TOP: OLD MANGO OVERSIZED SHIRT (LINKED SIMILAR ONE FROM OLD NAVY, CURRENTLY ON SALE) | SHORTS: OLD FROM ZARA | HAT: FREYA GARDENIA HAT.
WHERE TO GO: Visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Keep in mind that you have to dress appropriately. Men in long sleeve shirts and pants and closed shoes and women with covered arms and legs and head as well. If you forget, there are several stores before you enter the mosque, where you can get a traditional dress for USD$12, there are fancier ones of course as well. I wore this cute dress I’ve had forever and a shawl over my head. You can reserve tickets online. It’s free to go, but it’s better to have a ticket to speed things up.
WHAT TO WEAR IN ABU DHABI: If you don’t already know, it is hot, hot, hot in the UAE in the summer. It gets to 100 degrees F and even though many flock away, it’s still bearable. If you’re visiting, pack very light clothing. Linens, breathable fabrics, sunblock and a sunhat. It gets very hot that your phone will shut down to cool down. True story! If you’re thinking of going to the beach, get a hotel that has a private access for easiness and comfort. Consider Corniche Beach. Go to West Bay for drinks, try Derwandi for delicious Lebanese food and very friendly staff.
WHAT’S NEXT: Next, you can go to the Louvre Abu Dhabi for an artsy afternoon and get away from the heat. The tickets are about USD$12 and you can buy them onsite or online. The exhibitions are not to miss, and the dome is quite mesmerizing. If you’re feeling energized, visit the UAE Presidential Palace next, also about USD$12. The architecture of the Qasr Al Watan is beautiful, and you can you right after the Louvre. Same dress code as the mosque so you can do these three in one day and end at the beach for a relaxing afternoon. As a rule of thumb, make sure your knees and shoulders are well covered.
LONG DRESSES + SHAWL FOR MOSQUE