< Previous10 Dec 2023 – Jan 2024 timeoutabudhabi.com Noughties legends BOOM BOOM POW Black Eyed Peas at MOTN The trio will be hitting the stage at Mother of the Nation on Wednesday December 13, and tickets are on sale now. Other artists set to perform include Nancy Ajram and DJ Aseel. O Dhs245 (silver), Dhs345 (gold), Dhs545 (fan pit). Wed Dec 13. Mother of the Nation, Abu Dhabi Corniche, ticketmaster.ae. IN DA CLUB 50 Cent at the World Tennis League The opening act of the World Tennis League, the American rapper is due to perform on Thursday December 21. Akon and Ne-Yo will also perform on Friday December 22. O Dhs225 (category 4), Dhs275 (category 3), Dhs375 (category 2). Thu Oct 21. Etihad Arena, Yas Island, etihadarena.ae / abu-dhabi.platinumlist.net. Test of grit The Spartan World Championships will return to Abu Dhabi for the third time between Friday December 8 and Sunday December 10. Held in Al Wathba, there will be an elite competition for professional athletes as well as competitions for the (slightly above) average Joe. O From Dhs275 (5K sprint, 20 obstacles), Dhs95 (kids race). Fri Dec 8-Sun Dec 10. Al Wathba, race.spartan.com. CAPITAL DEBUT First SailGP to be held in the capital this January The event, held on Saturday January 13 and Sunday January 14, will feature hydrofoiling F50 catamarans, capable of Áying above the water at speeds of nearly 100 km/h. The weekend will see 10 national teams competing for points across Àve races in two days, before a Ànal showdown between the top three teams. You can book tickets to catch all the action now via SailGP.com. O From Dhs145. Sat Jan 13-Sun Jan 14. Mina Zayed, SailGP.com. BLAST OFF eSports tournament to return to Abu Dhabi BLAST Premier World Final 2023 will return to Abu Dhabi this December. The huge esports tournament, which has a US$1 million prize pool, will see eight of the world’s best Counter-Strike teams compete to become world champions at Etihad Arena on Saturday December 16 and Sunday December 17. O From Dhs160. Sat Dec 16-Sun Dec 17. Etihad Arena, Yas Island, ticketmaster.ae / etihadarena.ae. Al Hosn Festival Held annually in January, Al Hosn Festival is one of the best ways to learn about Emirati culture. Head to the outdoor space beside Qasr Al Hosn between Friday January 19 and Sunday January 28 and you’ll be able to discover more about the Emirati way of life, from the dress and customs to crafts and performances. Plus, there will also be daily airshows from Fursan Al Emarat, and you’ll be able to try local food and coffee. O Tickets TBC. Fri Jan 19-Sun Jan 28. Qasr Al Hosn, alhosnfestival.ae.The world’s most exciting racing on water, SailGP, is making its debut in Abu Dhabi in January, and we can’t wait to check it out. The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council will be held on Saturday January 13 and Sunday January 14 in Mina Zayed. While it’s the Àrst time the family-friendly event will be hosted in the capital, previous weekends held in Dubai have been sell outs, so we recommend securing your tickets fast. Wondering why SailGP is so popular? Well, this is grand prix racing like you’ve never seen before. National teams compete in short, adrenaline-fueled competitions taking place SailGP heads to Abu Dhabi for the first time Book front-row seats for the family-friendly event now at iconic stadium venues worldwide, with top athletes Áying identical, high-tech F50 boats at speeds approaching 100 km/h. With action this exciting, you’ll be on the edge of the seat. Speaking of seats, tickets for the upcoming event are on sale now, with a number of options available. For those who want to be as close to the race as possible, reserve your seat at the Waterfront Grandstand. You’ll have a prime seat for catching the action, with large screens featuring expert commentary, and a variety of food and beverages available to buy. And if you opt for Premier Waterfront Grandstand, you’ll enjoy upgraded seating as well