Most people visiting Abu Dhabi expect to see sand dunes and blue waters of the bay there. But they are quite surprised to find there a well-developed city, where modernity is combined with history.1. GREAT MOSQUE SHEIKH ZAED (Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque) located near the city center. This is one of the largest mosques in the world, a masterpiece of architectural art. This amazing building can accommodate up to 41,000 worshipers. The mosque is decorated with 82 domes, a thousand columns, chandeliers, gilded with gold leaf, and the world's largest handmade carpet. The main prayer hall is illuminated by one of the most ambitious chandeliers in the world (10 meters in diameter, 15 meters in height, weight 12 tons).
Sheikh Zayed, the first president of the UAE, is buried in the mosque. His burial was the first religious service held in this mosque. The sparkling pools surrounding the mosque further emphasize its beauty. During the day, the building glistens in the sun in white and gold, and at night it is flooded with artificial light, and the unique lighting system changes the characteristics of lighting depending on the phases of the moon. We recommend ending your sightseeing or shopping trip with an evening tour starting at 16:30 (this is a great time for photographs). Before starting the tour, we recommend you enjoy a little cool evening breeze.
Opening hours: unlike other Abu Dhabi mosques, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is open to visitors daily, except on Friday morning, when only worshipers are allowed into it. From Sunday to Thursday, guided tours of the mosque are free. To check the start time of such an excursion on a specific day, visit szgmc.gov.ae.
2. PRESIDENTIAL HOTEL EMIRATES PALACE, luxurious which is not in the whole world.
A truly iconic landmark in Abu Dhabi, this hotel combines Arabian luxury with modern technology, offering visitors every opportunity for an unforgettable vacation. During the day, the hotel’s sand-gold colors contrast with bright green gardens, silver fountains and a blue sky. At night, the hotel's lighting gradually changes, creating an amazingly iridescent rainbow over the main dome.
The length of the main building of Emirates Palace from one wing to another is more than a kilometer, and the territory of the hotel with its gardens extends over 100 hectares. The hotel is decorated with 114 domes, the height of the central dome is 72.6 meters. Gold, mother of pearl and crystal - these are the main elements of the interior decoration. Emirates Palace has 1,002 chandeliers, the largest of which weighs 2.5 tons. Visitors and guests will also remember two handmade wall carpets depicting the hotel building, each of these carpets weighs about a ton. Excursions around the hotel begin at 10 am, the cost is 100 drx. For information: 02 690 9000, www.emiratespalace.com
3. HISTORICAL VILLAGE OF THE HERITAGE VILLAGE located near Marina Mall. Partly - this is a working museum, partly - a real village. This project was implemented by the Emirates Cultural Heritage Club. As part of the project, a traditional village in an oasis was recreated, where you can look into the fascinating past of the emirate. This open-air museum presents a traditional way of life in the desert: here you will see how tents made of goat hair look, how coffee is made in a Turk at a stake, and what is the fallage irrigation system.
There are workshops in the village where male artisans introduce visitors to traditional crafts such as blacksmithing and pottery, while women are engaged in weaving and yarn. Masters will be happy to teach you their skills and help you do something with your own hands. You will enjoy visiting the local spice shop, where you can buy dried herbs and handmade soap and just chat.
Opening hours: from Saturday to Thursday from 09:00 to 17:00, on Friday - from 15:30 to 21:00
For information: 02 681 4455, www.torath.ae
4. Abu Dhabi International Airport is located FALCON HOSPITAL ABU DHABI - The largest and most equipped bird clinic in the world. Its main attraction is the Falcon Museum, as well as an area where birds can fly freely. The unusual falconry clinic, which has already earned many awards, is open for excursions. You can visit the luxurious chambers where they take care of the birds, take a walk around the museum, which tells about the noble sport of the desert - falconry, or hunt with a falcon in the lush gardens.
Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday, from 10.00 to 2.00
For information: 02 575 5155
5. KORISH ABU DHABI - This is an eight-kilometer promenade with playgrounds, separate paths for cyclists and pedestrians, cafes and restaurants, as well as the Cornish beach, where lifeguards constantly work. A great way to combine a pleasant Corniche trip with health benefits is to rent a bike. There are four FunRideSports bike rental locations along Cornish. The cost of renting a bike is from 30 drx per hour for adults and from 20 drx per hour for children. You can also purchase a subscription for 12 hours for 250 drx.
