Street No 1, also known as the Corniche, is one of the best-known roads in Abu Dhabi. In days gone by, pearl fishermen lived in this area, close to the port. In the late 1960s, as the oil industry started to take off, hotels were built to accommodate visiting executives. The Sheraton Hotel and Resort, Al Ain Palace Hotel and the Hilton Abu Dhabi were once some of the tallest buildings along the coastline. The road we use today was built on reclaimed land in 2003 and 2004. Before then, these hotels and the line of buildings used to be on the water's edge.
The modern-day Corniche is now nine kilometres of promenade, beaches and parks, with plenty of options for fitness, exercise and recreation for the whole family.
Attractions
The beaches, parks and hotels are the main attractions along the Corniche. There’s a beach for the general public, and there are similar facilities for families and singles.
The family beach has grassy areas and plenty of shade under gazebos. There are also play areas for children.
Beach-goers can hire a sunshade and lounger or simply throw a towel on the sand. Swimmers are watched over by lifeguards, and the beach has the internationally recognised Blue Flag status, which means the beach meets environmental, safety and water-quality standards. Entry to the public beach is free, but some areas, such as the Family Beach, charge Dh10 per person.
At the heart of the Corniche beach, by the family and public beach entrances, is a plaza area. During the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix next month, this area will be turned into the F1 FanZone, with interactive activities, big screens for watching the action at Yas Marina Circuit, plus other family-related activities. The Yasalam events, which include music, entertainment and community elements, are free to attend.
For beach clubs with hotel service and additional facilities, there are two options, both offering annual membership and daily passes. Nation Riviera, which is attached to St Regis Abu Dhabi, offers access to a private beach, lap pool, restaurants and gym for Dh200 for a day pass for one or Dh300 for a couple. Hiltonia Beach Club charges Dh200 per couple for a weekday (Dh290 at weekends), or Dh140 per couple after 3pm.
Across the road from the beach are themed parks, which are particularly popular with families during the cooler months, especially at weekends. In the summer, the parks become a hive of activity during the evenings and into the night.
The Family Park has a toddlers’ village with trains and boats, as well as climbing and imaginative play equipment, a Treasure Island and an area called Tranquility Bay for children up to 12 years old.
The parks are linked by a series of underpasses, all with mosaic murals on the walls and fountains at the end of each tunnel. Ramps ensure access for all. In the shadows of Baynunah Tower is a small water park with a skate park nearby.
The underpass for Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Street is in two parts. In the middle of the road is a plaza area with garden rooms – small, tranquil, walled areas with benches, water features and seating.
The Recreation Park has a large spire, sundial and more children’s play areas. The Formal Park has a series of fitness stations, a maze and a walled garden. Farther on, towards Mina, the Heritage Park has lush planting and gazebos.
Dining
There are plenty of quick-bite options in the crescent of outlets by the public beach. And Khalidiya has become a genuine food hotspot: Saudi Kitchen, Chagh Kabab, Buffalo Wings & Rings, Fly Hot Dog and Japanese cafe Mikado, as well as Camacho, which serves an unusual combination of Japanese and Italian dishes. Many of these restaurants are open until 4am on Thursday and Friday nights. Takeaway fans can also head to the Corniche Residence tower, where Johnny Rockets serves shakes and burgers in an American diner-style setting.
On the 74th floor of Jumeirah at Etihad Towers hotel, the Observation Deck at 300 has one of the best views of the Corniche. An entrance fee is charged, but this can be partially offset against the price of high tea.
The suavest option in the area is Asia de Cuba, a vibrant restaurant and bar next to the water at the Nation Rivera Beach Club, while the adjacent seafood spot Catch is similarly five-star.
Zyara, a Lebanese restaurant towards the Corniche’s eastern end, has a homely and cosy atmosphere with sofas that you could sit on all day long.
Alternatively, you can picnic in the park. Barbecuing isn’t allowed, but taking a hamper of food and enjoying the green space is a lovely way to while away some time.
Retail
This is perhaps one of the few areas of the city where retail takes a comparative back seat, but there are still a few good options. Nation Galleria has a cinema, organic supermarket and designer shops. Marina, Khalidiyah, World Trade Center and Abu Dhabi malls are all also within easy reach. Spinneys and Abela are popular supermarkets, and there are plenty of Baqala convenience shops in the residential streets. Hollywood Magic sells evening gowns and dresses for special occasions.
Transport
The beach car park by Nation Towers gives plenty of paid and free space for weekend visitors, and the nearby underpass allows safe, quick crossing to the beach.
Perhaps the easiest way to travel along the Corniche is to run, rollerblade or bike it. Bicycles can be hired near to the Hiltonia for Dh20 an hour for adults and Dh15 for children. The 005, 034 and 063 buses run along the Corniche.
‘From all the bedrooms, we have a view of the sea’
Lorraine Simon and her husband, Daniel, and their sons, Cian, 12, and Gavin, 9, have lived in an apartment in the Salama Residence since 2012. Before this, they lived in Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan, opposite Emirates Palace, but wanted to move closer to the boys’ school, Lycée Français Théodore Monod, and also to an area where they could get out and about.
“I had lots of friends who lived in this block, so I knew it quite well,” she says. “When we were looking, the construction had finished, and I thought this was the block I wanted to live in.
“As I saw this building, I said it was well-priced, in a good location, with a pool on the roof and a big balcony that we can put garden furniture on. From the living room and all the bedrooms, we have a view of the sea.
“There isn’t any car parking, but we have a Mawaqif permit, and this year there seems to be more car parking available in the evenings.”
Simon says she enjoys the community feel of the area and the proximity of dining and leisure amenities, including The Third Place Cafe, which she calls a relaxing “home from home”.
“My block is definitely my community. I walk to Costa to see friends, and on Saturday mornings, I meet a friend for breakfast in Jones the Grocer. I don’t understand why you’d need to live on a compound for a sense of community. It feels compound-like in the block. Everything is here.
“On Tuesday, I went for a yoga class on the beach,” Simon adds. “Everyone who was there lived close by. We were doing yoga on the beach, facing the ocean and Marina Mall. It was just beautiful.”
Simon says that the location also has a lot of attractions for families.
“We take the beach for granted, and the boys don’t use it as much as they could. If they want to play, they come to down to the small grassy area and throw a rugby ball around with their friends.
“For the boys, living here is functional. If they want to go to their friends’ houses, they get on their scooters and go. They can cross at the lights and safely travel along the pavement.
“My younger son finishes school earlier than his brother, so the two of us go for a walk, have an ice cream and look at the sea.”
Cooling temperatures are now giving Simon the opportunity to stretch her legs.
“In the winter months, I walk to Marina Mall, and will get a taxi back with my shopping,” she says. “In the UK, I’d walk 40 minutes quite happily, but when I first moved here, I didn’t. Now, I think it’s fine, and just leave earlier and plan it into my day.”
weekend@thenational.ae
