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Abu Dhabi

Proudly modern and cosmopolitan, Abu Dhabi is the UAE's forward-thinking cultural heart where nothing stands still – except perhaps the herons in its mangroves.

Cultural Capital

The Louvre Abu Dhabi, with its globe-trotting collection covering the breadth of humanity's artistic achievements, finally threw open its doors in 2017. It's the first of the city's planned mega-museum projects to open and a major feather in Abu Dhabi's cap as it pushes to become the region's cultural leader. This world-class museum may get all the buzz but more locally focused sights get a look-in too. Emirati heritage can be difficult to seek out but pearl journey dhow trips and the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital take you behind the curtain to get a glimpse of it.

Islamic Architecture

Opulent, dramatic and no expense spared: the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a triumph of Islamic architecture for the modern world. Architectural nods to all the great Islamic empires of past from Fatimid Egypt to South Asia's Mughal dynasty are represented among its blinding white marble facade, but this is a mosque thoroughly of and for the 21st century, with striking contemporary artistry at its heart. Non-Muslims may only be allowed to enter a single mosque in the city, but the one they can, is magnificent.

Thrills & Spills

Need some adrenaline in your life? Yas Island provides enough distractions to keep even the most dedicated thrill-seeker happy. This is the setting for the famed Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the track hallowed ground for Formula One fans. Year-round there are opportunities to hop in the driving seat yourself and make your own Yas Marina Circuit memories. Off the track, Ferrari World and its speed-freak favourite Formula Rossa roller coaster plus Warner Bros World provide full-on family entertainment with enough rides to wear out and sate the thrill tick-list of kids and adults alike.

Coastal Pleasures

There's no need to leave the city for a beach-break, Abu Dhabi offers a swath of sand for everyone. Saadiyat Island has one of the nicest slices of public beach (with a minimal fee) while Al Bateen, the Corniche and the brand-spanking-new beach on Hudayriat Island offer up completely free swags of sandy fun. On the water, Abu Dhabi's Mangrove National Park showcases a completely different face to a city more known for glinting glass-and-steel skyscrapers than nature. Keep your eyes peeled for flamingos, heron and scuttling crabs as you explore the waterways of this vast forest by kayak.

Must see in
Abu Dhabi

  • Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

    Abu Dhabi's iconic landmark mosque was conceived by Sheikh Zayed, the country's founding father. Big and bold, with one foot in the traditions of Islamic architecture yet managing to be a showcase of contemporary mosque design, this beautiful marble building dazzles all with its dimensions (80 marble domes held aloft by 1000 pillars and space for 50,000 worshippers) as well as decoration. Inside the main prayer hall is a visual extravaganza drenched in gold leaf and boasting massive crystal chandeliers and pillars adorned with semiprecious stones and floral marble inlays.

  • Louvre Abu Dhabi

    It may have taken years longer than anticipated to open, but the wait for Louvre Abu Dhabi was worth it. Under that 7500-ton glinting filigree dome is a cultural beacon that boldly revolutionises museum curation for the 21st century. Humanity's history is told through art with the gallery exhibit groupings transgressing borders, cultures and geography. The result is a story that weaves together the connections and similarities of all human cultures right from the spawning of the first villages up to the present day. It's a thoroughly engrossing journey.

  • Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital

    Traditional Emirati culture can seem mothballed and packed away in this modern skyscraper city, which seems to focus firmly on the future, but at the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital it becomes apparent that some traditions are firmly upheld and carried on. Falconry thrives here and the birds occupy a special place in the heart of Emiratis. Tours of this specialist clinic allow visitors a glimpse of an age-old tradition and to understand the close bonds between owner and these birds of prey.

  • Founder's Memorial

    The art installation at the centre of this memorial plaza honours Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, first president of the United Arab Emirates and the ruler who, through a single-minded vision, built today's Abu Dhabi from scratch. Named The Constellation, this 3D artwork is a fittingly cutting-edge monument for a man who thrust the emirate and country into the modern world. Head here after dark for dramatic night photography opportunities when the artwork's geometric shapes clearly reveal a portrait of the sheikh.

  • Yas Island

    Home of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, set beside the spectacular curvaceous roofed Yas Hotel and the marina, the famed Formula One circuit offers opportunities to channel your own inner Lewis Hamilton year-round. DriveYas is the ultimate activity for any motor-sports fan or adrenaline junkie, putting you in the driving seat to race around the track. Or head to Ferrari World for the world's fastest roller coaster, a zero-gravity fall and the world's biggest roller-coaster loop. From the youngest to the oldest speed-fan, there are thrills and spills for all.

  • Corniche

    What was once the main harbour where dhows pulled in, straight onto the beach, is now where Abu Dhabi comes to play. In the early evening, when the city shrugs off the worst of the heat, the Corniche, a wide waterfront promenade, fills up with giggling gaggles of teens hanging out, families letting the kids blow off some steam and joggers and cyclists putting in their paces. Look up to witness the high-rises rocketing into the sky. Look down and the swath of public beach is laid out before you.

  • Emirates Palace

    One of the most expensive hotels ever built, Emirates Palace allegedly came at a price tag of a cool US$3.5 billion. Swagger up the grand entrance staircase, surrounded by carefully manicured fountain-laden gardens, into an opulent over-the-top interior decked out in marble, gold and mother of pearl and studded with palm trees. Take high tea or sip a gold-dusted cappuccino by the fountains, head for cocktails on Hakkasan's terrace or just admire the exterior at night when the facade peacock-preens in multicoloured lights.

  • Masdar City

    If you like architecture, don't miss Masdar City, built as an experiment to explore environmentally sustainable urbanisation. The buildings of the city's finished core hub encompass a host of high-tech and cutting-edge green features and are a fascinating merge of traditional Middle Eastern design and futuristic sharp edges. Hugely ambitious and costing an eye-watering amount, this development is a long way from being completed. Wandering around the weirdly empty and un-peopled centre today is akin to entering an empty sci-fi movie set.

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