Jenson Button. Obviously...
1. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Grand Mosque
The majestic Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque is the first mosque in Abu Dhabi to allow non-Muslims to tour its interior, making it a must-see for visitors. It features 80 domes all decorated with white marble, including the main dome which has an outer shell measuring 32.7 metres in diameter and stands 70 metres high from the inside and 85 metres from the outside, making it the largest of its kind anywhere in the world.
The building can house more than 35,000 worshippers, many of whom kneel to pray on the world’s largest hand-woven Persian carpet. The mosque is named after the first president and founder of the UAE, HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who is often called the “Father of the UAE.” He was laid to rest on the mosque site after his passing in 2004.
2. Emirates Palace
At an estimated cost of $3 billion, the Emirates Palace is one of the world’s most expensive hotels, decorated with gold-leaf, marble and hung with more than 1,000 Swarovksi crystal chandeliers. The Emirates Palace Hotel is owned by the Abu Dhabi government.
Its designers, Wimberley Allison Tong & Goo of the United Kingdom, went to great lengths to incorporate authentic Islamic motifs throughout, including the geometric design in the floor of the main lobby and the multi-coloured marbles of the dome, designed to reflect the colours of the sands of the seven different emirates, all of which are slightly different. The hotel opened its doors in 2005 after 3 years of construction. It is located along a 1.3km stretch of white sandy beach and conveniently neighbours Abu Dhabi’s bustling Corniche area.
Visit the Cultural District exhibition, a permanent display at Emirates Palace, and see designs for the museums that will make up Saadiyat Island’s new Cultural District. The new island development is being built by the Tourism Development & Investment Company as the city’s new cultural hub, and will include leading establishments, such as the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Performing Arts Centre, Maritime Museum, Sheikh Zayed Museum and Bienale Park and Pavilions.
3. Shopping
Abu Dhabi offers great shopping options – choose from the comfort of air-conditioned malls or soak up the atmosphere at a traditional souk (market). In Abu Dhabi city, the Iranian and carpet souks and Madinat Zayed gold market are well worth visiting. Abu Dhabi’s souks feature small, homely shops set within traditional architecture along pedestrian alleys. Visitors can bargain for a range of items including antiques, spices, fabrics, and jewellery. There are also a number of major malls throughout the city, the largest being the Marina Mall, Khalidiyah Mall, Al Wahda Mall, and Abu Dhabi Mall.
4. Dining
Abu Dhabi boasts hundreds of fine restaurants with cuisine from across the world, including Arabian, Thai, Vietnamese, French, Spanish, German and Brazilian. You can even order bangers and mash or an all-American steak. Smoking is still permitted at most Abu Dhabi restaurants so non-smokers should pre-book a non-smoking table.
Try out some of the local favorites:
- Diwan L'Auberge (Lebanese), Emirates Palace Hotel
- Indigo (Indian), Beach Rotana Hotel in the Tourist Club Area
- Sho Cho (Japanese), Souq Qaryat Al Beri
- Sardinia (Mediterranean), Abu Dhabi Health and Fitness Club in Al Mushrif area
- Bord Eau (French), Shangri-La Hotel in Souq Qaryat Al Beri
- Vascos (Various), Hilton Hotel on the Corniche
5. Kayaking
Offering kayaking experiences like no other, Noukhada Adventure Company run daily trips out into the natural mangrove forests on the east Corniche area as well as overnight island trips and kayak fishing. Accessible for visitors of all ages, take a kayak out with an environment expert to increase your awareness and knowledge of the natural beauty of Abu Dhabi's beautiful, watery oasis.
6. Abu Dhabi Heritage Village
On the breakwater near the giant UAE flag and Marina Mall, the Heritage Village comprises a group of traditional buildings and a small museum showing the life of the Bedouin in old black and white photographs. A replica of a traditional oasis irrigation system, or ‘falaj’, and a wind tower - the world’s first air-conditioning - are striking examples of the ingenuity of the early inhabitants of the UAE. There is also a traditional souk where you can buy traditional gifts and souvenirs.
7. Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital
Close to Abu Dhabi International Airport, this was the first institution in the world to provide comprehensive veterinary health care exclusively for falcons. Falcons have always occupied a significant place in the UAE’s history and culture. Traditionally, early Bedouin tribes trained and used them for hunting prey, and to this day falconry remains an important national sport and pastime. Visits to the hospital are an unforgettable experience of the fascinating world of falcons and falconry.
8. Cultural Foundation
This modern building in the centre of Abu Dhabi and next to the Qasr Al Hosn fort contains the National Library, National Archives and the Institute of Culture and Art. It is home to several arts and culture exhibitions and fairs throughout the year, including the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. Visitors will also find atmospheric black-and-white photographs of Abu Dhabi before oil was discovered and a tabletop model with palm frond ‘berasti’ houses and mud huts.
