26 Top Tourist Places to Visit in Abu Dhabi

At a distance of 19 km from Abu Dhabi Airport, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a sacred mosque located in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. This is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates and among the prime places to visit in Abu Dhabi.

Reckoned to be one of the largest mosques in the world, Grand Mosque serves as an impressive landmark to the beautiful city of Abu Dhabi and the key place of worship for daily, Friday and Eid prayers. The mosque was built by the first president of UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to convey historic consequence and to embody the Islamic message of peace, tolerance, and diversity. The construction of the mosque began in 1996 and was completed in 2007.

Designed by Syrian architect Yousef Abdelky, the architecture of this marvelous masterpiece is influenced by Alexandrian, Mughal, and Persian mosque of Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi in Egypt and Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan. Its archways are quintessentially Moorish, .....

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At a distance of 11 km from Abu Dhabi International Airport, Ferrari World is an indoor theme park located on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. It is the largest indoor theme park in the world and among top places to visit in Abu Dhabi as part of the Dubai Tour.

Counted among the top amusement parks of the world, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi was constructed in 2010 to celebrate 'the spirit of the Ferrari brand.' It is the world's first Ferrari 'themed' park and has the record for the largest space frame structure ever built. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi was named the 'Middle East's Leading Tourist Attraction' at the World Travel Awards 2015 & 2016. In 2017 & 2018, it was named as the 'Middle East's Leading Theme Park' at the World Travel Awards as well as the 'Middle East's Best Theme Park ' by the Middle East and North Africa Leisure and Attraction Council (MENALAC) for 2018, in addition to receiving the World's Leading Theme Park at the World Travel .....

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At a distance of 18 km from Abu Dhabi International Airport, Emirates Park Zoo is a wildlife park located just off the highway to Dubai, at Al Bahia locality of Abu Dhabi. It is one of the top places to visit in Abu Dhabi.

The Emirates Park Zoo opened up as a small feeding farm in 2008 and is Abu Dhabi's first private zoo. It was expanded into a full-blown zoo in 2012. Since then the management has worked hard at maintaining the zoo to high standards and adding attractions to bring in more visitors over the years. The Emirates Park Zoo is home to more than 1,400 species of animals, including birds, reptiles, mammals and other wildlife. It is one of the best places to take your kids in Abu Dhabi and provides for lively entertainment for the adults too.

The zoo is divided into different zones namely Camel Farm, Crocodile Pool, Hippo House, Birds of Prey, Mammal Cave, Equine Enclosure, Giraffe Park, Bird Park, Reptile House, Snake Alley, and Bear Cave. There is also a Primate .....

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At a distance of 37 km from Abu Dhabi Airport, Louvre Abu Dhabi is an art and civilization museum, located on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi. It is the most spectacular museum in the Middle East and among the prime Abu Dhabi Tourist Places.

The iconic Louvre Abu Dhabi is the first universal museum in the Arab World that translates the spirit of openness of cultures. The museum was inaugurated on 8th November 2017 by French President Emmanuel Macron and United Arab Emirates Vice President Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum along with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The museum is part of a thirty-year agreement between the city of Abu Dhabi and the French government. The museum is part of a USD. 27 billion tourist and cultural development for Saadiyat Island, a complex which is planned to include three other museums, including a Guggenheim Museum and the Zayed National Museum.

The Louvre was designed by French architect Jean Nouvel and was constructed below .....

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At a distance of 36 km from Abu Dhabi International Airport, Observation Deck at 300 is a vantage point located at Etihad Tower, Abu Dhabi. It is the highest vantage point in Abu Dhabi and among the must-visit Abu Dhabi Tourist Places.

Observation Deck at 300 is located on level 74 of Tower Two of the Jumeirah at Etihad Towers complex. Being the highest vantage point in Abu Dhabi, it can provide a 360-degree panoramic view of the city's skyline, the Corniche, and the Arabian Gulf. As the name suggests, the Observation Deck is located 300 meters above ground, which makes it the highest vantage point in the city. Visitors will get great views of Abu Dhabi from the Observation Deck at 300, so bring a camera! The sunsets are also pretty spectacular, so consider timing your visit so that you're at the top when the sun dips below the horizon.

There is an entry fee for non-guests of the hotel, but the ticket price can be redeemed for food and drink from the observation deck's restaurant, .....

