Today's Edition
TALAH TURK (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi has once again stepped into the global spotlight with Saadiyat Island being recognised as one of Condé Nast Traveller’s “Best Places to Go in 2026”. As the UAE capital continues to rise in international rankings, Saadiyat stands at the heart of a transformative era reshaping the region’s artistic and cultural landscape.
Also featured on ‘the Best Places to Go in Asia in 2026’ list, the island has been labelled a must-see for its “world-class cultural institutions”, with a calendar featuring highly anticipated museum openings.
Where Culture Meets Coastline
Cementing its reputation as the “fine arts capital of the Middle East”, Abu Dhabi is gearing up for the long-awaited inauguration of the Zayed National Museum, in honour of the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, followed by the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi in 2026.
The Zayed National Museum celebrates the UAE’s history and heritage, telling the story of the nation’s Founding Father, whose vision and example continue to guide the country and its people to this day. The Guggenheim, on the other hand, is set to showcase some of the most significant international artistic achievements of the past two centuries.
The report said a “cultural renaissance is underway” in the Emirati capital, building on a strong, established foundation that includes the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Abrahamic Family House, Manarat Al Saadiyat, teamLab Phenomena, and, as of this month, the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi.
Not only is the island a cultural treasure-trove and home to “the world’s most unique representations of tolerance”, Condé Nast pointed out Saadiyat’s other forte, which is “the string of luxury resorts that line Saadiyat Beach, the UAE’s most beautiful stretch of coast”.
Representing the Region Alongside Morocco
Also on Condé Nast’s prestigious list of dreamy must-sees are Tanzania’s Arusha, Barbados’ East Coast, Belgium’s Brussels, Panama’s Chiriquí Province, Utah’s Deer Valley, Morocco’s Fès, Gabon, Slovenia’s Upper Carniola (Gorenjska), Mexico’s Guadalajara, China’s Hong Kong, Australia’s Margaret River, Colombia’s Medellín, Brazil’s Minas Gerais, Japan’s Naoshima, Northern Chilean Patagonia, Northern Namibia, Finland’s Oulu, Greece’s The Peloponnese, Bolivia’s Potosí, Canada’s Prince Edward County, USA’s Route 66, France’s Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, India’s Udaipur, Australia’s Uluru, and Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls.
This makes Saadiyat Island one of only two destinations in the Arab world to make it onto the list of recommended additions to globetrotters’ 2026 travel wish list.
