohol is prohibited in UAE, then you are grossly wrong. Unfortunately, this is one of the misconceptions people have about UAE. Alcohol is available in plenty, but from licensed bars and restaurants, with very few exceptions. Most of the bars in Abu Dhabi have happy hours, and most will impose age restriction of 21 years, so be sure to carry your ID. There is also ladies night on Tuesdays when ladies are allowed to go and have fun with lots of free drinks.

Additionally, there are many establishments offering all you can eat and drink brunches, especially on Fridays. One thing you have to observe when you want to indulge in alcohol in Abu Dhabi is that there is no room for being disorderly. You can’t just get drunk and roam the streets shouting and saying all manner of profane words. That would be the fastest way of booking a night at an Abu Dhabi police cell. Therefore, know that there is alcohol, but drinking it comes with great responsibility.

It is a top spot for foodies

No matter what perception you have about food in the Middle East, one fact will never change – Abu Dhabi is a top spot for foodies. The city is multicultural, and this implies that there is a great variety of everything, fitting all kinds of budgets. Whether you need ethnic treats or the traditional Emirati cuisines, or you want to have a French fine dining experience at the heart of UAE, you will be literally spoilt for choices. Whether you desire to taste the street foods or you want to stick to the budget restaurants, the choices will always be for your pleasure. Therefore, if you are traveling to Abu Dhabi, prepare to eat and know that you will find the food in a wide variety.

Abu Dhabi is incredibly futuristic

It is true that the backbone of the city is black gold, but this is not to mean that it lacks diversity in terms of other economic drivers. The economy is heavily diversified into other sectors, including transportation, trade, tourism, and finance. Additionally, the government is keen on making the area a major manufacturing hub, plans are at advanced stages to come up with high tech companies for manufacturing flying drone taxis, self-driving cars, and 3D organ printing. Already there is a supersonic transport system being built to link Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and this alone is a clear indication of how just the region is forward-looking.

Weekends is Friday and Saturday

If you have gone through renew my passport procedure and you are interested in visiting Abu Dhabi for a weekend, with Saturday and Sunday in mind, then you have got is all wrong. In this part of the world, the weekend is on a Friday and Saturday. Being a predominantly Muslim country, the people gather on Friday for congregational prayers. On Fridays, the services will start at 10 am, and most will be closed for a few hours in the afternoon. If you desire to sample the party experience in the city, then the best days are on Thursday and Friday nights. During these days, the malls will also be packed till around midnight.