Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE and the emirate, and it is spread over most areas. Despite being a modern city with well-planned urban landscaping, Abu Dhabi retains its heritage. Some of the buildings here appear like those straight out of mythical Arabian legends.
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Its skyline features lofty futuristic skyscrapers and traditional souks side by side. Perched on a T-shaped island, this city offers everything a traveler wants to see, from fun and adventure to culture and heritage.
Here is a list of the top places to visit in this oil-rich emirate of the UAE.
Visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi
The country’s biggest and most beautiful mosque is in its capital. The Sheikh Zayed mosque has become an icon of Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Zayed, the former ruler and founder of the UAE, conceived this grand mosque. Construction began in 1996. After spending 2 billion dollars and 11 years, the magnificent mosque was opened to the public in 2007.
Meticulous care has been taken to perfect every inch of this marvel. The walls of white granite from the Republic of Macedonia are adorned with semi-precious stones like lapis lazuli, red agate, amethyst, abalone, jasper etc., mother-of-pearl, and gold.
The mosque combines Ottoman, Fatimid, and Moorish architecture, incorporating contemporary and modern elements. The large prayer halls are adorned with ornate carpets and massive bronze chandeliers with Swarovski crystals. The world’s most oversized hand-woven rug also belongs to this mosque.
Anyone, including non-Muslims, can tour the mosque for free. Visitors have to follow the Islamic dress code inside the complex. Women can borrow loose hooded gowns with long sleeves at the entrance. The mosque inside is accessible to tourists except during the five prayer times. Visiting this mosque will help you understand Islamic traditions and appreciate its architectural prowess. You must be interested in exploring places in Dubai if you visit the United Arab Emirates.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Designed by the Pritzker prize-winning architect, Lovre Abu Dhabi is envisioned as unique from all other museums in every regard. This phenomenal undertaking was a joint venture by the UAE and the French government.
The museum is on Saadiyat Island and is covered by water on all sides. It appears to be floating on top of the water from a distance. The gigantic dome covering the museum’s top is an architectural feat in and of itself. It comprises eight layers and resembles roofs paved with palm leaves. The light seeping through the dome emanates an unearthly glow in the galleries below.
Louvre Abu Dhabi, the most comprehensive museum on the planet, opened its gates in late 2017. Rather than categorizing artifacts based on their period and civilization, Louvre Abu Dhabi curates the cross-cultural influence of art and history.
The collection dates back thousands of years. The Ain Ghazal statue, originally from Jordan, dates to the 7th millennium BC. The Louvre has a permanent and temporary gallery. The temporary one displays loaned items from several major museums in France, most notably the original Louvre (Musee du Louvre).
A water pool inspired by the Falaj duct system runs inside the museum. Falaj systems were used to carry irrigation water in the Arab world before the inception of electricity.
Browsing through the collection will take you at least 2 hours. If you are interested in art and history, you can spend the whole day here and maybe return the next day.
Emirates Palace Hotel Abu Dhabi
Only a handful of hotels in the world can compete with the Emirates Palace in terms of luxury. This sandstone-colored beachfront hotel is majestic, like a whimsical Arabian palace in your dreams. It is owned and operated by a German chain called Kempinski.
This hotel stands out from the rest due to its size and luxury. It spreads over thousands of hectares on Ras Al Akhdar, overlooking the Arabian Gulf. The substantial granite domes decorated with gold light up every night, making it even more splendid.
With four exquisite restaurants, this place is culinary heaven. People from faraway places visit to experience gastronomic delicacies. The interior and exterior design follows the immaculate Arabian style, with enormous staircases and atriums. The hotel has a gallery that displays ancient artworks on gold shelves. Thanks to its prime location and scale, the hotel garners attention from almost everywhere in the central city.
The hotel offers tourists a guided Abu Dhabi City tour. It must be booked in advance on special events days and costs a fee. People with restaurant or hotel reservations can enter the hotel and the grounds for free.
But men who are too casually dressed in shorts, sleeveless, or slippers are not welcomed inside its premises. So make sure to dress formally when you go.
