According to Allcitycodes, Abu Dhabi is one of the seven Arab Emirates. The city of the same name is the capital of the emirate and of the United Arab Emirates. Just like Dubai, Abu Dhabi is also going through a stormy development. Because of the more conservative policy that Abu Dhabi has always followed, there is a gap with Dubai that is rapidly being caught up. Under the rule of the pro-Western sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, a new course has been taken. Numerous modern projects are being built around the old city to ensure that Abu Dhabi is also put on the map as a tourist destination.
Top 10 sights of Abu Dhabi
#1. Sheikh Zayed Mosque
The largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates is the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. This beautifully designed white mosque has Moorish, Mongolian and Arabic influences. The mosque can accommodate no fewer than forty thousand mosque-goers. Impressive elements in the mosque are the largest carpet in the world (5627 square meters) and the largest chandelier in the world.
#2. Louvre Abu Dhabi
After many years, the Louvre Abu Dhabi opened in November 2017. This art museum has such an interesting collection of works of art that it can immediately be counted among the top museums in the world. For example, you can admire works by Matisse, Monet, Leonardo da Vinci and Vincent van Gogh in the Louvre. The museum is housed in a beautiful building that is a piece of top architecture. The costs of construction amounted to around one hundred million euros.
#3. Emirates Palace
After Dubai opened the Burj Al Arab, Abu Dhabi also wanted to have a self-proclaimed seven-star hotel. While Dubai opted for a modern design, Abu Dhabi opted for a typical Arabic style. Opened in 2005, the Emirates Palace Hotel is built in the shape of a real Arabian palace. It covers an area of no less than 850,000 square meters in which there are 302 rooms and no fewer than 92 suites. Whoever visits the lobby of the hotel will be overwhelmed by the amount of gold and natural stone that has been used.
#4. Ferrari World
Fans of sports cars and speed should definitely visit Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. This almost entirely indoor theme park is entirely dedicated to the famous Italian car brand Ferrari. The color Ferrari red therefore dominates on the inside and outside of the amusement park.
#5. Yas Marina Circuit
The Yas Marina Circuit is a race track located on Yas Island. There is a marina at the race track where you will often find very expensive yachts. The circuit cost about a billion dollars, making it the most expensive F1 circuit in the world. A considerable part of the costs went into the construction of the futuristic Yas Viceroy Hotel. This is the only hotel in the world that is partly built over a Formula 1 circuit.
#6. Guggenheim
In 2020, the largest Guggenheim Museum in the world will open its doors in Abu Dhabi. The museum, which covers more than forty thousand square meters, will be housed in a building that consists of a high-quality piece of architecture. The building is designed by Frank Gehry, who is also responsible for the imposing Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will have a prominent place on Saadiyat Island.
#7. Marina Mall
The number of large shopping malls that are of interest to tourists is (still) quite limited in Abu Dhabi. We definitely recommend the Marina Mall, which is located on an artificial peninsula at Corniche Road.
#8. Corniche Road
One of the main streets of the original Abu Dhabi is Corniche Road. This street runs parallel to the coast. Along Corniche Road you will find a beautiful promenade and beaches. The total boulevard is about seven kilometers long.
#9. Abu Dhabi Heritage Village
This reconstruction of traditional oasis homes offers a glimpse of Abu Dhabi’s past life. Cultural events are also regularly held here.
#10. Emirates National Auto Museum
South of Abu Dhabi, about an hour’s drive away, is the Emirates National Auto Museum. You can view Sheikh Hamad Al Nahyan’s private collection here, which comprises a total of around 200 cars. Most automobiles date from the second half of the last century.
