Abu Dhabi through the perspective of an Azerbaijani journalist Caliber.Az exclusive

The capital of the United Arab Emirates is always being overshadowed by another city in the country, namely Dubai. Yet after visiting Abu Dhabi, one quickly realises that this is, to put it mildly, not entirely fair.

Yes, Abu Dhabi lacks the scale and glamour that one can witness in Dubai, but to say that the Emirati capital is inferior in every respect to its much more famous fellow "compatriot" would be wrong.

Let’s start with the airport. Sheikh Zayed International Airport is a true work of art, reminiscent of the Heydar Aliyev Center from the inside with the same streamlined ceilings, the same absence of corners, and the same luminosity of the sheer white. While the duty-free section at this airport does not compare to that of Dubai in terms of the product range, the same cannot be said for size. Notably, both the airport itself and the duty-free section are guarded much more carefully than in Dubai, where I did not witness armed guards or 8-10 selling assistants working in one department, which is something I got to see here.

The cost for taxi rides, however, is roughly the same, starting at 5–6 AED from the moment you sit down. Most taxi drivers are Pakistani, with far fewer Indians and Filipinos, and there are practically no locals. You can spot them mainly in malls and restaurants, but you won’t see them on the streets – at least partly due to the heat. While there isn’t the same level of religious observance as in Saudi Arabia, it is not the same level of religious freedom as in Dubai either. You can find stores selling alcoholic beverages, but you won’t see people drinking out on the street or in outdoor cafes, though you can in hotels. You are also able to walk around in shorts, but not everywhere.

If spiritual experiences are more important to you than physical ones, you absolutely must visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, as the impression it will make on you will last a lifetime. Its scale is difficult to comprehend: 82 domes, 4 minarets, which are approximately. 107 meters tall each. Up to 30,000 people can fit inside simultaneously, equivalent to a large football stadium, with the inner courtyard capable of holding another 10,000. The mosque houses one of the largest chandeliers in the world, weighing up to 12,000 tons. In the evenings, the mosque and its surroundings are illuminated with lights that change depending on the lunar phase. The emotions you experience within the Sheikh Zayed Mosque can even invoke a sort of spiritual reawakening. One thing is for certain: this masterpiece will not leave even the most hardened atheists indifferent.

Naturally, being in Abu Dhabi and not visiting Ferrari World is like flying to Baku and not climbing up the Maiden Tower. For Formula 1 fans, it is truly a gold mine, where you can shop, drive a race car, and enjoy the rides.

For those who love delicious treats, there is plenty to enjoy – from exotic fruits (albeit at astronomical prices) to the most delicious pastries, including the famous Dubai chocolate, which is actually cheaper here than in Dubai.

And finally, the main information readers expect in such articles: shopping centers and hypermarkets. Malls in Abu Dhabi are significantly inferior to those in Dubai, both in size and variety – that is a fact. However, prices are considerably lower, which is why massive outlets as can be found in major global megacities do not exist here. What you can find are many shops, similar to second-hand stores, offering branded products of unknown origin, but in huge quantities and in unappealing condition. Everything is meant to be new, but it looks either old or like a very outdated model of some brand.

If you want to buy authentic products, it’s better to either visit Abu Dhabi Mall or Yas Mall, as these two shopping centers can somewhat compete with those in Dubai. It’s better not to enter the others, so as not to waste your time and money on taxis, as buses typically not travel there, with maybe the exception of those taking off from respectable hotels.

By Vugar Vugarli, Abu Dhabi, exclusively for Caliber.Az