What to see in Abu Dhabi: 10 most interesting places to visit

1. Sheikh Zayed Mosque

Once here, you'll feel like you're in an Aladdin's fairy tale! Sheikh Zayed Mosque is the main and most popular attraction of Abu Dhabi, which is amazing in its beauty. It was built not so long ago — in 2007, in honor, as it is easy to guess by the name, of the founder of the UAE — Sheikh Zayd ibn Sultan al-Nahyan.

Its large-scale snow-white domes are painted with golden calligraphic inscriptions, and the floor is lined with massive marble slabs that emphasize the majesty of the structure. Inside, the mosque is covered with the world's largest carpet with an area of more than 5600 square meters, and it is illuminated by 7 huge and luxurious chandeliers encrusted with Swarovski crystals. It all looks simply grand!

Keep in mind that to visit the mosque you need to adhere to a strict dress code: men need to be in pants, and women — with covered shoulders and legs. If you forget about this nuance, in the store at the entrance you can buy an abaya or other clothes that will fix the situation.

Address: Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street - 5th St - Abu Dhabi

Opening hours: daily 9:00 — 22:00, Friday 15:00 — 22:00.

Admission is free.

2. Louvre

Another Abu Dhabi must-see and an attraction that should definitely not be missed! The Louvre Abu Dhabi was opened not so long ago — in 2017. The peculiarity of the local Louvre lies in the unconventional approach to the composition of the museum's exposition: exhibits of different cultures are combined by theme and epochs — from ancient times to modern times. In this way you can trace and compare how the peoples of the world perceived different epochs and how it was reflected in their culture. For a complete immersion, we recommend taking an audio guide!

The Louvre Abu Dhabi is not as large as the French Louvre, so you can budget 2-3 hours for your visit.

Address: Saadiyat - Abu Dhabi

Opening hours: daily 10:00 — 18:30, Monday — day off.

Ticket price: adult — 60 AED

3. Waterfront and Corniche Beach

The central promenade stretches for 4 kilometers along the northwest coast of the Emirati capital. It is pleasant to stroll here in the evening, admiring the shining skyscrapers and the water surface. Better yet, rent a bicycle from one of the local rental centers and ride along the promenade in the breeze. There is a park adjacent to the waterfront, which, like the waterfront itself, is equipped with bike lanes and promenades for pedestrians.

There is also a 14-kilometer public beach, which is divided into public, women's and family parts. By the way, the place is marked with the Blue Flag — an international mark of quality beaches, so you can rest assured that the place is great.

Address: Corniche Road

4. Al Hosn Fort

Near the waterfront is one of the oldest buildings in the city by local standards, the Al Hosn Fort, where Abu Dhabi began in the early 18th century. Initially the fort served as a watchtower to protect the source of fresh water, later, until 1966, it was the residence of the sheikh, and in 2007 it was opened for tourists, and now the Al-Hosn Fort is one of the popular attractions of Abu Dhabi. Walking through the halls of the fort and looking at the ancient exhibits, you will plunge into the history of this amazing city. By the way, compared to many other sights of the city there are not so many people here — you will definitely be able to make cool photos without the crowd in the frame :).

Address: Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum St(2nd St) - Al Hisn - W3 - Abu Dhabi

Opening hours: daily 10:00 — 21:00, Friday — 14:00 — 22:00

Ticket price: adult — 30 AED

5. Etihad Towers and Observation Deck at 300

Skyscrapers are the most important part of the Emirati landscape, so it's worth paying special attention to them. One of the most impressive structures is the Etihad Towers, a complex of five skyscrapers on the Persian Gulf. After looking at these giants from the outside, climb to the 74th floor of the tallest of these buildings (its height is 300 meters) — there is an observation deck "Observation Deck at 300", which offers such a breathtaking view of Abu Dhabi.

Address: Tower 2, Level 74, Etihad Towers - Corniche W St - Abu Dhabi

Opening hours: 12:00 — 22:00 daily.

Ticket price: admission to the observation deck — 35 AED, admission to the restaurant on the observation deck — 55 AED (included in the amount of your order on the menu).

6. Aldar HQ Skyscraper

Continuing the theme of skyscrapers, we can't help but remember Aldar HQ — the building is made in the shape of a shell with a height of 110 meters. It seems that it is about to roll away, but this is all, of course, a visual deception. Engineers and architects have thought this object through to the last detail. If you are interested in modern architecture, you should definitely visit this place.

7. Ferrari World amusement park

A place for which thousands of tourists come to Abu Dhabi. As you can easily guess from the name, this theme park is entirely dedicated to the Italian car brand Ferrari. If you are one of the amusement lovers, you are guaranteed to like it here. The park has a wide range of attractions for all tastes and ages, thehighlight of the program is the fastest slide in the world, on which you can feel the acceleration to 240 km/hour in 4 seconds. As well as having fun, you'll also have a good time as parts of the exhibit introduce you to the history of the brand.

Address: Yas Island - Yas Leisure Dr - Yas Island - Abu Dhabi

Opening hours: 12:00 — 20:00 daily

Ticket price: adult — 295 AED, children — 230 AED.

8. Yas Waterworld Water Park

Next door to Ferrari World, Yas Island is home to another major amusement park, Yas Waterworld Water Park. The 15 hecatars of thrilling slides of different scales will delight both children and adults. A perfect place for family fun!

Address: Yas Island - Yas Leisure Dr - Yas Island - Abu Dhabi

Opening hours: 12:00 — 20:00 daily

Ticket price: adult — 270 AED, children — 220 AED

9. Yas Marina Circuit

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix race circuit is another attraction worth checking out on Yas Island. Bolides can reach speeds of up to 317 km/h.

During the day you can take a tour and see behind the scenes of the racing world, and in the evening the track is open to the public, so come here for a walk, run or bike ride.

Address: Yas Island,Yas Marina Circuit - Abu Dhabi

Admission is free.

10. Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital

You won't see this anywhere else! The world's first and largest veterinary hospital to treat falcons. Why falcons? Falconry is popular in the UAE and having a falcon at home is like having a cat or a dog. Birds require special care and treatment, so a separate hospital was created for them, and since 2008 other animals have been accepted here as well.

The clinic is open to the public and you can just drop in to see the falcons and learn more about these beautiful birds.

Address: Near the Abu Dhabi International Airport - Sweihan Road - Abu Dhabi

Opening hours: weekdays 8:30 — 14:00, weekends closed