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At a distance of 27 km from Abu Dhabi International Airport, Mangrove National Park is a fantastic ecological environment located near Abu Dhabi Coastal area. It is one of the best places to experience nature in all its glory in Abu Dhabi.

Protected by the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD), the Abu Dhabi Mangrove National Park covers over 19 sq. km of protected coastal mangrove forests. The park comprises of a whopping 75% of the total mangrove forested area in the United Arab Emirates and is a biodiversity hotspot that includes mangrove forests, salt marshes, mudflats, and algal communities. Most often found growing in the sea waters of tropical and sub-tropical coastal areas, the indigenous trees of the mangroves act as a natural windbreak, protecting the region against tidal surges, purify the surrounding water and provide a healthy eco-system for the animals and marine creatures that call it home.

Filled with a variety of flora and fauna, the park is a real haven for nature .....

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At a distance of 40 km from Al Ain and 112 km from Abu Dhabi, the Desert Safari Tours and other related activities are performed in the Al Khaznah desert region of Abu Dhabi. It is one of the most popular things to do in Abu Dhabi especially for adventure lovers.

Capturing a view of the sunset and the sunrise through the eternal sands of Abu Dhabi's deserts is an experience everyone must have once in their lifetime. After Rub Al Khali (Empty Quarter) at Al Dhafra, the breathtaking patch of dunes at Al Khaznah is quite popular for desert safari in Abu Dhabi. Long stretches of sand valleys combined with some huge dunes make it the best spot to try your hand at activities such as Dune Bashing, Quad Biking and Sand Boarding apart from the Safari tour in your SUV. Al Khaznah also offers the quintessential Bedouin life experience at Arabian Nights Village as well as Al Badeyah desert camp.

A typical Abu Dhabi desert safari comprises a host of enchanting activities in which one could .....

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At a distance of 2 km from Emirates Palace and 37 km from Abu Dhabi International Airport, Marina Mall is a shopping mall located on Marina Island in Abu Dhabi. It is one of the largest and most luxurious shopping arcades in Abu Dhabi.

Opened in the year 2001, the Marina Mall is an amalgamation of a commercial and entertainment venue. The structure of the mall is inspired by a circus tent with modern interiors. The mall is a 122,000 sq. m space housing more than 400 retail stores, a hypermarket, banks, specialty stores, some offices, and a Mercedes Benz car showroom. It is located in close proximity to the Emirates Palace. It is home to a large number of local and international brands, but most high-end ones. This is also the perfect destination to indulge in some entertainment and a number of fun activities like bowling, billiards, table tennis, shooting, and video games.

In front of Marina Mall is the huge Marina Eye, a giant Ferris wheel. Established in 2015, the huge wheel .....

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At a distance of 6 km from Etihad Towers and 36 km from Abu Dhabi International Airport, Qasr Al Hosn is a stone fort located along Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street in Abu Dhabi. It is the first permanent structure of Abu Dhabi and among the top places of heritage in Abu Dhabi.

The Qasr Al Hosn is the ancestral home of Emirate's ruling Al Nahyan family. It is a part of a larger historic complex that also includes the National Consultative Council building and the Cultural Foundation. It is the oldest and most significant building in Abu Dhabi, holding the city's first permanent structure, the watchtower. Built-in 1760, it was used as the watchtower for defending the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi Island. The tower was later enlarged into a small fort in 1793 Shakhbut bin Dhiyab Al Nahyan and became the permanent residence of the ruling Sheikh. The tower got its present shape after the major extension in the late 1930s.

Nicknamed the 'White Fort', Qasr Al Hosn comprises .....

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At a distance of 144 km from Abu Dhabi, Al Jahili is a historic fort located at Al Ain, Abu Dhabi. It is one of the historic structures of UAE and among the popular places to visit while holidaying in Abu Dhabi.

Al Jahili is one of the largest forts in the UAE and was built by Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan. The construction of the fort began in 1891 and was finally completed in 1898. The fort is one of the most remarkable buildings in UAE, which was erected in order to protect the city and its prized palm groves. After the death of its founder in 1909, the fort became the residence of his elder son Khalifa bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan and was later used by the Trucial Scouts. The building fell into disrepair by the early 1950s, when British forces came to Al Ain and requisitioned the fort as a base for a unit of the Trucial Oman Levies. Barracks and other buildings were added to the earlier fort and tower.

The fort is located in the southern part of the city of Al Ain close .....

