Winter season is the best time to visit Dubai when the temperature starts falling drop. Abu Dhabi is one of the remarkable destinations that you should add to your bucket list for a visit. In this dynamic city, the capital of the United Arab Emirates is an island of charming attractions, adventure, traditional culture, and luxury. It is a visitor hub, in one year that draws millions of tourists to see the city’s iconic attractions. No matter what your interests are, there is something for you, the list of attractions to see in Abu Dhabi never ends. From world-class facilities to traditional cultural iconic landmarks, a visitor spot with an affordable budget list, we promise you that you will never want to miss the chance to visit there.
Whether you want to explore the extraordinary architecture of presidential palaces or enjoy an afternoon walking through the natural beauty of mangroves we’ve rounded up a list of the most famous Abu Dhabi sites that will help you make the most out of your trip. Let’s explore the delights of the top eight amazing attractions and places to visit in Abu Dhabi
A Look into the Most Iconic Hub of Attractions in Abu Dhabi
In the entire Gulf region, Abu Dhabi is one of the most important iconic attractions to visit. Recently, in the middle of the 1970s, it was mostly a desert landscape but today it has become a well-modernized city through its renowned towering skyscrapers. This street house is a well-reupdated hub of museums, impressive galleries, majestic recent architecture, the Grand Mosque, a series of elegant palaces and hotels, and the city’s Louvre archives. Indulge yourself by looking at the 8 Amazing Places to in Abu Dhabi.
Attraction | Description |
---|---|
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque | A stunning white marble masterpiece, the largest mosque in the UAE, offering guided tours and breathtaking views. |
The Corniche | An 8km waterfront promenade with panoramic city views, beaches, parks, ideal for walking, cycling, or enjoying a meal with a view. |
Emirates Palace | A luxurious 5-star hotel in the style of an Arabian palace, offering guided tours and afternoon tea experiences. |
Abu Dhabi Desert Tour | Explore the vast sand dunes on a 4×4 adventure, sandboard, or camel ride, often with stargazing sessions in the evening. |
Jebel Hafeet & Al Ain Came Souk | Take a scenic drive to the summit of Jebel Hafeet for breathtaking views and stop by the Al Ain Came Souk for a glimpse into traditional camel trading. |
Al Jahili Fort | A UNESCO World Heritage Site, a restored mudbrick fort showcasing the region’s history and architecture. |
Marina Mall | One of the largest malls in Abu Dhabi, featuring numerous shops, restaurants, and entertainment options with panoramic views from the observation deck. |
Al Ain Oasis | A UNESCO World Heritage Site, a sprawling palm grove offering a glimpse into traditional agriculture and irrigation systems. |
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
The remarkable landmark Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque at the request of Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was constructed between 1996 and 2007. He was the first president of the UAE and founder of this iconic attraction. It is one of the most famous attractions, a big grand and beautiful mosque of the world which is a hub of more than 1,000 columns, a white and gold façade, and 82 domes. It is also always open for non-Muslims, only two mosques open in UAE for non-Muslim tourists. It means tourists from all over the world gaze up at one of the world’s largest chandeliers, admire the fusion of Fatimid, walk across the world’s largest hand-woven rug, explore the three different Islamic dynasties, and look at the Mamluk and Ottoman architectural styles. This iconic spot is the globally most significant example of contemporary Islamic well-renowned architecture.
Address | Al Rawdah – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates |
Opened | 2007 |
Architect | Yusef Abdelki |
Construction cost | Dhs2 billion (US$545 million) |
Architectural styles | Islamic architecture, Mughal architecture, Ottoman architecture, Moorish architecture |
Dome | 82 domes of 7 different sizes |
Capacity | 41,000+ |
Height | 115 m |
Length | 420 m (1,380 ft) |
Minaret | 4 |
The Corniche
From the Heritage Park to the northeast to the Emirates Palace in the southwest, along the coast of Dhow Harbour, it nearly stretches over 5 miles by making the horizontal part of Abu Dhabi cities in the form of a “T” shape. This remarkable seaside promenade is directly lined with a few of the city’s most famous hotels and numerous restaurants and shops. This stunning destination also offers an extensive view of the city skyline and the iconic Persian Gulf. It is advisable to rent a bicycle because the distance is a little bit longer. You can get it from FunRideSports which has its own five stations that are situated along the Corniche. You can buy it at the cost of 30 AED per hour. The main features are access to the city’s beaches, free concerts, calm waters, volleyball nets, ice cream shops, a nearby Hilton hotel, and a public beach closer to the northern end making it a must-visit place.
Located in | Abu Dhabi |
Overall length | 8 km long |
Amenities | A children’s play areas, separate cycle and pedestrian pathways, restaurants, cafés and the Corniche Beach. |
Nearby attractions | Marina Mall, Lulu Island, Emirates Palace Hotel |
Famous for | Blend nature and modern city vibes. |
Rent bicycle through | FunRideSports |
Emirate Palace
Lodging in Abu Dhabi, Emirates Palace sets the standard for luxury like the iconic Burj Al Arab in Dubai. This great sprawling resort has gone beyond the 5-star luxury for its clientele. It’s like visiting a royal palace. This iconic resort is nearly occupied over an area of 250 acres along the Corniche and has become one of Abu Dhabi city’s most recognizable landmarks by stretching over more than half a mile from wing to wing. It resembles a cross between a fairy tale castle and a well-renowned Taj Mahal. This alluring structure features up to 100 domes which are beautifully decorated with the mother of pearl and with gold crystals. Their interior opulence is well-decorated with nearly more than 1,000 chandeliers and rich handmade carpets. In its outside lush gardens, the hotel, palm trees, and bubbling fountains create an oasis effect.
