Places to Visit in Abu Dhabi

A majestic structure nestled amid skilfully manicured gardens, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is an impressive landmark in the beautiful city of Abu Dhabi. It is one of the largest mosques in the world. One can best enjoy the beauty of this structure with 45 to 60 minutes of guided tours (available in English and Arabic) available for Muslims and non-Muslims.

Located on Abu Dhabi's waterfront, the Emirates Palace is one of the most expensive hotels in Abu Dhabi and a cultural hub. Visitors have access to only certain areas of the hotel like the lobby, exhibitions and outdoor areas. If a stay at the 7-star hotel is not possible, one can still experience the hotel's luxuries with the guided tour.

The Louvre is the first art and civilisation museum of its kind in the United Arab Emirates. Located on the Saadiyat Island in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, this cultural landmark is a part of the Saadiyat Cultural District. With its strong emphasis of preservation and appreciation of culture, the emirate of Abu Dhabi is the ideal location for the Louvre.

Ferrari World is the world's first Ferrari 'themed' park offering adrenaline-pumping experiences to its visitors with its unique concepts in its rides. Apart from the thrilling rides, explore the state of the art simulators, live performances, electric go-karts and purchase some authentic Ferrari racing memorabilia.

Yas Marina is all about Abu Dhabi's opulent Grand Prix. The circuit is located on Yas Island, which stands about 30 minutes away from the capital city of UAE, Abu Dhabi. There is a lot more to explore other than the tracks. The marina-based additions also house a theme park, and a water park, residential areas, hotels, and beaches.

The Observation Deck at 300 provides a 360-degree panoramic view of the city of Abu Dhabi. With the use of binoculars for a closer view, one can enjoy a unique bird’s eye view of the skyline, the Corniche and the Arabian Gulf. As the name suggests, the Observation Deck is located 300 metres above ground, which makes it the highest vantage point in the city.

Yas Island is a 2,500-hectare human-made island in Abu Dhabi and is one of the biggest tourist attractions in UAE. This engineering marvel encompasses everything from posh hotels to shopping centres. It is also home to the famous Ferrari World and the Yas Marina Circuit which hosts the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix every year since 2009.

Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi is a fully air-conditioned indoor amusement park. This USD 1 billion worth project houses 29 rides, 7-star restaurants, shops, and thrilling shows all including iconic Warner Bros entertainment characters.

The Abu Dhabi Corniche is an 8 kilometre-long stretch of a well-maintained waterfront that nestles cafes, restaurants, children's play zone and separate pathways for pedestrians and cycles.

The Yas Waterworld has since been rated as one of the top 12 water parks in the world. It boasts of 40 exciting and unique rides and slides, and five other attractions that are guaranteed to keep you entertained throughout your day here. There are multiple restaurants, cafes, lockers, children's play area and all other essential facilities to make your visit a smooth one.

Heritage Village is a fantastic reconstructed Arab village depicting the Emiratis' life before oil was discovered in the nation. The place features the Bedouin lifestyle with a dash of a campfire, traditional tents made of goat's hair, coffee and a display of the Falaj irrigation system.

A beautiful structure sitting 45 kilometres south of Abu Dhabi is the Emirates National Auto Museum displaying a rich collection of cars. From the biggest, longest, oldest to the most expensive collection, this is Sheikh Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan's private collection of cars.

The Marina Eye in Abu Dhabi is a giant Ferris wheel on the Corniche that is visible from all nooks and corners of the city. It houses 42 capsules along with luxury VIP capsules. A ride on this wonder takes around 5 minutes, but every minute of it is breathtaking, with a stunning view of the city's horizon and the sparkling blue waters of the coastline.

The Emirates Park Zoo is home to more than 1,400 species of animals, including birds, reptiles, mammals and other wildlife. The zoo, which remains open 365 days a year, makes for a perfect destination for children and families, incorporating the concept of edutainment – education combined with enjoyable and fun activities.

Hili Fun City is the first themed amusement park to open in the Gulf region. It is located in the Garden City of Al Ain in Abu Dhabi and is immensely popular with children for the thrilling, adventurous rides and several attractions that are enjoyed by the parents as well. The Hili Fun City also houses a huge ice rink similar to that used Olympics, another first in the Gulf.

The Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital (ADFH) is known for being the first of its kind and the largest falcon hospital in the world. The hospital also has a Falcon Museum. The falcon is the UAE's national bird and is a much adored bird by the Emiratis and holds strong ties to the rich Arab heritage.

Recognized as one of the best malls of Abu Dhabi, Marina Mall is a 122,000 sq meters space housing about 400 plus retail stores, a hypermarket, banks, specialty stores, some offices, and a Mercedes Benz car showroom. It is located in close proximity to the Emirates Palace.

The Qasr al-Hosn is an exhibition centre displaying the historic events in the past of the city of Abu Dhabi. It is alo the oldest exhibition in Abu Dhabi and is the narration of the story of Abu Dhabi and its people.

The Eastern Mangroves Promenade is a retail and lifestyle hub, located within the Eastern Mangroves Complex on Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street in Abu Dhabi. The promenade boasts a number of restaurants, health and beauty service outlets, a supermarket, residential locations and several leisure outlets.

The Saadiyat Public Beach, covering about 400 metres, is set on the Saadiyat Island’s natural shores. Beachgoers can enjoy a relaxed day outdoors with the white sandy shores and clear blue waters, as well as a multitude of water sports and activities.

