The Differences Between Abu Dhabi and Dubai

 

The Middle East is an area rich in culture, religion, and nature. It is an important tourist location attracting about 44 million tourists annually due to various tourist attractions like the Burj Khalifa, the Jeita Grotto, and the Al Fatih Mosque. Tourism is a significant pillar of the middle eastern economy. In 2019, the Middle East was the second-highest region in global tourism and travel, and tourism in the middle east had an annual growth rate of 5.3. Countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are huge contributors to this tourism growth.

For tourists looking to travel to the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates or the UAE offers a bevy of cultural, traditional, and modern tourist attractions. It is also one of the most visited tourist states in the Middle East, mainly because it is home to both the cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The cities are two out of the seven independent emirates that make up the UAE, and they offer a host of entertaining experiences to tourists. Dubai, fondly called the golden jewel of the UAE, receives up to 15 million visitors per year and is one of the most visited areas in the entire Middle East. On the other hand, Abu Dhabi is the capital of the emirates and houses the ruler of the UAE. It is also the richest emirate in the world and is home to a huge, accessible oil reserve.

Although the two cities are similar in many ways, they also differ in various ways. For example, Abu Dhabi is located on an Island off the Persian Gulf and occupies more than 80 percent of the UAE's landmass. Dubai, which is located on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf, is much smaller but boasts of a denser population of about 3.4 million people, which is more than double the population of Abu Dhabi.

Dubai is a luxurious city known for its shopping malls, activities, avid nightlife, and fine dining opportunities. It also offers various family or couple or friendly activities, most notably theme parks such as the IMG Worlds of Adventure, water parks such as Aquaventure, and museums such as the Etihad Museum. The city is home to the tallest building globally, the Burj Khalifa. It also has a thriving nightlife and houses a variety of luxury hotels and smaller cultural attractions.

On the other hand, Abu Dhabi is home to lots of wonderful architecture by virtue of its wealth. It houses the famous Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a huge, visually pleasing tourist attraction. Abu Dhabi is also home to athletic venues such as the Zayed Sports City Stadium and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The city has many historical and hyper-modern buildings alongside museums, parks, and famous public beaches. Abu Dhabi offers more natural, historical, and eco-friendly activities such as Kayaking and desert safaris. It also allows tourists to explore cultural and historical places like the Abu Dhabi Louvre and the Presidential Palace. This is because the city focuses on culture and the arts.

In terms of finances, Dubai is a budget-friendly city for tourists that provides them with various options for food, boarding, and entertainment, from fine dining to shopping and theatres. The price range for these is similar in both cities. However, hotels in Abu Dhabi are less expensive than the luxury hotels in Dubai, even though it is easier to find accommodation in Dubai, especially in hostels.

There is a huge emphasis on culture and tradition in Abu Dhabi, as it is a more conservative state. This applies to dressing and behaviors such as drinking. Dubai, on the other hand, is less conservative, most probably due to its proximity to the western world through tourism.