Corniche Beach
Calm water, towers behind.
FritzDaCat — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Johnaudie at en.wikipedia — Public domain · Ramsey Mikati — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Halamoudi — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Halamoudi — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Halamoudi — CC BY-SA 4.0 · giggel — CC BY 3.0 · Halamoudi — CC BY-SA 4.0
An eight-kilometre waterfront on the western side of Abu Dhabi island, sweeping in a wide curve along the Gulf between the city's towers and the sea, with separate walking and cycling paths, gardens and fountains, playgrounds, restaurants and cafés. The Corniche was extended onto land reclaimed from the sea in 2002-04; before the 1970s this was a beach where dhows anchored to unload goods and passengers. Emirates Palace stands at its western end, little Lulu Island lies offshore, and near Marina Mall flies one of the tallest flagpoles in the world. Its highlight is Corniche Beach, two kilometres of calm water with Blue Flag status for clean beaches, divided into three sections: Al Sahil at Gate 4 for singles and groups, and two family sections at Gates 2 and 3. Walking the Corniche is free, and so is the Al Sahil section; the family sections cost 10 AED for adults and 5 AED for children, according to Abu Dhabi's official tourism site. The hour before sunset and the evening are the best times.
Calm water, towers behind.
Along 8 km.
Over the Gulf.
Corniche Road, western side of Abu Dhabi island
The Al Sahil section at Gate 4 is free; the family sections cost 10 AED for adults and 5 AED for children, according to Abu Dhabi's official tourism site.