SAADIYAT ISLAND: WHERE CULTURE MEETS TRANQUILLITY

Just a short drive from Abu Dhabi’s downtown, Saadiyat Island is the capital’s most diverse destination in terms of culture, excitement and serenity. Renowned as Abu Dhabi’s lifestyle hub, the vast area is home to a wide range of attractions and facilities, from acclaimed museums and world-class education facilities, to a vast range of leisure and wellness activities for both visitors and residents and here’s our pick of what to do and where to go.

LOUVRE ABU DHABI

Saadiyat Island’s renowned Arts and Culture district is home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, one of the capital’s most iconic buildings. At 24,000 square metres, it is the Arabian peninsula’s largest art museum and features world-class collections from around the globe curated to bridge the gap between Eastern and Western art. Just two highlights of the Louvre Abu Dhabi’s permanent collection include Piet Mondrian’s Composition with Blue, Red, Yellow and Black, to Japanese ceremonial armour and visitors can view around 600 more masterpieces drawn from the museum’s permanent collection.

Beach life: Saadiyat Island’s location by the glittering turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf offers the intrepid traveller a truly unique escape.

SAADIYAT BEACH GOLF CLUB

For golfers who want a little extra challenge, the Gary Player-designed Saadiyat Beach Golf Club is one big sand bunker with some tricky greens. Set by the Arabian Gulf, the course utilises existing saltwater lakes and beach dunes in its design, which translates to 60 bunkers to challenge both professionals and amateurs. Tees are positioned for a yardage of 5,290 – which can be extended to 7,784 yards for professional matches.

RESORTS BY THE SEA

World-class dining, luxurious hotel stays and idyllic private beaches await Saadiyat Island’s vacationers. In fact, the island is home to arguably the most beautiful beaches in the whole of the UAE. Guests can take their pick from a number of relaxed beaches including the luxurious Saadiyat Beach Club; Kai Beach Saadiyat with its white sands, while Soul Beach is the soul of Mamsha Al Saadiyat.

Liam Findlay, CEO of Miral Destinations said, “Every visit to Saadiyat Island is a unique journey and we are immensely excited to welcome guests to experience the Middle East’s #BestBeach destination. Guests can look forward to a year-round program of cultural, lifestyle, golf, wellness and culinary events and activities all hosted in one unique location.”

Resort wise, it’s a ‘take your pick’ moment, as the island is home to many world-class resorts including Rixos Premium Saadiyat, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Rotana Resort and Villas, Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort and Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas. For a true paradise experience, visitors can take a fun 15-minute boat ride to Nurai Island, with its lush shores, engaging water sports, spa treatments and fine dining.

Tees are positioned for a yardage of 5,290 – which can be extended to 7,784 yards for professional matches.

Saadiyat Island is already a world-class destination, however, there’s much more planned, as Saadiyat Cultural District will welcome Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and its modern and contemporary art, as well as the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, which will feature some of the rarest natural history specimens ever found on Earth.