Dubai or Abu Dhabi: which is better?

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are two of the most popular destinations in the United Arab Emirates and have many attractions to visit. Getting from Dubai to Abu Dhabi is only an hour and a half, so you can take advantage of your trip to visit both places, but if you're short on time or if you're not sure where to stay, this post will explain the key features of each city to help you make your decision.

Both cities are stunning and well worth a visit. Still, the choice of where to go will depend largely on your tastes and interests, as well as what exactly you're looking for in your trip.

On the one hand, Dubai has plenty to see and do; it is known as the city of skyscrapers and is characterised by luxury and glamour. It is home to almost three million people, 80% of whom are of foreign origin. It is a hub for business as well as tourism. Abu Dhabi is the country's capital, the seat of government and the second most populous city in the country. Located on an island in the Persian Gulf, it's a quieter, more conservative city.

• If you're looking for a big city with a wide range of activities... Dubai.
• If you're looking for a place to immerse yourself in Islamic culture... Abu Dhabi.
• If you're looking for a city to shop... Dubai.
• If you're looking for an escape from Western tourism... Abu Dhabi.
• If you are looking for a city full of life and hustle and bustle... Dubai by night.
• If you're looking for a more conservative city ... Abu Dhabi.

Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi have many must-see sights and attractions on your visit.

On the one hand, Dubai does everything in style and you can buy tickets to the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, as well as visit the world's largest shopping mall, Dubai Mall. Dubai's Jumeirah Mosque, one of the few mosques in the city that can be visited by non-Muslims, is also a must-see.

In Abu Dhabi you can visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, unlike any other in the United Arab Emirates. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a must-visit whether you decide to stay in the capital or in Dubai. It's considered one of the most modern mosques in the world and has no less than 22,000 square metres, 80 domes and seating for up to 40,000 people in total.

Shopping in the souks and adventures with the family

Another major attraction in both cities is the souks. The Gold Souk, which translates as Gold Souk, is a roofed market with more than 300 shops selling mainly gold jewellery and is one of the most popular markets in Dubai. It is located in the Deira district, one of the city's oldest and most popular neighbourhoods. Next to it is the Spice Souk and the Cloth Souk.

Abu Dhabi's Camel Souk is the only one of its kind in the country, and Carpet Souk, where you can find the most famous and best carpets in the Middle East. The Central Souk-Sharjah also has more than 600 shops selling everything from jewellery, carpets and collectors' items...

The parks

Dubai also has an incredible range of activities on offer, such as the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, the Ski Dubai skating rink and the Atlantis Aquaventure water park. But Abu Dhabi doesn't fall short in this respect either, with attractions such as Ferrari World Park, Emirates Park Zoo and the Abu Dhabi Falcon hospital for falcons.

Top places to visit in Dubai

There are many attractions and places to visit in Dubai. However, if you want to have a list of the must-sees, here you have it:

• Burj Khalifa: Located inside the Dubai Mall, this 150-storey, 828-metre tall skyscraper holds the title of the tallest building in the world. If you want to know what views you will have from the skyscraper do not hesitate to read the post The Burj Khalifa from above: Views from the tallest skyscraper in the world and if you want a recommendation I advise you to go up at night to see the spectacular views of the illuminated city. Here is also information on Burj Khalifa prices and how to get to the Burj Khalifa.
• Dubai Mall: It is a luxurious shopping mall. In fact, it is the largest shopping mall in the world. As you can see, everything in Dubai is done in style. It has more than 1,200 establishments where you can find the main clothing, footwear and cosmetics brands. It even has an ice skating rink and an aquarium.
• Ski Dubai: The Dubai Mall also houses a ski resort of more than 22,000 square metres.
• Burj Al Arab: At over 320 metres, it is the fourth tallest hotel in the world. It is located above the sea, on an artificial island connected by a bridge to the city of Dubai.
• Legoland Dubai. An unforgettable visit for Lego lovers with four parks. In case you want to go, here you have all the information about tickets, prices and opening hours of Legoland Dubai.
• Saeed Al-Maktoum: Built at the end of the 19th century, it was the home of the ruler of Dubai from 1921 to 1958.
• Atlantis Aquaventure: The largest water park in the world. In this post you can find out everything you need to know to make the most of your visit.
• Dubai Creek: It is a channel of approximately 10 kilometres that goes into the interior of the city of Dubai.
• Jumeirah Mosque: This is the only mosque in Dubai open to the non-Muslim public. Even so, don't hesitate to visit the post the best mosques in Dubai and take note of which ones you have to visit.
• Heritage and Diving Village: This is a reconstructed traditional neighbourhood that illustrates to visitors what life was like in the UAE in ancient times.
• Marina: This is one of the most visited neighbourhoods by residents and tourists alike and has everything from restaurants, beaches, skyscrapers, hotels and the world's largest shopping mall. Learn all about this neighbourhood with the post 10 things to see and do in Dubai Marina.
• Dubai Desert: One of the must-do excursions if you go to Dubai is to visit the Dubai Desert. Do not hesitate to make the visit that best suits your tastes. It will be an unforgettable experience.

And besides all this, there is much more, visit the post Dubai neighbourhoods you have to know and don't leave anything behind.

