Joanna James
Abu Dhabi, the dazzling capital of the United Arab Emirates is a city of many wonders. If you're planning a trip hear, make sure to include these five attractions in your itinerary as they are well worth a visit.
Created from Macedonian marble, the impressive Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the city's landmark building and by far the its most popular attraction. The mosque fuses Ottoman, Fatimid, and Mameluke design to create a breathtaking mosque that celebrates Islamic architecture. The architects used mosaic tiling, intricate carvings, and glass-work to create an amazing effect on both the exterior and interior. Declared open in 2007 after nearly 20 years of construction, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque can hold 40,000 worshippers and is thus the biggest mosque in the UAE. It is dedicated to the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan like the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah. All areas in the mosque are open for non-Muslims (including gigantic library). Guided tours are available at the mosque as well as offered by many luxury hotels in Abu Dhabi City the likes of Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara.
If you think Abu Dhabi is a city of just buildings, you need to head over to its mangrove forest. There are plenty of kayaking tours available for all levels of age and experience; ranging from one and a half hours to three hours' time duration. This Eco Tour give you the opportunity you to learn about the importance of mangroves as well as witness the stunning last remnants of the city's forests. For a truly special experience, book a night tour and explore the mangroves by floating through the waters after dark.
Bringing the excitement of Formula One racing to Abu Dhabi, this branded theme park is one of Abu Dhabi's top things to do for adventure enthusiasts and families alike. Kids can have a fun time on the Junior GT track, while adventure junkies can gear up and ride the Flying Aces rollercoaster, which provides speeds of 120 kilometers per hour on a 52-meter loop. There's also a collection of vintage Ferrari's cars including models that date back to 1947. Ferrari knowledge game shows and Ferrari factory tours are also available here.
To get the best views of the city's glittering skyscrapers, you need to go out onto the water. City views are quite amazing when its enjoyed out from the marina. There are many tours for all types of budgets, however, two trips that more popular with tourists are sunset cruises and the island-hopping tours, The former lets you enjoy seeing the city lights flicker as dusk comes, while the latter includes beach and snorkeling time at some of the islands in the bay.
This is Abu Dhabi's answer to Dubai's Burj Khalifa! The observation deck at 300, offers spectacular skyline views from the city's highest point. The observation deck is located on the 74th floor of the Jumeirah at Etihad Towers hotel. Non-guests of the hotel need to buy an entry fee for, but this ticket price can be redeemed for refreshments from the restaurant at the observation deck.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