9. Al Ain
Al Ain is the second largest city within the emirate of Abu Dhabi and is roughly an hour drive away from Abu Dhabi city. Al Ain provides visitors with the opportunity to take a break from the city to experience some of the emirate’s local outdoor scenery and wildlife.
Jebel Hafeet is a 1,200m high rocky outcrop rising from the flat desert plain outside Al Ain. The hill has prehistoric desert encampments and is home to more than 115 species of plant, 140 species of bird and 18 species of mammal including the Arabian tahr (an endangered wild goat). Hot springs gush geo-thermally heated water from the ground along Jebal Hafeet’s lower slopes, turning either side of the streams a verdant green.
Located at the foot of Jebel Hafeet, is the 400 hectare Al Ain Zoo and Aquarium, which has a remarkably large collection of local and exotic animal and bird species including the magnificent Arabian Oryx, a much-revered animal in the southern Arabian peninsula.
10. Desert Safari
Desert safaris promote a range of Emirati cultural experiences mixed in with a slice of adventure. Drive out into the dessert for some “dune bashing” as professional drivers take you on a roller-coaster ride over steep sand dunes in specially-fitted SUVs.
In the heart of the desert, elegant tents are spread out with camel rides, shisha, henna, and a dinner buffet of local cuisine. Belly dancers and local music provide entertainment for a beautiful evening under the stars.
1. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Grand Mosque
The majestic Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque is the first mosque in Abu Dhabi to allow non-Muslims to tour its interior, making it a must-see for visitors. It features 80 domes all decorated with white marble, including the main dome which has an outer shell measuring 32.7 metres in diameter and stands 70 metres high from the inside and 85 metres from the outside, making it the largest of its kind anywhere in the world.
The building can house more than 35,000 worshippers, many of whom kneel to pray on the world’s largest hand-woven Persian carpet. The mosque is named after the first president and founder of the UAE, HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who is often called the “Father of the UAE.” He was laid to rest on the mosque site after his passing in 2004.
2. Emirates Palace
At an estimated cost of $3 billion, the Emirates Palace is one of the world’s most expensive hotels, decorated with gold-leaf, marble and hung with more than 1,000 Swarovksi crystal chandeliers. The Emirates Palace Hotel is owned by the Abu Dhabi government.
Its designers, Wimberley Allison Tong & Goo of the United Kingdom, went to great lengths to incorporate authentic Islamic motifs throughout, including the geometric design in the floor of the main lobby and the multi-coloured marbles of the dome, designed to reflect the colours of the sands of the seven different emirates, all of which are slightly different. The hotel opened its doors in 2005 after 3 years of construction. It is located along a 1.3km stretch of white sandy beach and conveniently neighbours Abu Dhabi’s bustling Corniche area.
Visit the Cultural District exhibition, a permanent display at Emirates Palace, and see designs for the museums that will make up Saadiyat Island’s new Cultural District. The new island development is being built by the Tourism Development & Investment Company as the city’s new cultural hub, and will include leading establishments, such as the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Performing Arts Centre, Maritime Museum, Sheikh Zayed Museum and Bienale Park and Pavilions.
3. Shopping
Abu Dhabi offers great shopping options – choose from the comfort of air-conditioned malls or soak up the atmosphere at a traditional souk (market). In Abu Dhabi city, the Iranian and carpet souks and Madinat Zayed gold market are well worth visiting. Abu Dhabi’s souks feature small, homely shops set within traditional architecture along pedestrian alleys. Visitors can bargain for a range of items including antiques, spices, fabrics, and jewellery. There are also a number of major malls throughout the city, the largest being the Marina Mall, Khalidiyah Mall, Al Wahda Mall, and Abu Dhabi Mall.
4. Dining
Abu Dhabi boasts hundreds of fine restaurants with cuisine from across the world, including Arabian, Thai, Vietnamese, French, Spanish, German and Brazilian. You can even order bangers and mash or an all-American steak. Smoking is still permitted at most Abu Dhabi restaurants so non-smokers should pre-book a non-smoking table.
Try out some of the local favorites:
- Diwan L'Auberge (Lebanese), Emirates Palace Hotel
- Indigo (Indian), Beach Rotana Hotel in the Tourist Club Area
- Sho Cho (Japanese), Souq Qaryat Al Beri
- Sardinia (Mediterranean), Abu Dhabi Health and Fitness Club in Al Mushrif area
- Bord Eau (French), Shangri-La Hotel in Souq Qaryat Al Beri
- Vascos (Various), Hilton Hotel on the Corniche
5. Kayaking
Offering kayaking experiences like no other, Noukhada Adventure Company run daily trips out into the natural mangrove forests on the east Corniche area as well as overnight island trips and kayak fishing. Accessible for visitors of all ages, take a kayak out with an environment expert to increase your awareness and knowledge of the natural beauty of Abu Dhabi's beautiful, watery oasis.
6. Abu Dhabi Heritage Village