Ferrari World is One of the Best Places to Visit in Abu Dhabi
Ferrari World is the most famous place in Abu Dhabi. It offers more to car enthusiasts and Ferrari fanboys than other amusement parks.
Because of the climate-controlled interiors, this sprawling indoor theme park is ideal for visiting throughout the year and even on summer days. The park is located on Yas Island and is the first thing that welcomes you on your way to Abu Dhabi if you are driving from the Dubai side.
Ferrari World is home to Formula Rossa, the fastest roller coaster ride globally. The gut-churning 2.2-kilometer lift accelerates from 0 to 240 km/h in under 5 seconds. You must strap on goggles to protect your eyes at these mind-blowing (pun intended) speeds.
Even young kids can get their hands on the wheel and their first driving lesson at Junior GT. And if you want to experience extreme speeds without risk, there is a Scuderia Challenge racing simulator. Here, you get expert suggestions on how to improve your driving skills. On top of everything, your dream of driving a real Ferrari will come true on your trip to Ferrari World.
Apart from the rides, Ferrari World offers 4D shows, a factory tour, and cafes. It is ideal for a family day out on weekends.
Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi
Most of us haven’t been inside a real working palace. Qasar Al Watan presents a unique opportunity to see and walk around the Presidential Palace of the UAE. Qasar Al Watan (Palace of the Nation in Arabic) is part of the Presidential Palace, which is the same place where the offices of the rulers of Abu Dhabi exist.
The palace’s facade is made of gleaming white granite stones, much like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Even the architecture resembles the mosque. The palace stands adjacent to the famed Emirates Palace Hotel in Ras al Akhtar peninsula. Although the five-star hotel is stunning, it seems less significant than the palace.
Qasar al Watan is more than just a palace. The numerous galleries provide an insight into the nation’s history and future. The legendary Birmingham Quran, the first modern map of Arabia, and pre-Hispanic codices of the Aztecs are housed here.
The presidential banquet lets you experience how the king’s guests are welcomed and treated. You will also learn the etiquette and protocols when the nation welcomes an eminent guest. The display of the presidential gifts exchanged between the rulers and the ‘The Power of Words’ sculpture by the Emirati artist Mattar Bin Lahej are worth seeing.
Qasar Al Watan is open daily to visitors from 10 AM to 8 PM. You can take pictures inside the hall except for the security systems and staff. In the evening, the Qasar Al Watan hosts a light and sound show explaining the vision that carries the nation forward. You have to undergo a security screening before entering. Check out the list of prohibited items you cannot bring inside (like penknives, alcohol, etc.).
Qasr Al Hosn
The oldest surviving stone structure stands amidst the modern buildings at the center of the busy downtown of Abu Dhabi. The Qasr al Hosn fort has a long struggle and eventual prosperity.
The fort started as a watchtower. When the Bani Yas tribe moved to the resourceful Abu Dhabi Island in the 1700s, they had to protect the well that supplied fresh water to the settlement. Therefore, they built a watchtower nearby. Over time, as the colony expanded, the watchtower became a fort of thick coral stone walls. The structure saw many restorations in its centuries-long history.
This was the seat of the ruling family of Abu Dhabi until the mid-19th century. Qasr Al Hosn has two parts: the ancient fort and the palace outside, which were more recently constructed. Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan completed the palace in 1945 after the oil discovery.
Qasr al Hosn underwent an extensive restoration and reopened in 2018. Now, it has become a center of culture and heritage exploration. Galleries and Museums were added to it after its opening. Bait Al Gahwa and House of Artisans galleries give a picture of life in the old days. Qasr al Hosn is also featured on a 1000 AED banknote.
Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital
The Falcon Hospital in Abu Dhabi proves Emiratis’ love for the falcons. This unique kind of hospital in Abu Dhabi is exclusively for the flying friends of the Arabs. This is the only hospital in the world specializing in falcon treatment. The hospital’s expensive and state-of-the-art facilities offer the perfect care for falcons.
You might wonder why they would spend so much money on a bird. The fact is that falcons are so much more than just birds to them. Moreover, these birds can cost quite a lot. Falcons for falconry and racing are specially bred and priced at tens of thousands of Dirhams.
