The Corniche is a very important part of Abu Dhabi and it has been a tourist’s paradise since its inception. The Corniche is an eight kilometers long promenade that has everything under the sun, you may wish for, starting from the kids’ play area, to cafes, restaurants, pathways for wayfarers, cyclists’ areas and most importantly, the Corniche beach.
The Basse Corniche, the Moyenne Corniche and the Grand Corniche are the three most important parts of the Corniche area. The Corniche beach is a wonderful beach that is man made and a well-loved spot for tourists from all over the world.
History
The history of the Corniche dates back to the seventies when the Port Zayed was not constructed. Previously the Corniche was a small harbour in the coast which was mainly used as an anchor. In 2003, the Cornish of Abu Dhabi took shape after this land was reclaimed.
Location
The Corniche or the Corniche Road, as it is commonly called is located in Abu Dhabi. This is eight kilometers long and opposite to the Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi. The Heritage Village is also located nearby.
The location of the Corniche starts from the Emirates Palace Hotel to the fish market. The famous buildings around that add to the glitz and zing of the place are the Emirates Hotel, the Etihad Towers and the Khalidiya Palace.
Activities to try at the Corniche Abu Dhabi
A plethora of interesting activities awaits you while you are at the Corniche.
1. Swimming at Corniche Beach
You can swim the eight kilometers of shoreline which is open to all. Swimming away to a distance of forty kilometers, from the shore is possible with the lifeguards keeping a vigil on you to help you come back to shore, safe and sound.
2. Picnic at the Corniche Beach
The beach stretches for two kilometers. There are a number of gates for entry. Gate 3 is ideal for families and kids; Gate 4 is ideal for bigger groups and families and Gate 2 is best for families who like it to be quiet and serene. The beaches are shielded from public view. All these beaches are ideal for picnicking and for having a great day out. Children can enjoy activities like building castles in the sand, while adults can take part in kayaking and swimming. Many people visit Sharjah national park during the new year for picnic.
3. Visiting the Founder’s Memorial
The Founder’s Memorial is a must visit place on the Corniche. It is a tribute to the great leader Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. It is a beautiful architecture to visit and pay homage to the great leader.
4. Visiting Qasr Al Watan
Visiting the Qasr Al Watan palace is a wonderful experience. It is very near to Corniche and buying Qasr Al Watan ticket is easy as it can be booked online.. It is not only a palace but a setting that shares the craftsmanship of artists for the architecture and an interactive sharing of the knowledge of the past.
5. Enjoy a heritage meal at Emirates Palace Hotel
The Emirates Palace fine dining experience is one of its kind. Tourists should not miss the luxurious dining experience in Abu Dhabi. Also check the romantic places to visit in Abu Dhabi here.
6. Marina Mall
You can spend ample time at the Marina Mall near the Corniche. The four hundred retail outlets are exotic and you can always get what you want here. You may also go bowling, ice skating, watching a movie, gazing out at the seascape. The restaurants and café are galore over here. Whether you want to grab a bite or have a sumptuous meal at any of the fine dining cuisine restaurants, you can make a choice. The Food Court has a rich variety of food spread out for all. After a visit to the Corniche, the Marina Mall could be a good place to enjoy. You can also go to the Sky Tower at the Marina Mall and enjoy captivating views of Abu Dhabi, the Emirates Palace Hotel, the Arabian Sea and the Corniche. Do check Abu Dhabi tour packages that cover several other interesting places and worth to visit.
7. The Souk at Hertiage Village
The traditional oasis village has a world-renowned souk. Here you can look at the craftsmen work at pottery making, spinning yarn, weave blankets and work on metal carving. You can buy plenty of souvenirs, hand made soaps and spices.
8. Other miscellaneous activities
You may take the kids to the playground at the beach, go kayaking, go for a friendly match with your friends or rent a bicycle to cycle down on the tracks of the Corniche Beach. In case if you want to spend whole day in the city then consider city tour of Abu Dhabi which is worth. There are a host of activities you can take part in, while at the Corniche Beach.
How to reach the Corniche
- You may reach the Corniche by a taxi or a cab or you can take Bus 34. This should take you to the Corniche Street Shop.
- If you want to visit the free beach you can go to the Corniche Road and the Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street crossing.
- If you are looking to enjoy a stroll along the promenade, you would do best to follow the path in front of the waterfront and walk down.
Timing
- The Corniche beach is open 24 hours but swimming at the beach can only be done from 6 am in the morning to sunset.
Best time to visit Corniche
The best time to visit the Corniche is from November to March as it is outdoors and not a preferable place to stay out in intense heat. From November to the March, the climate is pleasant for looking around and having fun.
Things to Know
- The Corniche Beach is very clean and has safe water.
- This has earned it a Blue Flag status. The Blue Flag is an eco-label that is recognized internationally. There is strict vigilance of life guards during the swimming hours.
- The public area of the beach is free but a small fee has to be paid for the family beach.
- There is also a free parking, a five-minutes-walk away from the beach.
- Dressing up conservatively while on the beach and covering up at the time of leaving is desirable.
Conclusion
The Corniche at Abu Dhabi is one of the most entertaining and coveted destinations here. It offers a lot of activities that are fun and entertainment for the people holidaying here. The wide stretch of the Corniche Beach is an excellent place for tanning, lazing around, water activities. Kayaking is also a great sport to enjoy with friends and family.
There are ample opportunities around this place for shopping, leisure stroll in parks, enjoying a nightlife, fine dining, visiting memorials and fine architecture, shopping at Malls or at authentic village souks and all sorts of water sports activities. The picturesque seascapes and landscapes at the Corniche, the view of the skyline of Abu Dhabi is something that adds that extra zing to visiting the Corniche in Abu Dhabi.
