Dubai has always been the popular and an obvious choice for tourism in the Middle East, but as the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, will surprise you as a hidden gem. The name has been derived from the abundance of Gazelles in the region, hence Abu (father), Dhabi (Gazelle) stands for the ‘Father of Gazelle’.
9 Great places to see in Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi, the home to the royalty and richness of the Arab Sheikhs, has the cultural richness that seems to be disappearing from Dubai. In this history-rich capital city, people still follow the old ways of Emiratis. The city has evolved with ever-changing immigrants that it has witnessed, starting from Iranians, then the Asians and later European ethnicities.
The panoramic transformation of the place from a vast desert to a magnificent modern-era planned suburb has been unimaginable. As a matter of fact I have lived in Abu Dhabi for a couple of years, and so having known that city inside out I know there is no hype when it comes to the city’s grandiosity and beauty. For a little touch, experience the local traditions of Arabs in the capital city. Just a 90 min drive from Dubai, you can conveniently commute through public transport, that being the cheapest way to travel. The bus departs in every 15 minutes from Iban Batuta bus stop in Dubai and is well connected to the Sheikh Zayed Road.
Abu Dhabi is my absolute favourite, and I hope I justify my bias towards the capital city through the must-go places I’ve listed down below. Check out for yourself
Best Things to do in Abu Dhabi
1) Sheikh Zayed Mosque:
The beauty of UAE, resides here! The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a spectacular concoction made of glittering white marble, with dozens of fabulous domes and minarets. The mosque is made almost entirely out of 15 sorts of white marble from several different countries, and richly ornamented with expensive materials such as gold. There are a million sparkling gold-plated chandeliers, reflecting golden light around the mosque.
Adding to this, you get to see the world’s largest carpet. The beauty is just beyond words, If possible, visit it at an hour when you can see it’s intricacies during the broad daylight and later at dusk, witness its beautiful light illustration that turns the whole architecture into a shiny and glorious blue piece of art. Such a piece of marvellous architecture is enshrined with reverence and piety, hence the entry is free to all.
Note that the dress code is strictly enforced here; women are expected to cover their heads and wear the black abaya. Men should wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.
2) Corniche:
A beautiful promenade with access to the public beach, Corniche Abu Dhabi. In my honest opinion, the beaches in Abu Dhabi are nicer than in Dubai. The water is more clearer and the sand finer in white-cremy texture. Corniche is just not about its beaches, it is also a right place for walkers and joggers and to ride bike. Stroll around Cornice for some great cafes and sheesha places with some spectacular view of Abu Dhbai skyline.
3) The Emirates Palace:
Emirates Palace – The third most expensive and luxurious hotel building ever constructed, is the main tourist attraction of Abu Dhabi. The Majesty of the palace is magnanimous. This sprawling resort says its goes “beyond 7-star luxury” for its clientele — who are oftentimes visiting royals and dignitaries. Emirates Palace looks almost like a cross between the Taj Mahal and a fairy tale castle. You can stroll down the alley and the never-ending corridors of the palace or keep the car-lover in you busy by gazing at the unordinary fancy cars lined out at the entrance of the palace.
I Had a chance to dine in one of the most famous and delicious restaurants “Hakkasan” in Emirates Palace. The palace occupies almost 250 acres along the Corniche and is an absolute bliss for a sheesha lover, where they can sit beach-side and get lost in the ineffable ambience of the place.
Pro Tip: Try having Gold Plated Coffee, the famous cappuccino served with Sprinkles of 24 carat gold flakes. That is your chance to taste Royalty.
4) Emirates Park Zoo:
There is nothing better than a lively zoo for the little ones in tour. Only a short drive from Abu Dhabi, Emirates Zoo is located 30 minutes away from the city. The zoo is home to various animals such as rare white tigers, giraffes, elephants, a herd of zebras, and a Siberian bear. There is a separate section with different breeds of monkey, sea lion and a flamingo park. It gets more exciting when you’re given the chance to touch and feed some animals.
5) Yas Island:
Who doesn’t love a perfect weekend getaway with family and friends?! There is no place that offers a more leisure-filled time than Yas Island, with stretches of sandy beach that are perfect for spending the day sunbathing on. Built on the cross-section of three different fantasy worlds, Yas Island is a multi-purpose leisure, shopping and entertainment centre.
For a great nightlife, yas island has some fabulous pubs and bars. The first attraction is the unmissable Ferrari World that the world is in awe of. The second being the Yas Waterworld, that has been named as the “second best water-park in the world” by the LA Times. Bubbles’ Barrel slide has the largest surf-able sheet wave surf in the world. The third is the Yas Marina Circuit, the second formula-one racetrack in UAE, in succession to the one in Bahrain. The circuit is long enough to be configured in five different ways to hold a variety of motorsport events.
The luxurious Plaza Hotels, the beautiful Yas mall and the serenity of the Yas beach adds o the extravaganza that this island offers.
6) Observation Deck at 300:
Although nowhere in comparison with the grandeur, the Observation Deck at 300 is the answer to Burj Khalifa in Dubai. This is the deck located on the 74th floor of the Jumeirah at Etihad Towers. It’s the point that acquaints you with the unfathomable, glittering, lustful skyline of Abu Dhabi. The entry fee paid by the non-guests of the hotel can be redeemed by bitings and snacks offered there. A cup of tea with such heavenly view can surely make up your evening.
7) Ferrari World:
If you’re a Formula 1 fan, Ferrari World, the world’s largest indoor amusement park, is just the thrill your heart desires. Get on its exhilarating rides, including the world’s fastest roller-coaster (Rossa), and experience it taking off from 0 to 150mph in close to 5 seconds. This is surely something you take back from Abu Dhabi to boast about for the rest of the days. For some Adrenaline rush get there early to enjoy looking at several Ferraris screaming down the F1 racing lanes. There’s also a collection of Ferrari’s cars, with models dating back to 1947, and a Ferrari factory tour with Ferrari knowledge game show for true car nerds.
Note: The park closes by 8 p.m.
8) Heritage Village:
Abu Dhabi’s Heritage Village is an authentic replica of a typical Bedouin village that gives visitors an idea of Emirati life before the oil boom. It’s located in a pretty beach area of the city, which is a pleasant place to wander after a visit. There are exhibits featuring traditional day-to-day objects, workshops where you can watch craftspeople demonstrate Emirati metalwork and weaving skills, and displays introducing visitors to local agriculture and the pearl diving trade – the main economies here before oil was discovered.
9) Saadiyat Beach:
Saadiyat Beach in Abu Dhabi is a gorgeous beach with sparkling white sand and turquoise-blue waters. this beach offers numerous services, With clean showers, lockers, and even a beach yoga class every week, tourists and residents alike come back to this beach on a regular basis. The beach has also number of sunbeds and a cafeteria, which offers decently priced quality food. The Saadiyat Public Beach, Abu Dhabi is also the only unaltered beach in the UAE. So, if you’re looking for a place to unwind with your family, search no further.
Timings: 8:00 AM – 6:15 PM
In the end I’d suggest you to book a 4-5 days trip to Abu Dhabi to relish its glory and cherish its culture.
Let me know in comment if you wanna add some more places with your Name or you can also send us your picture and we can give you shoutout on social media 🙂
To know the spectacular places to visit in Dubai on low budget visit Top 11 things to do in Dubai.
Much Love ❤️💛💙