The hospital offers visitors a guided tour of the facility. A museum inside the hospital curates the falconry heritage in the UAE. Traditionally, falcons were used for hunting games. These intelligent birds adapt well to the desert terrains, follow their prey, and hunt them down with swift movement. These birds were preferred over other animals for hunting as they did not eat any part of the prey.
You can see the various treatments the falcons undergo with the guided tour. Falcons get the royal treatment in this hospital. Apart from essential veterinary services, they get cosmetic procedures. They have their version of pedicure called feather repair. When people register their falcons and get a falcon passport to carry them in airplanes, they come here. If you are brave enough, you can hold the falcons in your hand to take pictures with them.
Abu Dhabi Animal Shelter is an animal rescue center run by the Falcon Hospital. The animal shelter follows internationally adopted practices to care for canines and felines. Its animals are available for adoption through its website. In addition, it provides animal neutering services.
Best Place to Visit Abu Dhabi Yas Island
Yas Island is Abu Dhabi’s entertainment capital. Located 45 minutes from Abu Dhabi City, this place has something for everyone to enjoy. Abu Dhabi is an oversized island in the Arabian Gulf, so Yas Island is just another island, but a tiny one compared to the mainland.
Some of Abu Dhabi’s world-renowned attractions, like Ferrari World and the Yas Marina Circuit, are here. The Yas Mall, Yas Links golf course, restaurants, luxury hotels, and apartments are also there.
Apart from Ferrari World, there are a few other amusement parks on Yas Island. The Warner Bros theme park by the famous Hollywood studio of the same name and the water theme park Yas Waterworld are among the many places you can take your kids to hang out.
The island has also become a yachting and water sports destination. Thousands of people come to Yas Island to watch the Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Yas Marina circuit, held annually in the months leading to November. Professional F1 drivers love the Yas Marina race track for its sharp curves. It has the longest straight on the track, 1.2 kilometers long.
The Yas Viceroy Hotel on the island is remarkable. Because the hotel is built right next to the race track, the rooms here directly view the track. Yas Beach is an excellent spot to enjoy the beach’s beauty and bask under the sun. Regular events happen in performance arenas like the Du Forum and Du Arena.
Emirates Park Zoo and Resort Visit
If you are searching for a place to take your kids, the Emirates Park Zoo is for you. It is one of the best zoos in the Middle East, displays a long lineup of animals, and offers perfect activities for kids. There is a petting zoo to feed giraffes, ducks, hippos, goats, and elephants.
Emirates Park Zoo was built over a decade ago, 2008 unlike many other attractions. However, meticulous maintenance and continuous expansion have made it a world-class zoo. More than 1700 animals from different parts of the world live here. Carefully crafted facilities offer comfortable habitats to the animals, which live in a strikingly different climate from the desert. There are some rare animals in the zoo, like the white tiger.
The eight sections of the zoo are:
- Bird park – Visit the exotic birds and enjoy the thirty-minute Bird Show.
- Petting zoo – Feeding the animals one would not see otherwise is a fun experience.
- Giraffe Park – Visit and feed the long-necked giants.
- Snake Alley – Meet the crawling creatures. You can see a boa constrictor swallowing its prey if you are lucky.
- Flamingo Park – Who thought the world of flamingos was so diverse that they would need a dedicated section in the zoo?
- Wildlife walk – See the giants and hunters that rule the wilderness.
- Reptile house – Reptiles come in a wide range of sizes. But you won’t see the chameleon if you don’t look closely.
A variety of shows and presentations entertain and educate the children simultaneously. For that reason, you can often see flocks of junior school students here.
The Emirates Park resort is the only of its kind in the world. This vacation resort lets you live in rooms overlooking animal habitats and caves. And whom do you want to have breakfast with, the giraffes or the parrots? It is close to other major Abu Dhabi attractions like Yas Island, making it a convenient place to stay.
Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi
Another Island in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. But Saadiyat Island, or ‘Jazirat Saadiyat’ in Arabic, is more significant than Yas Island and is closer to the Abu Dhabi mainland. Like Yas Island, this will also become an entertainment and cultural hub in Abu Dhabi. The majority of the development on this island is still underway, but a few are already open. The main attraction on Saadiyat island, which you can visit right now, is the Louvre Museum.
You can see the UAE pavilion on the island from the Shanghai Expo 2020. This pavilion was moved from Shanghai in many pieces for many months. The design of the pavilion resembles the red dunes of Arabian deserts. Saadiyat public beach is a beautiful white sand beach with clear aquamarine water and excellent facilities.
Zayed Gandhi Digital Museum is a unique museum in the world. Divided into six sections, it compiles the greatness of the founders of two countries, Sheikh Zayed of UAE and Mahatma Gandhi of India, under one roof. The museum offers documentaries and digitized books about the leaders.
Another major project that has yet to be completed is the Zayed National Museum. This museum, which will also be an architectural milestone, is dedicated to the life and achievements of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan.
The Guggenheim Museum will open in 2022. It will curate Islamic traditions and Middle Eastern culture. The design and scale of this museum will surpass those of any other museum in existence today.
There are currently three operating museums on Saadiyat Island. Four more will be operating by 2022, the Guggenheim and Zayed National Museum being the most important.
Liwa Oasis (Bateen Liwa)
One of the greenest places to visit in Abu Dhabi is Liwa Oasis, part of the empty quarter—the aridest part of the desert where there is nothing but dunes, except for Bateen Liwa. The Empty Quarter (Rub Al Khali in Arabic) has the most extensive stretch of dunes worldwide.
The abundance of underground freshwater made Liwa an oasis. After the Bedouin tribes found water in Liwa in the 15th century, the settlements in the area started growing. Liwa was also the birthplace of the Nahyan family in the late 17th or early 18th century before they moved to the present city of Abu Dhabi. The Nahyan Family was a part of the Bani Yas tribe.
Today, Liwa is the center for farming and cultivation in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi has become a modern metropolis, but the Liwa oasis hasn’t changed much. Here, you can still see the original Bedouins who live off their camels and in shacks made of palm leaves. Despite the government’s efforts to provide modern amenities, they lived the old way.
Thanks to its long history, Liwa Oasis has medieval buildings and a few fortresses. It is unique with its greenery in the middle of the massive desert. But there are other attractions in Liwa. You can visit the Bedouins. They will be happy to see you and would love to offer you milk and food. Arabs are well known for their generosity and hospitality.
There is a single tall dune in the Liwa oasis called Moreeb Dune. Climbing this dune, which sores 300 meters into the sky, is a sport in and of itself. This dune is also 1.6 kilometers long. There is a road that will take you here. At the bottom of Moreeb Dune, there are camel racing tracks.
Jebel Hafeet Visit
Located on the outskirts of the Al Ain district in Abu Dhabi, Jebel Hafeet is a rocky mountain. The cliff is divided equally between Oman and Abu Dhabi. It is home to some of the most stunning roads in the UAE. Looking down from Jebel Hafeet, you can see the 12-kilometer road winding up the mountain. The top of the hill is 4000 feet above sea level, making it the second-highest peak in the UAE (the highest in the Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah). Driving on this road is something worth experiencing.
In 1986, the Abu Dhabi government built a two-lane highway in Jebel Hafeet. In addition to the many viewpoints along the road to the top, there is a viewing platform at the top of the mountain. There is also a 5-star hotel on the peak where you can enjoy the vast Al Ain Valley view. Al Ain Oasis’s lush vegetation and the desert sand’s earthly colors can be seen. If it’s winter, you can see tourists cycling up the mountain.
Ancient tombs of Jebel Hafeet
On the eastern side of Jebel Hafeet are ancient tombs dating back 5000 years. A cemetery was built at the beginning of the bronze age. It was discovered in 1959 that these tombs hint at a thriving human settlement in the middle of the desert during prehistoric times. Artifacts from this site show these people’s trade links with Iraq, Iran, and India.
Jebel Hafeet’s tombs are the most ancient archeological site in the UAE. Their peculiar shape has given them the name ‘Beehive Tombs.’ Also, UAE’s history during the Bronze Age is now named the ‘Hafeet Period.’