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At a distance of 1 km from Al Jahili Fort and 145 km from Abu Dhabi, Al Ain Palace Museum is a historical fort that has been developed into a museum. Also known as Qasr Al Ain, It is one of the popular museums in UAE and among the must include places in Abu Dhabi Packages.

Al Ain Palace Museum is situated in the Sheikh Zayed Palace of Al Ain, within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The palace is one of the best-reinstated forts in the Abu Dhabi emirate. The Bedouin-style palace was originally built in 1937 on the western side of the Al Ain Oasis, the largest oasis in Al Ain. The former UAE President, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his family lived here until 1966. The palace was converted into a museum in 1998 and opened to the public in 2001.

The original structure comprised a private residence for the ruler and his family within a complex of courtyards. The architectural design of Al Ain Palace is typical of historical buildings of the UAE. It features .....

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At a distance of 3 km from Emirates Palace and 39 km from Abu Dhabi International Airport, Qasr Al Watan is the Presidential palace in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates. It is one of the architectural landmarks of Abu Dhabi and among the prime places to visit during Abu Dhabi Tour.

Qasr Al Watan, the Presidential Palace is larger than life heritage structure which stands as a testimony of the United Arab Emirates and its leaders. The beauty of the palace is not just in its infrastructure but also in its reflective culture and governance. To celebrate the heritage of the country, Sheikhs Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the ruler of Abu Dhabi and President of the United Arab Emirates, and Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces decided to open the palace to the public in 2019. Prior to its opening, the palace was used only for official purposes, namely hosting foreign leaders of states, and for meetings of the country's .....

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At a distance of 250 km from Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island is a natural island located in the Western region of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It is the largest natural island in the United Arab Emirates and among the top places to visit in Abu Dhabi for wildlife lovers.

Sir Bani Yas Island is one of the eight which make up the Desert Islands in Al Dhafra. The island is 17.5 km from north to south and 9 km from east to west. The name Sir Bani Yas originates from the Bani Yas tribe, who first inhabited Abu Dhabi. Sir Bani Yas is the crest of a salt dome created millions of years ago by natural geological forces. Thirty-six archaeological sites have been discovered throughout Sir Bani Yas, each providing a distinct insight into the island's history. The island is also the location of the only pre-Islamic Christian site to be found in the UAE. The 7th-century Christian church was discovered in 1992 and was opened to the public in 2010. It can be visited during the .....

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At a distance of 3 km from Qasr Al Watan and 37 km from Abu Dhabi International Airport, the Emirates Palace is a luxury star hotel in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Located on Abu Dhabi's waterfront, it is one of the most expensive hotels in Abu Dhabi and a must-visit for anyone who finds themselves in Abu Dhabi.

Known for being one of the most luxurious hotels in the world, the Emirates Palace Hotel is operated by Mandarin Oriental as of 1 January 2020. The hotel project was started in December 2001 and was operated by Kempinski from opening in November 2005. Due to the change in management, the Palace will be renovated over the course of two years, after which it will be fully rebranded as a Mandarin Oriental property.

Spread over an area of about 100 acres, the grand building of the Emirates Palace is an iconic structure of Abu Dhabi in the same way as Burj Khalifa to Dubai. The building was designed by British architect John Elliott in collaboration with Reza Rahmanian. .....

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At a distance of 10 km from Abu Dhabi International Airport, Yas Island is a man-made island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the UAE and among the must-visit places in Abu Dhabi.

Yas Island is a 2,500-hectare human-made island that encompasses everything from posh hotels to shopping centers. The island's development project was initiated in 2006 by Abu Dhabi-based Aldar Properties, with the aim of turning the island into a multi-purpose leisure, shopping, and entertainment center at an estimated cost of over a billion. Yas Island was named the world's leading tourism project at the World Travel Awards in November 2009.

Considered an activities hub in Abu Dhabi, Yas Island houses some amazing attractions for people of all ages to enjoy. Yas Island holds the Yas Marina Circuit, which has hosted the F1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix since 2009. Get to grips with Yas Marina Circuit through a series of track day packages, .....

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At a distance of 38 km from Abu Dhabi International Airport, Heritage Village is a fantastic reconstructed Arab village situated near Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi. Filled with all kinds of interesting things, it is one of the popular places to visit in Abu Dhabi.

