The United Arab Emirates has been doing its best to cement its position as the best newcomer to the tourist market for several years now. With enormous skyscrapers sitting next to historic mosques, already many of its cities are an architecture lover’s dream. Combining this with the proliferation of five star resorts and exquisite dining options and you’ve got a recipe for luxury travel success. Amongst the UAE’s most prominent tourist destinations is Abu Dhabi. Whilst its draw is still smaller than Dubai, the focus on upscale living is helping Abu Dhabi to climb the tourism ranks. If you’re looking for an excuse to get away on vacation to the UAE then we’ve got five great reasons why you should pick Abu Dhabi as your city of choice.
Incredible Architecture
As we’ve already briefly mentioned, Abu Dhabi really does have an architectural heritage that’s difficult to beat. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is not just Abu Dhabi’s largest mosque, but the largest in the whole country, with a capacity of 40,000 people. It was designed by Yusef Abdelki to encompass many of the features of traditional Moorish architecture, but with an entirely white facade, making the whole building feel incredibly modern, but with a nod to traditional architecture. It has been open to the public since December 2007, so a walk around the grounds is an essential part of any trip to this capital city. If you have the time then experiencing the inside is worthwhile too. The interior of the building is incredibly opulent with an enormous chandelier and the largest hand woven carpet in the world (with a Guinness World Record certificate to prove it).
Stunning Starred Resorts
Dubai might be the most famous for its 5-star resorts, but Abu Dhabi is certainly catching up. As it stands there are currently no land-based casinos in Abu Dhabi but that could all be about to change. Wynn Resorts have reached almost the final stages of talks to build a luxury resort in the city and the announcement from Ras al-Khaimah suggests that Wynn Resorts will be permitted to allow gaming on the premises. This will be another great location to add to their long list of five-star casino resorts, including Macau, Massachusetts, and of course Las Vegas. For now, those wanting to play casino games will be best off using one of the trusted online casinos in the UAE. This guide by Arabian Betting includes all of the information on the legalities of gaming in the UAE, as well as helpful information on the variety of games that each site provides.
Of course, if you don’t need a casino in your accommodation then Abu Dhabi has plenty of luxury resorts that will fit the bill already. Our choice for luxury accommodation is the Shangri-La Hotel Qaryat Al Beri, an absolutely stunning resort set on a whole kilometer of its own private beach, overlooking the strait that separates Abu Dhabi Island from the mainland. The resort itself encompasses more than 8 hectares, within which guests can enjoy a spa, a swimming pool, yoga facilities, two gyms, a traditional souk, top quality restaurants and even a man made waterway in which guests can ride on the handmade abras. That’s all before you even step foot inside your room, which it should go without saying, is a true treat.
They’re Totally Car Crazy
Anyone with even a slight interest in car racing will recognise Abu Dhabi as having one of the top tracks in the world, the Yas Marina Circuit. It is the venue for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and sits on Yas Island, just off the coast of the mainland. Designed by Hermann Tilke, the track truly is a state of the art spot for anyone with a passion for fast cars. As well as this car enthusiasts can also enjoy the nearby Ferrari World. This is the largest indoor theme park in the world and the only theme park based entirely around Ferraris. Inside, you’ll find plenty of classic cars, as well as rides, interactive exhibits and more information than even the most dedicated Ferrari fan could know.
Super Sunset Spots
Finally, alongside stunning architecture with a whole lot of skyscrapers comes a whole lot of opportunity for watching the sun set. There are plenty of skyscrapers that allow access to the public in Abu Dhabi and if you pick one facing the sunset then you’re in for a treat. The Etihad Towers are a great place to start, as they afford incredible views of the skyline and are pretty budget friendly to visit too!
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