Dubai or Abu Dhabi?

I'm planning on visiting the UAE. I was thinking of visiting Dubai, but now, Abu Dhabi has caught my interest. It's a bit less dazzling, crowded and busy, and looks like a great city too.

I'm travelling to the UAE to:
1) Discover this wonderful country.
2) Fulfill a long-time dream, buy myself a full set of Emirati traditional clothes and win a bet I've made with my friends, coming to Madrid airport and stepping down from the plane wearing them.
3) Take lots of photographs, maybe meet some new friends, and have a good time. I haven't had 'real' holidays for... uhmm... maybe five or six years.
4) Sun and beaches are not very high in my list of preferences; nightclubs are even less important. I want to see museums, restaurants, malls, art galleries, and people in the street.

So, what do you recommend? What's your advice? For my first time in the UAE (and not the last, insha'allah!), should I visit Abu Dhabi or Dubai?

I'm going to be in the UAE for five days.

Hey Dude!
Well having in mind that the distance between Abu Dhabi and Dubai is just about an hour and a half apart, i think you should do both places. Personally i would prefer Dubai, there is much more to do there, if its relaxing at the beach during the day or shopping in the amazing malls, and not to talk about the nightlife which is worldclass with international high profile DJs coming in from around the world. Dubai is very much indeed a paradise, and i would recommend going there. However while your there, you can either go to Abu Dhabi as a day trip in taxi, which will cost u no more then 200 AED each way, or you can rent a car which u can get away with for about 20 USD per day.. With that said, if you want amazing pictures as u state, well tell me a better place then Dubai, where u can get pictures of the only 7-star hotel in the world (Burj Al Arab), crystal clear beaches with good looking females, Emirates Mall, where u can go skiing on the biggest indoor skislope in the world, not to forget the amazing daytrips u can go on in the desert.. Check out arabian adventures for that..

I wish u luck, and definately recommend DUBAI!

Why not do both? You don't need too much time and Abu Dhabi is only about an hours drive. They have a great museum in Dubai and some great restaurants. You didn't say how much time you have, personally, I don't think you need a lot in either place, just a few days.

You need atleast 15 days to have glance of this great country with so much of multicultural atmosphere.

Furnished accomdation is good if you are with family, Hotels depends on your budget........ expensive though

travel accross the country by public bus or taxi........ Rent a car will be cheaper and best if u can drive legaly in UAE.

Each city is different and great to explore to your taste.

Good luck and God bless u

If money is not a problem for you....Dubai is better,you can find a lot more Indians also to guide you,
Other wise ,staying in Shariah ...is cheaper, from there
you can travel to Dubai
Abu Dhabi
Ajman,
Ras ul khaima,
Umme al Quine
Fujaraih...
In the same visa......you don't need different visa,for Abu Dhabi or Dubai.
Buy a new traveler...simcard at your arrival at airport.
If you are coming from India....Air-arabia is cheaper...

Ciao. Absolutely Dubai. Then you can move to Abu Dhabi