The United Arab Emirates is a unique country that has developed into a successful country in less than half a century. Today, the Emirates are thriving, as is their colorful capital. Abu Dhabi is the greenest city in the country, also called “Manhattan in the Middle East”. It is here that you can see with your own eyes the interweaving of Oriental traditions and modern architecture.
Our review is dedicated to the most interesting places of the UAE capital. Abu Dhabi – attractions, unique flavor, luxury and wealth. To make your trip fun and organized, check out the map of attractions in Abu Dhabi at the end of this article.
What to see in Abu Dhabi on your own
Until a few decades ago, the capital of the UAE was a desert, but after the discovery of oil, the city began to develop rapidly. Today, in addition to attractions in Abu Dhabi (UAE), modern, futuristic buildings created in accordance with innovative technologies have grown.
Many tourists who managed to see the capital of the UAE on their own note that the city resembles the fantasy of a science fiction writer. And it is not surprising, because every attraction of Abu Dhabi on the map has a huge amount of money invested. Let’s find out what you can see in the most expensive capital of the world on your own.
Sheikh Zayed Mosque
The landmark is a symbol of Islam and the most visited place in Abu Dhabi. The construction of the mosque was completed in 2007, and a year later, representatives of all faiths were allowed to enter it. The attraction of the mosque is expressed in its majestic architecture and rich materials-marble, colored crystals, semiprecious stones.
Practical information:
- the attraction is located between the three bridges of Maqta, Mussafah and Sheikh Zayed;
- the most convenient way to get there on your own is from the bus station – by bus #32, 44 or 54, stop-Zayed Mosque;
- you can view the mosque on all days except Friday from 9-00 to 12-00;
- admission is free.
Qasr Al Watan Presidential Palace
The Abu Dhabi Palace, which will host a variety of gatherings and official receptions of local and international significance. The President of the country does not live here, but uses the palace as a meeting place for high-ranking individuals.
The palace was built for 7 years from 2010 to 2017. And in 2019, it was opened to tourists. Today, the attraction is one of the most expensive buildings in the world.
Only Gulf architects worked on the project to capture the beauty of traditional Arab architecture. Luxury here, of course, catches the eye. The entire palace is covered with white granite and limestone. One of the most impressive architectural elements is a chandelier made of 350 thousand crystals.
At 19:30, a laser light show is held daily in the palace, accompanied by a sound performance. It is recommended to see all travelers.
- Admission fee: for adults-65 dirhams, for children aged 4-17-30 dirhams. A light show ticket costs 25 and 12 AED, respectively.
- Opening hours: from 10-00 to 17: 30, in summer months – until 18: 15.
- Website: www.qasralwatan.ae.
Falcon Hospital
Local residents expressed their love for falconry in a rather interesting way – the falconry hospital is the only medical institution in the world where hunting birds are treated, raised and trained. Be sure to visit the attraction, especially if you are traveling with children.
The medical center offers a complete list of medical services for birds. Since its inception – since 1999 – more than 75 thousand falcons have been treated in hospitals. Every year, about 10 thousand birds come to the clinic for examination and treatment.
Interesting fact! Today, the hospital’s services are used not only by residents of Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates, but also by many countries of the Middle East – Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait.
Thanks to a powerful, modern technical base and highly qualified specialists, another medical facility was opened on the basis of the hospital to provide assistance to all birds. And in 2007, an all-pet care center opened in Abu Dhabi.
For tourists, the Center provides certain visiting hours, you can visit the museum on your own, walk among the aviaries with unique breeds of birds and listen to fascinating stories about the life and habits of falcons. Be sure to bring your camera with you to take unusual photos.
Please note! If you want to have a snack, you will be hospitably escorted to a traditional Arab tent, where you will be served a hearty lunch, seasoned with oriental flavor.
Practical information:
- schedule of visiting the falcon hospital for tourists: from Sunday to Thursday from 8-00 to 14-30, on Friday-from 8-00 to 12-00;
- if you want to see the bird hospital on your own please book the date and time in advance;
- The hospital is located near Abu Dhabi Airport, a few kilometers from the Swayhan Bridge.;
- it is quite difficult to get there on your own, so the best solution is to take a taxi;
- official website: www.falconhospital.com.
Ferrari World Theme Park
The unique attraction is built on the island of Yas and annually attracts millions of tourists who love speed, adrenaline and just want to see powerful sports cars. The park fully reflects the love of local residents for luxury and the desire to live on a grand scale.
Useful to know! You can get to the park from three airports – the road from the capital’s airport will take 10 minutes, from Dubai airport-1.5 hours and from Sharjah Airport-2 hours.
