Not far from the capital of the United Arab Emirates is a large island of natural origin Saadiyat. From Abu Dhabi it can be reached by taxi in 7 minutes, the travel time from the country’s international airport will be 20 minutes. Now there are several hotels on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, there are convenient beaches. But the country’s leadership plans to completely change it by creating a modern infrastructure.
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Project overview
The UAE authorities decided to organize a large entertainment and cultural center on the territory of Saadiyat Island. Museums, entertainment complexes, parks will be located on an area of 27 km². It is planned to build several large hotels, the arrangement of local beaches. As a result, Saadiyat Island will become another great attraction of the United Arab Emirates. Although the start of work has been planned for a year already.
Key objects of the future infrastructure:
- Guggenheim Museum. Samples of contemporary art will be collected here. It will become an analogue of the museum in New York. The official name is Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. Designed by Frank Gehry.
- Performing Arts Center. Designed for performances, concerts and other public events. On Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, it will be called the Performing Arts Center. Zahi Hadid is responsible for the implementation.
- Museum of Classical Art. It is planned to collect samples of classical art – paintings, statues, and other compositions. On the map of the island, this object will be called the Museum of Classical Art.
- Maritime Museum. Its expositions are dedicated to the maritime theme. They will reveal the history of local navigation, historical boats, reign will be presented.
TDIC is responsible for the implementation of the Saadiyat Island tourism project. At the same time, it is planned to build residential areas on the island, consisting of private villas and cottages. The arrangement of beach areas on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi will be done according to current standards. After the construction of amusement parks, squares and small artificial islands, this place will become the largest resort in the UAE, located outside the urban area.
Island now
Until construction work has begun, tourists can visit Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi – its beaches, book a hotel room. This is a comfortable place for a relaxing holiday. In the high season, there are relatively few tourists here, the infrastructure is developed. You need to know more about the latter.
Infrastructure
Now the natural island does not have much infrastructure, although its name translates as happiness. Most tourists come here for a beach holiday. Therefore, you need to prepare for the trip. It is recommended to take food, drinks, beach accessories with you. There are no non-hotel cafes or restaurants on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi. It is difficult to find a place to buy food and water here. Also, shops and supermarkets have not yet been built.
Saadiyat Island infrastructure features:
- Developed road network. In addition to large roads, pedestrian and bicycle zones have been built.
- There are car parks, which is convenient for traveling by car.
- Arbors and free toilets are installed along the route.
According to tourists, a trip to the island can only be planned for a beach holiday. An alternative is to book a room in one of the Saadiyat hotels. But they are expensive even by Abu Dhabi standards.
Location how to get there
The island is located a few kilometers from the suburbs of the capital. There is one highway leading to it, passing through the residential areas of the city. You can get to Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi by rented car or taxi. Buses or other urban public transport do not go here.
For ease of travel between the city and the island, a large bridge was built. It shortens the path, as before it was necessary to take a detour, which increased the travel time.
To travel by taxi, you need to say the name of Saadiyat Island and the approximate location. Most often this is the beach area. However, it is relatively large, so local taxi drivers are guided by the names of hotels. You can get to Saadiyat Island from Abu Dhabi by rented car on the central highway, which starts in the city center.
Beaches
The main attraction of this region of the UAE is the beaches. The coast belongs to the Persian Gulf, but the water here is always in motion. The reason is that fast currents pass near the coast. They are safe for swimmers and slightly cool the sea water. Its average temperature is 2-3°C lower than in other parts of the resort.
About Saadiyat beaches, description:
- The total length of the line is 8 km.
- On the territory there are changing cabins, toilets and sources of drinking water.
- You can rent umbrellas and sun loungers.
- Most of the beach area belongs to hotels.
The cost of renting umbrellas and sun loungers for guests is 70 AED. The entrance to the hotel beaches of Saadiyat is paid – 35 Dirhams. This price does not include the rental of sunbeds. An alternative to sun loungers is sunbathing on a beach towel. However, in summer the sand can become very hot, which becomes uncomfortable.
The beach area is clean, the width is 70-80 meters. The sand is white, almost without stones. The entry into the sea is gentle, but there are places with a sharp drop in depth. They are formed due to sea currents.
Rescue and medical services work. Lifeguard towers are installed every 400 m. The lack of beaches on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi is the lack of entertainment. There are no boats or jet skis for rent. Only a quiet, beach, family vacation is available.
Hotels
Several large hotel complexes have been built on the island. All have a five-star status, so the cost of renting rooms here is high. It is convenient to relax here far from the metropolis, the hotel administration organizes a daily transfer from Saadiyat Island to Abu Dhabi for shopping or sightseeing.
Hotels in this region of the UAE:
- Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island 5*. This is the largest hotel in the area. In addition to standard rooms, guests can rent villas and bungalows. Features – a large green area, parks, a SPA center, free Wi-Fi.
- Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas 5*. The hotel complex is located on the first beach line. You can choose a room with a balcony or a terrace. The apartments are large and an extra bed is available for guests with children.
- Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort 5*. According to tourists, the hotel is conveniently located near Yas Beach. In addition to comfortable rooms, you can book an excursion trip to the sights of the UAE.
In the high season, in December, a lot of tourists are settled in hotels. Therefore, you need to book apartments in advance, so that the price will differ from the base one. You can order a room with breakfast, the All Inclusive program is rarely offered.
Reviews of tourists
According to travelers, the main advantage of the island is a small number of tourists. The reason is that it is relatively difficult to get here. Therefore, it is often chosen for a relaxing holiday after shopping or sightseeing in the UAE.
Made several passes to the beach, next to each there are parking lots. The beach area is large, you can find a secluded place. It is important to bring drinks, food, beach slippers and other accessories with you.