Top places to visit in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi also has other must-visit destinations such as the following:

• Sheikh Zayed Mosque: This is the must visit in Abu Dhabi. It is one of the largest mosques in the world and its beauty is unquestionable. It has more than 80 domes and around a thousand columns. I recommend you to visit it as the entrance is free.
• Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum: Inaugurated in 2017, this museum has been designed by the architect Jean Nouvel and houses some works of great value such as 'Portrait of a Lady' by Pablo Picasso, 'Breton Boys' by Paul Gauguin or 'Nature morte au cabas et à l'ail' and 'Le Bohémien', by Édouard Manet.
• The Qasr Al-Hosn: Built in 1761, it is the oldest building in Abu Dhabi.
• Abu Dhabi Falcon: Opened in 1999, it is a hospital for falcons that includes guided tours.
• Emirates Park Zoo: An impressive zoo that, among its species, houses white tigers, elephants, zebras, a Siberian bear and elephants.
• Ferrari World Park: Located on Yas Island, it is a Ferrari theme park with a total of 19 attractions. A highly recommended visit. In fact, if you finally stay in Dubai, don't hesitate to read the post How to go to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi from Dubai and don't miss this experience.
• Yas Island: With its white sand, it is a luxury destination for visitors to Abu Dhabi.
• Yas Waterworld: It is a themed water park that hides almost 50 attractions.

If budget is one of the factors in your trip, you should be aware that both Dubai and Abu Dhabi are very expensive cities with similar price tags. Generally speaking, you'll find high prices in hotels, restaurants and clubs, as well as at major attractions. The price of alcohol is prohibitively expensive as venues have to obtain a specific licence to sell alcohol, but there are certain times of the year when you can find discounts, promotions and offers, but be aware that December and January, which coincide with the high season, will not be the months to do so.

Even so, in Dubai you can still find a number of cheap dining options in tourist areas. Abu Dhabi, meanwhile, has many workers on minimum wage, so you'll be able to find budget restaurants catering to the city's residents.

However, if your holiday coincides with a specific time or days of the year, it is interesting to know what is the best time to visit both places in case this question helps you in your choice.

On the one hand, Dubai is a destination characterised by its extreme temperatures and scorching sun, so if you can make your trip coincide with the winter season, don't hesitate. It is the best time to travel comfortably. Even so, you should bear in mind that these months are the high tourist season, so the city and its attractions are more crowded and you won't be able to enjoy your visit as comfortably. Feel free to visit the Best time to visit Dubai post for more information.

Abu Dhabi is also a city characterised by its desert-like climate and intense heat in the summer, so winter is also the best time to visit. However, autumn and spring are also good times to visit the city.

Traveller's tip

My recommendation is that if you are planning a trip to Dubai or Abu Dhabi, go during the winter months. However, bear in mind that these will be the most expensive months as they coincide with the high season.

There is no doubt that the dress code is less strict in Dubai because the city is more touristy and there are a lot of foreigners living there, so the dress code is always more relaxed.

You still need to be very careful when packing your suitcase for either destination. The United Arab Emirates is a Muslim country, so even if the rules are more relaxed in certain cities, they still follow a specific dress code.

Men should dress smartly, wear shirts and avoid wearing trainers in certain establishments. Women, on the other hand, have to follow this code more closely and are advised to wear clothes covered from the shoulders to the knees or, if they wear their sleeves up, to wear an overshirt, jacket or scarf to cover their shoulders. Even so, as I said, these two destinations are not as strict in terms of dress code as other places of Islamic origin and in Dubai, especially in the more touristy areas, there is more permissiveness in this regard.

If you want more details on how to pack your suitcase and what to wear in Dubai, don't hesitate to read the post How to dress in Dubai and all your doubts will be cleared up.

Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi are great shopping holiday destinations. But Dubai undoubtedly stands out in this respect, as this city is home to the world's largest shopping centre, Dubai Mall, which houses establishments of every brand you can imagine.

Luxury, ostentation and consumerism go hand in hand in this city. And to give you an idea of this, you should know that every year a shopping festival is held in January, coinciding with the best time of the year to visit it, and it also has several large shopping centres that include everything from mosques, nurseries, theatres and art galleries to luxury restaurants.

Abu Dhabi is another shopping destination and, in fact, is home to an impressive shopping mall that is one of the city's top tourist attractions, Marina Mall. It also has a large open-air Arabian market that is a must-see.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the two most touristic cities in the United Arab Emirates. However, there is no doubt that more and more visitors visit Dubai every year. In fact, the last recorded figure for 2019 Dubai reached an all-time high of more than 16.5 million tourists. Abu Dhabi, on the other hand, registered more than two and a half million tourists. A very considerable difference. In particular, Dubai was in the top 10 of the most visited cities in the world, while Abu Dhabi was ranked above 90th place.

One of the most frequently asked questions on Google is whether Dubai or Abu Dhabi are safe cities. You may be surprised by the answer, but yes, they are two of the safest destinations to visit from an international point of view. Due to the strict law of the land, the crime rate is virtually zero. So take it easy. It's very unlikely that you'll experience any mishaps on your trip. In fact, both are listed in the Economist Intelligence Unit's 2021 Safest Cities Index.

Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi are very well connected from an international point of view. The price of flights varies greatly depending on the time of year you travel, whether or not it is high season and how far in advance you buy your flight, but generally speaking, it is cheaper to go to Dubai.

If you want to take a direct flight to Dubai, you can do so from Madrid, which takes approximately 7 to 9 hours, or from Barcelona, which will take around 7 hours .

To get to Abu Dhabi from Spain, you can also take direct flights from Madrid and Barcelona. The price will be around 400 euros and the flight takes approximately 6:20 hours from Barcelona and 6:40 hours from Madrid.

To go to Dubai you will obviously need a passport but not a visa as long as you stay for a maximum of 90 days. To go to Abu Dhabi you will need a visa even when you are in transit at the airport. This can be provided at the airport when you land. You will need to go to the immigration office.

If after reading this post you decide to stay in Dubai but visit Abu Dhabi, remember as I mentioned at the beginning of the post, both cities are about an hour and a half away and it is also possible to travel on organised tours to Abu Dhabi from Dubai. They are usually a full day tour and start early in the morning. On these tours you'll see, among other places, the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the Heritage Village, Ferrari World and the Louvre Abu Dhabi.