Island of Yas in Abu Dhabi
The man-made Island is now – this is the main tourist zone of Emirate Abu Dhabi, a place of record concentration of entertainment parks, shops and facilities of elite residential real estate. Here is the route Yas Marina Circuit, the receiving Grand Prix Formula 1.
Attention! Syar Island Now (February 2021) is open to tourists. But tourists can fly only to Dubai, and for a trip to the yoke will need an additional test for Coronavirus and possibly quarantine, as the island is located in Abu Dhabi Emirate. Details in the article on the link above.
Construction of the infrastructure and objects of the Island of Nasa cost the UAE at 40 billion US dollars. The total area of the island – 2 500 hectares, 1,700 of them are allocated for the construction of objects. Syan Island Was awarded the World Travel Awards Award as the world’s best tourist project.
In this article, we will tell all the most important and interesting about the island of Yas – hotels, amusement parks, shops, restaurants, beaches.
A bit of history
The idea to build in Abu Dhabi region for tourist and entertainment facilities was discussed in the 90s. The final decision on the creation of such a district was adopted in 2006.
For such a district, created the island. In Abu Dhabi, they did not pour out the island from the sand, as did it in the Emirate of Dubai. Around the city of Abu Dhabi more than 400 natural islands. Why spend money and pour another one?
In Abu Dhabi, they arrived more pragmatic – the channels were cut through and separated the land of sushi. So the island of Yas, who thus received the loud status "man-made". Magnificent marketing stroke, you can only clutch.
The project was engaged in (and still engaged in) Aldar Properties, headquarters in Abu Dhabi. In 2011, another company, Miral Asset Management, is also a state organization responsible for, by quoting: "Construction and management of objects of Abu Dhabi.
The project was broken into three phases until 2018. But now I am going 4th and there will be another 5th phases. Not all the territory is built up, and the Arabs want to "squeeze" from Yas maximum profit.
The main contractors of the Aldar Properties in the construction of the objects of the Island of the company – Drake & Scull International, Belhasa Six Construct and DEPA Interiors.
Depa Interiors is very famous, they create interiors almost for all significant buildings in the UAE. The list of objects on which they worked, very impressive: Burj Khalifa, Emirates Palace hotels and Burj Al-Arab, Dubai metro stations, Dubai Opera, Dubai Dubai Mall and Mall of Emirates, Terminals Dubai Airport and a long list of chic hotels in Arab Emirates.
In September 2007, contracts for the construction of the Yas Marina Circuit race track were signed, construction work began.
In November 2007, the first stone is installed in the foundation of the Ferrari World Park.
In November 2009, the route was already built, the first Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi passed, Sebastian Vettel became the winner, the Red Bull team. In the photo above, click on the photo to enlarge.
In November 2010, Ferrari World Park received the first visitors.
In March 2010, the Yas Links golf course opened.
In January 2013, Yas Waterworld Waterpark opened (in the photo on the right, click to enlarge).
In November 2014, the Yas Mall shopping center was opened – the second in the sizes of the TRC in the UAE.
In April 2016, the organization Miral Asset Management confirmed the plan for the construction of the Amusement Park Warner Bros. The opening of this Park is planned in 2018.
In July 2018, the Warner Bros entertainment park received the first visitors.
On the way another 3 more interesting objects: Huge sports and entertainment complex Clymb, Oceanarium Seaworld, Yas Bay Embankment.
Interesting facts and unreal numbers
On the official website of the Islands of the Sen says that in 2015, 25 million people visited the island. And by 2020, the number of visitors will grow up to 30 million.
In such numbers it is difficult to believe.
The population of the United Arab Emirates in 2015 was estimated at 12 million people, most of which are Indian and Pakistani workers who have no money for entertainment and is not foreseen. Read the details in our article "Population of Arab Emirates".
In 2015, the UAE in 2015 was visited by 17 million tourists, and most of them came to relax not in Abu Dhabi, but in Emirate Dubai.
How did you count 25 million visitors on the island of Yas? Unclear. And it is not clear how these visitors considered? After all, entry to the island of free, tickets are not sold, coming do not register.
Most likely, the figure of 25 million is another marketing move from Aldar Properties.
It is planned that by 2030, 100,000 inhabitants will reside on the island of Yas. This figure can be believed, the construction of residential real estate here is very active. We will talk about homes and villas below in this article.
Logo Island Yas
The project on the development of the project logo won the company Start JG. The author of the logo was the artist Pavel Nolbert, known for work with brands: Nike, Jonny Walker, New Republic, Android Wallpaper, Sony PlayStation. The logo is created using acrylic paints and 4D modeling.
The result, see the photo next, click on the photo to enlarge. The author characterizes the logo as: "Full movement and color for brand, full of life". Unfortunately, it is unknown how many sheikh paid Nolbert for this work, commercial mystery.
Hotels of the island of Yas
On the Internet you can find pages with names: "Top10 hotels in Yas" or "10 most expensive hotels in Yas". Such titles give a reason to laugh, because hotels here are only 7.
The most famous hotel is Yas Viceroy ABU Dhabi. This gorgeous 5 star hotel became the first and so far the only one, located above the highway of formula 1. You can view current prices with a form below.
The remaining 6 hotels are located in Yas Plaza in the south of the island. These: Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island, Rotana Yas Island, Centro Yas Island, Park Inn Abu Dhabi Yas Island, Radisson Blu Abu Dhabi Yas Island, Staybridge Suites ABU Dhabi Yas Island.
Rest in these hotels have pros and cons. The main minus is the distance from the beach, you will have to walk around 10 minutes. The main plus is a quick and free access to all distinctions and shops.
