If the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is on your itinerary this year, check out this handy list of must-see attractions and activities in Abu Dhabi, which is multifaceted in the capital. Abu Dhabi is full of immersion, education, and historical experience. Whether you are planning a stopover or want a more extended stay, there are many things you can do to stay in the second most populated city in the emirate to explore essential buildings in Abu Dhabi. Stroll on the world’s most massive hand-woven rug, spend the night in the desert or take the fastest roller coaster in the world all in the cultural capital of the UAE.
1- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
The beautiful and sheer mammoth Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, covered in Macedonian marble, is the landmark of Abu Dhabi and is by far the most popular tourist attraction in the city. This mosque combines the design elements of Mameluke Ottoman and Fatim to create a harmonious, thorough modern mosque to celebrate Islamic architecture. Artisans use glasswork, mosaic tiles, and intricate sculpting to have amazing effects on the inside and outside. After nearly 20 years of construction, it opened in 2007. It can accommodate 40,000 believers and is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates. Like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Fujairah, it is dedicated to the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Nahyan. Non-Muslims are allowed in all areas of the mosque (including the vast library), and guided tours are provided. Abu Dhabi morning tour is a great way to meet the city. This four-hour tour will visit Sheikh Zayed Mosque, bustling market and Al Mina fishing port, and heritage village accompanied by local guides. Includes transportation and hotel transfers.
The address is: Al Khaleej al Arabi Street, Abu Dhabi
2- Louvre Abu Dhabi
The most spectacular museum in the Middle East, Louvre Abu Dhabi, traces the entire history of human art from the Neolithic era to today. From ancient Egyptian statues to Picasso’s famous paintings, the artwork on display is vibrant and diverse, and the museum’s contemporary architecture and its galleries are gathered under a huge silver dome, which is the reason for the visit itself. Moreover its permanent collection of more than 12 galleries, large temporary exhibitions are held several times a year. The Louvre is the first of three significant museums planned to open on Saadiyat, which will be in the coming years. Become a cultural pulse of Abu Dhabi. The other two Guggenheim Abu Dhabi museums and the Zayed National Museum, are still in the planning stages.
3- Mangrove Kayaking Tours
To see the other side of Abu Dhabi’s steel and glass facades, go to the mangroves, which still surround the coast of the city. There are various kayak tours for different ages and age levels, from 1.5 Hours to 3 hours of paddling. Ecological tours allow you to learn about the vital ecology of mangroves and explore these beautiful last vestiges of urban forests. To get an exceptional experience, another exciting thing is to sign up for a night tour and slide through the waters to discover the mangroves after dark.
4- Ferrari World
The GT brand theme park brings the excitement of Formula One racing to Abu Dhabi and is one of the city’s top priorities for people and families seeking excitement. Toddlers can test their newly learned driving skills on the Junior GT track, while adrenaline addicts can fasten their seat belts and ride the Flying Aces roller coaster, which has a speed of 52 meters per hour and a speed of 120 kilometers per hour (the highest in the world). It also has a collection of Ferrari cars, whose models date back to 1947, and also provides a Ferrari factory tour and Ferrari knowledge game show for true car fans. Address: Yas Island Yas Leisure Road
5- Boat Tours
To get the best view of Abu Dhabi’s glittering skyscrapers, you need to head straight to the water. As you leave the pier, the views of the tall buildings are spectacular. Several different operators run trips for various types of budgets. Still, The two most popular trips among tourists are round-the-island tours, which include some beaches and snorkeling times on numerous islands in the bay, and a sunset cruise that allows you to see city lights as night falls and flashes over the city. Great choice.
6- Observation Deck at 300
Abu Dhabi’s answer to Burj Khalifa is this observation deck, on the 74th floor of the Etihad Towers Hotel Jumeirah, with views of the skyline from the highest point of the city. Non-hotel guests need to pay an Admission fee, but ticket prices for food and drinks can be redeemed from the observation deck’s restaurant; the restaurant offers snacks and snacks soft drinks; afternoon tea here enjoy afternoon tea, the city is full of you, this is your Abu Dhabi An experience of the trip. Address: Jumeirah Etihad Towers, Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi
7- Qasr Al-Hosn
The recently restored and renovated Al-Hosn Fort, also known as the Old Fort, it is one of the oldest building in Abu Dhabi and one of its main historical attractions. This palace was built in 1793 and is the residence of the ruling family and the seat of government. Al hosn fort Address: Hamdan Bin Mohammed Street, Abu Dhabi
8- Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital
Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital is a veterinary hospital that specializes in sick and injured falcons, and it also provides guided long tours of its facilities for interested tourists. The tour allows you to get up close with these raptors in the ward Contact, while the on-site museum illustrates the history of the falcon. If challenges excite you, you may have the opportunity to hug a bird or feed a bird, depending on what the veterinarian was doing during your visit.
Location: Alongside Sweihan Road, Abu Dhabi
9- Warner Bros World
Warner Bros World is the latest addition to Yas Island’s theme park dedicated to its cartoon, movie, and comics heroes and villains, and all rides revolve around these characters. All six “lands” are captured under one roof (the entire theme park is inside and air-conditioned. There are rides suitable for young people to ride. Bedrock and cartoon crossing Designed for kids, and Gotham City and Metropolis are some of the most eye-catching highlight rides that combine 4D interactive content with a roller coaster-like stimulus and overflow.
10-Yas Water world
If the heat exhausts you, head to Yas Island to cool off at the water park. Yas Water world is a huge theme park with waterslides and inner tube channels, as well as the world’s first hydraulic tornado rafting. The world’s most giant surfboard, and Jebel Drop (freefall speed waterslide). If all this looks like an adrenaline rush, there are also restaurants, cafes, and shops here for you to choose from. There is also a dedicated water play area for families with young children.
Address: Yas Island Yas Leisure Driver
11- Desert Safari
From Abu Dhabi, the most popular day or overnight trips are at the desert safari in the southern emirate of Abu Dhabi, or the beautiful Liwa Oasis, which is located on the edge of an open area, or the Al Khatam Desert at Near Al Ain.
The empty desert has the world’s most massive dunes, and the dunes in these two areas are high for those who want to ride a dune buggy, try sand skiing, hike a camel or absorb the vast starry desert the playground is in a desert camp after dark. Most trips include a visit to a camel farm, a taste of traditional desert life, and a site to enter the dunes in person.
The Desert Safari Park is ideal for travelers at night, and it takes only a short time to take a six-hour tour of the desert environment of the UAE. Visitors will receive a 4×4 dune landscape tour, then enjoy dinner at the desert camp and provide traditional Tanura and belly dance entertainment. Upon arrival at the campsite, guests can choose from a range of free activities, such as sand skating and camel riding — all transportation, including pick-up and drop-off at Abu Dhabi hotels and food.
12- Heritage Village
Abu Dhabi’s Heritage Village is a replica of a typical Bedouin village, giving visitors an understanding of the life of the UAE before the oil boom. It is located in the city’s beautiful beach area and is an ideal place to stroll after a tour. Exhibitions are featuring traditional everyday objects; you can watch artisans show workshops of UAE metal products and weaving skills, as well as presentations that introduce visitors to the local agriculture and pearl diving trade, the leading economy here before the discovery of oil.
Last time I visit 6 places in Abu Dhabi, hopefully, i have a plan end of this year to visit again.