For information: 02 445 5838
6. YAS ISLAND - This is a developing entertainment center, located 30 minutes from the capital of the UAE. Here is the modern racing circuit Yas Marina Circuit, which annually hosts the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi Formula 1. On the track you will be offered several thematic programs: "Driving", "Passenger", "Private driving lessons" and "Racing driving lessons". Part of the track is located along the promenade and spectators can watch the Formula 1 races from moored yachts. Designed using the latest developments and contains 21 turns. Its length is 5555 m. The most notable building on the circuit is the luxurious 5 * Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi hotel with 500 rooms. This is the first hotel in the world that is located above the track, providing spectators with an unforgettable race experience. Find out how one of the most modern racing tracks in the world works. If you want to see with your own eyes how much work is required to ensure the functioning of this multifunctional complex, then the Yas Venue tour is what you need. Adult ticket - 120 drx; children - 60 dr.h.
Opening hours: from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 16:00.
Telephone for information: +971 2 659 9800 or 800 JS (927) (from 09:00 to 18:00), www.yasmarinacircuit.com
7. FERRARI WORLD ABU DHABI Indoor Theme Park - This is a place for lovers of speed and thrill of all ages.
This is the first Ferrari theme park in the world and the largest amusement park of its kind. More than 20 slides and attractions where you can have fun or learn something new, interactive shopping and real Italian cuisine - all this introduces visitors to the Ferrari world in a fascinating manner. There is also the world's fastest rollercoaster ride called Formula Rossa, accelerating to 240 km / h.
8. "MANARAT SAADIYAT" GALLERY AND THE UAE PAVILION. The special tourist center "Manarat Al Saadiyat" (which is translated from Arabic as "place of enlightenment") offers an interactive story about the historical and cultural destinations of the island of Saadiyat, and also hosts art exhibitions and educational programs. Here, each visitor will receive a lot of impressions and information, especially families who want a pleasant and fun weekend. Virtual "books" help them in this. Using the latest technology in the Middle East, LCD screens display electronic pages. Thanks to the gesture recognition system for turning pages, it is enough to make a hand movement.
For more information or group reservations (preferably 24 hours in advance) send an email to [email protected]
The UAE Pavilion is a magnificent building in the form of sand dunes, designed by the famous London company Foster + Partners, transported in parts from Shanghai, where about two million people visited it at the World Expo 2010. Now the pavilion is located near the center of Manarat Saadiyat, becoming one of the cultural attractions of the island.
Being a popular venue for exhibitions and various events, the pavilion performs a number of important cultural functions in the country. In particular, it hosts the annual Abu Dhabi Art exhibition of contemporary art, attracting eminent collectors, experts and artists from around the world.
Sites: www.saadiyatculturaldistrict.ae, www.abudhabiartfair.ae.
9. Recently opened AQUAPARK YAS WATERWORLD covers an area of approximately 15 football fields. There are 43 attractions, five of which have no analogues in the world. Visitors to this futuristic water park will be able to ride on the world's first 238-meter hydro-magnetic water slide "tornado", designed for six people. Adrenaline lovers are waiting for the three-meter waves of the Bubble's Barrel attraction, which also offers the world's largest artificial waves for the boardboard and bodyboard. The 550 meter Bandit Bomber slide is the first rollercoaster ride in the world with water and light effects. Visitors to the attraction can shoot water cannons at targets, drop water bombs and launch special effects, and the audience below can water them. In addition to entertainment, the park introduces visitors to the traditions of Abu Dhabi. The common theme of all the rides is called the Lost Pearl. The park also has a traditional bazaar, an exhibition dedicated to pearl fishing, and restaurants. 
10. AREA AL ITTIHAD - The main attraction of this place is six sculptural symbols of the Arab world, carved from white stone - a cannon, a watchtower, a cap for covering food, a coffee pot, a vessel for rose water and an incense smoking bowl. Here families with children love to walk and tourists take memorable photos.