The park is a covered structure with an area of 86 thousand square meters and a height of 45 meters. The main element of the attraction is a glass tunnel, and the most visited attraction is a simulator of the most famous race in the world – Formula 1.
Practical information:
- the park has a children’s training track with a professional instructor;
- several restaurants can be found in the park;
- ticket price for one-day access to the park: adult-345 AED, for children over 3 years old and seniors-265 AED, for children under three years old admission is free.
Formula 1 Race Track
If you are a passionate fan of speed and racing, be sure to book a tour of one of the most popular Formula 1 tracks in the world-Yas Marina. The company offers travelers different thematic programs depending on the degree of training of the tourist and his wishes:
- “driving”;
- “Passenger”;
- “Racing car driving lessons”;
- “Driving lessons”.
The cost of completing the race track on your own depends on the car you choose. Here you can drive a race car with an open cab. For true connoisseurs of racing, the company offers a tour of the track in a real racing car. The price of the trip is 1490 AED. The race is recorded by cameras installed along the entire length of the track, so you can save your memories of visiting the track.
Another offer of the company is a maneuverable car that will allow you to develop maximum speed and pass all the turns of the route.
Interesting fact! Various events are held on the track (see the official website). One of the most popular nights is Yas Drift. This is a night race where everyone can demonstrate their abilities for two minutes. The event lasts four hours. If you want to take part in the race, you must register.
Practical information:
- to view the race track on your own, you need to book a date and time;
- bicycles are provided free of charge and can be used for the entire route.;
- water coolers are installed along the entire route;
- track the days of free access to the route on the official website;
- There are regular E-100 and E-101 buses to the island from the airport, Al-Wadha bus stop offers direct connections to the island, and taxis are also available;
- comfortable hotels have been built near the track, there is a Formula 1 theme park and other entertainment options;
- tickets can be purchased on the website or at ticket offices;
- official website: www.yasmarinacircuit.com/en.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
The landmark in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, although it bears the name of the famous French museum, is not its branch. The project participants are representatives of the UAE and the Association of Museums of France. Under the terms of the agreement, the French famous museum provided its famous name and some exhibits to the Arab attractions for ten years.
Interesting to know! Tourists who were lucky enough to visit the Arabic version of the Louvre, note that it is impossible to convey the luxury and atmosphere of the attraction in words. Only once inside the museum, you can independently feel the magical beauty of creation.
Outwardly, the museum does not evoke vivid emotions – the dome made of steel seems too simple and to some extent even nondescript. However, this architectural and design solution was not chosen by chance. External simplicity only sets off the luxury and richness of the interior. The dome, decorated with lace carvings, reflects light and transforms the inner chambers surrounded by sea water. Halls with exhibits have the shape of white cubes, between which there is water.
The author of the museum project notes that the architecture of the attraction is as simple as possible, intelligent, connected with nature and space.
The new museum in Abu Dhabi is an ambitious project that symbolizes the unification of cultures and the openness of space. Architectural and historical monuments of different eras coexist peacefully in the halls.
Practical information:
- The museum is built on the island of Saadiyat;
- you can view the exhibits yourself from Tuesday to Sunday from 10-00 to 00-00, galleries and exhibitions are closed at 18-30, on weekends at 20-30, Monday is a day off;
- Ticket price: adult-63 AED, teen (13-18 years old) – 31.5 AED, children under 13 years old visit the museum free of charge;
- official website: louvreabudhabi.ae.
Etihad Towers and observation deck
What to see in Abu Dhabi? Experienced tourists will definitely recommend the Etihad skyscraper. The landmark is a complex of five intricately curved towers, a unique project where you can live, work, shop and fully enjoy life. The tallest structure with a height of 300 meters is residential, two other buildings contain office space, and another tower is a luxury five-star hotel. Also, a significant area of the attraction is reserved for shopping pavilions.
In addition, it is equipped with one of the highest observation decks – Observation Deck at 300. You can view Abu Dhabi and the Persian Gulf from the height of the 75th floor of the second tower of the complex. The observation deck belongs to the Jumeirah Hotel. There is also a cafe, a recreation area and telescopes.
Avenue at Etihad Towers shopping complex is a collection of the most luxurious boutiques. People come here to shop in peace and privacy in special VIP rooms.
Interesting fact! The landmark is awarded the third place in the list of the most beautiful skyscrapers in the world. The architectural complex has received a prestigious international award, which has been awarded exclusively to skyscrapers since 2000.