How to get and transport on the island of Yas
For guests of Yas Express Free Buses. These buses pass through the hotels zone and travel around the circular route, approaching all the main attractions. Buses go from 9-30 am to midnight. Yas Express buses look in the image below, click on the picture to enlarge.
There are six Yas Express routes – "Red", "Blue", "Yellow", "green", "purple", "orange".
Red The route follows between: hotels, Yas Beach, Yas Marina.
Blue The route follows between: hotels, Ferrari WORLD, YAS Mall, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros.
Green Going from Etihad Plaza, which is not far from the airport, passing around the Masdar City area, then on the Yas Mall Island in Ferrari World, Yas Mall, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros.
Purple The route follows between: hotels, Yas Links, Yas Central, Ferrari WORLD, YAS Mall.
Yellow The route follows between: Shangri-La Qaryat Al Ber, through the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, in Ferrari World, Yas Mall, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros.
Orange The route follows between: Park Hyatt hotels, Rixos Saadiyat Island, Saadiyat Rotana, The St.Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, in Ferrari WORLD, YAS Mall, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros.
Within the island of SMA conveniently moving around the bike. About a dozen rolling points ADCB Bikeshare scattered around the island. Payment and pledge are manufactured using a credit card, terminals show information in Arabic and English.
Most convenient to move by taxi, within the island, the trip costs from 12 to 20 dirhams. Read more about prices in our article "Taxi in the Arab Emirates".
If you relax in the hotel on the island of Saadyat, it is convenient to come to the island of Yas on the free Yas Express Saadiyat, which goes from hotels in St. Regis Saadiyat Island and Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi and takes tourists to Yas. Three flights there in the morning and three flights back in the evening from the fleece Ferrari WORLD.
From the center of Abu Dhabi, you can arrive on buses 180 and 190, they follow from Zayed Sports City through Abu-Dhaby Bus Station to the center of Yas, travel – 4 Dirham UAE. For a taxi to get from Cornish Embankment for 70 dirhams. Actual Dirham UAE Course See our "Money in Arab Emirates" page.
Main entertainment
Ferrari World Discussion Park – This is a "nail" entertainment program on the island of Yas. This is a huge entertainment park indoor. Here, tourists are waiting for the fastest American hills in the world, the Ferrari car museum and a few more dozen attractions. In the photo below, click to enlarge.
Waterpark Yas Waterworld You can safely consider one of the most interesting water parks in the Arab Emirates. It boasts a rare attraction – aquatic roller slides, a large children’s zone, an attraction catching a real pearl and many other fascinating entertainment.
Warner Bros Park After opening in 2018, became the largest entertainment facility in the room, the area is more than 15 hectares. Here tourists are waiting for superheroes DC, cartoon characters Warner, 29 attractions for any age.
Yas Marina Race Track, where the Grand Prix F1 is held, the race is arranged in November of each year.
The length of the track is 5.5 kilometers, the longest straight line on the highway – 1140 meters, the area of the track area – 162 hectares, capacity – 41,000 spectators.
Different races are held on Yas Marina Circus, you can ride racing cars for a fee, go through racing skill lessons. And you can travel for free by the track by bike.
Yas Links Golf Club. The field is designed by the famous architect Kaille Philips. This golf club is recognized as one of the top25 Golf Digest edition and one of the top10 new international fields with Golf Magazine.
Concert platforms Du Arena and du Forum. Du Arena playground the largest in the Middle East with a capacity of 35,000 people. Here they performed: Madonna, Shakira, Metallica Group, Justin Timberlake and other stars. Dozens of festivals are held every year.
The shops
TRC Yas Mall second in the UAE in size. More than 400 stores and 100 restaurants, fast foods and cafes. Unique entertainment centers for children and adults.
IKEA Yas Island – This is the biggest store of the IKEA brand in the Arab world. 33 000 kV.M total area, 19 150 kV.M Shop Square. There is a trading exhibition, a restaurant, a children’s game center.
Ace Hardware – This is the famous brand of electronics stores, originally from the USA. In Russia, it is not presented, so the Russian tourists look interesting. Total area – 5 200 kV.M.
Yas Island Beach Beach
On the island of Yas only one big beach, called Yas Island Beach, is located on the southern coast next to the golf course and kilometer from the hotel area.
Open daily from 10-00 to 19-00, let all those who want, but paid. Price – 50 Dirhams for an adult and 25 for a child (6-18 years old) on weekdays, 100 and 50 dirhams on weekends. Children under 8 years old are free. This price includes rase towels, sun beds and umbrellas. On Saturdays women discount – 50%.
Local hotels can be held free on cards.
How much is the apartment on the island of Yas?
On the island of Say several residential complexes.
District Yas Acres. Price Villas of 300 kV.M. With three bedrooms – 3,000,000 dirhams (800,000 dollars).
MAYAN area. Apartment price of 150 kV.M. With two bedrooms – 2,500,000 dirhams (680,000 dollars).
District West YAS sells real estate Only citizens of the United Arab Emirates, a foreigner to buy here Property or lodging rights does not have.
District ansam. Apartments of 200 kV.M. With three bedrooms – 2,850,000 dirhams (775,000 dollars).
Residential real estate here is very expensive, even by the standards of the UAE.
Good to know
– If you are going to have fun in Ferrari World, Warner Bros or Yas Waterworld, then read our article "How cheaper to buy tickets to the Amusement Parks of the UAE";
– If you gathered on the island of Zas from Dubai, then read our articles "How to drive from Dubai to Abu Dhabi" and "Free buses from Dubai to Abu Dhabi";
– If you decide to relax on the island yourself (without a trip), then read our article "How to get from Abu Dhabi Airport".
Merry entertainment on the island of Yas, and read our interesting articles about the UAE (Links below).
