Travel in city Abu Dhabi

Made up of over 200 islands, the UAE’s capital is a vibrant city and boasts a whole variety of neighborhoods, each with its own personality.

We’re living in a leap year, which means one extra day to factor into upcoming vacation plans. With a little planning, you can put that day to use and still save money, thanks to a host of late winter and early spring sales now in full effect. Through President’s Day, leap day, and beyond, you’ll find last-minute flight deals, once-in-a-lifetime tour itineraries, and all sorts of sunny destinations to escape to while we wait out winter.

MGM Resort’s upcoming three-hotels-in-one mega-resort in Dubai will not have a casino, CEO and president Bill Hornbuckle has said. Still, he has high hopes for the project, now with a new budget in excess of $2.5 billion.

The cultural capital of the United Arab Emirates will engage the most restless minds with its iconic galleries and museums, including the Louvre and, from 2025, the Guggenheim. Architecture fans can wander streets of opulent, statement-making Islamic structures, including the country’s largest mosque, while those looking for adventure will find thrills in abundance at the world’s biggest man-made surfing wave, plus an entire theme park built for speed junkies.

The wealthiest Emirate, and capital of the UAE, is where the nation puts on its smartest face. More conservative than its glitzy partying neighbor, Dubai, Abu Dhabi’s ever-evolving landscape includes ultra-luxe hotels, modern mega architecture and deep-rooted tradition.

Often synonymous with glitz and glam, Abu Dhabi might seem like a destination tailored exclusively to upscale travelers. However, beneath its futuristic facade lies a treasure trove of free things to do, catering to even the most budget-conscious travelers.

With its rich cultural heritage, sublime landscapes, interesting museums, contemporary architecture, vibrant food scene and kind-hearted people, Abu Dhabi is a delight.

American Airlines has delayed its return to Israel until at least October. The carrier confirmed to Skift that operations to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended until October 26, 2024. 

The vast desert landscapes, quiet beaches, verdant oases, heritage sites, interesting museums and thrilling theme parks of Abu Dhabi appeal to travelers who are after a deeper cultural experience in the UAE. 

SeaWorld Entertainment Inc., the parent company of theme park brands SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, is changing its name to United Parks & Resorts Inc.

Though there is a long way to go, Qatar Duty Free (QDF) is catching up with regional rival Dubai Duty Free after a record-breaking calendar year in 2023. The Doha-based retailer said sales turnover “reached an all-time high” jumping by 32% on the prior year and 61% up on pre-pandemic 2019.

Our experts answer readers' credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess credit cards). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.

UnionPay, one of the world’s largest payment brands, is embracing a new chapter of development after its global acceptance scope spanned 183 countries and regions and issuance outside the Chinese mainland surpassed 230 million cards recently. Thanks to its 20 years of internationalization efforts, it can contribute more “Chinese solutions” to the global payment industry.

United Arab Emirates-based Silkhaus, a tech-based short-term rental platform, has announced raising a “multi-million” pre-series A financing from San Francisco headquartered-Partners for Growth.

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) reports its best year for tourism ever, welcoming a record 1.22 million overnight arrivals to the nature Emirate in 2023, up 8% on 2022 numbers and bolstered by a significant 24% year-on-year pick-up in international visitors. The robust performance is underscored by RAKTDA’s strategic growth plans. From investment in tourism infrastructure, targeted initiatives to drive more visitors to the emirate, to developing an ecosystem rooted in sustainability, Ras Al Khaimah continues to reinforce its position as a destination of the future. Its key 2023 achievements include:

I last checked in at the half-year, highlighting the few brands, ideas, and services that deserved a hat tip for their executions. There were a lot of exciting ideas: At that point, we’d gone from the precariousness of a global pandemic into a full-throttle, growth sprint for luxury. Interest in high-end experiences continued to surge, along with eye-watering room rates.  

Five hotels under Dubai’s home-grown company Emaar Hospitality have been rebranded in one swoop this week. Properties in prestige locations such as The Dubai Mall (the world’s biggest mall) and Dubai Marina have been rebranded as Kempinski and Marriott respectively. Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH) owns the properties and says the move to strip Emaar branding was a “strategic business decision.”

Kempinski The Boulevard Dubai and Kempinski Central Avenue Dubai reaffirm the company’s position as one of the leading luxury hotel brands in the UAE.

Airport livery service, on demand rides, and special event luxury car service is now expanding across the US and the United Arab Emirates.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), Miral, the leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences in Abu Dhabi, and teamLab have announced the completion of 70 percent of the overall development of teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi. Spanning 17,000 sqm of gross floor area (GFA), the mega-project is making steady progress towards its development, with its reinforced concrete structure fully complete, further to the construction of the artwork spaces.

The record-breaking passenger was Tajikistan resident Mr. Dilshod Rakhimov, who flew to Abu Dhabi on Wizz Air flight 5W7164.