Boasting some of the world's most beautiful landscapes, Abu Dhabi is made up of three main regions – the UAE capital city and its surrounds, Al Ain (Eastern Region) and Al Dhafra (Western Region). Thanks to its geographically diverse scenery and rich culture and history, the emirate is a dream to explore. Enjoy exquisite desert sunsets in the Empty Quarter, kayak through mangrove forests, marvel at ancient UNESCO World Heritage sites, visit awe-inspiring architectural landmarks, museums and galleries, wander beneath palm trees in centuries-old oases, go wild at adventure and theme parks, relax at luxury resorts and shop in some of the world's best shopping malls.
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Abu Dhabi was once home to 300 Barasti (palm frond) huts, a few coral buildings and the Ruler's fort. Today, the bustling high-rise capital of the UAE is a melting pot of culture, history, heritage, nature, beaches, luxury, wildlife and shopping. |
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| The impressive and inspiring Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the world’s largest mosques and the only one that captures the unique interactions between Islam and other world cultures. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founder of the UAE, had a very specific vision for this mosque: to incorporate architectural styles from different Muslim civilisations and celebrate cultural diversity by creating a haven that is truly welcoming and inspirational in its foundation. The mosque’s architects were British, Italian and Emirati, with design ideas borrowed from parts of Turkey, Morocco, Pakistan and Egypt, among other Islamic countries. The end result is a breathtaking, gleaming architectural marvel. |  |
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When visiting Abu Dhabi, a swim in the glittering waters of the Arabian Gulf is an experience that cannot be passed up. An archipelago made up of hundreds of islands, no matter whether you’re staying in one of the city’s many world-class hotels with their own beachfront facilities, visiting one of the capital’s amazing public or club beaches, or joining a popular boat tour that includes a swimming stop off one of the emirate’s islands, you’ll relish in the freedom of Abu Dhabi’s warm, safe waters. |
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Qasr Al Watan is a working Presidential palace and a majestic cultural landmark that invites the world to discover the rich legacy of knowledge and tradition that has shaped the UAE's journey. Qasr Al Watan is an exquisitely crafted tribute to Arabian heritage and artistry, with its architecture and design echoing the significance and function of the impressive exhibits and iconic rooms housed within its halls. One of the palace's most impressive and unmissable attractions is the family-friendly Palace In Motion event, a spectacular light and sound show that celebrates the UAE's journey in three breathtaking acts that unfold in front of the main palace every 30 minutes after sundown. |
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The iconic Louvre Abu Dhabi is the first universal museum in the Arab World, translating and fostering the spirit of openness between cultures. As one of the premier cultural institutions located in the heart of the Saadiyat Cultural District on Saadiyat Island, this art-lovers’ dream displays works of historical, cultural and sociological significance, from ancient times to the contemporary era. |
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Spread over 3.3 hectares of beautifully landscaped public space boasting indigenous flora, the Founder's Memorial features a Sanctuary Garden including seating areas and a traditional falaj (ancient irrigation system), a Heritage Garden rich with medicinal desert plants, and an elevated walkway offering captivating views of the Arabian Gulf, the city’s dazzling skyline, and the centrepiece of The Founder’s Memorial, The Constellation. |
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Al Jahili is one of the largest forts in the UAE, built in the 1890s on the orders of Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, also known as Zayed the First, as the home to members of the ruling Al Nahyan family. Between 2007 and 2008 the fort was impeccably restored by the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi. Surrounded by a lush park, this enchanting fort won the prestigious Terra Award for Internal Design and Layout in 2016. |
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| Open 365 days a year, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the world’s first Ferrari-branded theme park tells the marque’s story with passion, showcasing more than 20 exhilarating and educational rides and attractions, incredible shopping, and authentic Italian dining experiences. The only time you’ll be outside in the sun is on board the Formula Rossa – the world’s fastest roller-coaster. Go from 0 to 240km/h in 4.9 seconds, while soaring to heights of 52 metres. |  |
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Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi is a waterpark with Emirati heritage at its heart. The Lost Pearl is the central theme, following the story of a young Emirati girl on a quest to find a legendary pearl. Sitting atop Jebel Dhana, the park’s towering centrepiece, sits an enormous pearl, bringing The Lost Pearl theme to life visually. Spanning 15 football pitches, this amazing full-day park experience brings you and your family exhilarating water-based activities across a range of thrill levels. With over 40 rides, slides and attractions – five of which are one-of-a-kind – you’re sure to make lifelong memories here. |
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| Get a taste of the UAE’s most adventurous off-road driving experiences and see some of the country’s most dramatic scenery – including the biggest dunes this side of the Sahara – in Al Dhafra, the emirate’s western region. Making up over two-thirds of Abu Dhabi, Al Dhafra stretches along hundreds of kilometres of coastline and boasts exquisite beaches and islands, incredible wildlife, towering sand dunes, adventurous off-road driving, luxury resorts and ancient forts. The Empty Quarter, also known as the Rub’ al Khali, is the world’s largest uninterrupted sand mass. |  |
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With its still-operational traditional falaj (ancient irrigation system) and meandering pathways shaded beneath a thick canopy of over 147,000 date palms and other fruit trees, the UNESCO World Heritage site Al Ain Oasis, in the middle of the Rub al Khali desert, is the perfect place to see what agriculture in this region has looked like for millennia. |
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Situated in the foothills of the imposing Jebel Hafit mountain, Abu Dhabi's largest peak, you will find more than 500 ancient tombs, known as the Jebel Hafit Tombs. These 5,000-year-old structures mark the beginning of the Bronze Age in the UAE, with excavations by Danish archaeologists in 1959 finding evidence of ceramic vessels and copper artefacts there, indicating the importance of maritime trade across the Arabian Gulf even then. |
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Just outside Abu Dhabi city centre, the sprawling Mangrove National Park is a jewel in the UAE capital’s crown. An ideal place for families, bird watchers and photographers looking to escape the hustle of the city for a few hours, this beautiful and surprising park continues to be one of the emirate’s most important ecological assets, protected by the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD). Mangrove National Park constitutes about 75 per cent of the total mangrove forest area in the UAE and is a biodiversity hotspot that includes mangrove forests, salt marshes, mudflats, and algal communities. |
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| With a total height of 829.8 m, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai is the world's tallest building. Burj Khalifa is surrounded by an 11 ha park. Like the tower, the park's design was based on the flower of the desert plant Hymenocallis. At the centre of the park is a series of pools and water jet fountains. Benches and signs incorporate images of Burj Khalifa and the Hymenocallis flower. |  |
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Dubai is also home to iconic hotels including the Burj Al Arab, Atlantis the Palm and the soon-to-open Atlantis the Royal. These luxury resorts offer a variety of adventures from celebrity-chef dining to Aquatrek Xtreme underwater experience. |
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