as complimentary drinks and snacks throughout the race. Got your own boat? You can purchase access to anchor just 50 m away from all the action, making your top deck the best seat in the house. For a behind-the-scenes look at SailGP, you should deÀnitely be booking in for a Team Base Tour. You’ll get the chance to wander around the pit lane garages and see the cutting-edge, wing-sailed boats up close ahead of the competition (and maybe even see a few of SailGP’s athletes, too). So, what are you waiting for? Book your tickets now over on SailGP.com/AbuDhabi, with prices starting from Dhs145. O From Dhs145. Sat Jan 13-Sun Jan 14. Mina Zayed, SailGP.com/AbuDhabi. Partner Feature12 Dec 2023 – Jan 2024 timeoutabudhabi.com Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort HEAD: The perfect itinerary SUBHEAD: Need to be a tour guide this w FEATURE NAME: Abu Dhabi itinerary THE PERFECT ITINERAR Y Need to be a tour guide this wint er? Here’s where to tak e your visit ors, no matt er their int erests Ferrari WorldABU DHABI ITINERARY timeoutabudhabi.com Dec 2023 – Jan 2024 13 winter? Here’s where to take your visitors, no matter their interests Winter is in full swing in Abu Dhabi, and that means two things: amazing weather, and an inÁux of visitors. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve been in the city Àve minutes or Àve years, friends from abroad will automatically assume you know everything about Abu Dhabi, and all the places to go. And maybe you do – or maybe you want to fake it ‘till you make it, which is where we come in (because we really do know *almost* everything about the city). Whether you just want to stick to the main attractions, or want to go a little off the beaten path, we’ve rounded up touristy stuff even locals will love just for you. So, without further ado, here’s where to go when you want to… TICK OFF THE MAIN SIGHTS ADMIRE THE CITY FROM ABOVE AT OBSERVATION DECK AT 300 If it’s your visitors’ Àrst time in Abu Dhabi, what better way to help them get their bearings than to pay a visit to the highest vantage point in the capital? Observation Deck at 300 on the 74th Áoor of the Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers offers views of Emirates Palace, Qasr Al Watan, and the city skyline, as well as the Arabian Gulf. O Dhs35 (entry only) or Dhs55 (minimum spend). Open daily noon-8pm. Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, Corniche Road West (02 811 5666). BRAVE THE WORLD’S FASTEST ROLLERCOASTER AT FERRARI WORLD ABU DHABI When it comes to attractions in Abu Dhabi, things have to be the biggest, the widest, the tallest… you get the picture. And at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, you’ll Ànd the world’s fastest rollercoaster, the Formula Rossa. Strap in and put your goggles on before accelerating from 0 to 240 km/h in just 4.9 seconds. You’ll YABU DHABI ITINERARY 14 Dec 2023 – Jan 2024 timeoutabudhabi.com need to do it twice (although with the amount of visitors coming, we imagine you’ll do this a dozen times over the next few months), because you’ll barely know what’s happened to you the Àrst time. O Dhs325 (adult day pass), Dhs250 (junior day pass), Dhs995 (silver Yas annual pass). Opening hours vary. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Island, ferrariworldabudhabi.com (600 511 115). EXPLORE THE LOUVRE ABU DHABI The Louvre Abu Dhabi perhaps needs no introduction. Instantly recognisable thanks to its iconic dome (which is best viewed at night), the artworks inside are just as notable. Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh and Piet Mondrian and are just some of the names who have works on show as part of the permanent collection, and temporary exhibitions such as Stories of Paper, which included Katsushika Hokusai’s Kanagawa-oki Nami Ura (The Great Wave off Kanagawa), and Rembrandt, Vermeer & the Dutch Golden Age, have previously wowed visitors. Right now, you can head there for Cartier, Islamic Inspiration and Modern Design, which explores the inÁuences of the Islamic arts on the famed jeweller’s designs, from the beginning of the 20th century to the present day. O Dhs63 (adults), free (under 18s, UAE residents over 60). Open Tue-Sun 10am-6.30pm. Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, louvreabudhabi.ae (600 565566). GET SNAP HAPPY AT EMIRATES PALACE MANDARIN ORIENTAL A visit to the iconic Emirates Palace is an absolute must for any and every tourist. The vast Àve-star hotel is, well, palatial, with gold and marble throughout. Of course, admiring the architecture isn’t the only thing to do here – you can also eat at Time Out Abu Dhabi award-winning and highly commended venues like Chinese restaurant Hakkasan, creative Indian eatery Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi and Italian spot Talea by Antonio Guida, or even book in for a pool day. For outdoor eats with a view, be sure to book a table at Sand & Koal’s cabanas on the beach. O Abu Dhabi Corniche, mandarinoriental.com. TAKE A GUIDED TOUR OF SHEIKH ZAYED GRAND MOSQUE We shouldn’t play favourites, but if we had to pick just one attraction to visit while in the city, it would have to be the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Guided tours are available in Arabic and English, with no booking necessary, and you’ll learn more about the architecture of the building and things of note inside (including the world’s largest handwoven carpet) during the 45-minute experience. Stick this at the top of your agenda. O Free. Open Sat-Thu 9am-10pm; Fri 9am-noon, 3pm- 10pm. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Khor Al Maqta, szgmc.gov.ae (02 419 1919). SHOW THEM A DIFFERENT SIDE OF ABU DHABI CYCLE AROUND AL AIN OASIS To really show your friends something a little different, you need to get yourself down to Al Ain. Known as the garden city, we can hardly believe that the UAE can be this green. There are plenty of fantastic spots, but our top Louvre Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Grand MosqueABU DHABI ITINERARY timeoutabudhabi.com Dec 2023 – Jan 2024 15 ABU DHABI ITINERARY 16 Dec 2023 – Jan 2024 timeoutabudhabi.com choice would be Al Ain Oasis. Spread across 1,200 hectares, there are nearly 150,000 date palm trees here. Still in use today, you can see the ancient irrigation system falaj at work. You can walk around, or rent a bike at the entrance. O Free. Open daily 9am-7pm. Al Ain (03 711 8251). DIG INTO SOME OF THE BEST PIZZA IN THE CITY An Abu Dhabi institution, Marmellata pizzeria started as a small whole-in-the-wall serving slices to anxiously waiting customers queuing around the block, hoping to get to the front before the sold-out sign went up. Luckily for us, and them, the pizzeria has expanded its size and menu. Marmellata now occupies a larger premise in Mina Zayed with indoor and outdoor seating and a new menu that features both old favourites, as well as exciting new Áavour combos such as Àg and gorgonzola and kale and oyster mushroom pizzas. Hurry down before it sells out. O Open Wed-Sun 5pm-8pm. Mina Zayed, marmellatalove.com. GRAB FRESH SEAFOOD AT THE FISH MARKET While we’re all about showing visitors the hustle and bustle going on at the port, we’re glad that we can show a refreshed Mina Zayed Fish Market, with a new building opening back in July last year. Order the catch of the day from one of 100 stalls, take it to one of 40 Àsh cleaning stations, and then head to one of the restaurants where they’ll cook it to perfection. Al Shader was Highly Commended for Best Seafood Restaurant in 2023, so that would be our top pick. O Open Mon-Fri 7am-9pm; Sat-Sun 7am-10pm. Mina Zayed. ORDER BITES FROM A FOOD TRUCK There are plenty of Áashy restaurants in Abu Dhabi (and quite a few on this itinerary), but you don’t have to eat at Àve-star hotels every night of the week. Abu Dhabi’s food truck scene is thriving, and one of the best places to experience it is at