Abu Dhabi: The Capital That Gets Overlooked (And Shouldn't Be)

Abu Dhabi lives in the shadow of its flashy neighbor Dubai. Tourists fly "to Dubai" and only remember the UAE capital for Sheikh Zayed Mosque. That's unfair. Abu Dhabi offers a different Emirates experience: calmer, more cultured, more "authentic." Less showing off, more substance. The Louvre instead of another mall, pristine Saadiyat beaches instead of crowded Jumeirah, and the atmosphere of a city that doesn't need to prove anything — it's already the capital.

Meanwhile, Dubai is only 1.5 hours away by car. You can stay in ...