Practical information:
- you can view the observation deck yourself every day from 10-00 to 18-00;
- Ticket price: 75 AED, free admission for children under 4 years of age;
- the landmark is located next to the Emirates Palace Hotel;
- official website: www.etihadtowers.ae/index.aspx.
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Mushrif Central Park
What to see in Abu Dhabi — a landmark located in the heart of the capital of the Emirates-Mushrif Park. Today, the attraction is called Umm Al Emarat Park – this is the oldest park area in Abu Dhabi.
Interesting fact! Initially, only women and their children could visit the park, but after the reconstruction, the park area is open to everyone.
There are many interesting places to see in the park:
- cool house-a design for unique plant species, for which a special microclimate is created;
- amphitheater – an open-air venue designed for 1,000 people;
- lawn for recreation;
- evening garden;
- children’s farm, where wonderful animals live-camels, ponies, goats.
The park has two observation decks, from where you can view the entire park and surrounding areas.
Interesting fact! The park preserves more than two hundred trees planted for the opening of the attraction in 1980.
Practical information:
- the park has a well-developed infrastructure;
- entrance fee – 10 AED, payment is possible only through the tourist card NOL;
- The park hosts a fair-like event every Friday and Saturday, and offers free yoga classes.;
- visiting hours: from 8-00 to 22-00, on Chestverg, Friday and Saturday – until 23-00;
- Location: turn on the street at Al Karamah Street.
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Yas Waterworld Water Park
The entertainment complex, built on the island of Yas, is more like a futuristic structure. Here you can perfectly relax with the whole family. On an area of 15 hectares, there are more than 40 attractions, five of them are unique, they have no analogues in the whole world.
The park’s opening hours vary depending on the time of year. The price of a regular ticket is 270 AED, and admission is free for children under 3 years of age. More detailed information about the cost of visiting, ticket types, and attractions can be found here. Before visiting, be sure to learn the rules of recreation in the park.
Emirates Zoo
The property is located in Al-Bahi and has been hosting guests since 2008. This is the first private zoo in the country. The area of the zoo is more than 90 thousand square meters. m. Here you can see wild animals and even feed them yourself.
On a note! For quite a symbolic fee, you can buy food and treat the residents of the zoo. Guides will tell you in detail about the habits of animals and tell you how to properly care for them.
The territory of the attraction is divided into several zones:
- where do primates live;
- park area;
- territory where flamingos and giraffes live;
- area for predators;
- aquarium.
Interesting fact! In total, the zoo is home to about 660 species of animals.
For animals and visitors, comfortable living and visiting conditions are created – cooling systems are installed throughout the territory. Souvenir shops are also available. There is a Funscapes entertainment area next to the zoo.
Practical information:
- The zoo is located in the north-eastern part of Abu Dhabi;
- you can see the attraction yourself from Thursday to Saturday from 9-30 to 21-00, from Sunday to Wednesday – from 9-30 to 20-00;
- ticket price: adult-50 AED, ticket that entitles you to attend the show-100 AED, pet food price-15 AED;
- official website: www.emiratesparkzooandresort.com.
Qasr Al-Hosn Fort
This landmark is the oldest building in Abu Dhabi. It all started in the XVIII century with the construction of the palace of the ruling sheikh. Over time, the palace was transformed into a fort, and a village grew up around it.
As Qasr Al Hosn became the center of the community, Abu Dhabi saw huge growth. Fishing remained a valuable occupation for the city, and by the late 1800s, the city had more than 400 pearl fishing boats at its disposal – the largest number in the Persian Gulf.
It was in 1939 that Qasr al-Hosn again became the site of major economic changes after Sheikh Shahbut bin Sultan Al-Nahyan concluded the country’s first oil concessions with Britain.
Using some of the funds, he then built an iconic palace that surrounded the main walls of the fort; increasing the size by a factor of three. This palace instantly became a symbol of Abu Dhabi’s growing economy and prosperity.
Today, Qasr al-Hosn is a museum of Arab culture and a national landmark. The crafts presented at the House of Artisans celebrate the creative and artistic connection between the people of the United Arab Emirates and the local natural resources. In the UAE’s diverse landscapes-from desert to oasis, coast to sea-artisans have developed skills that meet their functional and economic needs.
- Ticket price: 30 dirhams, for children — 15.
- When you can view it: from Saturday to Thursday – from 9-00 to 20-00, on Friday – from 14-00 to 20-00.
- Official website: qasralhosn.ae.
The capital of the UAE occupies about 70% of the country’s territory. This is a real garden city, a small New York. Abu Dhabi-attractions spiced with oriental spices, Arab traditions and luxury. Now you know what you can do in the capital, and what to see on your own when you get bored of relaxing on the beach.
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