Location | Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |
Opening | February 2005 |
Cost | $3 billion |
Owner | The Government of Abu Dhabi |
Management | Mandarin Oriental |
Number of rooms | 394 |
Architect | Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo |
Abu Dhabi Desert Tour
In the western part of the emirate surrounded by the Liwa Oasis, it is an iconic home to the Rub Al Khali. This Empty Quarter offers the picture-perfect backdrop for a diversity of desert excursions. You can search for plenty of options to explore the Arabian Desert such as; a traditional camel trek, a birds-eye balloon tour, a wild dune buggy ride, and a safari-style jeep ride. Some well-reputed companies also offer well-organized tours that can easily be booked through online websites. Here are included; Arabian Adventures, Abu Dhabi Adventure Tours, Abu Dhabi Desert Safari, and Emirates Tours. Always try to make a reservation early for its availability.
Activities | Dune bashing, desert safari, falconry, bedouin experience, dune buggy, sand boarding, camel riding, desert camp |
Desert Tours operating in Abu Dhabi | Badeyah eye tourism, capital experience, desert rose Bedouin camp, desert gate tourism, emirates falcon tourism. |
Destinations | Al Ain, Al Dhafra, Sir Bani Yas Island. |
Group Size | Tours can accommodate individuals, couples, families, or larger groups |
Safety Measures | Certified drivers, safety equipment, and precautions are taken to ensure a safe and enjoyable tour |
Duration | Tours can vary from half-day to full-day experiences |
Jebel Hafeet & the Al Ain Came Souk
Jebel Hafeet is the second-tallest mountain in the country and stands as the highest mountain in the emirate which has more than 4,000 feet in height and straddles the UAE-Oman border about 15 miles south of Al Ain. This mountain hill has a significant role in Emirati history. More than 500 ancient burial sites have been unearthed by archaeologists and notable fossil discoveries have been made here in the Jebel Hafeet foothills. It also offers to its visitors many road trip enthusiasts including; The Weather Channel and Edmunds.com. it is considered one of the best driving roads in the world. You can also explore the beautiful views of Al Ain and neighboring Oman and the remarkable Mercure Grand Jebel Hafeet hotel. Usually, visitors visit this iconic place light to get amused by the breathtaking view of sunset from the top of the mountain. You can also visit the Al Ain Camel Souk which is situated less than a 20-mile drive from the summit at the southeast of Jebel Hafeet near the Oman border in Meyzad. In the UAE, the last traditional camel market which offers you to get close to the “ships of the desert” and experience the amazing camel trade as it has operated for centuries.
Feature | Jebel Hafeet | Al Ain Camel Souk |
Location | Al Ain, UAE | Al Ain, UAE |
Type | Mountain, Natural Landmark | Traditional Market |
Description | A mountain that offers stunning views of the surrounding desert and landscape. | A market specializing in camels, with a wide range of camel-related products. |
Activities | Scenic drives, hiking, cycling, rock climbing, picnicking, | Camel trading, Camel racing, selling and buying of camels, Animal encounters. |
Importance | Cultural, Historical, and Recreational | Economic, Cultural, Touristic |
Distance from Al Ain | 12 km | 5 km |
Al Jahili Fort
Al Jahili Fort is situated about a block west of the Palace Museum. It was constructed in the late 1800s. It is a traditional form of Arabian architecture, in Al Ain is the largest edifice that was made from mud bricks. Recently for public visitation, it was refurbished. As the headquarters of the remarkable Oman Trucial Scouts, this iconic structure was erected. The main purpose was to preserve peace between the different tribes and the protection of the region’s palm groves. Visitors explore the watchtowers, and fort’s battlements, and surround an expansive courtyard. Al Jahili also houses a small exhibit dedicated to British explorer Sir Wilfred Thesiger who is famous for his journeys across the Rub Al Khali desert.
Located in | Castle Park |
Address | Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan St – Al Jahili – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates |
Opened | 1890 |
Built | 1891 |
Famous for | It showcases the traditional architecture and cultural heritage of Abu Dhabi |
Marina Mall
The United Arab Emirates is also famous as a hub of shopping paradise. This remarkable city has no shortage of high-end megamalls, marketplaces, and traditional souks with the Marina Mall which is one of the most iconic Abu Dhabi’s popular shopping venues. This remarkable destination is the complex houses more than 400 stores, a movie theater, an ice rink, a bowling alley, an amusement center, and arcade games and rides. On the Breakwater in the southwest corner of Abu Dhabi city, it is situated near Heritage Village. You can explore numerous of cafes and dining options in addition to a sprawling food court.
Address | Marina Mall Ring Rd – Al Kasir – Al Marina – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates |
Opened | March 28, 2001 |
Area | 122,000 sqm |
Owner | H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan |
Features | 400 stores, a bowling alley, a movie theater, an ice rink, and an amusement center. |
Al Ain Oasis
you can explore respite at the Al Ain Oasis when the blazing Arabian heat starts to take its toll. It is nearly situated in the area of 3,000 acres of central Al Ain. This remarkable spot is famous for its date palms — nearly 150,000 of them. These gigantic trees are part of plantations that still now help supply Abu Dhabi with the popular regional snack. The old irrigation tactic is ancient well known as “falaj,” right now used in the irrigation of the mango, orange, banana, and fig trees. You can also explore the old mosque and fortification here. So, if you are visiting this place keep your camera primed to capture all these traditional attractions.
Address | Al Tuhaf St – Central District – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates |
Elevation | 292 m |
Emirate | Abu Dhabi |
Entrance fee | Free |
Two famous Oasis in UAE | Al Ain Oasis and Liwa Oasis |
Renowned for | one of the world’s oldest permanently inhabited settlements. |