Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 02-810 7810;
www.centralmarket.ae/souk
; Khalifa St; 10am-10pm Sun-Thu, to 11pm Fri & Sat)
Norman
Foster's reinterpretation of the traditional souq is a stylish composition of warm lattice
woodwork, stained glass, walkways and balconies on the site of Abu Dhabi's historic
central market. Ironically, it's the location that is the souq's biggest handicap, lost as it is
within a forest of ho-hum office high-rises. As of this writing, many storefronts remained
empty and few shoppers were browsing the high-end stores.
Souq Qaryat Al-Beri
SOUQ
( 02-558 1670; next to Shangri-La Hotel, btwn Maqta & Mussafah Bridges)
This 21st-century take on the
classic souq gets thumbs up for its appealing Arabian architecture and waterfront location.
There are some nice restaurants, retail and souvenir shops and
abra
rides through faux
canals.
Marina Mall
MALL
( 02-681 2310;
www.marinamall.ae
; Breakwater; 10am-10pm Sat-Wed, to 11pm Thu, 2-11pm Fri)
For loc-
als, the main draw of this big mall on the Breakwater seems to be Ikea, but fortunately
there are over 400 other stores in case you don't need yet another Billy bookcase. Enter-
tainment options include a multiplex cinema, tiny ice-skating rink and
Fun City
OFFLINE MAP
GOOGLE MAP
( 02-681 5526; Marina Mall, Breakwater; 10am-11pm Sat-Wed, to
midnight Thu, 2pm-midnight Fri)
, a huge activity centre for children that includes a (relatively
tame) rollercoaster and dodgem cars.
Abu Dhabi Mall
MALL
( 02-645 4858;
www.abudhabi-mall.com
;
10th St; 10am-10pm Sat-Wed, to 11pm Thu, 4-10pm Fri)
This el-
egant mall has 200 high-street and designer stores, the Grand Cinemas (
Click here
)
multi-
plex, a big food court, a children's entertainment area and a huge supermarket.
Madinat Zayed Gold Centre
MALL
( 02-633 3311;
www.madinatzayed-mall.com
;
4th St; 9am-11pm)
If you're in the market for stuff
that glitters, browse around the 70 jewellery stores in what is also a regular mall.
Orientation
