<span>Khalidiya is not so much a destination but an experience. Nestled in the heart of Abu Dhabi</span><span>, it's a colourful and bustling series of neighbourhoods</span><span> encompassing the modern, the historic, the glitzy and the gritty. If you</span><span>'re a fan of street snacks, </span><span>this is your ideal location</span><span>, and with the </span><span>Corniche </span><span>about a 20-minute walk away, it</span><span>'s a</span><span> good area to call home.</span> <span>So many places, not enough stomach space. This is the conundrum faced when sampling the food in Khalidiya. The restaurants reflect the area's true cosmopolitanism, with varie</span><span>d cuisines – from the Levant to Asia and North Africa – available at various price points. </span><span>You need to start with the basics</span><span> and for that you </span><span>should visit </span><span>The House of Tea</span><span>. Don't let </span><span>its small size fool you, as this hole-in-the-wall cafe</span><span> </span><span>does a roaring trade</span><span>, thanks to its paratha wraps (toppings include fried egg, </span><span>chicken </span><span>tikka or Nutella) and sweet karak tea. The nearby </span><span>Game of Toast</span><span> is </span><span>inspired by </span><span><em>Game of Thrones</em></span><span> and looks like it's straight out of the ritzy part of the Free City of Braavos. If you</span><span>'re looking for authentic Turkish food, </span><span>check out </span><span>Al Afiya</span><span>, with its expansive menu </span><span>– the Iskender meat or chicken </span><span>kebabs </span><span>are </span><span>amazing.</span> <span>Options are available for both the intrepid or stress</span><span>-free shopper. If you</span><span>'re the latter, </span><span>its best to visit </span><span>Khalidiyah Mall (4)</span><span>, which has three floors full of medium-</span><span>range fashion brands, a large</span><span> Lu</span><span>Lu Hypermarket and cinema (Cine Royal). If you</span><span>'re looking for a bargain, </span><span>wear some good shoes and stroll down </span><span>Darat Al Miyah (5)</span><span>, a district home to hundreds of small shops selling everything from mobile phones and perfumes to Sudanese</span><span>-style kand</span><span>uras and Pashtun-inspired sandals. Best of all, </span><span>the </span><span>sales</span><span>people</span><span> at these stores are a fountain of knowledge for all things Abu Dhabi.</span> <span>Khalidiya was viewed as one of Abu Dhabi's underrated culture hubs, but this </span><span>changed with the </span><span>refurbish</span><span>ment of </span><span>Qasr Al Hosn</span><span>. </span><span>Built more than 250 years ago, the former fort </span><span>now hosts various heritage </span><span>events and exhibitions. Technically it's in </span><span>Al Hosn, but it's worth wandering over</span><span>. Also, pay a visit to the </span><span>Etihad Modern Art Gallery</span><span>, which has a vibrant programme full of exhibitions by local and international artists. Make sure to check out </span><span>its Art Souq, held each Ramadan, where you can score evocative works being sold at a decent price.</span> <span>Many of the city's </span><span>cheaper hotels are </span><span>in Khalidiya. If you are here for business, </span><span>Downtown Sheraton Khalidiya Hotel</span><span> is a solid choice and has free parking. Another good option is </span><span>Oryx Hotel</span><span>, as it</span><span>'s a five-minute walk from the beach, with plenty of restaurants nearby. For a family</span><span> holiday, check out the </span><span>Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana</span><span>. The five-star </span><span>resort </span><span>has a large pool that overlooks the Arabian Gulf.</span> <span>Plus … </span><span>Khalidiya is also home to many cheap launderettes. They can be easily found in residential neighbourhoods, where you can get your clothes dry-cleaned at a great price. </span><span>Zubaidah Laundry</span><span> at Darat Al Miyah is </span><span>highly recommended.</span>