Travelers want to know how a Middle East country “feels” like and so, they go to United Arab Emirates and experience holiday in the real sense of the word. It is an “open city” which is loved by many western country vacationers. Most of the landmarks here are man-made and well, these structures are not just great. They are totally magnificent in every way – worthy to be explored by a hungry tripper like you. Anyway, you have to keep this United Arab Emirates travel guide so that you won’t forget to spend time in these UAE attractions, if ever you decide to visit.
1. Burj Khalifa
Who wouldn’t want to see the tallest building in the whole world? The Burj Khalifa is the highest man-made structure in this entire planet. It has 160 floors and stands 2,722 feet tall. The structure was first established in 2004 and five years later, the skeleton of the building was completed. It is the most famous tourist attraction in United Arab Emirates and people from different nations are eager to know how it feels like to reach the sky, so to speak, when in Burj Khalifa.
2. Dubai Creek
Dubai Creek was part of the ancient waters called River Zara. It is one of the most famous tourist destinations in United Arab Emirates because of its historical value. The creek literally feeds people living in Dubai since fishing is one of the main activities here since the 19th century. Now, it’s been modernized with water taxis and other commercial establishments on the coast like the Chamber of Commerce, Dubai Creek Tower, Deira Twin Towers, and more. It’s just lovely here – peaceful and enigmatic – definitely one of the places to see in United Arab Emirates.
3. Sheikh Zayed Mosque
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a Sunni place of worship or masjid located at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It was founded last 1996 and completed after 11 years, to be specific, the whole mosque complex was finished in 2007. The government of Abu Dhabi spent $545M US dollars for the whole 41,000-capacity masjid complex. It has four minarets or call to prayer towers while the domes are of varying sizes and 82 structures all in all. This mosque is the central or main masjid of the capital city.
4. Yas Island
Another man-made island in United Arab Emirates that is a magnet for local and foreign tourists alike is the Yas Island. The whole idea of this island is for leisure and entertainment with an estimate of $40B US dollars as an investment to make the plan a success. As for attractions within Yas Island, the Ferrari World is there and so is Yas Marina Circuit. Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi are there too.
5. Palm Islands
The Palm Islands is one of the top five attractions in United Arab Emirates. It consists of three artificial islands, one of which was already featured – the Palm Jumeirah. The other two islands are the Deira Island and Palm Jebel Ali. Palm Jumeirah is the smallest of the three and it was opened in 2014. It started construction in 2001 and it is estimated to accommodate 250,000 persons. The Deira Island, on the other hand, is expected to showcase a luxury hotel, a 1,400 shops complex and an amphitheater. For now, only Palm Jumeirah is operating.
6. Wild Wadi Water Park
The Wild Wadi Water Park is a water-themed amusement park and it is one of the most famous tourist attractions in United Arab Emirates. It is located in Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The water park has eight big rides and it includes the popular White Water Wadi, Jebel Lookout and Wadi Leap, among others. All in all, it has 17 water rides and three swimming pools. Now, since the theme park is complete with amenities, they have a wrist band wherein you can deposit money so that you don’t have to bring your bag or wallet everywhere. It is one of the places to see in United Arab Emirates.
7. Emirates Palace
The Emirates Palace is a 5-star luxury hotel located in Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The hotel’s theme is purely Arabic – the structure and the interior design – everything! It has its own beach and the hotel has an 85-hectare green garden. The palace hotel has 394 accommodations, 302 of which are regular rooms while the others are suite rooms. This hotel was featured in a blockbuster Hollywood movie franchise titled Fast and Furious 7. How much is a room in Emirates Palace? Well, if you are willing to shell out $1,000 a night for a regular room, then, go ahead and stay here.
8. The Dubai Mall
The Dubai Mall is the biggest mall in the entire world with an area of 5.4 million square feet and it is one of the places to see in United Arab Emirates. With an area that big, it would be impossible to check every stall in the mall in 24 hours! Dubai Mall is massive and truly magnanimous. It was opened in 2008 by Emaar Properties andit was created by DP Architects Pte Ltd., an architectural firm. There are more or less 1,200 retail shops and restaurants or cafés inside the mall and it has four floors all in all.
9. Dubai Museum
The Dubai Museum is the city’s central museum which features archaeological studies and historical remnants on the city itself. It welcomes at least a million visitors each year, both local and foreign. Dubai Museum is within the walls of Al Fahidi Fort in Bur Dubai and it was first opened for public viewing in 1971. There are diorama displays within the museum and a souvenir shop too. There is a collection of musical instruments that are ancient and a whole lot of other exhibits about Dubai, as well.
10. Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah is an artificial island in Dubai and it is shaped like Palm leaves. The Dubai government owns this man-made archipelago and it was designed by Helman Hurley Charvat Peacock/Architects, Incorporated. The island lies on the Persian Gulf and it is the smallest island in UAE that has been created by the same government company. The two other islands are called Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira. Anyway, there are many commercial complex and buildings in Palm Jumeirah which makes it one of the most visited tourist attractions in the country.
11. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
The Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is considered an amusement park wherein the theme rides are – you guessed it right – the world’s hottest car brand ever manufactured, the Ferrari. You won’t see Ferrari cars within the park although there may be some in the parking area owned by people living in Abu Dhabi but what you will experience in Ferrari World are theme rides in Ferrari brand like the Formula Rossa that are just so exciting. They have kiddie rides, family rides and adult rides, as well.
12. Yas Island Marina Circuit
The Yas Island Marina Circuit is a place where people go to when they want to watch the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. This grand structure is being owned and managed by the city government of Abu Dhabi and it can accommodate at most 50,000 spectators. The government reportedly spent $1.322B (US dollars) and with that massive amount, it is indeed one of the places to see in United Arab Emirates – just so to understand how a billion dollar building looks like.
13. Jebel Hafeet
The Jebel Hafeet means “Empty Mountain”. It is one of the landmarks in United Arab Emirates and the locals call it by many names – Jabal, Hafit, Jebal and Jabel. The mountain spans at 26 kilometers and it is close to five kilometers wide. The highest peak of Jebel Hafeet is 4,098 feet and on top, the whole of Abu Dhabi can be viewed panoramically. It’s just beautiful up there. Some tourists go up there on foot and the climb is exhilarating.
14. Qasr al-Hosn
The Qasr al-Hosn is a historical citadel or a fort located at Abu Dhabi, UAE. It is in Sheikh Zayed the First Street and it was built in the 1800’s, specifically, in 1761. They also call it the White Fort because when the fort was renovated in 1976, it was painted in white. That wasn’t its original color. The activities herein include exploring the museum with its displays of archaeological finds, checking out the palace and of course, attending the Qasr al-Hosn 11-Day Festival every February. That would be a trip!
15. Al Badiyah Mosque
The Al Badiyah Mosque is the oldest mosque still in existence in United Arab Emirates which is situated in Fujairah. It is one of the places to see in United Arab Emirates – this 15th century mosque, as estimated by archaeologists. The mosque has four domes and the area is 570 square feet. It is made of stones and bricks and was very well-preserved to this day. This Sunni-affiliated mosque is one of the most visited attractions in UAE.
