A Quick Guide to Abu Dhabi's Top Destinations

 Generally viewed as one the world’s wealthiest city due to the region’s abundant oil reserve, the capital of the United Arab Emirates no wonder serves as a home to plenty of attractions. 

The Tourism industry supports the development plans of Abu Dhabi to being a world-class destination. This shimmering desert city is proud of its real estate asset as manifested by its leaders’ serious commitment to preserve, foster and utilize the city's legacy, culture and tourism. 

In late decades Abu Dhabi, the extravagant capital city of the United Arab Emirates has been regarded as the prominent zone of architectural marvel. The first building to have 30 stories and the first circular building are just some of the city’s giant gems. With a dazzling skyline crowned by some of the world’s megastructures and innovative skyscraper designs pushing boundaries of creative imagination more than ever, it's easy to see why many tourists from world over come to visit Abu Dhabi. 

In an international poll that features more than 300 cities, the Emirate was named the world's safest city making Abu Dhabi an outstanding must-see travel destination. 

Check out the top 20 awesome places to see when in Abu Dhabi

1. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque 

Regardless of where you stay in the UAE, do not leave the country without going to the world’s third largest mosque, Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque. The crown of jewel of Abu Dhabi is the final resting spot of Sheik Zayed, founder of the United Arab Emirates. With most of its inside is designed using natural materials like marble, gold, stone, precious stones and ceramics, it’s pretty obvious why visitors get mesmerized by the grandeur and opulence of the mosque. 

Users of Travel website TripAdvisor named Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque as the world's second favorite landmark, topping Machu Picchu of Peru, famed Taj Mahal of India, renowned Sydney Opera House of Australia and UAE’s very own Burj Khalifa.

2. Corniche 

Another Abu Dhabi favorite is the Corniche. With continuous bicycle lane and clean pathways, green spaces, corner food booths, and several beach options to suit your taste for free or paid hotel access.

3. Mangrove National Park 

Something to cherish in the city is a quiet morning when one can hear the sweet tweets of birds and the water move into the sand in Abu Dhabi. One awesome experience is to take a a short trip to Mangrove National Park.

4. Al Wathba Wetland Reserve 

Take your binoculars down to Al Wathba Wetland Reservea and do birdspotting on many exotic birds and mammals and even the Egyptian spiky tailed reptile, known as a dhub. 

5. The Empty Quarter 

Abu Dhabi is a bustling city but if you want to get away from the hustle bustle of Abu Dhabi city, head on to one of the least explored places on earth – the Empty Quarter. It is the world’s biggest sand desert with towering dunes and amazing salt flats that lies across four nations: United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Yemen. The most welcoming easiest way to the Empty Quarter is just a two-hour drive from Abu Dhabi city, to the Liwa Oasis and the Anantara luxury resort, Qasr Al Sarab 

6. Heritage Village 

This remodeled town is a peek into old desert spring living. The Heritage Village is an incredible place to perceive how the Emiratis survived before high rises. Sights portray life in the desert in detail and feature their old, nomad way of life.

7. Ferrari World

Every Ferrari fan out there must see and experience an unforgettable speedy ride from no less than Middle East’s best theme park. Feel the thrill of Flying Aces, the steepest and fastest cable lift in the world.  Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is the very first Ferrari brand theme park in the world, beating other amusement parks in the region.

8. Yas Waterworld

Giving you the best water park experience you’ll ever get, Yas Waterworld is a favorite even among locals. To beat the summer heat, Yas has numerous exciting rides to give its visitors that unforgettable holiday fun. Check out the waterpark’s  surfable sheet wave which is the world’s largest, take the plunge down an epic Slither Slide and pass through wave tunnels on your way down. Get your adrenaline pumping and hop in a 6 person water coaster that will take you on a wild ride over twists, turns, rapids, and drops. Take a time out and simply laze, sit back, relax and float along the lazy river.

9. Louvre Abu Dhabi 

T he first historical center of its kind in the Arab world presented as a giant silver dome with an all inclusive gallery that is a breaths inspiration, the Louvre is uniting diverse cultures to bring new light on the common stories of mankind. A skimming arch of light and shade 

The universal museum was designed by Jean Nouvel, a Pritzker Prize winning French architect. Situated on Saadiyat Island, visitors can stroll through the promenades sitting above the ocean underneath the historical center's 180 meter dome, made out of nearly 8,000 one of a kind metal stars set in a multifaceted geometric design. When sunlight passes through, it makes a moving 'rain of light' underneath the dome, suggestive of the palm trees in the UAE's desert gardens. 

10. Etihad Towers 

The Observation Deck at 300 built on the 74th floor of Tower 2 of the Etihad Towers complex presents a panoramic view of the city’s skyline and encompassing islands. Additionally, visitors going by the capital's most elevated vantage may enjoy the sights while getting heavenly drinks, delicious snacks or lovely High Tea. 

If you’re a “Fast and Furious” fan, you are well familiar with the scene when Vin Diesel speeds up his $3M supercar out of from the 45th floor out to another building. Etihad Towers is basically a cluster of striking buildings just opposite of the luxurious Emirates Palace hotel. What's more, in spite of the fact that they seem to be comparable all things considered, the five towers are in no way, the same in shape or form. Three are private condos, one is an office tower, and the other is a hotel.

