The Best of Tourist Attractions in Abu Dhabi (Part-I)

Abu Dhabi is arguably one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the United Arab Emirates. It welcomes its visitors with the warmth of Arabian hospitality, captivating culture, exhilarating adventure and breathtaking luxury. Home to some of the world’s top tourist attractions, the city offers plenty to make you feel awed. A few such places have been shortlisted for you which you must visit during your tour.

Heritage Village

This rebuilt traditional oasis village, operated by the Emirates Heritage Club, provides an interesting insight into Abu Dhabi’s past. Located near Marina Mall, this is a place where you get to experience a taste of the desert life. A falaj irrigation system, a tent made out of goats’s hair and coffee pots alongside a campfire are all attractively showcased in this open museum.

You can visit the many workshops where craftsmen display traditional skills such as pottery and metal work. The spice shop here is a real treat where you can get a variety of handmade soaps and dried herbs.

Observation Deck at 300

Located on Level 74 of Tower 2 at the popular Etihad Towers complex, this is a fabulous place where you can enjoy an evening. At a height of 300 metres above the ground, you get to see unbeatable views of the city’s landscape and the surrounding islands.

This is Abu Dhabi’s highest vantage point from where you can take in some breathtaking sights while savoring the delicious refreshments, scrumptious High Tea and light snacks. The lounge opens daily from 10 am to 6 pm and entry is free for children under four years as well as for guests staying at 5-star Jumeirah at Etihad Towers.

Qasr al-Hosn

At Sheikh Zayed the First Street, this is the oldest stone building and an important landmark in Abu Dhabi. The site hosts a permanent exhibition which you can enter for free to know more about the emirate and its people. The historic photographs and the fascinating oral testimonies bring this significant monument to life.

Once a sea stone watchtower, Qasr al-Hosn has now been transformed into an amazing museum and a repository of collections related to the city and the gulf. A visit to this symbolic birthplace of Abu Dhabi will bring you closer to the Emirati tradition, culture and heritage.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Located at Airport Road, this architectural piece of art is among the world’s largest mosques with an astonishing capacity of 40,000 worshipers. It features over 1,000 columns, 82 domes, 24 carat gold chandeliers and the largest hand-weaved carpet in the world.

The main prayer hall is where you get to see a chandelier weighing 12 tonnes, 15 metres in height and 10 metres in diameter, making it one of the world’s largest. The reflective pools surrounding the mosque further amplify its beauty. Evening is the best time when you can enjoy clicking photographs, winding down and relaxing in the lovely breeze.

Whether you’re visiting Abu Dhabi for the first time or are a frequent flier, you are bound to find a destination in the capital city that enraptures, intrigues and invites you back. Each of the above mentioned tourist attractions possesses a unique charm, enough to keep you excited throughout the day. And that’s not all! There are many more to follow. Join us for our next update.