What to see, what to do Île D'Abu Dhabi?

Opening hours: There are no rules for Abu Dhabi, but it is safe to say that everything generally starts at 10 am and closes relatively late. Beware, some places open later on Fridays. But there are no specific rules.

Attendance: Attendance depends on the month of the year with the peak season between November and February

It is best to book in advance to attend the NBA season launch on October 6 and 9 in Abu Dhabi, the Formula 1 World Championship final at Yas Island Circuit in November or some of the concerts at Yas Arena.

First and foremost, download the Visit Abu Dhabi application. This is the official application of the Tourism Office. All the latest news, prices, schedules are there. You can also get great discounts and deals with the Groupon app.

Affordable: All museums in Abu Dhabi are very affordable. In the art galleries, most of the admission is free.

Reasonable: Guided tours. The French-speaking guides listed in our guide are reasonably priced, but there are few of them

Expensive: All of the city's theme parks are expensive and require a certain budget.

Via the Events tab at the bottom right of the Visit Abu Dhabi app, you will know exactly what events are coming up in the next six months

October 2022 to May 2023: Abu Dhabi Classics musicseason .

October 6 and 8, 2022: Start of the NBA season at the Etihad Arena.

November 2022 to April 2023: Abu Dhabi Festival

november 16-20, 2022 : Abu Dhabi Modern and Contemporary Art Fair.

November 18-20, 2022 : Abu Dhabi Etihad F1 Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit.

December¹: Commemoration Day, with a tribute to all those who sacrificed for the nation

December 2 and 3: National Day. Traditional dances, decorations with the colors of the flag, fireworks mark these celebrations.

January¹ : New Year.

January: United Arab Emirates Tour - HSBC Abu Dhabi Golf Grand Prix: start of the European Tour.

February: Abu Dhabi Food festival - Several local and international chefs celebrate the diversity of world cuisines.

April: Al Marmoun Heritage Festival - Celebration of Bedouin culture, camel races

Ramadan: altered hours during the day, but great excitement everywhere after sunset. The end of Ramadan, Eid el Fitr, opens a period of sales and good deals

July: Liwa dates festival - Celebration of the Bedouin way of life and the region's emblematic fruit

Eid-al-Adha: Sacrifice festival, 60 days after the end of Ramadan, an important festival where the sheep is sacrificed and a moment of family and friendly gatherings

Day of Arafat : Second day of the pilgrimage to Mecca

Al Hijri : Islamic New Year

July and August: Summer sales period with discounts also in hotels and attractions.

Prophet Mohammed's birthday.

Please note that the exact dates of the celebrations are subject to moon sightings and may therefore vary.

Big Bus Tour : One or two or five day package. It goes around the city with different stops. People can hop on and off at will. www.bigbustours.com/en/abu-dhabi/abu-dhabi-bus-tours/

Guided tours of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Presidential Palace, Qasr al Hosn... We recommend the services of Terminale, an exceptional French-speaking guide who loves to share her passion for the emirate of Abu Dhabi and art history. Phone / WhatsApp: +971 564 339610

Smoking is permitted in Abu Dhabi, except: in or near schools, universities and government buildings; inside shopping malls. Restaurants generally have smoking and non-smoking sections.

The regulations in Abu Dhabi are such that tourist traps are uncommon. Some attractions or dinner cruises may be for some, but that is a personal judgment. Also beware of fake phone calls from the Police or Post Office where scammers try to get your visa card numbers from you. Also, be careful not to give your credit card to a gas station attendant or a waiter in a restaurant

Uses and customs:

If you enter someone's house, leave your shoes at the door and avoid showing the soles of your feet.

Culturally, the left hand is used for personal hygiene. Therefore, it is inappropriate to shake hands with it. When eating dinner or lunch, you should always eat with your right hand. It is also used for shaking hands.

It is not advisable to address or shake hands with an Emirati woman unless you are invited to do so. Do not take pictures without her permission.

Do not show affection in public. Holding hands is fine, but more is a violation. However, we can see young Emirati couples holding hands in the malls.

Emiratis are very calm, they do not understand a person who loses his or her temper. Swearing or making rude hand gestures in public can get you into trouble

Ramadan:

The date of Ramadan varies according to the lunar cycle. It begins when the first crescent of the new moon is visible in the sky and is announced the day before for the next day by a committee of Imams.

During the month of Ramadan, it is forbidden to eat (or even chew gum), drink or smoke in public. Malls are open. More and more restaurants are also open. Always check the hours of operation during Ramadan.

Dress code

Dress in a respectful manner towards Emiratis. Bermuda shorts, tank tops and skirts above the knee are tolerated. However, be careful in some governmental places (police station for example), where the shoulders and knees must be covered at least for women. However, women are not required to wear the veil (niqab and/or abaya). For men, it is not uncommon to be refused access in Bermuda shorts. Away from the pool or beach, bathing suits are disrespectful and could get you into trouble. Bikinis are allowed, topless (monokini) is forbidden on the beaches. During the month of Ramadan, a more conservative dress is adopted: to go to iftars and Suhoor, long dresses with long sleeves are more appropriate.

Alcohol

Simply being intoxicated, in a public place, is punishable by imprisonment. If you have an accident and it is proven that you have been drinking, even a little, you will go to jail. It is possible to buy alcohol in specialized supermarkets. The "alcohol card" is no longer valid