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Ahmed Samir
Ahmed Samir
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates, located on the coast of the Arabian Gulf. It is bordered to the northeast by the Emirate of Dubai, to the east by the Sultanate of Oman, and to the south and west by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The United Arab Emirates consists of seven emirates. Abu Dhabi is the largest city in the country and is the seat of government, the ruling family, and the royal family.
Abu Dhabi is one of the most famous tourist cities in the Arab region and one of the most lovely cities in the United Arab Emirates. It has many beaches where you can enjoy the sun and sand.
The Emirate of Abu Dhabi is full of tourist and recreational areas that have made it a favourite stop for lovers of travel and adventures. There are many top destinations in Abu Dhabi, like Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi, and many others. So, let us know more about these in the coming part.
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Weather in Abu Dhabi
The weather in Abu Dhabi is hot most of the year, where the temperature reaches 42 degrees, while it rains intermittently in winter and reaches 13 degrees at night. Abu Dhabi’s climate is dry in the summer, which starts from April to November, and a mild winter from December to March.
Things to do in Abu Dhabi
The beautiful city of Abu Dhabi is worth visiting. There are many things to do, such as walking through the corniche and seeing the lovely Gulf view. There are also many cafes and restaurants to enjoy your time in and hotels you can stay in.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the most famous tourist attraction in Abu Dhabi. Built with white marble, it combines Mameluke, Ottoman, and Fatimid designs to create a magnificent modern mosque with a touch of Islamic architecture.
The mosque was opened in 2007. It took about 20 years to construct and can hold up to 410,000 worshippers. When you enter the mosque, you will see glasswork and intricate carvings that give it a fabulous look on both its interior and exterior.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the biggest in the United Arab Emirates and is dedicated to the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan, the first king of the United Arab Emirates. Non-Muslims can enter all mosque areas and have a free guided tour if you want.
The mosque is open daily from 9 AM till 10 PM and Friday from 4:30 PM till 10 PM.
The Louvre – Abu Dhabi
Beside the grand mosque is The Louvre Museum, which contains many collections from the Neolithic to the present. It is a cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and France.
The Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi opened in 2017. It consists of 12 galleries, including ancient Egyptian statues and paintings, with explanations in Arabic, English, and French. There is also a children’s museum, a café, a restaurant, and shops.
The museum is closed on Monday but is open from Sunday to Wednesday from 10 AM to 8 PM and Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to 10 PM.
Qasr Al Hosn
Qasr Al Hosn was built in the 18th century, making it the oldest building in the city. It is also called the Old Fort or the White Fort. At that time, it was the office of the ruling family and the seat of the government. Inside Qasr Al Hosn, you will find a museum that views the history and culture of Abu Dhabi. Its interior has been renewed over the years.
Presidential Palace
The Presidential Palace is one of the famous buildings in Abu Dhabi and has been open to the public since 2019 by order of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan so that everyone can learn more about the United Arab Emirates culture.
It was once used for official and large international meetings, and now it is one of the essential monuments in Abu Dhabi. When you go inside, you will see many rooms, such as the Gift Room, Meeting Room, Council Room, and Library.
Heritage Village
Heritage Village is a rebuilding of a traditional Bedouin Village. It is one of the perfect places to discover Abu Dhabi’s history. You can visit the museum there and see antiques and weapons.
There are also workshops where you can see craftspeople who explain Emirati metalwork and weaving skills, and you can buy local products such as clothes, jewels, and many other things.
Also, when you are there, you will find an Arabian wind tower that creates natural ventilation and passive cooling in buildings. You can enjoy a beautiful view of the Abu Dhabi skyline, the Corniche, and many buildings from there.
Ferrari World
Many people know the Ferrari races that are held in many cities around the world; now, you can see one of these races in Abu Dhabi. It is one of the famous attractions in the city and a perfect place for family, friends, and even children.
Children can test small cars on a Junior GT track, and adults can ride the fastest roller coaster in the world, which reaches 120 km per hour. Also, while you are there, you will see many collections of Ferrari cars from 1947 until now, and you can tour the Ferrari factory.
Etihad Towers
The Etihad Towers comprise five skyscrapers, three residential towers, and a 5-star Jumeirah Etihad Towers Hotel, a famous attraction in Abu Dhabi.
One of these buildings is the most wonderful one. It gives you a magnificent view from the 74th floor, 300 meters above the ground. You can see the Emirates Palace and the Presidential Palace. When you are up there, you can enter the restaurant that serves soft drinks and snacks.
Mangrove National Park
Mangrove National Park is the perfect place for nature lovers. It is located along the shore surrounding Abu Dhabi, and the tour there can take 2 hours. The tour teaches you the importance of the mangrove and allows you to discover the beautiful place. In 2020, a wooden footbridge called a Mangrove Walk was built on the water, where you can find the place on foot.
Spending the day at the beach in Yas Island
Another main attraction in Abu Dhabi is Yas Island, where you can do many things, like spend all day at the beach with your family and friends. At Yas Beaches, you can find many cafes, restaurants, and food stalls, as well as a swimming pool area, sun loungers, and shades for relaxing on the sands.
Warner Bros World
Warner Bros. World is one of the largest indoor theme parks in the world. It is dedicated to cartoons, movies, and comic book heroes and is divided into six lands, all under one roof.
Some of these themes are Gotham City for the Batman universe, Metropolis for Superman, and another part for Looney Tunes. It is the perfect place for children to spend a great time with their superheroes.
Yas Marina Circuit
It is where Abu Dhabi’s Formula One Grand Prix is held. It takes place in November, and the circuit is on Yas Island. The first race took place in 2009. You can tour the circuit, pits, and grandstand.
There is a platform for Formula One fans who want to see the track and go behind the scenes. You can enjoy a driving experience on the Formula One track. Also, you can discover the racing school, race cars, and the garage. A nice thing you can do on the track is have a walk or a run, and that is every Tuesday and Saturday night, and you can enter for free.
Saadiyat beach
Saadiyat Beach is a 9 km long sand beach with beautiful turquoise water. It is located near the Louver Museum and is considered one of the most magnificent beaches in the country. A part of the beach is protected because of a turtle’s nest, and you can walk through the beach on a wooden boardwalk so no one can disturb the area.
The beach is divided into three parts: the public beach, Saadiyat Beach Club, which contains a spa, gym, restaurants, and swimming pool, and Hotel private beaches like Hyatt Park.
Natural Reserve on Sir Bani Yas Island
Established by Sheikh Zayed, the natural reserve features Arabian wildlife such as gazelles, giraffes, leopards, and many more. A resort is located there, where you can book activities like safari, horse riding, hiking, and mountain biking.
A Day Trip to the Desert
The most famous day trip to Abu Dhabi is to the desert, where you can visit the Liwa Oasis or even the Al Khatim Desert. The desert of Abu Dhabi contains the most giant dunes in the world, and it is the perfect place for sandboarding and camel trekking.
The tour offers you the chance to visit a camel farm and see the traditional desert life. The tour also takes about 6 hours and includes a dinner in a desert camp with Tanura and belly dancing entertainment shows.