Heritage Village Abu Dhabi
The heritage village near the breakwaters of Abu Dhabi Corniche is a modern reconstruction of a pre-oil traditional village. It would be best to visit this place to understand the Arab lifestyle of the early 19th century. Traditional souks, Barasti houses, gardens, and a traditional mosque are all recreated to showcase the elegant past. The open museum in the heritage village has old pottery, weapons, and pictures that curate those people’s lifestyles. There is even a working model of the Falaj irrigation system, which is used to carry water from wells to farmlands.
A visit to the heritage village will be both educational and fun at the same time. Apart from learning about the heritage and traditions of Abu Dhabi, you can shop for handicrafts and Arabic clothes at the mock souks. There is a reason to choose the location of the heritage village in the marina breakwaters. The trades of the old Arabs were fishing and pearling. Therefore, those people settled near the sea. Moreover, the prime location near Marina Mall and the corniche provides a scenic backdrop for the whole thing.
The heritage village even offers things for kids to enjoy. They can watch the artisans demonstrate their work, see the mills weaving clothes, and ride on top of camels. The entrance to the heritage village is free.
Sir Bani Yas Island
Sir Bani Yas Island is an ecotourism destination in Abu Dhabi. It was also awarded the title of the world’s leading sustainable tourism destination. There are several beaches and luxury resorts for tourists looking for an overnight stay. But the island also offers daytime safari and falconry shows. You can go on a road trip covering this 87-square-kilometer island through the single-lane road connecting everything on the island. Unlike safaris on extensive forestlands, you will see the animals up close here.
Although this island has a similar name to Yas Island, they are entirely different in every other aspect. Bani Yas tribe in which the ruling family of Abu Dhabi belongs to. Even the ruling family of Dubai, the Maktoum family, is of the Bani Yas tribe. And that tribe is what this island is named after. Sir Bani Yas Island is located 250 kilometers west of Abu Dhabi city.
Before his death, the former ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed, used this island as his private island. He began turning it into a wildlife reserve in 1977.
People were living on the island even before 1940. They mined salt and hunted pearls before leaving as the water sources dried up. The remains of a 6th-century BCE monastery are located in the island’s center.
Animals on Sir Bani Yas Island
- Herbivores like gazelles and goat herds are open on the island, while wild cheetahs are confined in vast pens.
- Other animals here are giraffes, hedgehogs, Jerboas,
- Sir Bani Yas Island is a haven for Arabian oryxes and mountain sheep.
- There are also hundreds of insects, reptiles, birds, and bats.
- Fish, including sharks, dugongs, and dolphins.
Mangrove National Park
Just off the coast of Abu Dhabi is a mangrove forest covering 19 square kilometers. Mangroves in Abu Dhabi are large green patches of land. But unlike oases, they are not filled with tall date palms. This is the largest mangrove in the country and accounts for 75 percent of the total mangroves. They are a different ecosystem from any other in the desert.
Mangroves are shrubs and short trees that grow in muddy marshlands. They play a vital role in the stability of the environment—a reason why mangroves are the planet’s lungs. Birds, marine animals, and insects thrive here.
People flock to the mangrove national park to kayak and paddleboard in the waterway that cuts across the vegetation. Or you can take a boat ride that will take you around the mangrove and let you explore various plants and animals. Besides educational trips, the Mangrove National Park is also a destination for fun. Companies choose this place for team-building activities and adventures. The park also offers ladies-only days.
Mangroves are plastic-free zones. Littering can cause extensive damage to the ecosystem and is heavily fined. If you are going kayaking, you will probably get wet. So take a change of clothing. If you come during low tides, you can see crabs and birds frequent here. Instead of taking a boat ride around the area, paddling lets you conveniently explore every part of the mangrove.
Founders Memorial
A memorial to immortalize the legacy of Sheikh Zayed, who founded the United Arab Emirates. The founder’s memorial was opened recently in 2018. It curates the work and life of the late leader and King of Abu Dhabi aesthetically beautifully. The memorial adorns the central area of the Abu Dhabi Corniche near the famous Emirates Palace Hotel. You can see the Etihad Towers soaring into the sky in the backdrop. Founders Memorial is among the places you can visit for free in Abu Dhabi.
