Abu Dhabi is emerging as a multi-faceted destination that seamlessly blends luxury, heritage, and connectivity. The destination appeals to travellers seeking both indulgence and cultural experiences. A highlight and a focal point for Abu Dhabi’s tourism strategy is the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal at Zayed Port. This modern cruise facility is pivotal to Abu Dhabi’s ambitions of becoming the Arabian Gulf’s leading cruise port, and the delegates’ tour underscored its significance.
A Growing Cruise Tourism Hub
Zayed Port’s cruise terminal, inaugurated in late 2015, features state-of-the-art infrastructure that can accommodate three mega cruise vessels. Inside the expansive terminal, visitors find an airy, contemporary space that blends local character with modern convenience – its design incorporates traditional Arabic motifs (such as a roof lattice inspired by the UAE’s national Ghaf tree) alongside modern architecture. The facility boasts dedicated Etihad airline check-in counters, immigration facilities, duty-free shops, restaurants, and majlis-style waiting lounges, ensuring a seamless experience for cruise passengers from ship to city. It has even been recognised with global accolades – in 2023, it was named the ‘World’s Best Cruise Terminal’ at the World Cruise Awards, reflecting operational excellence on par with the finest ports globally.
Abu Dhabi’s cruise terminal serves as an ideal gateway, driven by its location as it is just a 20-minute drive from the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and around the same distance to Saadiyat Island’s attractions, enabling shore excursion programmes that cover headline experiences with ease. The port visit highlighted how cruise passengers can disembark and explore the Louvre Abu Dhabi or marvel at the Grand Mosque’s domes shortly thereafter, a strong selling point for cruise lines and tour operators.
Abu Dhabi’s strategic location opens up exciting possibilities for longer cruise itineraries linking the Gulf and South Asia. With major Indian ports just a few days’ sail across the Arabian Sea, the India–UAE cruise market is a key area of potential growth. India is already Abu Dhabi’s largest source market for visitors on land, with Indian hotel guest numbers surging 37 per cent year-on-year in early 2024, and this interest is beginning to translate into the cruise arena as well. With its world-class facilities and capacity, Abu Dhabi’s cruise terminal is poised to serve not just regional Gulf cruises but also as a home port for voyages catering to Indian travellers and other long-haul markets.
Cultural Immersion in the Capital
Abu Dhabi’s cultural exploration (for most travellers) begins at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the city’s most iconic monument. Gleaming in white marble and inlaid with semi-precious stone patterns, the Grand Mosque can accommodate 40,000 worshippers and is equally welcoming to visitors of all faiths. Walking on the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet under Swarovski chandeliers, under 82 elegant domes and countless columns is an experience second to none. This architectural masterpiece offered insight into the UAE’s Islamic heritage and commitment to grand, inclusive design, an essential cultural experience for any Abu Dhabi visitor. Many on the trip remark that the serene beauty of the mosque, especially in the golden late-afternoon light, is a transformative highlight that would resonate with culture-oriented travellers.
To delve further into Abu Dhabi’s local culture, Heritage Village on the Abu Dhabi Corniche breakwater has plenty to offer. This open-air heritage museum, run by the Emirates Heritage Club, recreates a traditional Emirati desert village, giving visitors a glimpse of life before the oil era. Walking through the modest mud-brick houses and Bedouin tents, one can observe artisans demonstrating traditional crafts like pottery, metalwork, and weaving. An old fort and a souk (market) area display typical architecture and handicrafts, while a small museum showcases artefacts such as antique jewellery and pearl diving equipment. From the Heritage Village, the modern skyline of Abu Dhabi looms across the water, a striking contrast that underlines how far the Emirate has come.
As the first universal museum in the Arab world, Louvre Abu Dhabi has put Abu Dhabi on the global arts map since opening in 2017. Under Jean Nouvel’s futuristic dome that lets in a ‘rain of light’, one can wander through galleries that intertwine civilizations and eras, viewing everything from ancient Egyptian statues to Van Gogh and Mondrian. The museum’s presence illustrates Abu Dhabi’s drive to become a world-class cultural capital. It also provides a unique selling point for cruise excursion schedules and land itineraries: few cruise stops offer such high-calibre art experiences within minutes of the port.
To make the most of the visit, Fouquet’s Abu Dhabi, a fine-dining French brasserie within the Louvre, is an experience not to be missed. An offshoot of the famed Parisian restaurant, complete with a menu overseen by Michelin-starred chef Pierre Gagnaire, dining on French haute cuisine amid artworks adds a luxe touch to the cultural outing, reinforcing how Abu Dhabi interweaves art, culture, and luxury.
Another new cultural landmark that captured attention was the Abrahamic Family House, which opened in 2023 on Saadiyat Island. This remarkable complex comprises three equally sized houses of worship: a mosque, a church, and a synagogue within one site, embodying the UAE’s ethos of tolerance and interfaith harmony. The harmonious architecture of the trio of cuboid structures and the symbolism of their co-location are very impressive. The complex offers free guided tours to educate visitors on the shared values and distinct traditions of the three Abrahamic faiths. Sites like the Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Heritage Village, and the Abrahamic Family House paint a picture of a destination that cherishes its heritage while embracing global culture.
Sustainability and Nature in Focus
Beyond urban pleasures, Abu Dhabi also encompasses sustainability and nature-based experiences, as evidenced by a relaxed afternoon exploring the Jubail Mangrove Park. Tucked between Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, this mangrove sanctuary showcases a lesser-known side of Abu Dhabi’s landscape. Paddling through calm channels flanked by mangrove trees, small fish dart beneath the clear water, giving a sense of serenity and connection with nature that one might not expect so close to the city. The Jubail Mangrove Park also features an extensive boardwalk, allowing visitors to stroll among the mangroves and learn about this vital ecosystem. The guides explain how mangroves act as natural coastal protection and a carbon sink, aligning with global conservation goals. Importantly, the mangrove experience ties into larger sustainability initiatives in the UAE.
The country has made ambitious pledges to safeguard its environment, such as committing to plant 100 million mangrove trees by 2030 to expand coastal habitats. Jubail Mangrove Park was the launch site of the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative in 2022, which sees local authorities partnering with global experts to research and conserve mangrove ecosystems. The mangroves of Abu Dhabi, much like the country’s deserts, are a natural asset being opened up responsibly for tourism.
It is fascinating to note that one moment you are exploring a mangrove forest echoing with bird calls, and shortly after, you can be back in a five-star hotel or visiting a museum. Few destinations offer such diversity within easy reach.
Luxury Hospitality on Saadiyat Island
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas on Saadiyat Island sets the tone of luxury and warm Arabian hospitality. Saadiyat Island, fringed by a protected white-sand beach and the turquoise Arabian Gulf, is known for its upscale resorts and cultural institutions. Breakfast at Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas is a refined affair. Served at The Café, the buffet features a wide selection of international favourites, from freshly baked pastries and tropical fruits to Arabic mezzes and made-to-order dishes. Overlooking the gardens and pools, it offers a wholesome setting and a luxurious start to the day.
Beyond the resort’s confines, Saadiyat Island itself added context to the luxury experience. The Saadiyat Cultural District is just minutes from the hotel and is home to world-class museums and institutions (including the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the upcoming Guggenheim). This proximity means visitors can indulge in beachside relaxation and high culture on the same day. Thus, the hotel offers sun and sand and convenient access to Abu Dhabi’s cultural core.
