Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates): what to do and see in the capital


post-title

What to see in Abu Dhabi, where it is located, characteristics of city life, itinerary including the main places of interest not to be missed.


Tourist information

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, has always been a conservative city with a slow pace, traditional values ​​and a strong sense of its cultural heritage, but recently the capital has decided to globalize.

With the arrival of sumptuous hotels, exclusive night clubs, state-of-the-art sports facilities and well-stocked shopping malls, Abu Dhabi has become a modern international city.


Things to see

Corniche and breakwaters
With its seafront location, cobbled streets, splendid greenery and luxury hotels, the Corniche is a beautiful avenue that winds along the shore of the Persian Gulf. It is possible to rent bicycles and four-seater pedal cars for a trip along the seafront. A breakwater protects from the stormy sea and also houses a number of entertainment venues. From Breakwater Point you can have a spectacular view of the city.

Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque
This great mosque, one of the largest in the world, was built by Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan in memory of his father. Located on the edge of the city, just after the Maktaa Bridge, the white marble structure is a point of reference for motorists. Information visits are organized for tourists, concerning the structure of the building, its history and Islamic faith. Women are allowed to enter only wearing the burqua and the hijab, provided free of charge at the entrance, while men will have to wear a dishdash if they are presented in short shorts.

Arabian Wildlife Park
Over 10,000 animals roam this park, of which none are native to the place, with few exceptions. It is possible to take a safari tour to see gazelles, giraffes, hyenas and cheetahs or observe them from special observation points. In addition to this, you can also practice other outdoor activities such as guided bicycle tours, snorkeling and horse riding.


Ferrari World
The huge Ferrari theme park boasts the fastest roller coaster in the world, Formula Rossa, which accelerates up to 240km per hour. G Force is another carousel reserved for the bravest that consists of a launch at 62m in height and then swinging to the right, descending again with the feet on the ground. It is also possible to take a virtual tour of the factory to see how the racing cars are assembled and learn about the history of Ferrari.

Heritage Village
For those who want to deepen the history of Abu Dhabi and its traditions, the Heritage Village is the best place to go. It is a traditional village with a Bedouin nomadic camp, camels and other typical features.

Yas Waterworld
In this brand new water park on Yas Island there are many attractions for those who love strong emotions, from tornado slides to water galleries with special laser effects, from terrifying drops in pools of water to many other high impact electronic devilries. Spread over a total of 15 hectares, it has a total of 43 rides.


Bateen shipyard
This shipyard located on the west side of the island of Abu Dhabi is one of the most interesting places. It is possible to witness the construction of a ship, seeing the artisans who carve the teak boards, then assembling them together to make the hull, just as they once did.

Christian monastery
This monastery, discovered during excavations in 1992, dates back to 600 AD, contains many historical finds to see.

Recommended readings
  • United Arab Emirates: useful information
  • Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates): what to do and see in the capital
  • Middle East: meaning, list of states
  • Persian Gulf: what are the countries
  • Dubai (United Arab Emirates): what to see

Manhal Palace
This palace adorned with Arabic tiles and canopied wings, was the former home of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan until 1974. It is a beautiful palace with many interesting features, developed on 143 hectares and located in the middle of a green environment , close to several shops, hotels and residential areas.

Qasr Al Hosn (Forte Bianco)
The oldest structure that stands out in Abu Dhabi is Fort White, a symbolic building whose original structure was built in 1793 as the official residence of the rulers of Abu Dhabi. The exterior is stunning with a tiled main entrance and a lovely access courtyard.

Zayed Center
This museum pays homage to the late Sheikh Zayed, who was known as the father of the nation. Contains his impressive collection of cars and stuffed animals, information about his life and photos.

What to do

Quad
These uncovered vehicles can be hired to visit the nearby Abu Dhabi desert dunes. Scorpions, gazelles and camels can be seen grazing.

Golf
An equipped 18-hole golf course, also open in the evening, will keep enthusiasts busy for a few hours. There are also instructors who give lessons in this sport or give advice to those who are not so expert.

Kayak
Abu Dhabi has a fascinating network of mangroves to explore with rare birds. The best way to see them is to take a kayak ride through the meandering paths in the undergrowth. Group tours take place mainly on the weekend.

Abu Dhabi Highlights (United Arab Emirates Capital) - Worth a visit???? (March 2024)


Tags: Middle East
Top