Khalifa City Truck Park. Grab a coffee from Dash, Mexican food from Senior Taco, and Ànish off with cheesecake from Spartan. O Various opening hours. Al Raha Gardens, Khalifa City. SUPPORT EMERGING ARTISTS AT 421 This independent art gallery in Mina Zayed is cooler than cool, with exhibitions from emerging artists as well as talks and workshops held throughout the year. If you’re interested in exploring art in the wider UAE, keep your eyes glued to 421’s events page for the regular culture bus outings which will take you to galleries in Dubai and beyond. O Free. Open Tue-Sun 10am-8pm. Mina Zayed, 421.online (02 676 8803). IMPRESS THEM BRUNCH IT UP AT NAHAAM Other countries “do” brunch, but nobody does brunch quite like Abu Dhabi. And if you want to really show off the best of the city, you can’t go wrong with Nahaam, which we crowned as the city’s Best Buffet Brunch earlier this year. The buffet has absolutely everything you could possibly be craving, from sushi and dumplings to freshly made pasta and grilled meats, followed by nitrogen ice cream – it’s a lot, but in the best way. Pair that with live entertainment and free-Áowing house beverages, and you’ve got one happy guest. O Dhs345 (soft drinks), Dhs495 (house beverages), Dhs625 (bubbly), Dhs172.5 (kids six to 12). Sat 12.30pm-4pm. Sat 12.30pm-4pm. Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, West Corniche Road (02 811 5666). GRAB BREAKFAST AT SAADIYAT BEACH GOLF CLUB Another spot we can hardly believe is in Abu Dhabi is Saadiyat Beach Golf Club. The spectacular 18-hole championship course is right next to the beach (we think the name already gave that away), but what wows us, and visitors, is the free-roaming gazelle across the course. You don’t need to play golf to experience it, either – simply book a table at Hawksbill Restaurant, which we recommend for breakfast, and admire them from afar. O Open daily 6am-11pm. Saadiyat Island, viyagolf.com (056 660 8780). HEAD TO NURAI ISLAND FOR A BEACH DAY How does a day spent relaxing in the sun on a private island sound? Because it sounds pretty great to us, and that’s exactly what you can do over on Nurai Island. The island is reachable via boat from Saadiyat Island, and the novelty factor will never wear off for us. O Dhs550 (weekdays, Dhs200 redeemable as F&B credit), Dhs650 (weekends, Dhs200 redeemable as F&B credit), Dhs150 (kids aged 5-12, Dhs50 redeemable as F&B credit), free (kids under 4). Daily 10am-4pm. Nurai Island, nuraiisland.com (02 617 2222). SEE THE LIGHT SHOW AT QASR AL WATAN There are plenty of impressive buildings in the capital, and one that’s bound to blow away your visitors is Qasr Al Watan. The presidential palace is partially open to the public, and you can explore rooms like the great hall or the library. But the thing that will really wow Nurai IslandWith cooler winds blowing across the UAE, the new season is upon us. Whether that means dining alfresco, going to gigs, or lounging on the beach, you’re in the right place. That’s because the emirate has just launched its ‘Can’t Wait to Winter’ campaign... LIVE EVENTS Looking for something fun to do? Mother of the Nation Festival will run from November 15 to Sunday December 31, with live entertainment, pop-up stores and more. Plus, Liwa Village is back for its second year, between December 8 and December 31, Can’t wait to winter Here’s why you should be excited about everything going on this season with local and regional artists descending on the Moreeb Dune for a month of activities. And if you’re looking for some seasonal fun, Yas Winter Fest is running between December 6 and December 10 with carnival rides, snow slices, choirs and even Santa’s workshop. THRILLING ATTRACTIONS Raise your heart rate with some outdoor dune bashing or quad-biking through Abu Dhabi’s dunes. Or head inside to indoor adventure hubs CLYMB, Circuit X and Adrenark. If you prefer your thrills without raised pulses, there’s Snow Abu Dhabi and the