Abu Dhabi is a city that has been inhabited since 3000 BC. Today, it has become one of the tourism paradises of the world with its museums, luxury hotels, buildings with eye-catching architecture, Yas Island, and many entertainment points. The fact that the city is the wealthiest city after Dubai plays a big part in this. Being the capital of the United Arab Emirates, the city has become the region’s most touristic destination, along with Dubai. The policy of the United Arab Emirates to reduce the oil earnings ratio in revenues and to focus on different areas that will generate income seems to have yielded its fruits. Thanks to this change, there are many things you can do in Abu Dhabi today.
Admire Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the construction of which began in 1994 and was completed 13 years later in 2007, is the largest mosque in the world. The mosque, built by under the guidance of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who started the remarkable transformation of the Arab Emirates and brought it to where it is today, takes 40000 people. The tomb of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who died in 2004, is also located in the mosque’s courtyard. The mosque is one of the most visited places in Abu Dhabi, which is free to visitors and is one of the must-see places in the city.
Visit Louvre Abu Dhabi
Following an agreement with the French government, the sister of Paris’ world-famous Louvre museum was opened in Abu Dhabi. Located in Abu Dhabi, the Louvre is located on Saadiyat Island. One of the most essential features of the museum is that some of it can be visited by kayak. The works of world-renowned artists are exhibited at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Although it is called the Louvre, pieces from other crucial museums of France, such as the Center Pompidou or the Musée d’Orsay, are also on exhibition. In addition to the permanent collections, temporary exhibitions from the world’s most important museums are also presented to Louvre Abu Dhabi visitors. The Louvre is one of the best places to visit in Abu Dhabi, with its architecture, wealth of relics, and attractions. If you have the opportunity, you should visit the museum at sunset. In this way, you can watch the sunset over the city from the lush gardens just outside the museum.
Stroll in Corniche
If you love beaches, the Corniche is the first place you should visit in Abu Dhabi. There are many beaches where you can swim in the Corniche, which has an 8-kilometer-long sea coast. You can cool off in the deep blue waters of the Arabian Gulf under the scorching sun. Corniche is also a long street where you can walk during sunset. There are many restaurants, and cafes are also on the street. Always a crowded and lively street. Corniche is a great place also if you like jogging in the morning. Corniche is also a free-access place in the city. Since Abu Dhabi is a pricey place to visit, free-access places are trendy.
See also: Where to stay in Abu Dhabi?
Feast Your Eyes in Observation Deck at 300
Located in the Etihad Towers, the Observation Deck at 300 is the highest point you can reach in the city. The observation deck, with a 360-degree view of Abu Dhabi, is located on the 74th floor of the second tower. If you are not staying at the hotel in the building, you have to pay a fee to enter the viewing terrace. On the Observation Deck at 300, you can witness breathtaking views, especially at sunset. There is also a restaurant on the observation terrace where you can dine in front of the wonderful view. In front of Abu Dhabi city view, you can taste wonderful tastes from world cuisines, or you can have beer or wine and various snacks. Watching and eating on the terrace will be one of the activities in Abu Dhabi.
Explore the Biodiversity in Mangrooves Lagoon National Park
If you are tired of Abu Dhabi’s city center, concrete and glass buildings, crowds, or heat, Eastern Mangroves Lagoon National Park is the place for you. The national park, which remains like an oasis in the middle of the desert, is home to 75% of all mangrove trees in the United Arab Emirates. This is one of many features of the park. In addition to trees, more than 50 bird species and more than 200 fish species are among the park’s inhabitants. The park, a little bit colder than the city center, is a frequent destination for those escaping the heat. If getting wet isn’t too much of a problem for you, you can kayak in the mangrove lagoon. Having fun in calm waters is one of the best ways to visit the park. If kayaking is not suitable for you, you can take a speedboat tour around the park.
Picnic in the Khalifa Park
Khalifa Park is one of the largest green spaces in downtown Abu Dhabi. If you want to get away from the fast life of the city and take a breath, you can have a nice picnic here in the afternoon. Khalifa Park is much more than a green park. There are train rides for children, barbecue areas for families, a maritime museum, and a library in the park. Even though Khalifa Park is in the city center, it’s a pretty quiet place. During your visit, you can see many people lying on the grass and watching the clear blue sky. It is one of the most trendy Abu Dhabi tourist places.
Discover the History
In the middle of the modern Abu Dhabi city center, you can sail through the dusty pages of history. Qasr Al Hosn, the oldest stone structure in the country, is located in the city center, in the shadow of skyscrapers. With ruins dating back to 6000 BC, Qasr Al Hosn reveals both the past and the local texture of Abu Dhabi. From time to time, there are events showing the history of Abu Dhabi and Qasr Al Hosn around the building. If you come across such an event during your visit, it is an opportunity you should not miss. It is amongst the most essential things what to see in Abu Dhabi.
