Abu Dhabi is the second most important city in the UAE, right behind Dubai, and is the political center of the country. In recent years the city has seen an amazing amount of development and now looks like something out of a sci-fi movie, far surpassing its humble origins. From the moment you set foot in Abu Dhabi, it’s clear that there is a lot of money in this place, but if you have ever wondered what the richest areas of Abu Dhabi are, we have a list for you:
Yas Island
Just north of the Abu Dhabi airport, you’ll find Yas island, which is one of the main tourist and leisure hotspots in the UAE. Here you’ll find Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, and Clymb Abu Dhabi. On top of that, there is a beach, a Formula 1 circuit, a golf course, a shopping mall, and an arena where sporting and music events are held. Overall, if you are planning on a fun activity in Abu Dhabi, it’s likely going to be on Yas Island. There are also some residential buildings and small neighborhoods, for those that want to be near the fun.
Al Zahiyah
Al Zahiyah is another one of the areas in Abu Dhabi that are popular with tourists and visitors to the city. Here you will find the Abu Dhabi Mall as well as many other shops, cafes, and hotels. The neighborhood has been nicknamed the ‘Tourist Club’ and is probably the area of town where you will find the most Western faces in Abu Dhabi. There are some nice resorts in the area and if you want a leisurely vacation by the pool, this is arguably the best spot for you. Beyond that Al Zahiyah is mainly made up of high rises and doesn’t have many landmarks that you might be interested in.
Al Rawdah
Al Rawdah is one of the most luxurious and coveted areas in all of Abu Dhabi, and it is home to the city’s most important landmark, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. On top of that, you will find many diplomatic missions in this area, which adds to its allure and means that many Westerners choose to reside in the neighborhood of Al Rawdah, if they can afford it, of course. There are mostly apartment buildings here, usually high rises, but there are also some villas to be found. Overall, the area is one of the most urban and resident-friendly in the UAE and many of the affluent locals and ex-pats choose to reside here.
