At the airport

Change currency into dirhams

I changed 100 dollars a little bit at an overrated rate, because the exchange office at the airport works with amounts from 200 dollars. For 1 day to change money at the airport is the most convenient option. Initially I planned to change euros, but the euro rate was very unfavorable.

Buy a transportation card Hafilat

It is necessary to use buses in the city. Inside the building at the exit from the airport there is a counter and several automatic terminals where you can buy it. An airport employee helped me to get it. I paid 20 dirhams for a card with a balance.

The card must be tapped at the terminal not only at the entrance but also at the exit from public transportation. If you do not lean it on the way out, you will be charged more for the trip. In the UAE there is an unspoken rule that women sit in the front of the bus and men in the back. This rule is observed even if there are no signs.

Check that your watch has changed to the new time zone.

Do it at the airport or when there is internet in the hotel for example.

Getting to the city

The A2 and A1 buses take you directly from the international airport to the city center. The stop is right at the airport exit. These are 24-hour routes. In my opinion, the A2 route is more convenient. Look up the routes on google maps in advance and note which stop to get off at. Google maps also shows the actual departure times for each stop.

I would recommend getting a hotel within walking distance to the A2 or A1 stop. This gives you peace of mind that in case of emergency you can easily find a hotel and you won’t miss your flight. Marked the area in green.

Basic business done, into the city we reached, let’s start our day in Abu Dhabi!

Swim in the strait

Early in the morning, from about 7am to 8am local time, we go to the beach and apply sunscreen (repeat the procedure after swimming). This is the best time not to burn under the heat of the sun. There are many paid beaches there, but the free one is well equipped and cool. There are showers to wash up after the sea.

If you are free by 10am you can head to Marina Mall, walk around the mall and see the different buildings nearby. You can look from afar because the mall is air-conditioned and the sun is at its peak outside.

Have lunch at the Observation Deck at 300.

Close to 2pm move to this interesting place on the 74th floor. This is where one of the scenes of the movie Fast and Furious was filmed, when cars jumped between skyscrapers. The entrance to the institution is in the very center under the roof where all the entrances are. There’s a separate door with the Observation Deck sign written on it.

The reception will offer you two options. Pay for the entrance fee and just go up to see the views, or order a meal with a limit on the minimum amount. Those who went up just to see the views paid for the ticket at once, and those who wanted to sit down wrote down their name and asked “Who is Mr. …..” and then offered to sit at the table. “who is mr. ” and then offered to sit at the table.

If you are going to have lunch do not take a table at the entrance. Crowds of tourists in groups will park near the window and take pictures, blocking the entire view. It is better to go farther to the right and choose a table in the back of the cafe.

The views from the cafe are really amazing.

Such a lunch of tuna roll and mango juice cost me 80 dirhams.

After lunch at the viewing room, we move on.

Marvel at the Sheikh Zayed Mosque.

A majestic place that amazes with its scale. You’ll see for yourself. It is better to arrive there after 4 pm, the visit is free of charge.

The entrance to the mosque is through the underground passage, you will not be allowed into other entrances. You can orient yourself by the big glass domes in front of the parking lot, that’s the entrance, there’s an escalator down there.

Important:

• Depending on the date of your arrival, check the mosque’s opening hours in advance on the official website. Normally you can go inside 09:00 am to 9:30 pm. Friday and Ramadan have special opening hours.
• The mosque has a strict dress code. Bring your own clothes to change. There are restrooms where you can do this. Check the official website for appearance rules.
• To visit the mosque you need to register and get a qr code. You can do this in advance on the official website or on arrival at the terminals on the right when you go down the escalator. At the information desk you can specify where to register. Take a picture of this code on your phone and put it on the screen of your smartphone.

After passing through security and a large underground passage, you will come out at the beginning of the mosque route. Inside everything is very cool organized, in fact there is one path with viewing all the halls. You have to put a qr code everywhere.

Upon completion of the route, return the same way you came, through the underpass.

It is an incredible place that is a must visit in Abu Dhabi!

After such a busy route I was already very tired, I wanted to take a shower and rest. The time was evening, I returned by bus to the hostel where my swimming trunks were already dry. Theoretically it is possible to add something to the evening time, but you can hardly think of a better end of the day than in the Sheikh Zayd Mosque.

Enjoy your trip to Abu Dhabi!

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