10 Tourist Attractions in Abu Dhabi

Capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi is a well-ordered, industrious city with a pretty waterside location. First inhabited by the nomadic Bani Yas tribe in 1760, the settlement remained a small fishing village until oil was discovered. The revenues transformed Abu Dhabi into the modern city of today - a bustling centre of government and business.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the major sightseeing attraction and wows all who visit. But the city also makes a good base for excursions to the desert landscapes of Liwa Oasis and the oasis city of Al Ain.

1.Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Clad in Macedonian marble, the beautiful and absolutely mammothSheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is Abu Dhabi's landmark building. The mosque fuses Mameluke, Ottoman and Fatamid design elements to create a harmonious and thoroughly modern mosque that celebrates Islamic architecture. Artisans utilised glass-work, mosaic tiling and intricate carvings to spectacular effect on both the interior and exterior. It was opened in 2007 after nearly 20 years of construction.

Able to hold 40,000 worshippers, it is the biggest mosque in theUnited Arab Emirates and, like the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah, is dedicated to the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan. Non-Muslims are allowed into all areas of the mosque (including the vast library), and there are also guided tours available.

Hours: Open Sat-Thu 9am-10pm; Fri 4.30pm-10pm

Admission: Entry Free

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2.Heritage Village

Abu Dhabi's Heritage Village is an authentic replica of a typical Bedouin encampment that gives an idea of typical Emirati life before the oil boom. It's located in a pretty beach area of the city, which is a pleasant place to wander after a visit. There are exhibits featuring traditional day-to-day objects, as well as introducing local agriculture and the pearl diving trade - the main economies here. Unfortunately though, information throughout the museum is rather sparse.

3.Al-Hosn

Al-Hosn Palace, also known as the Old Fort or the White Fort, is the oldest building in Abu Dhabi. The palace was built in 1793 as the residence of the ruling family and the seat of government. The interior of the Al Hosn Palace has been renovated and modernized, and is now used by the Cultural Foundation to house the Centre for Documentation and Research, which holds a collection of documents on the heritage and history of the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf region. The courtyard and the magnificent tile work over the main northern gate are notable features. Within the palace is a museum of traditional artifacts and historical photographs. Displays include a natural history section featuring animal life from the desert, and a historical section with displays of the history of Abu Dhabi.

4.Women's Craft Centre

The Women's Craft Centre is a good place for visitors to see local women demonstrating traditional skills such as weaving, embroidery and basketry. It's an excellent place to pick up unusual and authentic souvenirs that support the work of the centre. Shawls, slippers, bags, carpets and textiles, trays and baskets are all on display.

5.Observation Deck

Abu Dhabi's answer to Dubai's Burj Khalifa is this observation deck,offering skyline views from the Jumeirah at Etihad Towers Hotel, the highest point in the city. There is an entry fee for non-guests of the hotel, but the ticket price can be redeemed for food and drink from the observation deck's restaurant. Having high-tea up here, with the city spread below you, is definitely an experience for your Abu Dhabi itinerary.

Hours: Open daily 10am-6pm

Admission: 75AED

Jumeirah at Etihad Towers Hotel

6.Emirates Park Zoo

This excellent zoo makes for a fun day out, only a short drive from Abu Dhabi. There is a host of animals at the wildlife park, including rare white tigers, giraffes, and elephants. There is also a primate section with many different types of monkeys, and a flamingo park with a sea lion enclosure. At the petting zoo, children can touch and feed domestic breeds of animals.

Hours: Sun-Wed 9:30am-8pm; Thu-Sat 9:30am-9pm

Admission: Adults 25AED; children 6 years and older 25AED; children 3-5 years 10AED; children under 3 years free

Location: 30 minutes from Abu Dhabi

Official site: http://www.emiratesparkzoo.com

7.Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital

The Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital is a working veterinary hospital for ill and injured falcons, but it also provides guided tours for interested visitors. The tours allow you to get up close and personal with these birds of prey and if you're up for the challenge, you may also have the chance to hold one of the birds.

Official site: http://www.falconhospital.com/

8.Yas Island

Yas Island is one of Abu Dhabi's top luxury hotel destinations, with stretches of sandy beach that are perfect for spending the day sunbathing on. This area is also home to the Yas Marina Circuit,which is where Abu Dhabi's Formula One racing takes place every year.

9.Boat Tours

For the best views of Abu Dhabi you need to head out onto the water. The views of the high rises are quite spectacular as you drift out from the marina. Quite a few different operators run tours for all types of budgets, but one of the more popular trips with tourists are the sunset cruises that let you see dusk set over the city.

10.Liwa Oasis

In the south of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, beautiful Liwa Oasis is a great escape from the city. The oasis settlement is noted for its date farming and one of the largest sand dunes in the world is just on the outskirts. This makes it a must-visit attraction for anyone wanting to ride dune buggies, try sand surfing or go camel trekking. The other top city escape is the oasis city of Al Ain, which has the mighty peak of Jebel Hafeet as its backdrop.