Your visit to the UAE cannot be considered full-fledged if you have not familiarized yourself with Abu Dhabi, the capital of the country. Abu Dhabi is one of the most beautiful cities in the Arab world, not so long ago being a village with small huts.
In Abu Dhabi you can visit the "oil exhibition", admire the residence of the first president of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed, take a walk along the picturesque promenade, the Ethnographic Village and the old city market.
The cost of the trip usually includes lunch or dinner in an Arabic restaurant, smoking a hookah (shisha) and photographing in Arabic clothing.
Without leaving your car (bus) you can admire the palace where the sheikh and his family live now, as well as the miracle of modern architecture - the new Emirates Palace hotel. Another option is to independently travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi by bus, every half hour leaving from Al-Gubayba bus station.
Skyscraper "Gates of the capital"
The Skyscraper Gates of the Capital, the main rival of the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, was created by the National Exhibition Company Abu Dhabi (ADNEC) and entered the Guinness Book of Records as the “Tower with the largest tilt in the world,” thanks to an angle of inclination of 18 degrees. The tower with a height of 160 meters is depicted on the main landscape postcards of the capital of the UAE.
Al Ittihad Square
The main attraction of this place is the six sculptural symbols of the Arab world carved from snow-white stone (a cannon, a watchtower, a cover for covering food, a coffee pot, a vessel for rose water and an incense smoking bowl). The pedestals of some sculptures are bordered by fountains, and the square itself is a pedestrian zone. Families with children like to walk here.
Ethnographic Village
In many ways, similar to the one in Dubai. You will see how saddler, carpenter, glassblower and weaver work with primitive tools. You will observe a huge ox with a heavy burden, get acquainted with the desert irrigation system and visit the historical museum, where you will find ancient weapons, tools, catchers, sorters and sellers of pearls, ancient manuscript folios of the Koran, household items and the first photographs of the city.
The village is located on Mussafa Street behind the Abu Dhabi Exhibition Center.
It is open daily from 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission.
The best day to visit is Friday: at this time there is a souvenir and sweets market, as well as musicians performing.
White Fort (Al Hosn Palace)
Built in the 18th century for the residence of the rulers of Abu Dhabi. Now it is open to all; art exhibitions are held here. The guests of the fort are waiting for theatrical performances, performances of amateur drama groups and touring ballet troupes. Here is the national library and archive, theater studios and art workshops that preserve the secrets of old crafts. In the fort you can see interesting historical expositions.
Located on the corner of Al Nasr and Khalid bin Al Walid. It works from 8 to 14 and from 17 to 21.30.
Tel for information (02) 619 5223.
National Automotive Emirates
This "pyramid", located about 45 kilometers from Abu Dhabi, is home to about 200 cars owned by Sheikh Hamad bin Hamadan Al Nahyan.
There is a large collection of cars for off-road driving and classic American cars, a rainbow collection of Mercedes cars and the largest truck in the world. Doors are open from 9.00 to 18.00 seven days a week, but there may be exceptions to the schedule.
Entrance fee: 10 drx
Location: in the south of Abu Dhabi, Hamim street, with E11, in the area of Al-Gharbiya
Tel for inquiries (050) 829 3952
Emirates Zoo
In this menagerie in the Al-Bahya region, a pair of majestic white tigers and a Siberian bear, lions, cheetahs and zebras live - only 660 individuals of various animals. There is a section with sea animals.
Entrance fee: 20 drh for adults, 5 drh for children under 6 years. Opening hours: from May to September from 16.00 to 21.00 During the month of Ramadan: from 20.00 to 00.00
Location: Northeast of the city of Abu Dhabi, 35 km towards Dubai.
Tel for inquiries (02) 5633100
Saluki Center
This center pays tribute to the local traditions of hunting, training and breeding saluki - a special breed of dogs found in deserts. The center invites visitors to learn more about the unique features of the breed and about caring for these amazing dogs.
Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday, from 9:00 to 15:00
Location: Near Abu Dhabi International Airport, behind Falcon Hospital
Tel for inquiries (02) 575 5330
Islamic Center "Mirage"
The center contains museum exhibits and unique items of Islamic culture brought from Egypt, Syria, Iran, India, Iraq, Kashmir and Russia. Among the exhibits are magnificent handmade carpets, silk, jewelry, marble objects, vases decorated with Arabic calligraphy, and miniatures. On the roof of the center there is a cafe with panoramic views of the Persian Gulf.
Opening hours: daily from 09:30 to 19:00. Free admission.
Location: In Marina Office Park Area, behind Marina Mall
For information: (050) 2503950
Parks
Broken in the center of the city, Capital Gardens amazes with a variety of well-groomed lawns neatly broken around a central pond. The new Corniche Park is a paradise for songbirds and anglers. On warm winter evenings, you can have picnics at special venues. There is no cafe in the Khalidiya garden, but there are many vending machines for selling drinks and snacks, and the lawns with their emerald greenery resemble billiard tables.
Beaches and Islands
Most five-star hotels, for an additional fee, open their coast to those who are not hotel guests. In addition, there are public beaches, some of which are allowed to enter by car. Al Raha's free beach (near Umm al-Nar Square) has a fenced off area for women. A small cafe allows you to quench your thirst and snack.
If you love adventure, keep in mind that more than 200 islands of any size and varying degrees of habitability are spread along the coast of the emirate. You can rent a boat at the beach club of any seaside hotel (it is safer to entrust the passage through the shallows to the local captain).
Draw
e attention to the artificial island of Lulu, built opposite the central city promenade. It is supposed to be turned into a theme park or an entertainment complex connected with the city by bridges and tunnels.
Not far from it is the island of Sadiyat, a popular place for spending holidays with an overnight stay and weekends. The island has marinas, cottages and an entertainment center. Various competitions are usually held here, such as jet skiing and water skiing.
5 km south of Abu Dhabi is the small island of Futaysi. It is inhabited, but it is a private possession of Sheikh Hamad bin Hamdan Al-Nahyan. There are many old quarries where material was mined for the construction of the forts of Abu Dhabi. Now the island is a tourist resort and nature reserve. Here you can rent a cottage and ride horses.
To the west of Abu Dhabi is the island of Sir Bani Yas with its man-made nature reserve. The sea around it is dotted with a large number of small islands, among which tourists prefer Bahrain, Cat and Horshue.
