The United Arab Emirates usually brings to mind sun-soaked beaches, palm trees, and warm seas, but there is much more to it than that. The Emirates’ capital is Abu Dhabi, a thriving, lively city situated by the water. Settled in 1760 by the Ban Yas, a nomadic tribe, Abu Dhabi was nothing more than a tiny fishing village for years until oil was discovered in the 1930s. That was the turning point, and now Abu Dhabi is one of the richest places in the Emirates, a modern, busy city offering the perfect place for a city break with the sun, sea, and sand thrown in for good measure – the perfect combination.
The hardest part about visiting Abu Dhabi is deciding which of the many places and attractions to visit, but we’ll make that easy for you. Below, we list the top 8 things to do in Abu Dhabi:
- The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nayan gave us one of the biggest mosques worldwide, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. He built the mosque as a monument to history and as a reminder of three of the most important Islamic principles – peace, diversity, and tolerance. The mosque is the perfect example of how architecture can meld the past and the present while reminding everyone who sees it of the importance of Islamic values.
The Grand Mosque is an architectural marvel, a combination of several Islamic schools of architecture. It has over 1,000 columns, 8 separate domes, the largest hand-knotted carpet in the world, and chandeliers coated in 24-carat gold, one of the world’s largest of which dominates the prayer hall.
- The Louvre Abu Dhabi
This is one of the most spectacular museums in the entire Middle East, tracing artistic achievements from the Neolithic age to the current day. The art in the museum is a breathtakingly diverse display of wealth, from ancient Egyptian statues to paintings by the world’s most famous artists, including Picasso. Even the architecture of the museum is part of the display, with a stunning silver dome covering all the galleries. There are more than 12 galleries containing permanent collections and every year, temporary exhibitions are held, showcasing major works.
The Louvre is the first of a trio of museums set to open on Saadiyat Island. The Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi are currently in the planning phases but will eventually form part of Abu Dhabi’s cultural center.
- Ferrari World Theme Park
This is for the thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies among you – a theme park based on Ferrari and Formula One racing. Young children can head to the Junior GT track and test their driving skills, while thrill-seekers can board the Flying Aces roller coaster and strap in for an adrenaline-fueled trip on the tallest rollercoaster in the world, round a 52-meter loop at up to 120 km/h.
You can also take the time to look at a collection of Ferrari cars from 1947 onwards, take a tour around a Ferrari factory, and take part in a game show to test your Ferrari knowledge.
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- Warner Bros World
Aside from Ferrari World, Yas Island offers another theme park, Warner Bros World, ideal to take the kids for a day out. All the rides in the park are based on heroes and villains from comic books, movies, and cartoons. The theme park consists of six different lands and is all under-cover and fully air-conditioned. The younger kids can enjoy Bedrock and Cartoon Junction lands while the teens can head to Metropolis and Gotham City where they will find the biggest and best rides, combining a roller-coaster style of thrills and spills with interactive 4D content. In short, Warner Bros offers fun for all the family. [ Image Credit ]
- High Tea on the Observation Deck at 300
High tea takes on new meaning when you head up to the Observation Deck on the 74th floor of the Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers Hotel. 300 meters above sea level, the deck provides unrivaled views of the city, the coast, and the desert beyond. Hotel guests can go free and non-hotel guests can purchase a ticket that can be redeemed for drinks and food in the restaurant, including the high-tea experience.
- Qasr Al Watan
A relatively new addition to Abu Dhabi’s impressive cultural offerings is the Qasr Al Watan, a working Presidential Palace located near the Emirates Palace. Here, you can gain an interesting insight into the Emirate’s cultural heritage, national history, and values. The grand façade is limestone and white granite, intricately designed and the interior is pure Arabian, with stunning wall carvings and high white ceilings. Exhibitions line the hallways, along with attractions and artifacts and one must-see part of the Palace is the Great Hall. 100 meters by 100 meters, the hall has the world’s largest dome and a chandelier comprising an impressive 350,000 crystals.
- Emirates Palace
When you finish your tour of Qasr l Watan, head a little way down the road to the Emirates Palace. This is the city government’s official guest palace, and with no expense spared, it is one of the few hotels in the world worthy of its 7* rating. It’s a dream palace for lovers of all things sparkling and shiny, with mother of pearl, crystals, and marble everywhere, not to mention the gold. You don’t have to be a hotel guest to enjoy its splendor. Tourists are welcome to explore the stunning lobby and gardens and enjoy one of the many restaurants and cafes, enjoying gold-encrusted ice cream, cappuccino flaked with 24-karat gold, and even a gold facial. The dress code is typical of Abu Dhabi – no shorts, flip-flops, and not too much skin exposed.
- National Aquarium Abu Dhabi
Our last recommendation is another new attraction, only opening in November 2021. The aquarium is in Al Qana and is the largest Middle East aquarium, with more than 46,000 creaturs, including over 200 rays and sharks. Head through the biggest tunnel in the Middle East, surrounded by over 22,000 creatures and divers, and enjoy habitats from coral reefs to rainforests. The aquarium is the only place you can see bull sharks and hammerhead sharks in Abu Dhabi, along with Cownose rays, black-tip reef sharks, and tiger sharks, among others.
You can watch feeding demonstrations and even partake in hand-feeding massive sharks, some more than two meters long. And if you want to see the largest-known living snake in the world, here is where you will find it. A Super Snake, this reticulated python is a super swimmer, an incredible 7 meters long, weighs in at 115 kg and it takes 12 people to hold it out full-length to measure it.
Abu Dhabi is one of the greatest cities on earth and one of the safest, with plenty of places to visit. It doesn’t matter if you go alone or as a family, the city offers something for everyone, from stunning beaches to cultural centers and thrilling amusement parks. The sun shines virtually all year round, making it the perfect place to escape the cold, wet winters elsewhere.