Abu Dhabi – Interesting and Surprising places not to be missed.

Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates and one of the key Emirate (state or province) that encompasses the majority of the country.

Despite the fact that it is a contemporary metropolis with well-planned urban landscaping, Abu Dhabi has retained its historical significance. Some of the structures here look to have been plucked right from the pages of ancient Arabian folklore.

The city’s skyline is a mix of tall contemporary buildings and historic souks, which are situated side by side. A traveler will find everything he or she might possibly wish to see, ranging from pleasure and adventure to culture and tradition. When it comes to this city, which is positioned on a T-shaped island, there is a lot to see and do.

Places to visit in Abu Dhabi

Here is the list of places to visit in Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

The nation’s capital is home to the largest and most magnificent mosque in the country. The Sheikh Zayed mosque has emerged as a symbol of Abu Dhabi’s modernity. Sheikh Zayed, the previous ruler, and creator of the United Arab Emirates was the one who devised the concept for this magnificent mosque. The project started in 1996 and is still ongoing. The majestic mosque, which cost 2 billion dollars and took 11 years to build, was completed and opened to the public in 2007.

Every detail of this masterpiece has been meticulously scrutinized in order to achieve perfection. Decorative elements include semi-precious stones such as lapis lazuli, red agate, amethyst, abalone, jasper, and other gemstones, mother-of-pearl, and gold on the walls built of white granite from the Republic of Macedonia.

A fusion of Ottoman, Fatimid, and Moorish architecture, the mosque also includes current and modern features in its design. The beautiful carpets and gigantic bronze chandeliers with Swarovski crystals that decorate the vast prayer rooms are a sight to see. This mosque is also home to the world’s largest hand-woven rug, which is almost three meters in diameter.

Anyone, including non-Muslims, is welcome to take a free tour of the mosque. Inside the compound, visitors are required to adhere to the Islamic dress code. A small number of loose hooded robes with long sleeves are available for loan at the entry.

Louvre Abu Dhabi

Designated by the Pritzker Prize-winning architect, Lovre Abu Dhabi is intended to be distinct from all other museums in terms of design, architecture, and content. Efforts by the United Arab Emirates and the French government were combined to create this incredible feat.

The museum is located on the island of Saadiyat, which is surrounded by water on all sides. When seen from a distance, it looks to be floating on top of the water.

Architecturally speaking, the massive dome that adorns the museum’s roof is a remarkable achievement on its own. It is composed of eight layers and has a texture that resembles palm-leaf roofs. The light that seeps in through the dome casts an unearthly glow throughout the galleries beneath it.

The Louvre Abu Dhabi, which boasts the distinction of being the world’s most comprehensive museum, opened its doors to the public in late 2017. As opposed to the traditional categorization of artifacts according to their era and civilization, the Louvre Abu Dhabi curates the cross-cultural impact of art and history via its exhibitions.

Emirates Palace Hotel Abu Dhabi

There are only a few hotels in the world that can match the emirates palace when it comes to elegance and sophistication. This grandiose sandstone-colored beachside hotel is reminiscent of a fantastical Arabian castle from your fantasies, and it is a must-see. The hotel is now owned and maintained by the Kempinski Hotel Group, which is based in Germany.

This hotel stands out from the others because of its sheer size and elegance. It encompasses hundreds of hectares on Ras Al Akhdar, with views of the Arabian Gulf from its vantage point. Every night, the massive granite domes, which are adorned with gold, are illuminated, making the structure even more magnificent.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

The most well-known attraction in Abu Dhabi is Ferrari World. In addition, it is the only Ferrari-themed amusement park on the globe. Ferrari World is much superior to other amusement parks in terms of what it can provide car aficionados and Ferrari fanatics.

It is possible to visit this huge indoor theme park throughout the year, even on hot summer days, thanks to its climate-controlled interiors. If you are traveling from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, the park is situated on Yas Island and is the first thing that greets you as you enter the country.

Ferrari World is home to Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest roller coaster attraction, which is the fastest in the world. During the 2.2-kilometer lift ride, you’ll be traveling at speeds of up to 240 km/h in less than 5 seconds. In order to protect your eyes from the glare at these mind-blowing (pun intended) speeds, you will need to wear goggles.

Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi

The majority of us have never had the opportunity to see a genuine functional castle in our lives. The Presidential Palace of the United Arab Emirates, Qasar Al Watan, provides a once-in-a-lifetime chance to visit and roam about the palace. The Qasar Al Watan (which translates as “National Palace” in Arabic) is a section of the Presidential Palace. This is the same location where the offices of the rulers of Abu Dhabi are located as well.

The palace’s exterior is built of shining white granite stones, similar to those used in the construction of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Many similarities may be seen in the architecture as well. The palace is located on the Ras al Akhtar peninsula, next to the world-renowned Emirates Palace Hotel. Despite the fact that the five-star hotel is very magnificent from the outside, it seems to be less important than the palace.

Qasr Al Hosn

The oldest remaining stone edifice rests among the new structures in the heart of Abu Dhabi’s bustling city, where it has been preserved for posterity. The fort of Qasr al Hosn has a lengthy and illustrious history of struggle and ultimate success to recount. The fort was originally built as a watchtower.

It was necessary for the Bani Yas clan to secure the well that provided fresh water to the town when the tribe relocated to the resourceful Abu Dhabi Island in the 1700s. As a result, they constructed a watchtower nearby. Over time, as the colony increased in size, the watchtower evolved into a fort with strong coral stone walls around it. Many renovations have taken place over the structure’s centuries-long existence.

Falcon hospital

The presence of a falcon hospital in Abu Dhabi demonstrates the Emiratis’ fondness for falcons. This one-of-a-kind kind of hospital in Abu Dhabi is reserved solely for the Arabs’ aviators and their families. This is the only hospital in the world that is dedicated only to the care of falcons and their offspring. The hospital’s expensive and state-of-the-art facilities provide the ideal environment for falcons to recover.

You may be wondering why they would spend so much money on a bird in the first place. The reality is that falcons represent so much more to them than simply a bird in flight. Furthermore, these birds may be quite expensive. Falcons employed in falconry and racing are specifically bred and cost tens of thousands of Dirhams to purchase, depending on their purpose.

Yas Island

Yas Island is known as the “Entertainment Capital of the World.” This destination, which is located on an island 45 minutes away from Abu Dhabi City, offers something for everyone to enjoy. Abu Dhabi is a larger island in the Arabian Gulf that is home to a thriving business community. So, Yas Island is simply another island, although a small one when compared to the rest of the country.

Some of the most well-known attractions in Abu Dhabi, such as Ferrari World and the Yas Marina Circuit, may be found here, as well. There is also the Yas Mall, the Yas Links golf course, restaurants, luxury hotels, and residences in the vicinity of the mall.

Aside from Ferrari World, there are a few additional amusement parks on Yas Island to explore. A few of the numerous sites where you can take your kids for a day out are the Warner Bros. Theme Park, which is operated by the famed Hollywood company with the same name, and the Yas Waterworld aquatic theme park.

Conclusion

To summarise, there are a variety of fascinating and popular tourist sites in and around Abu Dhabi. I will surely return to this location on my own (or maybe with a tour group) to examine some of the sites in more depth and with greater consideration.