Since Sheikh Khalifa took over in 2004, Abu Dhabi has been growing in reputation as a holiday destination. With luscious green areas, futuristic buildings and shopping opportunities to meet the most demanding needs, there’s something for everyone to see and do.
One key place to see and be seen is the Corniche. Running along the water for miles, this walkway provides beautiful beaches, cafes, volleyball courts, rollerskating, playgrounds, food stalls, and go-karting. At certain times of year, such as UAE National Day, stages are erected for performances and huge firework displays carry on long into the night. From the Corniche, the views of the sea and back towards the towering buildings of the city are spectacular.
The enormous Sheikh Zayed Mosque is also worth a visit. Capable of holding over 40,000 worshippers, it is the sixth largest mosque in the world. The construction and design is pitched as a globally unifying affair with those working on it and their materials sourced from all over the world. The courtyard hosts the world’s largest example of marble mosaic and the prayer hall has the world’s largest carpet—the size of a football field and incorporating 2,268,000,000 knots! The mosque’s construction was initiated by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the last president of Abu Dhabi, and his body now lies in the grounds.
On a hot day (and, with average summer high temperatures in the forties, hot days are likely!), Khalifa Park offers a good day out. It has a maritime museum, an aquarium, maintained gardens, canals, fountains and lakes, in fact, it’s so big the park’s designers have included a train to travel around. Located near Al Bateen airport, it is the perfect place to relax outside the city downtown.
Alongside sizeable mosques, carpets and parks, Abu Dhabi also has one of the biggest flagpoles in the world. Although it has been surpassed in height since 2001, when it was the world’s tallest, it’s still worth a visit at an almighty 400 feet.
The artificially constructed Yas Island is also a great destination and was classed as the world’s leading tourism project in 2009. The island includes theme parks, golf courses, marinas, waterparks, and even a full Formula One circuit. It also regularly hosts large concerts at the Yas Arena. If you’re looking for a nice Abu Dhabi hotel, Yas Island is also home to some of the city’s most high-class accommodation.
Finally, there is Abu Dhabi’s national pastime—shopping! With everything from multi-story experience malls to small independent boutiques, there really is somewhere to fit everyone’s taste and wallet. Practice your haggling skills and head to the souks to pick up some real bargains or enjoy the indoor thunder storm displays of the Marina Mall. With no tax, it’s the perfect place to shop.
Sean Burke writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
