The Allure of Abu Dhabi, the World's Happiest City

October 16, 2025 | 11:23 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Abu Dhabi has been named the happiest city in the world in 2025 according to the Time Out Index survey. This survey assesses residents' satisfaction with quality of life, community togetherness, and personal needs. Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is located on an island jutting into the Persian Gulf. In addition to being the capital, Abu Dhabi is the largest of the country's seven emirates.

Below Abu Dhabi, four other cities that made the top five are Medellin, Cape Town, Mexico City, and Mumbai. Meanwhile, Beijing, Shanghai, Chicago, Seville, and Melbourne complete the top ten list.

The ranking of happiest cities is based on residents' positive responses to five happiness indicators, including overall happiness, social connectedness in their residential areas, and the extent to which their cities contribute to daily happiness and well-being.

Abu Dhabi's History

According to Britannica, Abu Dhabi started as a small settlement on the coast of the Persian Gulf in 1761, when the Al Bu Falah tribe of the Banu Yas confederation settled in the area. The city initially depended on small trade and pearl diving, but suffered a decline after the emergence of cultured pearls from Japan and the 1929 economic crisis.

A significant change occurred after the discovery of oil fields in 1958 and the start of commercial production in 1962. Abu Dhabi became a new economic center in the Gulf region. The city's modernization accelerated under the leadership of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan since 1966, through the development of large-scale infrastructure and public facilities.

Since being designated as the capital of the United Arab Emirates in 1971 and becoming permanent in the early 1990s, Abu Dhabi has continued to develop as a center for governance, business, and tourism. The city is now known as a symbol of prosperity and progress in the UAE. It is home to iconic projects, the national airline Etihad Airways, and modern, internationally recognized areas.

Abu Dhabi's Culture

As the cultural heart of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Abu Dhabi is known not only for its magnificent architecture and economic progress, but also for the wealth of traditions that blend with strong Islamic values, as reported by Holidify. Thanks to significant government investment in the tourism sector, Abu Dhabi has become one of the world's top tourist destinations, offering everything from vast parks to various modern recreational facilities.

However, all this progress is still based on the Islamic values that underlie the lives of its people. As long as they respect the norms and social harmony that apply there, residents from various countries are warmly welcomed.

Etiquette is an important part of daily life. For example, playing loud music in luxury cars is considered inappropriate. Men generally do not shake hands with women; instead, they offer an Islamic greeting and place their hands on their chests as a sign of respect.

Desert safaris, belly dancing, and classical Arabic poetry are still part of the local art scene. Arabic calligraphy is widely taught, reflecting the community's love for art and language. In terms of clothing, men wear dishdasha with the head covering gutra, while women wear black abaya and sheyla as a symbol of modesty.

Abu Dhabi's cuisine offers a variety of flavors from around the world, including Italian and Indian. However, local dishes remain the main attraction. Some of these include Harees (wheat and meat porridge), Makboos (spiced rice with chicken, lamb, or shrimp), Salona (spiced meat and vegetable soup), and Madrooba (seafood with flatbread). We love street food such as falafel and shawarma because they are delicious and affordable.

Large revenues from oil and pearls have driven the development of skyscrapers, shopping centers, and luxurious residential areas. The Emirates Palace Hotel showcases some of Abu Dhabi's architectural splendors, while the Yas Viceroy Hotel has become an icon of futuristic design thanks to its glass structure and dazzling LED lights at night. In contrast, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque showcases Islamic architecture's beauty with Quranic calligraphy and magnificent Swarovski crystal chandeliers.

Abu Dhabi celebrates a variety of festivals, from religious celebrations like Eid al-Fitr to modern cultural events such as the Abu Dhabi Festival, Abu Dhabi Film Festival, and UAE National Day. The combination of tradition and innovation makes this city a global stage for arts, music, and film.

Annisa Nur Alimah contributed to the writing of this article

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