Top 5 things to do

Desert safari

You’re in the Middle East, so it would seem rude not to get out and check out the desert. For a taste of everything, Arabian Nights Village is the place to go.

More than an hour into the desert outside Abu Dhabi, Arabian Nights Village is an oasis.

Featuring a swimming area, sand boarding, camel rides, dune bashing, henna tattoos, belly dancing and more, you won’t want to leave.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

The cultural heart of the United Arab Emirates, the Grand Mosque is the top tourist destination in Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan wanted to build a structure that would unite the Islamic world, and he succeeded.

The building features design and construction using materials from around the world, including New Zealand. Take a tour and be respectful by covering up beforehand.

Yas Island

There is something for everyone on Yas Island. From the world’s fastest roller coaster, the Formula Rossa at Ferrari World, to Yas Waterworld, Yas Beach and Yas Mall, the island can take days of your time.

A 25-minute drive from the Grand Mosque, it’s a cheap taxi fare away and is where you go to get an adrenaline rush. Make time, because once you’re here, you won’t want to leave.

Emirates Palace

Opened in 2005, the Emirates Palace took three years to build and cost just under $3.5b to complete. When you visit you’ll be surprised it wasn’t more.

Visit the palace and eat at any of the restaurants on site, and you’ll never want to leave. Try the Palace Cappuccino, your standard coffee but with a tablespoon of gold flakes on top.

Observation deck at 300

Abu Dhabi is spread out. It’s cheap getting from one place to another, but all the travelling can be overwhelming, dizzying, and you won’t know where you are.

Over a cup of tea and a slice or three, you circle the panoramic viewing platform 300m up and get an overview of the city and surrounding islands.