White-washed mosques encircled by soaring sky scrapers, neon-lit big business rises and arabesque minarets pop up from the verdant parks of central Abu Dhabi like elegant architectural reminders of this emirate’s soaring wealth. All around, the waves of the Persian Gulf and a sea of undulating sand dunes straight out of Disney’s Aladdin encompass the cityscape, enfolding its modernist peaks and troughs in a capsule of Arabian wilds.
Welcome to Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s capital, and a bubbling hub of life that’s everything you’d expect of an oil town on the Gulf. Before heading out to see the sights and attractions of the Corniche, Khalifa Park and Saadiyat Island, be sure to quiz your Abu Dhabi tourist guide on the various important religious hotspots—from the colossal Sheikh Zayed Mosque, to the blue-tiled Ali Bin Murshid Mosque in the downtown.
Afterwards, take a jaunt down to one of the city’s celebrated gastronomic hotspots, to sample the curious mix of Indian and Arabic flavours and cuisines that have taken hold. Then, enjoy a spot of retail therapy in one of the city’s many sprawling mall complexes or souk-style market bazaars.