Think Abu Dhabi and you're bound to be envisioning shopping at the Souks, bashing dunes in the desert and hopping through the world's glitziest malls. Not many associate the emirate with culture and leisure but time and development is changing that. Located merely 20 minutes from Abu Dhabi Airport and Downtown Abu Dhabi is the wonder that is Saadiyat Island. A melting pot of art and recreation, it's a hidden gem that is simply too delightful to be kept a secret any longer. While Yas Island brings entertainment and adventure to the Abu Dhabi cityscape, Saadiyat Island is the other side of the coin, which I delve into on this edition of #SheSays. Spanning 27-square-kilometres, the natural island is home to districts for a beach, marina, culture and lagoon, through which it offers world-class art, educational, wellness, golf, lifestyle and dining experiences.
A shining example is the interfaith complex named the Abrahamic Family House. It is home to the Eminence Ahmed El-Tayeb Mosque, the St.Francis Church, and the Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue in a single setting, which are different religious houses of worship of Abrahamic origin. Inaugurated in early 2023, the complex was built with the purpose of fostering dialogue, promoting knowledge and most importantly, spreading the message of peaceful co-existence. The complex is designed by Ghanaian-British architect Sir David Adjaye, who wove messages of enlightenment, divinity and redemption through their structures; each having identical dimensions. While the mosque features overarching latticework-detailed walls that shower patterned natural light through, the church featured an Italian abstract crucifix and tri-pointed fountain, marking the significance of the Holy Trinity. In the synagogue, the diagonally panelled facade is complete with an open skylight to resemble a chuppah, a Jewish structure used during marriage. Each house of worship is open for religious services and the complex also holds educational workshops on interfaith beliefs, intercultural communication and peaceful co-operation.
Those seeking a rejuvenating stopover won't need to look any further than the Saadiyat Beach Club. Like something out of a tropical island postcard, you'd never expect this gem of a spot to be only a short drive away from the bustling city. Its expansive infinity pool is trimmed with personal cabanas where one can sunbathe or sip a cocktail. While workout enthusiasts can break a sweat at the fitness centre with a personal trainer or paddle tennis, those who prefer leisure instead can choose the sandy shores for a gander. Adjacent is a natural white sand beach with tranquil blue waters to walk along or take in on a lounge bed. An idyllic beach day will end on a delightful note when it's spent dining at Safina Restaurant, with options including weekend brunch and daily Hi-Tea. One can also choose to dine at La Salle Bistro for French cuisine with a sea view that's a magnifique combination or the Beach Bar to sip on a Negroni while watching the sun dip into the horizon. With hospitality at Saadiyat Beach Club as spectacular as it was for me, it did not come as a surprise to note that occupancy of summer hotels rose by 13% in 2024 compared to the previous year, with international hotel guest arrivals also growing by 19%.
What Saadiyat Island is most prominent for is being Abu Dhabi's cultural hub and that is largely defined by the fact that it is home to the world's most famous museum, the iconic Louvre Abu Dhabi. It is the only other cultural entity in the world to currently share its title with the Louvre in Paris as an agreement to use its name for 30 years. From its otherworldly architecture to incredible art, it's easy to see why it's the 77th most visited museum in the world. Housed under a dome, the museum is designed by architect Jean Nouvel and the cupola-esque geometric structure; its crown. Similar in weight to Paris' Eiffel Tower, over 7,000 star motifs are interwoven through the structure of the dome, which allow light to playfully dapple through when the sun is out. This is as if to say, the masterworks are on display even before you enter the museum.
It's an incomparable feeling to be surrounded by masterpieces from the greats; beginning with Pablo Picasso, ending with Leonardo Da Vinci and including Andy Warhol, Claude Monet and more somewhere in between. It's like watching cultures of the world evolve, skills be mastered, civilisations rise and fall, all through a peephole that goes back in time. Prepare to be transfixed by collections of art from various civilisations, best explained on a guided tour through the museum. It was incredible how an afternoon spent in the Louvre gave so much insight into how far humankind has evolved and why art is such an important aspect of evolution. And when you've soaked in the history and visited the gift shop, walk to the concrete landing at its very end to spot sea turtles who are rehabilitated in the lagoon surrounding the museum as part of a wildlife rescue program.
Saadiyat Island will continue to be steeped in culture as the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is set to open in the near future to become the region's pre-eminent museum of global modern and contemporary art. Also in the works is the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, which will feature some of the rarest natural history specimens ever found on Earth. This is the destination where vacations won't just leave you relaxed and rejuvenated but also, enlightened and inspired like nowhere else you've ever been to.
(Also Read: From Ferrari World To Warner Bros World, The Fun Never Stops At Yas Island In Abu Dhabi)
