Top 10 places to visit in Abu Dhabi
When we hear about the United Arab Emirates, the first thing that comes to our mind is high-class service, luxury and wealth, expensive cars, restaurants, hotels, white sand beaches, warm sea. If you are going to the UAE in the near future, namely to Abu Dhabi, then this article will be useful to you.
The opulent capital of the Emirates, Abu Dhabi, has grown amid an unfruitful desert in just a few decades. It was an unremarkable settlement of fishermen and pearl divers in the late 1960s of the last century. After the discovery of its generous reserves of oil, the city received “a golden rain”. It has turned into one of the most expensive, technologically advanced and pretentious megacities in the world in just 40-50 years. Today Abu Dhabi is the business centre of the UAE.
During the construction of skyscrapers in Abu Dhabi, the latest technologies were used and the most daring architectural solutions of the future were implemented. That is why the city looks like a figment of the imagination of a science fiction writer. Seeking to surpass each other in splendour and wealth, Arab sheikhs are permanently investing in the erection of grand mosques, lavish hotels and shopping centres of incredible size. So we are presenting you top 10 must-have-places to visit in Abu Dhabi.
#1. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
The mosque was erected in 2007 and named after the founder of the UAE – Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Architecturally, the building is a mixture of Moorish, Arabic and Persian styles. The floor of the mosque is covered with the largest carpet in the world with an area of more than 5.6 thousand square meters. The hall is adorned with seven huge chandeliers decorated with Swarovski crystals. The building can hold up to 40 thousand believers.
#2. Etihad Towers
A modern architectural ensemble consisting of five skyscrapers. It is located in the western part of Abu Dhabi on the embankment of the Persian Gulf. The tallest building reaches 300 meters. The complex includes residential apartments, shops, offices, conference rooms, restaurants and a luxury hotel. One of the towers on the 74th floor has an observation deck with a panoramic view.
#3. Aldar HQ
A unique skyscraper that follows the shape of a seashell. The walls of the building are symmetrically curved surfaces of concrete, steel and glass. The construction is 110 meters high and has innovative automatic life support systems. Inside is the office of the Aldar company. The building is recognized as a masterpiece of modern high-tech architecture.
#4. Marina Mall Abu Dhabi
Marina Mall – one of the largest and most visited shopping centres in Abu Dhabi, which is located near the Emirates Palace Hotel. For visitors, there is a skating rink, a cinema, a bowling alley, children’s playgrounds, numerous restaurants and shops located on several trading levels. Marina Mall even has its own observation deck at the top of the tower.
#5. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
Ferrari World is a theme recreational park located on man-made Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The complex is placed under a 200,000 m² roof and it is the largest indoor theme parkland in the world. All kinds of entertainment, cafes, shops and the world’s fastest roller coaster are available for guests.
Everything is possible in the UAE. As a true connoisseur of luxury and entertainment, you can rent a real Ferrari and get to this place in comfort. Many local companies like Evolve provide such services. All you need is the necessary sum of money on your bank card, driving skills and an international driver’s license.
#6. Yas Marina Circuit
The track adapted for the Formula-1 competition is located on the artificial Yas Island next to the yacht harbour, Yas Mall and Ferrari World. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has been held here since 2009. The length of the track is 5.5 km. The maximum speed the car can reach while driving is 317 km per hour. The stands seating capacity is 50 thousand people.
#7. Water park “Yas Waterworld”
Here on Yas Island, there is a water park, which is a popular tourism centre in Abu Dhabi. Yas Waterworld covers an area of 15 hectares. There are more than 40 attractions on its territory, some of them are unique. In the design of the water park, the main role is played by the “pearl” theme. In the past, the inhabitants of the emirate earned their living mainly by catching pearls on the shores of the bay.
#8. Emirates National Auto Museum
Private collection of cars of Sheikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, which can be visited by everyone. Interesting exhibits include a rare Rolls-Royce that once belonged to the British royal family, a Dodge with a five-meter-high pool, a huge mobile home created according to the owner’s preferences, and many other exotic models.
#9. Emirates Park Zoo
The zoo was founded in 1968. Major reconstruction was carried out in 2006. Since then, it has grown into one of the largest menageries in the Middle East. This is home to lions, tigers, gazelles, monkeys, kangaroos, snakes and other animal species imported from Africa, India, Australia and the regions neighbouring the UAE. In a separate zone, the inhabitants of the Arabian desert live, who retain a predominantly nocturnal lifestyle.
#10. Mangrove National Park
The last in our list of the top 10, but not the last in the list of all Abu Dhabi attractions. A green oasis in the endless desert, where you can enjoy the freshness and coolness. The ecosystem of the park is under strict state protection. So all vehicles with an internal combustion engine are prohibited here. Tourists are offered mini-trips on electric boats and kayaks. The reserve is inhabited by flamingos, turtles, crabs, black herons and other representatives of the fauna.
We’ve provided you with a list of 10 places to visit in Abu Dhabi. Surely, this list is incomplete, but it is simply impossible to enumerate everything. We hope that our article was interesting and useful to you, and you decided exactly where to go when arriving in this delightful emirate. Therefore, feel free to explore new things. Don’t forget to take your camera with you. Good luck!