Run by the Emirates Heritage Club, the Heritage Village is the perfect place for those looking to better understand Emirati culture and get a glimpse into what life was traditionally like in the UAE before oil was discovered in the nation. The place features the Bedouin lifestyle with a dash of the campfire, traditional tents made of goat's hair, coffee and display of the Falaj irrigation system, that are employed in regions of the UAE for the irrigation of their palm groves.

The museum at the Heritage Village reflects Emirati traditions with authentic jewellery, weapons of the early era and historic tents. One can also have a look at the copies of the handwritten Quran that is on display. The Heritage Village even holds .....

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At a distance of 13 km from Abu Dhabi International Airport, Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital is located on Sweihan Road in Al Shamkhah locality of Abu Dhabi. It is the largest falcon hospital in the world and among the must-visit places for bird lovers during Abu Dhabi Trip.

The Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital (ADFH) is the first public institution in the United Arab Emirates providing comprehensive veterinary health care services exclusively for falcons. The hospital was established in 1999 by the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, with an aim to maintain and conserve the health of the national birds of the United Arab Emirates and to promote research and conservation of the species. The Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital has gained a reputation as one of the leading falcon hospitals in the Gulf region and in the world, with a loyal patient base in the United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain. They receive an approximate of 11,200 falcons for examination and medical care .....

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At a distance of 6 km from Louvre Abu Dhabi and 37 km from Abu Dhabi International Airport, Saadiyat Public Beach is a pristine beach on the Persian Gulf coast in Abu Dhabi. Set on Saadiyat Island's natural shores, it is one of the popular beaches in Abu Dhabi.

Saadiyat Public Beach is reputed as one of the most desirable beach locations in the UAE. This beach occupies a prime location within the Saadiyat Beach District and provides a laidback, leisure-oriented lifestyle for both residents and visitors alike. A boardwalk leads through a protected zone of coastal vegetation, home to nesting turtles, to this prime slice of powdery white beach. The beach has lifeguards as well as staff on duty during the day.

Beachgoers can enjoy a relaxed day outdoors with the white sandy shores and clear blue waters, as well as a multitude of water sports activities such as kayaking, sailing and windsurfing. Yoga classes are also organized on the beach to ensure guests' bodies and minds stay .....

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At a distance of 23 km from Abu Dhabi International Airport, Capital Gate is a skyscraper situated at Khaleej Al Arabi Street in Abu Dhabi. Also known as the Leaning Tower of Abu Dhabi, it is one of the architectural marvels in UAE and among the top places to visit in Abu Dhabi.

Developed by Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company, Capital Gate was designed by architectural firm RMJM and was completed in 2011. It measures 160 m in height which translates to 35 storeys and occupies 16, 000 sq. m of area for commercial usage. It is one of the tallest buildings in the city and was designed to incline 18° west, more than four times that of the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. It has been certified as the 'World's Furthest Leaning Man Made Tower,' by the Guinness World Records.

Every aspect of this amazing structure is unique and truly a symbol of Abu Dhabi's economic and technological prowess. The tower is distinguished by a dramatic steel and glass facade with a striking organic .....

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At a distance of 3 km from Louvre Abu Dhabi and 36 km from Abu Dhabi International Airport, the Manarat Al Saadiyat is an art gallery located on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. This is one of the best places to visit in Abu Dhabi for art lovers.

Set in the Saadiyat Cultural District of Abu Dhabi, Manarat Al Saadiyat was established in 2009 and was the first development on Saadiyat Island. It hosts an ongoing series of activities for the local community, including workshops for children and adults in topics such as printmaking, self-portraits, figure drawing and robotics. Manarat Al Saadiyat acts as a visitor center and gateway to the district's famous museums, including Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.

Meaning 'place of enlightenment', Manarat Al Saadiyat contributes to the art scene in Abu Dhabi through exhibitions, workshops, performances and drop-in art studio spaces. Spread over an area of 15,400 sq. m, the Manarat Al Saadiyat has three galleries, .....

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At a distance of 2 km from Emirates Palace and 36 km from Abu Dhabi International Airport, the Corniche or Corniche Road is located in the city of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It is one of the popular places to visit in Abu Dhabi.

The Abu Dhabi Corniche is an 8 km long stretch which includes children's play areas, separate cycle and pedestrian pathways, restaurants, cafés, and the Corniche Beach. Prior to the 1970s, the current area occupied by the Corniche was a beach, where dhows and ships used to anchor and transfer cargo or people. Between 2002 and 2003, the Corniche was extended by land reclamation. Some of the earlier landmarks were demolished in the process. Certain parts of the Corniche have significant deposition of sand, with people using the area as a public beach.

