Joanna James
Located along the water, Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE is a modern metropolis and top tourist destination where one can cherish both contemporary comforts and taste exotic traditions of Arabia from the past. Listed below are some top Abu Dhabi attractions.
This marvellous structure, which has spared no expenses in construction, is on par with the best luxury hotels in Abu Dhabi and is just as splendid. The city's most iconic attraction, the mosque is resplendent adorned with Macedonian marble and boasting an amalgamation of architectural styles from the Ottoman, Mameluke and Fatimid empires. Constructed over a period of 20 years the mosque is able to hold 40,000 devotees and is a celebration of Islamic traditions. The mosque dedicated to Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan is open to visitors, even non-Muslims may explore all quarters.
Deemed a wildlife reserve in the 70's the ruggedly handsome Sir Bani Yas Island is a true desert oasis. There you can plan a safari across the rocky environs and enjoy sights of desert animals, such as the Arabian Oryx, once close to extinction but now thriving on the island. And with the likes of Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villas, your stint on the island, which includes snorkelling, diving, kayaking and more on the Persian Gulf, can be a holiday of many days.
Whilst the modern elegance of Abu Dhabi is quite impressive and a treat to enjoy; heading out to the folds of nature, similar to enjoying a stay at a Sir Bani Yas Island resort, is quite rewarding. One such experience is kayaking along the pretty mangrove forests of Abu Dhabi which line the shores. Plenty of tailor-made tours are available for enthusiastic kayakers of all ages and experiences.
One of the city's most popular attractions, the branded Ferrari theme park offers you all the thrills of Formula One racing. Age is no restriction to having fun at this park, where kids, can pick up some savvy driving skills and proceed to test it out on the Junior GT Track. If you are in for a thrill, beyond compare, take a ride in the Flying Aces Rollercoaster, which promises to get up to speeds of 120kms per hour, and does a 52-metre loop ride, which by the way is the world's tallest! Lovers of vintage cars can check out the park's collection of Ferrari models dating back to 1947.
Boat tours are the perfect excuse for enjoying the Abu Dhabi skyline from the water. A variety of island hopping tours, catering to various budgets are available. You can choose to simply cruise the water from the marina and explore the island within the bay or go snorkelling and spend time on the beaches as part of your island hopping tour; which is also, available as sunset cruises, for a touch of romance.
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