Abu Dhabi Holidays

Abu Dhabi’s more like a half-sibling than an identical twin to Dubai. It’s grown just as quickly, with the head count jumping from 40,000 in the 1960s to 2.9 million today. Skyscrapers like the Capital Gate and the Etihad Towers are cut from a similar cloth to those in Dubai, and the Abu Dhabi Mall mimics its swanky shopping scene. But unlike Dubai, this place is loaded with authentic Emirati culture, so it’s easy to team modern sights with a dose of history.

Racing fans flock to the city’s Yas Marina Circuit for the roar of F1 cars, which burn rubber once a year in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, meanwhile, is a permanent fixture for adrenaline junkies – it’s home to the world’s fastest rollercoaster, Formula Rossa. For stylish surroundings, make tracks for the Corniche. This smart seaside boulevard’s framed by sandy beaches, shiny skyscrapers and the modern Marina Mall

The to-do list here is as long as your arm. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque tops most tourist agendas – this white marble structure’s the largest of its kind in the UAE, and attracts more than five million visitors each year. Elsewhere, the super-modern Louvre museum has loaned works by Matisse, Da Vinci and Van Gogh from its French namesake. And beyond the city limits, dune buggies race across the desert and traditional dhow boats soak up the coastal scenery.