White Marble, Louvre Light and Island Culture
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and the largest of its seven emirates, known for its monumental architecture, cultural institutions, island resorts and desert landscapes. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, opened in 2007, is among its most striking sights, with white marble domes, reflecting pools and one of the world's largest hand-knotted carpets. Visitors of all backgrounds are welcomed to explore it, and its beauty is especially memorable around sunset.
Saadiyat Island, the Cultural District, hosts Louvre Abu Dhabi, opened in 2017 beneath a vast latticed dome designed by Jean Nouvel that scatters light like rain. Qasr Al Watan, the presidential palace open to visitors, and Qasr Al Hosn, the city's oldest stone building, add history and craft. For a wider regional tour, Dubai is within easy reach by road, and Sharjah, with its museums, offers a contrasting cultural stop.
Yas Island, Mangroves and the Empty Quarter
Beyond museums, Abu Dhabi offers fun and nature in equal measure. Yas Island is home to Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld and the Yas Marina Circuit, which hosts the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix each year, and the Corniche waterfront offers beaches, cycle paths and cafes. In the mangroves of Jubail and Eastern Mangroves, kayaks glide through quiet channels where herons and flamingos feed. Sir Bani Yas Island lets visitors see wildlife, including Arabian oryx and giraffes, on safari.
The emirate also holds deep desert and ancient oasis. Liwa Oasis marks the edge of the Rub al Khali, or Empty Quarter, the largest sand desert in the world, where towering dunes glow gold at dusk, and Al Ain, the Garden City, has UNESCO-listed oases, forts and archaeological sites inscribed in 2011. A hotel group can offer stays from urban resorts to desert camps, giving guests an easy way to enjoy both city and landscape in one visit.
Read the full Abu Dhabi guide on Visit Travel Group, or see VisitAbuDhabi.co.uk on Visit Travel Group.