Dubai: Ditching The Cliches
31 March 2018
The fast-moving, modern metropolis of Abu Dhabi might be best known for its lavish luxury, but there’s plenty of ways to enjoy the city without burning a hole in your pocket:
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a cultural landmark that is a vision of splendor and majesty. The mosque’s beautiful white exterior contrasted against the stunning blue sky makes for a breathtaking photo background. Just make sure to dress modestly since it’s a religious place of worship! The mosque is free to enter, and is open from 9am-10pm between Saturday and Thursday, and 4:30pm-10pm on Friday.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is located between Maqta, Mussafah and Shaikh Zayed bridges, and is an hour’s drive from Citymax Hotel Al Barsha at the Mall.
Extending for nearly the entire width of Abu Dhabi Island, the famous 8-km-long corniche includes a promenade-style walkway and cycle track with beautiful gardens on one side and the tower-studded skyline on the other. Access to the walkways, cycle path and public beach is absolutely free! There is also a sectioned-off family beach park, which includes some more facilities including shaded play areas for kids for a minimal charge of Dh10. Why not try exploring the corniche on two wheels? The ADCB Bikeshare scheme (bikeshare.ae) has bike stations all over the city and costs just Dh20 for a day’s access.
The Abu Dhabi Corniche Beach is 1 hour 10 mins drive from Citymax Hotel Al Barsha at the Mall.
Camel racing is a traditional sport of the UAE which originally took place to mark special occasions and festivals. However, at Al Wathba Camel Race Track, you can find competitors getting ready to race any time between October to March. Watching a camel race is a spectacular experience, and luckily for us, entrance to the racetrack is free! Winning a camel race can earn a big prize for the champion, which makes the race even more exciting.
The Al Wathba Camel Race Track is 1 hour 10 mins drive from Citymax Hotel Al Barsha at the Mall.
The UAE’s natural beauty will leave you speechless as you drive, cycle or walk up the UAE’s second highest peak. Jebel Hafeet overlooks the Oman border and the beautiful Al Ain area in Abu Dhabi. Jebel Hafeet is free to enter and you can head up there anytime you want.
Jebel Hafeet is a 2 hour drive from Citymax Hotel Al Barsha at the Mall.
Automobile enthusiasts MUST head to Al Ain’s Classic Car Museum! Check out rare cars and meet like-minded people from the Classic Car Club which manages the venue.
The Classic Car Museum is located in Al Faida Complex in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, and is 1 hour and 45 minute drive from Citymax Hotel Al Barsha at the Mall.
Masdar was initiated in 2008 and is Abu Dhabi’s vision of a city of the future. Masdar is developing a greenprint for how cities can reduce energy, water and waste. Masdar combines olden Arabic architectural techniques with new technology, and is built around an Arabic wind tunnel which provides a cool breeze, making it comfortable to stroll around the city even during the summer.
Masdar also utilizes solar power, using clean energy created onsite from rooftop solar installations. Cars are banned within the city and guests can leave their vehicle in the car park and board an electric pod that will take them to the heart of the city. Masdar City is open to the public with free admission, and you can wander the streets and marvel at the intricate architecture or relax at a restaurant or organic cafe.
Masdar City is located close to Abu Dhabi International Airport, and is just an hour’s drive away from Citymax Hotel Al Barsha at the Mall.
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