The holiday style in Abu Dhabi is distinguished by respectability. There will be no fuss and traffic jams like in Dubai. All the sights of Abu Dhabi are located on Yas Island. Therefore, you do not need to explore the entire hot desert in search of something memorable. The high tourist demand is explained by the huge number of all kinds of entertainment and shopping centers, as well as affordable prices compared to Dubai. As the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi is rich in attractions: architectural monuments, museums, galleries, picturesque parks. Therefore, you will never ask yourself the question “what to see in Abu Dhabi”.
Visiting the sights of Abu Dhabi
Tourists are offered all kinds of sightseeing tours that can interest even the most passive tourist. The Emirate has beautiful mosques, long embankments, picturesque oases, and artificial islands. Everything is so competently distributed throughout the territory that there are no “dead spots”, therefore you will not have to be bored.
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE
Excellent transport interchange makes it easy to get to the desired location, sometimes you can even walk. The center of the capital can be viewed and appreciated literally in a day’s walk, more impressive places are located outside the city. Excursions to Abu Dhabi include the following in their itinerary
A list of must-see places for every tourist:
- Sir Bani Yas, which is a key historical monument of the island. Being the palace of Sheikh Al-Jafar, this place is complemented by a nature reserve with rare species of animals and birds;
Sir Bari Yas Nature Reserve in Abu Dhabi Losttraveller
- Ferrari Park. A relatively new entertainment for locals and visitors. The Formula 1 track and the Ferrari exhibition are located on the territory. This place is included in the list of the best attractions in the UAE. Be sure to visit this park if you come to Abu Dhabi with children.
Ferrari Park a Abu Dhabi Aziz J.Hayat
Official website: https://ferrariworldabudhabi.com
- Khalifa Park near Al Batin Airport is a famous green area, complemented by amazing architectural objects. A History Museum has been opened in the park, where you can see wax figures, an aquarium and a local “Time Tunnel” that allows you to plunge into the past of the Arab Emirates. To get acquainted with the beauties, you can take an excursion train;
Official website: https://khalifapark.wixsite.com
- in the center of the island is Al Ittihad Square with symbolic pedestals: a coffee container, a smoking bowl, a water vessel for flowers, a lid for closing food, a fortress and a cannon;
Symbolic sculptures on Al Ittihad Square by Mathias Apitz (München)
- The hand-crafted island of Liu Liu. It will soon be the official opening of a huge water amusement park. It will be connected to the capital by a tunnel under water; the Liwa oasis and its sand dunes; the Corniche, a famous street eight kilometers long, stretches along the seashore. It is always crowded and loud;
Corniche Street in Abu Dhabi Guilhem Vellut
- The Sheikh Zayed Mosque is the only Muslim temple in this city that is open to all visitors;
Sheikh Zayed Mosque Werner Bayer
Official website: https://www.szgmc.gov.ae
- palaces and hotels are amazing in their beauty and scale. Even a walk through their corridors leaves a lot of impressions;
Qasim Al Khuzaie Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi
- Among the most fascinating museums are the Ethnographic Village and the UAE Machine Museum.
Every tourist comes from Abu Dhabi with a lot of photos of the sights. Therefore, in the capital, everyone can feel like Schumacher, a real sheikh, looking at camels at the colorful market, as well as enjoy the amazing landscapes in the Liwa oasis and the gardens of the capital.
Official website: https://www.enam.ae
Abu Dhabi Automobile Museum Abdulla Al Muhairi
Combining beach holidays and sightseeing in Abu Dhabi
There is a wide variety of beaches on the territory of the emirate. From urban ones with all the advantages of developed infrastructure and the delights of civilization within walking distance, to suburban ones, characterized by spaciousness, picturesqueness, privacy.
Abu Dhabi Jaguar MENA Golf Course
With several islands, the emirate “allows” to explore its territory. Each can be reached by boat or by bridge. Theme parks, golf courses, and diving stations are at the disposal of those who wish.