Surprised at Emirates Palace
No matter how high your expectations are, you will not be able to hide your surprise when you enter Emirates Palace. Emirates Palace is a place you have never seen before with its 1.3 km long private beach, its own bay, stunning spa center, 394-room hotel, and luxury restaurants. Moreover, if you consider that all these are entirely covered with gold, the level of astonishment increases even more. Finding anything that does not contain gold in the Emirates Palace is impossible. You can drink 24-carat gold-plated coffee, eat gold-plated steak, taste gold-flavored ice cream, or get a gold-masked facial at the palace, for which more than $3 billion was spent to build. If you stay at the hotel serving in the building, you can be sure that there will be gold even in your bed. At Emirates Palace, located on the Corniche, your eyes will see nothing but golden yellow.
Admire the Royal Palace
We would be correct if we said there are many palaces in Abu Dhabi. The most important and most eye-catching of these is the Royal Palace. The Royal Palace, also known as Qasr Al Watan or Palace of the Nation, has many factors that will enable you to closely understand the region and its culture. The palace, which houses the UAE cabinet, Federal Supreme Council, and a library. Essential works that shed light on the Arab world and history are also exhibited in this library. The architecture of the building is also very eye-catching. Inspired by traditional Arabian architecture, the white-weighted and high-ceilinged building has a beauty you have never seen before. Remember to stop by the Great Hall when you visit the Royal Palace. It is an eye-catching place with its size of 100 meters by 100 meters and its vast dome. When you enter the Great Hall, you will feel relatively small. Royal Palace is one of the essential places to go in Abu Dhabi.
Ride the Fastest Roller Coaster in Ferrari World
Abu Dhabi is also home to the legendary Italian sports car manufacturer’s theme park. The park, located on Yas Island, is unique in the world. It wouldn’t be too surprising to see the world’s fastest roller coaster train at the theme park of the world’s most famous sports car manufacturer. The Formula Rossa roller coaster accelerates from 0 to 240 kilometers in just 4.9 seconds. During this speed, a force of 4.8 G force is on you. It is one of the activities to do in Abu Dhabi, especially if you are visiting the city with kids. The roller coaster isn’t the only feature of Ferrari World. There are many things, such as presentations about the history of Ferrari, gift shops, restaurants, and shopping center.
Shopping in Yas Mall
Abu Dhabi is not a city that can be visited in 1-2 days. Even for Yas Island, you need at least 1 day. Yas Mall, located on Yas Island, which is a massive tourism project, is the largest shopping center in Abu Dhabi. The significant brands of the world are found together in the shopping center, which has an indoor area of 235,000 square meters. In addition, branches of world-famous restaurants are also available in the shopping center. Yas Mall is also a place that hosts some important events. Yas Game Festival, Black and White Sale, Fashion and Beauty Weekend are the most famous of them. If you encounter these events during your visit, be sure to attend. They are amongst the best Abu Dhabi attractions.
Enchant in Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi
If you’re looking for fun things to do in Abu Dhabi with kids, you should visit Warner Bros. Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi has various features. First of all, this is the first and only Warner Bros. theme park in the world. It also has the reputation of being the most expensive theme park in the world, with more than a whopping billion dollars spent on its construction. If you want to escape the hot weather and have fun indoors, coming here will be the right thing to do. There are famous restaurants and cafes in the theme park also. Warner Bros.’s Bugs Bunny, Scooby-do, Batman, Tom and Jerry, Wonder Woman, Daffy Duck, and many more characters participate in Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. The theme park located on Yas Island is a place that will turn even adults into children.
Splash Waters at Yas Waterworld
One of the best and most fun things to do in Abu Dhabi is to visit Yas Waterworld. Yas Waterworld, which is among the 10 most entertaining water parks in the world, is a giant entertainment center. The park, which was opened to visitors in 2013, is the largest water park in the Middle East. 40 water slides in the park offer the opportunity to splash water everywhere. You can even surf in the middle of the desert in the surfing area of the park. Even among them is the Dawwama tornado water coaster, on which 6 people glide on a small inflatable boat. Yas Waterworld isn’t just about huge slides and pools. If you want, you can lie quietly in the sun in a bungalow or enjoy the pool calmly. There are also restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops in Yas Waterworld. Visiting the water park is one of the best things to do in Abu Dhabi by far.
Enjoy in Sir Bani Yas Safari
One of the things you must do in Abu Dhabi is safari. If you are a nature lover, seeing wild animals up close will excite you. Moreover, all animals are in their natural environment, not behind cages. Ostriches, giraffes, coyotes, cheetahs, and Arabian oryx are among the park’s inhabitants, which is home to more than 17000 creatures. If you don’t want to leave here, there is even a hotel on Sir Bani Yas Island where you can stay. Safari is amongst the exciting things what to do in Abu Dhabi.