Zoey Adams
Abu Dhabi an ancient fishing town has grown by leaps and bounds to be one of the most extravagant cities in the world. Sightseeing is a magnificent affair among mosques, palaces and ancient villages.
Abu Dhabi's most iconic and grandiose monument the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque promises to awe and stun. It is inlaid with gorgeous Macedonian marble and is a fusion of Ottoman, Mameluke and Fatamid architectural designs. These create a contemporary looking mall that exudes a relaxed ambiance. To further accentuate the elegant nature of the building artists have skilfully used mosaic tiling, glass work and elegant carvings both on the interior and exterior of the building. Construction took a total of 20 years and the mosque was opened in 2007. This is the UAE's largest mosque which accommodates 40,000 worshipers. The mosque is devoted to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan. Non-Muslims may explore all quarters of the mosque with guided tours on offer. The place is open from Saturday to Thursday between 9 am to 10 pm and Fridays from 4.30 pm to 10 pm. Entrance is free of charge.
If you are interested in ancient heritage and tradition head over to the Abu Dhabi Heritage Village; this is a typical Bedouin campsite that reflects Abu Dhabi lifestyles before becoming an oil producing nation. Located around a picturesque beach front locale the place is quite a pleasant area to spend some time at. Enjoy the exhibits depicting traditional artefacts and objects as well as an insight to local agriculture and the ancient pearl diving commerce for which the city is famous since olden times. If you are into nature and culture it's wise to check out the luxurious 5 star hotels Abu Dhabi is well known for. The 1.2km stretch of the protected Eastern Mangroves District home to the Eastern Mangroves Hotel and Spa by Anantara is a verdant neighbourhood in which to relax in style.
The Al-Hosn Palace is also popularly referred to as the White Fort or Old Fort. It is also the oldest building in Abu Dhabi having being constructed in 1793. It was built as the seat of government; home to the ruling royal family. Today the renovated and modernised building is home to the Centre for Documentation and Research part of the Cultural Foundation. The place holds a fascinating collection of documents chronicling the history and legacy of the UAE and Gulf region. The best features of the palace are the courtyard and tile work at the northern gate. Included is a museum of historical photographs, desert animals and traditional artefacts.
This is the place to visit if you want to take home unique souvenirs from Abu Dhabi. At the Women's Craft Centre you can observe local women engaged in the art of embroidery, basket making and weaving. You can purchase textiles, slippers, shawls, rugs, trays, baskets and many other local handicrafts.
The Observation Deck is located at the Etihad Towers; it is Abu Dhabi's version of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. From the deck you are treated to expansive views of the city's skyline. The entrance ticket is redeemable at the decks restaurant offering high tea to breath-taking sights.
