Gleaming Abu Dhabi is powered by the same dynamic verve that the world associates with its glitzy brother of Dubai, but the big and brash bling-factor isn’t quite as extravagant.  Don’t get me wrong, vast pockets of the city are in a state of grand-scale transformation, like a pulsating urban shrine to Bob the Builder’s “can we build it, yes we can” mantra. But Abu Dhabi’s approach to grand urban development looks far more thoughtful and sustainable, with a deeper sense of purpose and eco-friendly emphasis underpinning its major projects. F

lanking the waterfront, the triumphant Corniche is an eight kilometre long crescent of manicured beachfront, that includes children’s play areas, beach parks, unexpectedly lush gardens, fabulous statues and promenades. It’s a great place to stroll early in the morning to size up the city’s spiky forest of skyscrapers, before the Arabian desert heat sparks up.

The Corniche has been awarded the coveted Blue Flag status, which is the gold-standard for clean, safe water to swim in. In fact, Abu Dhabi is a spankingly clean city, that would arguably get a gold-star nod of approval from Singapore.

Essential sights begin with the Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque. This Arab masterpiece is a mosque of world records. It’s the world’s largest mosque outside of Saudi Arabia. It features 82 domes (including the world’s largest), over 1000 marble columns, 24 carat gold gilded chandeliers, including the world’s biggest chandelier. Plus it’s home to the world's largest hand knotted carpet, painstakingly created by 1200 Iranian weavers. The mosque's first ceremony was the funeral of its namesake, Sheikh Zayed, who is buried on site. At night, the mosque’s super-flash lighting system reflects the phases of the moon. This colossal landmark, which was deliberately designed to be barrier-breaking for non-Muslim visitors, is spiritual bling at its most staggering.

A great contrast to the cutting edges of the high rises, is the Heritage oasis village which provides an excellent glimpse into Abu Dhabi’s roots. You’ll get a flavour of traditional desert life, including a Bedouin campfire, goats hair tents, and a falaj irrigation system, in the open-air museum. The workshops are fantastic, where craftsmen demonstrate time-honoured skills, like Arabic metal work, parquetry, pottery and weaving and spinning. If you’re a stickler authentic souvenirs, this will be a happy hunting ground.

For an arresting taste of future-focused Abu Dhabi, visit the satellite district of Masdar City, Masdar City, which is being built with the express aim of being the world’s lowest-carbon city. Powered primarily by solar energy, private vehicles are banned from the streets. The core of the public transport system will be Personal Rapid Transit, which looks like something out of the Jetsons. It’s basically a metro system, where you ride individually in your own automated pod car. How very futuristic!

One of the city’s great surprise packages is its fast-growing reputation as the arts and culture powerhouse of the Middle East.  Saadiyat Island is already home to two stunning exhibition centres, including the striking sand dune-inspired UAE Pavilion. They are now joined by the Zayed National Museum, Louvre Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, bolstering the city’s stripes as a world-leading arts hub. Accentuating Saadiyat’s appeal as a tourism mecca, the island already boasts a sensational beach on the Gulf, with luxury resorts and a welter of water-sports facilities. The development of this expansive public beach has been carefully integrated into the wider coastal neighbourhood, which is home to a delightful turtle nestle sanctuary. Saadiyat’s close proximity to the city centre is a major bonus.

Travelling with kids? Yas Island is boasts the mega-sized, mercury-busting Yas Waterpark. But the star attraction is Ferrari World, a souped theme park and home to the world’s fastest roller coaster, Formula Rossa , which reaches speeds of 240km in just 6 seconds from the jump.

Mike Yardley is Newstalk ZB’s Travel Correspondent on Jack Tame Saturdays. 11.20am