11. Emirates Palace 

The primary Palace building extends over a kilometer from wing to wing, and its well manicured gardens and environs lay out in over a hundred hectares. Abu Dhabi, being a favorite setting of foreign films, has welcomed a variety of Hollywood movie shoots such as the second part of Sex And The City film. Adorned with authentic gold and marble, the palace is superb , there's even a gold ATM in the entryway! Cost a staggering three billion dollars to construct that it’s comparable to a true Disney castle, Emirates Palace Hotel offers mind blowing extravagance. 

12. Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital 

Want to see a closer look on falcons? Find out about these delightful feathered creatures' significance in Bedouin culture on a 2-hour guided voyage through the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital. Devoted to looking after  falcons, the health facility treats more than a hundred of birds per year and includes a historical center and exhibition area. 

13. Al Ain Zoo 

The 900 hectare zoo below the base of Jebel Hafeet is the place guests can see an expansive assembly of animals that nearly take after their natural living space. There are a lot of green open spaces for picnics and  play areas, a cafe and a train trip that takes you to wildlife zone. The Al Ain has welcomed more than 4,000 creatures, with no less than 30% of its 180 species labeled as endangered. Protection efforts have been reinforced by organizations with San Diego Zoo, the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden in 

14. Warner Brothers Studio 

Amusement parks are a great hit with residents of the UAE and the country’s capital is going one step ahead with the first Warner Bros. indoor amusement park in the world. A playground for all ages, visitors can get to see their favorite DC and Warner Bros. character and enjoy the many immersive rides at Warner Brothers World Abu Dhabi. 

15. Al-Hosn Fort 

Otherwise called the Old Fort or the White Fort, Al-Hosn Fort is Abu Dhabi’s oldest building and one of its major points of interest historically. Situated along Sheik Zayed, the First Street of Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Hosn sits as the oldest building in Abu Dhabi. The royal residence was constructed in  1793 as the living home of ruling family and the seat of government. Featuring a splendid tile work, the inside of the Al Hosn Fort has been redesigned and modernized and is presently utilized as a gallery that follows the history and culture of Abu Dhabi, with oral chronicles and a lot of recorded photos on exhibit. 

16. Saadiyat Cultural District 

Saadiyat Island is set to wind up the social pulse of Abu Dhabi in the coming years. The Louver Abu Dhabi (set to open in 2017), the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, and Zayed National Museum (both still in early arranging and development stages) will all be situated here, transforming the island into the UAE's social and masterful center point. Right now, you can come here to look at the workmanship displays of the Manarat al Saadiyat and the adjacent UAE Pavilion, a culture focus with three exhibitions, an eatery, and a show space about Saadiyat Island itself. 

17. Jebel Hafeet 

An absolute necessity improve the situation any individual who needs to snap an extraordinary vista, the summit of Jebel Hafeet is a most loved day trip from Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. This is the second most elevated top in the United Arab Emirates, and sweeping, extravagant forsake displays welcome all of you the path up to the best on the winding street. After the bending mountain street drive, you are remunerated with having the capacity to see over the zone's tremendous breadth of betray. 

18. Yas Viceroy 

Yas Viceroy was the first hotel ever to be built over an F1 race circuit. It consists of two 12-story hotel towers, one set within the race circuit, and another within the Marina, linked together by both a monocoque steel and glass bridge, and an enthralling feature known as the Grid Shell structure. This is a 217-meter expanse of sweeping, curvilinear glass and steel, with an LED lighting system incorporating video feeds which are transmitted over pivoting diamond-shaped, color-changing panes. This is not only a feat of architectural and engineering significance, but it also creates a dynamic appearance at night, lighting up the Abu Dhabi skyline beautifully.

19. Al Forsan Sports Resort 

The Al Forsan Sports Resort has 3 link frameworks on two freshwater link lakes. There are 2 full size frameworks, one clockwise and one counterclockwise, alongside a two-tower unit for simple learning. 

There is likewise a wide assortment of kickers and sliders on their link lakes (probably the most difficult highlights anyplace on the planet), one reason why the big showdowns are held here a seemingly endless amount of time. Their full size link frameworks can oblige various riders at once (13 every moment), giving members more activity and less holding up time. 

Al Forsan likewise has an incredible determination of wakeboards, wake skates, waterskis and kneeboards, alongside life vests and head protectors. 

For a remark when you're not on the water, Al Forsan brags a wide exhibit of brandishing exercises, including best in class equestrian, shooting, go-karting, paintball and wellness scenes. 

20. Aldar Headquarters 

The Aldar Headquarters was named as the world's first roundabout high rise, and is the main working of its kind in the Middle East. Nicknamed "the coin" on account of its sparkly, circular shape, it was likewise voted the working with the "Best Futuristic Design" by the Building Exchange Conference in 2014. The structure incorporates 12 traveler lifts and a round water driven lift, and is set upon a hoisted promontory managing terrific perspectives of the city, channel and ocean.