newly opened SeaWorld Yas Island. CULTURE TRIPS Those seeking a slice of the culture scene can head to the historical landmark Qasr Al Hosn. With some of the city’s oldest buildings, you can immerse yourself in the past. NATURAL WONDERS Make the most of the temperate weather by heading to Saadiyat Beach Club or one of Abu Dhabi’s many public beaches for a relaxing day on the sand. Don’t miss booking a sunrise kayak experience through the mangroves, and enjoying a private retreat at Nurai Island. O visitabudhabi.ae/campaign/winter visitabudhabi.ae/events Partner FeatureABU DHABI ITINERARY 18 Dec 2023 – Jan 2024 timeoutabudhabi.com ANNEXABU DHABI ITINERARY timeoutabudhabi.com Dec 2023 – Jan 2024 19 your guests is the light show after dark, which is projected onto the side of the building and tells the story of the UAE in three acts. Cameras at the ready, folks. O Dhs25 (light show only), Dhs65 (adults, general access and light show), Dhs12 (kids, light show only), Dhs30 (kids, general access and light show). Open daily 11am-6.30pm, 8pm onwards (light show). Qasr Al Watan, qasralwatan.ae. SHOP, AND EAT, AT THE GALLERIA AL MARYAH ISLAND Another thing Abu Dhabi does differently is malls, and your friends and family are bound to be impressed if you take them to The Galleria on Al Maryah Island. We could spend hours browsing the high street side, and we love window shopping on the luxury half of the mall, but what we love the most is all the amazing foodie options. With places like BB Social Dining, COYA, LPM Restaurant & Bar and Zuma, this is so much better than a disappointing burger from a food court. O Open Mon-Thu 10am-10pm; Fri-Sat 10am-1am; Sun 10am-midnight. Al Maryah Island, thegalleria.ae (02 493 7400). PARTY THE NIGHT AWAY CHECK OUT LADIES’ NIGHT AT W LOUNGE One of the city’s most popular ladies’ nights can be found at W Lounge. Taking place every Friday, ladies need to buy just one mixed drink before getting a free-Áow of house beverages and a 20 percent discount on bar bites. O Dhs65. Fri 6pm till late. W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, wabudhabidining.com (02 656 0000) . GET THE IRISH PUB EXPERIENCE AT MCCAFFERTY’S There’s been an inÁux of new Irish pubs over the past few years, and McCafferty’s on Qasr Al Watan Yas Island has quickly become one of our favourites. The food is superb, there’s live music most nights of the week, and the happy hour runs between 9am and 8pm daily. What more could you want? O Open daily 9am-2am. Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, mccaffertysyas.com (058 598 3623). GO FOR HAPPY HOUR AT BENTLEY KITCHEN Found at The Galleria near Abu Dhabi Global Market, Bentley Kitchen is packed with workers heading out for a post-work tipple most nights of the week. The atmosphere is always on point, and when house beverages start from Dhs25 during happy hour (which runs daily between 4.30pm and 7pm), it’s a great way to kick off your evening. O Daily 4.30pm-7pm. The Galleria Al Maryah Island, bentleykitchen.com (02 626 2131). HIT THE DANCE FLOOR AT ANNEX For the classic nightclub experience, get yourself down to ANNEX. The three-storey space has a gorgeous rooftop area as well as a proper nightclub where you can throw some shapes into the early hours. If you’re heading here on Fridays, be sure to book in for the brunch at the rooftop from 7pm. O Open Wed-Thu 6pm-midnight; Fri 6pm-4am; Sat 6pm-2am. The Abu Dhabi EDITION, Al Bateen Marina, annexabudhabi.com (02 208 0000). SING YOUR HEART OUT AT THE G.O.A.T. Love karaoke? Us too. And you can sing your heart out with the help of a pro at The G.O.A.T. inside the Cristal Hotel, with karaoke nights held on Fridays from 7pm until 10.30pm, Saturdays from 5pm until 10.30pm, and on Sundays from 9.30pm. Be sure to make a reservation, because everyone wants the chance to sing here at the weekends and you don’t want to miss out. O Open daily noon-4am. Cristal Hotel, Al Danah, @goat_auh (050 499 3953).Next >