Abu Dhabi
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Welcome to Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates! The city is home to a range of excellent things to do and see, including visits to impressive buildings like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Etihad Towers and the chance to take day trips into the desert. We’ve gathered the best things to do here, whether you’re a local or a tourist.
By Anneliese O'Malley
By Anneliese O'MalleyThe 9 Best Things to Do in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi sits between the desert and the Arabian Gulf, offering you plenty of unique activities outdoors as well as museums and other tourist attractions. We’ve collected the best things to do on a city break.Visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
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Visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
This beautiful mosque is built in white marble and features exquisite Islamic art. Visitors can take guided tours to learn all about it, and those who are practicing Muslims can join the congregation for prayers and services.Ride the Dunes
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Take a Day Trip to the Desert
Abu Dhabi is on the Persian Gulf, giving it access to the stunning beaches, but on the other side, the city faces the desert. Several tour providers offer you the chance to explore the dunes, either on a restful and cultural trip to visit a Bedouin camp, or on an adventurous desert safari featuring dune bashing, sandboarding, or off-road driving.Day Trips
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Outdoor Tours & Activities
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Etihad Towers | Flickr: Gilles Messian CC BY 2.0
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Etihad Towers Observation Deck
There are five towers in the Etihad complex containing shops, restaurants, offices, and hotels. Tower 2 also houses an impressive observation deck that lets you get an incredible view of the city from 925 feet (282 meters) above the ground. It’s also a great way to orient yourself in the city when you arrive.Speedboat in Abu Dhabi
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Enjoy a Cruise or Speedboat Tour
Take advantage of Abu Dhabi’s location on the beautiful Arabian Gulf, with several waterways inside the city itself. You can join a leisurely yacht cruise along the coastline or you can get a swift ride on a speedboat tour if you want to enjoy a little more adrenaline.Cruises & Water Tours
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Ferrari World Theme Park from above
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Discover Heaven for Petrolheads
Abu Dhabi is home to a few attractions which will get the hearts of all car-fans racing. One is the Ferrari World theme park, home to the world’s fastest roller coaster, while Formula 1 fans will treasure a visit to the Yas Marina Circuit. Those who want to get behind the wheel can do so during a driving experience at either attraction.Big Bus Abu Dhabi | Flickr: Michael Coghlan CC BY-SA 2.0
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Take a Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
Hop-On Hop-Off tours are a great way to get around a city without having to spend time figuring out the local public transportation system, taking you from attraction to attraction in comfort and with audio commentary to keep you entertained and informed. The operators in Abu Dhabi offer two routes, one focused on the city and one on the islands on its outskirts.Hop-On Hop-Off
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Louvre Abu Dhabi
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Experience Art & Culture
Abu Dhabi isn’t all high-rise buildings and deserts, there are also several cultural institutions and museums which will delight visitors. The most exciting might be the Louvre Abu Dhabi, a collaborative project with the Louvre in Paris and which houses incredible art from around the world and throughout the centuries. Meanwhile, the Heritage Village is an exciting destination for anyone interested in Bedouin or Emirati culture and history.Museums
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Dessert from high up | Flickr: mattharvey1 CC BY-ND 2.0
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Get Up in the Air
One of the best ways to appreciate the position of Abu Dhabi between sea and desert sand is to take a helicopter or seaplane tour. In addition to appreciating the landscape, you’ll also get an unparalleled view of the staggering buildings that make up the city’s skyline and get an adrenaline rush while you do it.A falcon getting treated | Flickr: Maarten Danial CC BY-ND 2.0
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Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital
If you have a soft spot for animals then you should definitely pay a visit to the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, which is a veterinary practice dedicated to the national bird of the UAE, and a favorite pet in Emirati households. You can only visit on a guided tour, giving you the unique opportunity to see behind-the-scenes at an animal hospital. You might also get the chance to hold a falcon.Attractions in Abu Dhabi
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The 10 Best Things to See in Abu Dhabi
We've collected the ten best sights and attractions in Abu Dhabi to help you put together your ideal vacation itinerary.Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
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Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
This incredible mosque was built in memory of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, president of the UAE for over 33 years, and was completed in 2007. It uses precious materials from all over the world, resulting in a glorious work of art as well as an important place of religious worship. Visitors can take a tour to see its beauty for themselves.Louvre Abu Dhabi
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Louvre Abu Dhabi
This gallery is a satellite of the famous Louvre museum in Paris and features art from around the world, some of which dates back millennia. It also hosts performance art, concerts, talks, and sketching sessions, so visitors should check what’s on in advance of their visit.Etihad Towers | Flickr: Gilles Messian CC BY 2.0
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Etihad Towers Observation Deck
The Etihad Towers complex contains everything you might ever need, but the real highlight is the observation deck in Tower 2. It’s 925 feet (282 meters) above the ground and offers you one of the best views of Abu Dhabi, plus your ticket includes an AED 50 voucher that you can spend on food and drinks while you’re visiting the deck.Ferrari World Theme Park from above
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Ferrari World
This theme park is packed with everything Ferrari, from the world’s fastest roller coaster (Formula Rosso) to exhibitions about classic cars and the chance to take a real Ferrari for a spin on a test track. The theme park is also mostly indoors, so it’s a great place to escape from the heat.The Stunning Exterior of the Emirates Palace | Flickr: Diego Delso CC BY-SA 2.0
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Emirates Palace
This luxury hotel has all the services you’d expect and then some: two spas, restaurants, bars, and a private beach. Visitors who don’t want to stay in one of the suites can still visit by reserving a table for afternoon tea or dinner, with the hotel’s highlight being the Palace Cappuccino: coffee topped with 24-carat gold.Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge | Flickr: Agoria Solar Team CC BY 2.0
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Yas Marina Circuit
The Formula 1 race track on Yas Island has hosted the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix since 2009, but it’s also open to the public for tours all year round. If you’re looking for an additional adrenaline rush, you can also take part in a driving experience, with a range of supercars and F1 cars available to take for a spin.Fresh pottery at the Heritage Village | Flickr: Bob Klannukarn CC BY-SA 2.0
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Heritage Village
If you’re interested in what Abu Dhabi was like before the oil boom and the city’s expansion, then you should consider a visit to the Heritage Village. Here you’ll discover recreations of Bedouin homes and local people demonstrating traditional Bedouin or Emirati crafts. There’s also a small museum documenting the history of the UAE.A falcon being treated | Flickr: Maarten Danial CC BY-ND 2.0
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Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital
This attraction is a working veterinary hospital dedicated to helping falcons, the national bird of the UAE and a popular pet in Emirati households. On your visit, you’ll get a tour of the facility, see some falcons being taken care of, and even get to hold one of the mighty creatures yourself.9
Emirates Park Zoo
Emirates Park Zoo opened in 2008 and is home to over 1700 animals from dozens of species, including white tigers, apes, giraffes, and snakes. You can also book special animal encounters to get closer to the creatures, including the chance to have breakfast with parrots or to feed the crocodiles.Yas Waterworld | Flickr: Jeremy Thompson CC BY 2.0
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Yas Waterworld
One of the star attractions on Yas Island, Yas Waterworld offers visitors over 40 slides and rides based on Emirati themes. The waterpark is ideal for cooling off during the heat of the day, and it has areas and slides that are suitable for younger children as well as thrillseekers, making it the ideal attraction for the whole family.More Information & tickets
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Written byAnneliese O'MalleyAnneliese is a former Londoner, keen traveler, and total word nerd. As a Content Management Specialist she knows the TicketLens inventory inside out and curates, matches, and writes about the most interesting attractions worldwide.
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