The memorial has three sections — the welcome center, the constellation, and the garden.
The Welcome Center
You will first see the modern-looking Founder’s Memorial Welcome Center when you enter the grounds. It has a gallery showcasing old footage of Sheik Zayed’s interviews and life events. This six-minute documentary will be screened every fifteen minutes. You can also come at 9 AM and take a 30-minute guided tour around the premises. The welcome center wall displays historical pictures of what look like shifting dunes.
The Constellation
The most striking part of the memorial is ‘The Constellation,’ designed by the renowned artist Ralph Helmick. The triangular-shaped constellation structure is 30 meters tall, making it the largest single art installation in the world. When the lights on the roof and floor of the structure are lit after nightfall, the constellation shines like stars in the sky.
The Garden
The vast garden surrounding the constellation is called ‘Space. ‘ It portrays Sheikh Zayed’s love for conserving nature. So many different types of trees are indigenous and foreign to Abu Dhabi. The irrigation system used in the garden is reminiscent of the Falaj ducts that the farmers used in the past.
Central Market
In 2003, Abu Dhabi’s first-ever souk burned down in a fire. The Central Market is now a modern take on the traditional souks in the same spot. Like most of the old buildings in Abu Dhabi, it is located near the sea.
The main complaint about malls is that they all look and feel the same. And if you have gone to one of them, it’s like you have visited them all. Central Market is the antithesis of that. It gives the shoppers a high-end shopping experience and insight into the traditional ways. The architecture and the design of the place are fascinating. Even the brand logos and interiors of the shops exude a traditional atmosphere. However, you can see signs of modernity, like stained glass windows in some shops.
The mall also has some unique architectural features. The roof panels of the large atrium can be opened and closed with a switch. During the winter, the roof is kept open, saving a lot of electricity.
Yas Waterworld – Best Place To Visit
Visit the largest water park in the UAE. Yas Waterworld gained the number one title among the waterparks in the Middle East as soon as it was opened in 2013. The park is conveniently located on Yas Island, near Dubai. This giant water park covers an area of 37 acres on the island. All these factors together make it a must-visit place in Abu Dhabi.
There are some fantastic rides in the park you must not miss. The world’s most enormous surfable sheet wave is here. The six-person water slide is also unique. It has impossible twists and turns, which promise an adrenaline-pumping wild ride. Other notable rides are Dawwama, Liwa Loop, and Yadi Yas. Some cute play areas are for tiny kids aged six months and above.
Yas Water World is themed around Emirati culture. You will see inspiration from traditional architecture and date palms all over the park. The names of the rides also reflect this.
One downside of the park is that it gets too crowded on the weekends. Even if you pay for a fast-track pass, you will wait 15-20 minutes. Therefore, it is best to visit on weekdays.
There is no doubt that Yas Waterworld is one of the best places to visit with family. Yas Waterworld is a part of the entertainment district of Yas Island. There are a lot of other attractions around it. But you won’t be able to cover all of them in one day. So my advice is to spend one full day enjoying Yas Waterworld.
Masdar City Abu Dhabi
A city in Abu Dhabi was planned and built from scratch. Masdar has the potential to be the very first futuristic city. The focus has been on making the city as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible. The government planned for Masdar to be a zero-carbon, zero-waste city.
Masdar city is located near Abu Dhabi International Airport. Although the construction is still underway, it is open to public visits. There is no ticket or entry fee. You can drive your car there. Park your car and enter the unmanned pods to see the sci-fi-inspired architecture. Cars are not allowed inside the city. A network of PRTs (Personal rapid transport) will carry out all the internal mobility.
Old technologies have found a rebirth in Masdar. A Teflon-coated wind tower is in the middle of the city, near Masdar Institute of Science and Technology. MIST symbolizes the importance of the future and is the city’s centerpiece. Masdar expects completion by 2030 to become the world’s first green city.