A beach holiday can be described as calm, because there are quite a lot of entertainment for every taste, but not in such abundance as to destroy the blissful peace.
Beach holidays in Abu Dhabi Sarah_Ackerman
The local beaches are very clean and well-equipped. The coral origin of the fine velvety sand prevents it from heating up. Thanks to the gentle entrance, the bottom without depressions and drops, the place is great for swimming with children.
The following beach areas should be noted:
- The central beach of Abu Dhabi, which has a Blue Flag award. It is fully zoned: paid, no fee for recreation, for family holidays, private hotel plots. The territory has everything you need for a comfortable stay. Cafeterias, small shops, sports and children’s areas are located nearby;
Corniche Beach in Abu Dhabi Achilli Family | Journeys
- Al-Raha is a 20-minute drive from the capital, it is not so crowded. There are plans to make a beautiful embankment out of it, known all over the world. You have to pay for admission; there are also several swimming areas on Bahraini Island. One side of it is occupied by a rich resort, the rest of the area has wild beaches, which are preferred by young people;
The beach on the island of Yas. Abu Dhabi Sarah_Ackerman
Yas Island has a great place for families with children. Hotel guests do not pay for admission. Visitors will have to spend a little money;
Jebel Dana is almost always sparsely populated, very clean. It’s shallow and hollow here. But there are no signs of civilization to be found.
Obviously, from all the variety, you can choose a place for a beach holiday to your liking. Each beach has its own highlight and is oriented towards a certain contingent of vacationers.
Abu Dhabi attractions, holidays with children
Many people come to the Arab capital with the whole family, so they want to enjoy a full vacation. Experienced guides in Abu Dhabi recommend the following attractions and activities that are suitable for a good holiday with children.
Waterworld Abu Dhabi Sarah_Ackerman
Official website: https://www.yaswaterworld.com
Among the interesting places of the city is the garden of Al Ain, it has a nature reserve and a wildlife park. It provides rehabilitation for injured animals. Younger guests can enjoy a full-fledged tour of the picturesque place. The park was included in the Guinness Book of Records because of the large number of flower baskets, there are more than 10 million different colors.
The Ferrari World Amusement Park in Abu Dhabi Sarah_Ackerman
There is a huge amusement park “Healy Fan City” on the territory of Al Ain, where you can enjoy local theater productions and animation programs. Near the National Theater there is a Mushrif park for children, where there are many swings and carousels. You can also go to the local zoo with an aquarium.
Official website: https://www.ummalemaratpark.ae
Yas Island offers to enjoy the amusement park “Ferrari World”, where everyone can feel like a real racer. There is also a large water park here.
Local shopping and cuisine
This Arab Emirate is considered large and rich, so local shopping can be considered a tourist attraction. There are no boundaries between the traditional bazaars of the East and modern shopping malls, camel markets, Persian carpets and boutiques of world-famous European brands.
The Golden Bazaar in Abu Dhabi Jan Smith
Most people want to get unique oriental goodies and various items. Among the more serious and expensive jewelry options: gold jewelry in European and Arabic style.
Handmade carpets and bedspreads are considered traditional goods. They are worth buying at the special Carpet Souk market. You definitely need to check the price and bargain, the seller will definitely lower the price.
Abu Dhabi has a large number of shopping malls offering all kinds of goods. You can get to a very profitable sale in summer or winter, as well as enjoy the spring shopping festival in March.
Marroush Restaurant in Abu Dhabi pelican
It is possible to find an authentic restaurant for every taste in the capital. The price will depend on the preferences and popularity of the institution. The most luxurious option is to eat in a restaurant with a beautiful view. Alcohol is not found in every restaurant. In almost all establishments you can taste fish and seafood, the famous dish is “briki”. Even street eateries will delight with delicious local delicacies. After visiting Abu Dhabi, be sure to visit Dubai! We have prepared for you an overview of the best attractions in Dubai so that you can be inspired to travel further around the UAE.
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