Abu Dhabi, Dubai, has lots of architectural sights and cultural spots as well as sandy beaches and desert landscapes. All this makes Abu Dhabi an excellent destination for tourists. Getting around this city in a rental car is likely to be one of the easiest ways of looking at its wonders. In this article, we will walk you through the best places to visit in Abu Dhabi or drive to in your hired car, and outline why it is preferable to rent a car on your trip.
Why Exploring Abu Dhabi by Hire Car is Convenient
Abu Dhabi is quite large (67,340 km2), with all the attractions spread out around the city and suburbs and sometimes located really far from the best hotels. Public transport is available, but there are not many routes and schedules, especially if you want to explore the broader area beyond the city center.
Having a rental car provides the freedom of going where you want to go. With a hired car, you can visit any place in Abu Dhabi, see the dunes in the Abu Dhabi Desert, visit the Abu Dhabi Heritage Village, the water park, the leaning tower, or the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and observe things that would be difficult to observe otherwise.
It is generally convenient to drive around Abu Dhabi with your family, starting right from the Abu Dhabi International Airport. The city has well-planned roads and adequate parking space in conjunction with popular tourist attractions. Car hiring also gives one a feeling of comfort, which is great in the UAE’s heat and burning sunshine.
Top Attractions and Places to Visit in Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – the Landmark of Abu Dhabi
Some people book flights with Etihad Airways and visit Abu Dhabi for just one purpose – to see the magnificent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in the world. Its intricate white marble structure, beautifully crafted mosaics, and tall minarets make it a gem for Islam.
The mosque is open on a daily basis to the general public, and the car park is enormous and free and hence readily accessible at any hour of the day. For Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, go on the guided tour. You will learn a lot about the history of the mosque, and you will also get to spaces only allowed with a tour guide.
It is simple to drive around here, and the mosque is 20 minutes from the center of the city. Driving and coming by car enables you to linger around and enjoy in the large grounds of the mosque without having to consider using public transport.
Corniche Road and Beach – the Must Visit Place
The city of Abu Dhabi is also famous for Abu Dhabi Corniche – a scenic promenade bordered by views of the Arabian Gulf. Drive along Corniche Road and take advantage of viewing the skyline, make a stop at several parks, and visit any one of several beaches. Pull over and park at Corniche Beach or any one of several public parks and walk, cycle, enjoy the family-friendly activities, or sit back and absorb the seaside ambiance.
Corniche is clean and well-lit, with plenty of places to rest both during day and at night. It’s a great place to fill your water bottle, sit by the water, exercise, or play sports on the beach and have family fun. It’s a multifunctional space set against the skyscraper skyline that looks pretty at night – extending to the underpass tunnels which lead to the various parks.
Having your own or a rented vehicle here comes in useful since the Corniche is rather lengthy, and public transport may not go through all of its central points. And one can always top off a beach day by visiting neighboring malls or cafes.
Culture in Abu Dhabi: Louvre Abu Dhabi
One of the iconic landmarks of the city is the Louvre Abu Dhabi, a global museum of art and artifacts located on Saadiyat Island. With its big dome and beachfront location, the museum is a place that is visited by art lovers and architecture buffs who prefer desert life to the comfort of the cool museum halls.
Driving to the Louvre is not difficult. You have to go to Saadiyat Island, and there are enough parking spaces there. Besides the museum, you can go to other Saadiyat places of interest, such as the adjacent Saadiyat Beach or the soon-to-rise Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, with a rented car.
Qasr Al Watan (Presidential Palace)
Qasr Al Watan is a beautiful palace that provides an understanding of the history, administration, and UAE craftsmanship. The visitors are taken on guided tours of lavish interiors, walk palace gardens, and participate in cultural activities that are arranged in the center.
At Qasr Al Watan, you will get the best in the case of a guided tour. You will be able to go to places that only tour participants can go to. But even without the tour at QAW, there is so much to learn and see. There are literally rooms full of history and information.
QAW has a decent number of parking areas. Along the way, you may as well combine your visit with some other places, such as the Emirates Palace hotel or Heritage Village.
The Exciting Yas Island – Home to Ferrari World
The Abu Dhabi Yas Island is the city’s premier entertainment destination and amusement park, home to Ferrari World theme park with its rollercoaster and attractions, Yas Waterworld, Yas Marina Circuit (Formula 1 track), and Yas Mall. It’s a fantastic place for families and those whoo seek the thrill of new impressions.
By renting a car, you can easily get from one of the locations of Yas Island to the other without the need for shuttle or taxi rides. There are abundant free car park facilities for all of the places of significance, and you can spend two days or a day walking around.
Mangrove National Park – Best Place for a Family Getaway
Nature lovers have the privileged luxury of being able to observe the Abu Dhabi mangrove environment at Mangrove National Park. You can drive close to the park and rent a kayak or go on a guided boat tour into the mangroves.
Driving is the most convenient option here because the park is quite far away from city center locations, and not many public transport lines are available. You can drive early in the morning and enjoy a peaceful, quiet outing with your vehicle.
Al Ain Zoo
If you can spare an hour or two, drive 90 minutes into the desert to Al Ain, the “Garden City.” It has beautiful oases, old forts, and the Al Ain Zoo. You will be amazed when you see such a vast area of palm trees and lush green paths in the middle of the desert. It feels surreal, like a hidden world. Knowing that this entire system of date palms, shade, and falaj irrigation was created and maintained by generations of hardworking people really humbles visitors.
With a car on rent, the day trip is convenient and simple, with the possibility of visiting various places of your own choice.
Why Choose Octane Car Rental
When it comes to renting a car in Abu Dhabi, Octane Car Rental stands out for several reasons:
- Wide Range of Vehicles. Octane offers a diverse fleet of vehicles to suit every traveler’s needs, from economical compact cars perfect for city driving to luxury SUVs. The latter are ideal for desert excursions and family trips. Whatever your preference or budget, you’ll find a well-maintained vehicle that fits your plan.
- Easy Policies and Competitive Rates. Octane gives you competitive rates with no surprise fees. A simple pricing policy is designed to inform you precisely what you are paying for, and you receive the rental periods of your option and easy pick-up and drop-off places.
- Great Customer Service. Octane Car Rental offers friendly and professional service. Its staff is well trained to make rentals hassle-free for you. Octane staff are available round the clock to clarify something or arrange additional services so that your experience is smooth from start to finish.
- Convenient Locations. Octane has offices in every corner of Abu Dhabi – in the city center and even in the airport – so dropping off and collecting your car wherever you prefer is simple.
- Clean and Well-Maintained Cars. Octane cars are neat and well-serviced so you can enjoy a safe, efficient, and comfortable ride.
Things to Do in Abu Dhabi – Conclusion
Abu Dhabi is a city of contrasts and marvels, and experiencing it from a hired car provides the best vacation experience. From cultural icons and familiar tourist sites to the countryside and fun areas – with a rental car, you are able to go anywhere on your own schedule. With smooth highways and spacious parking lots, a hired car is the most convenient and comfortable mode of transportation in Abu Dhabi.
Octane Car Rental promises you well-maintained vehicles, excellent service, and great value for your money to make your stay at Abu Dhabi unforgettable. So book now and look forward to experiencing the best of Abu Dhabi!
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