Abu Dhabi’s Corniche Beach, which opened in 2008, is one of the most popular beaches and tourist destinations in the city. The 8-kilometres long beach extends along the Corniche Road, starting from the Hilton Hotel to Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street. Other interesting attractions, such as the Marina Mall and the Presidential Palace are located nearby.

One of the historic structures of UAE, Al Jahili Fort presents a picture-perfect view nestled amid natural beauty. The fort is adorned with a museum exhibiting the work of British adventurer Sir Wilfred Thesiger.

Al Ain National Museum is the oldest museum in the UAE and was formerly the residence of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the late founder of UAE. It houses many artefacts like weaponry and more that was discovered from many archaeological sites that date back to sixth millennium BCE.

The colossal Etihad Towers houses five magnificent towers which characterise the city's skyline. Located in the Al Ras Al Akhdar district opposite the Emirates Palace, the Etihad Towers is designed to provide a luxurious experience to the visitors featuring apartments, offices and the Jumeirah Hotel.

Situated in the heart of Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Mall is one of the top-rated malls in the city for the best waterfront shopping experience. With over 200 stores offering a wide range of products and services, you can easily get confused about which store to shop from. The mall is even connected to the Beach Rotana Hotel, from where you may directly head towards the beach area.

Women's Handicrafts Center exhibits the well-preserved local arts and crafts of the region and the techniques involved. Situated near the museum are round buildings conducting workshops where the female artists showcase simple henna designs, handmade souvenirs, silver thread work, textile weaving, basket-making, embroidery and much more.

Situated near the base of Jebel Hafeet is the huge Al Ain Zoo housing over 4,000 animals of which 30 per cent of 180 species are considered endangered. Other activates such as camel riding, giraffe feeding, and a petting zoo are some of the latest additions to the zoo. Special conservation efforts have been made through partnerships with San Diego Zoo, the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden in Miami, and the World Association of Zoos & Aquariums.

Often regarded as the most complex bridge ever built, the 842 metres long and 64 metres high Sheikh Zayed Bridge is truly a sight to see. It spans the waters of the Maqta channel, the fourth bridge connecting Abu Dhabi to the mainland. It was designed by Zaha Hadid, the first woman architect to win the Pritzker Architecture Prize.

Yas Mall is known to be the largest Mall located on the Yas Island of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Since its establishment, the mall is touted to provide luxurious shopping, dining, and entertainment experience not only to the residents but also tourists from other parts of the world. It homes around 370 international brands, 68 food and beverage outlets, and a 24 Screen Vox Cinemas for family entertainment purposes.

The beautiful mud-brick fort is located on the western side of Abu Dhabi. The fort is the birthplace of the current ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Qasr Al Muwaiji is an interesting place for tourists and locals to learn more about the life and history of the present and the former ruler of Abu Dhabi.

Set in the Saadiyat Cultural District of Abu Dhabi, the Manarat Al Saadiyat portrays the local, regional and international artistic and cultural expression. One can explore and discover famous collections from global creators, as well as important cultural exhibits from local communities.

Among the many cultural landmarks and tourist attractions in the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi is home to the Arabian Saluki Centre, dedicated to the Saluki breed of dogs. Not only is a visit to the Arabian Saluki Centre perfect for dog-lovers, it also gives one a glimpse into Arab heritage and history.

Capital Gates is Abu Dhabi’s answer to the Leaning tower of Pisa of Europe, except that it leans four times more. It is located in the centre of Abu Dhabi and well connected with most important buildings of the city. The Capital Gate is flanked by Al Khaleej Al Arabi street on one side. Nothing short of an architectural marvel, this structure is a must see for all tourists.

Warehouse421 is an innovative initiative that adds to the cultural ecosystem of Abu Dhabi. It was designed by the Bjarke Ingels Group, where two former industrial warehouses in Mina Zayed were transformed into an opportunity for artistic expression. Started in November 2015, Warehouse421 displays the work of over 200 local and regional artists.

A one-of-its-kind revolutionary wonder of Abu Dhabi, Masdar City is entirely powered by renewable energy. This planned city is soon to pave the way for sustainable-energy-run cities in the near future.

Mushrif Central Park, also known as Umm Al Emarat Park in Abu Dhabi, is one of the oldest and largest parks in the city. Covering an area of 14.5 hectares of land, the park features a range of educational and recreational experiences. The park is often described as a 'People's Park' and has plenty to do for people of all ages.

The World Trade Centre Mall in Abu Dhabi is located in the busy World Trade Centre complex in the Al Hisn district. The mall has over 160 outlets spread across over 60,000 square metres of retail. It has local and international brands, multiple cafes and restaurants, an 8-screen cinema hall, and over 5,000 square metres of rooftop gardens.

Dalma Mall is one of the largest and most prestigious malls in Abu Dhabi. Spread over a total area of 151,000 square meters, the mall showcases almost 450 international and top regional brands thus becoming the main draw of the wealthy Emiratis as well as the well-off expat population of Abu Dhabi.

Zayed National Museum has been designed as a monument that will be constructed in the cultural district of Saadiyat Island. This construction aims to pay tribute to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father and the first president of UAE.

At Wahat Al Karama, visitors pay their respects to those who gave their lives for the greater good of the Emirates and continue to keep their memory alive. The site honours and shows gratitude to all the brave heroes who gave their lives in service to the United Arab Emirates since 1971.