Beyond Dubai: Discover Abu Dhabi’s Grand Mosque, Louvre & More in a Day

The UAE’s capital city, Abu Dhabi, is a tourist’s paradise. Dubai may be the talk of the town, but Abu Dhabi has its own share of amazing places to visit and experiences to witness. Abu Dhabi is rich in culture and heritage. However, it is also a modern city with interesting attractions, like theme parks, to visit. Read on to discover Abu Dhabi and its many amazing attractions like the Grand Mosque, Louvre, and more.

Beyond Dubai: Discover Abu Dhabi’s Grand Mosque, Louvre & More in a Day

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Grand mosque is one of the most visited sites in the city. It sees about a million visitors every year. Moreover, the mosque can accommodate up to 40,000 worshippers. This mosque has one of the most stunning architectural designs among mosques from around the world. Entry to the mosque and its inside tours are all free of charge.

Louvre Abu Dhabi

Explore the Louvre of the Middle East at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. It is one of the largest museums in the region with a collection of 700 artworks belonging to every civilization. Additionally, 300 art pieces in the museum are on loan from partner museums. Moreover, the museum conducts several temporary exhibitions that help bridge the East and the West. The museum has artworks by Pablo Picasso, René Magritte, and Osman Hamdi Bey.

Corniche Beach

“The Corniche” is the name of the strip that runs along the Abu Dhabi Beach. It is a popular area in the city where you find many interesting things along the way. It is the perfect place to walk, cycle, and swim on the beach. Many places allow you to rent a bike for a certain period. Moreover, there are many restaurants and cafes along this path. Also, you can find 4-star and 5-star hotels in The Corniche in Abu Dhabi.

Yas Island

Yas Island is a small artificial island situated a little separate from Abu Dhabi City. It is the ideal getaway from the city into something unique that this Middle Eastern region has to offer. Staying on Yas Island provides easy access to some amazing attractions such as Warner Bros, Ferrari World, and Marina Circuit. Ferrari World is home to the F1 rollercoaster, which is the world’s fastest, and a test drive Ferrari simulator. Also, you can shop at Yas Mall or grab lunch or dinner in the marina.

Mangrove National Park

Many may not be able to link deserts and mangroves. However, deserts and mangroves are intrinsically linked at Abu Dhabi’s Mangrove National Park. Dense mangrove trees dominate the Arabian Peninsula’s coastal vegetation. These mangroves help calm and purify tidal flows. Also, they remove and lock away considerable amounts of carbon dioxide from the air. Mangrove National Park is rich in biodiversity, including greater flamingos, crabs, western reef herons, and more.

Al Jahili Fort

Al Jahili Fort is one of the UAE’s largest forts. It is a beautiful fort with a lush garden and several exhibition halls. These exhibition halls are free to stroll through. One of the exhibits at the fort is dedicated to Sir Wilfred Thesiger. He is an explorer who crossed the Empty Quarter, which is the world’s largest sand mass, two times in the 1940s. The fort was built in the 1980s on Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan’s orders.

Hudayriyat Island

Hudayriyat Island is the place to go if you want to stay fit and active during your Abu Dhabi tour. It acts as a playground and gym for fitness enthusiasts in Abu Dhabi. There are also tracks to go cycling or courts to play tennis. It features state-of-the-art sporting facilities that will let you burn off a few calories at the heart of the city.

Jebel Hafeet

Jebel Hafeet is the tallest mountain in Abu Dhabi. Standing tall at 1,2490 m, the top of the peak is one of the best places from which you can view the entire region. Also, it is the ideal location to capture some stunning natural photography. If you are not up to a hike up the mountain yourself, you can even drive up to the top. This is an easier method that many people use to reach the top of the highest peak in the city. Climb this peak and feel as if you are on top of the world!

The Founder’s Memorial

The 30-meter-high Founder’s Memorial is a place to visit if you want to learn more about the history and other facts about the UAE. This 3D art installation depicts Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who is widely considered the Founding Father of the UAE. This beautiful attraction is surrounded by lush greenery in the form of gardens. Immerse yourself in the history of the Emirates at The Founder’s Memorial.

Emirates Palace

Emirates Palace is a luxury hotel situated in Abu Dhabi. Visitors are welcome to view this hotel even if they aren’t the hotel’s guests. The hotel offers comfort at the best level with amazing pools, a 1.3 km private beach, a private marina, a golden exterior, unique dining experiences, a spa, and many more such facilities. Emirates Palace is a definite must-visit on your tour to Abu Dhabi.

Etihad Towers

Etihad Towers is a complex of buildings that consists of five towers. It is located right in front of the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. It is a famous viewpoint in Abu Dhabi with an observation deck providing 360-degree panoramic views of the city. The observation deck is located on the 74^th floor and is a must-see if you enjoy city views from high above. It is also a filming location for several popular English movies.

Heritage Village

Heritage Village is more of an outdoor museum that is situated in Abu Dhabi. This museum, located in an outdoor environment, exhibits the fine craftsmanship of the Emiratis. It is a well-organized museum with much to experience. A visit to the museum will help you realize how fast Abu Dhabi has grown into the city it is today. You can also find a mosque and different animals like donkeys and camels at this location.

Abu Dhabi Mall

Abu Dhabi Mall is a shopping center located in central Abu Dhabi. It is one of the main malls of the city. The mall has more than 200 stores, a food court, and a cinema. It is located adjacent to the Beach Rotana Hotel with an internal entrance from the hotel. It is known as the second-best shopping mall in Abu Dhabi.

Qasr Al Watan

Qasr Al Watan is the Palace of the President of Abu Dhabi. It is a must-visit attraction for history buffs and just about anyone. The best time to visit the palace is at sunset so that you will be able to capture some stunning photographs. The architecture is absolutely stunning and is worth visiting to discover Abu Dhabi’s beauty.

Final Thoughts

There’s so much to explore beyond Dubai. Discover Abu Dhabi’s stunning architectural masterpieces like the Grand Mosque, Louvre, Qasr Al Watan, and many more, and be amazed at what wonderful things lie in this Emirati city.