This lengthy stretch of beach extends along Corniche Road from near the Hilton Hotel to beyond Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, where you'll find its main entrance. Split into family, .....

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At a distance of 8 km from Al Ain Palace Museum, 9 km from Al Jahili Fort and 151 km from Abu Dhabi, Al Ain Zoo is a zoological park situated in the foothills of Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi. It is the largest and most acclaimed zoo park in the Abu Dhabi region.

The Al Ain Zoo was founded in 1968 CE by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the late ruler of Abu Dhabi and the first President of the United Arab Emirates. Being concerned about the wildlife and nature of his homeland, the late ruler established this unique zoo with the vision of creating natural habitats for animals to live freely. Since its founding, Al Ain Zoo has been a center for the conservation of endangered species, most notably the successful breeding of desert antelopes and gazelles, such as the endangered Arabian Oryx.

Covering over an area of 400 hectares, the Al Ain Zoo features a big cat house that is inhabited by lions, tigers, jaguars, and black and spotted leopards. In addition to this, .....

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At a distance of 57 km from Abu Dhabi, the Emirates National Auto Museum is a national automobile museum located in Al Dhafra locality of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It is one of the popular automobile museums in the UAE and among the best places to visit in Abu Dhabi.

The Emirates National Auto Museum displaying a rich collection of cars owned and used by HH Sheikh Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan. He is the fourth son of the founder of UAE, the late president Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the younger brother of present UAE President Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. From showcasing the biggest, longest, oldest to the most expensive collection, it is among the top attractions in Abu Dhabi and can be visited while on the way to Liwa Oasis.

The opulent car collection of an eccentric Sheikh housed in his own private pyramid. There is a total of 200 vehicles including off-road vehicles, classic American cars and prototypes. Steam-powered Mercedes of 1885 being the oldest car .....

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At a distance of 226 km from Abu Dhabi, the Liwa Oasis is a large oasis situated in the north of Abu Dhabi Island, UAE. This is one of the popular places to experience the authentic and very immersive desert culture in Abu Dhabi and among the best places to go for Desert Safari in Abu Dhabi.

The historic Liwa Oasis lies at the northern edge of the Rub Al Khali (Empty Quarter), the world's largest uninterrupted sand mass shimmering in shades of gold, apricot, and pink. The oasis benefits from a water table that lies close to the surface. This has supported agriculture and animal husbandry in the oasis for generations. The oasis is one of the most important farming and pasture production regions of the UAE, making it an important part of the country, especially integral to UAE's rural culture.

It extends in an east-west arc for more than 100 km and is home to more than 50 villages. The commercial heart of the oasis is Mezairaa, with activity centered on the junction of Highway .....

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At a distance of 5 km from Qasr Al Hosn and 32 km from Abu Dhabi International Airport, Mushrif Central Park is a sprawling urban park of Abu Dhabi. Also known as Umm Al Emarat Park, it is one of the oldest and largest parks in the city and among the famous places to visit in Abu Dhabi.

Initially meant only for women and children, the park was named as Mushrif Central Park because of its central location in the city. The design of the park is meant to continue the legacy of the late President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who had a great love for nature and emphasized the conservation of the environment. It also includes elements of Islamic design, such as pavilions, wind, water, shade, and quadripartite patterns.

Covering an area of 14.5 hectares of land, the park features a range of educational and recreational experiences in a safe and secure environment for the community. Large metal structures near one of the sandy playgrounds seem to be illustrating the laws of physics. .....

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At a distance of 24 km from Sharjah, 127 km from Abu Dhabi, and 664 km from Qatar, Dubai is the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the capital of the Emirate of Dubai. Dubai is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and also a major global transport hub for passengers and cargo.

One of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates, the luxurious city of Dubai sits in the middle of the Arabian Desert, surrounded on one side by dry sand and the beautiful Persian Gulf on another side. Dubai is the business hub of the Middle East and also the fourth most visited tourist destination in the world. Flaunting its glittering infrastructure amid the extensive sand dunes, the city of Dubai was once known to be barren land, today, this man-made miracle is filled with shimmering skyscrapers, fancy hotels, shopping malls, and restaurants.

Dubai has a long past of being one of the most significant trading centers as well as a business and economic .....

Distance (From Abu Dhabi): 127 Kms
Trip Duration (From Abu Dhabi - Including Travel): Full Day
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