7 Instagram-Worthy Places to See In Abu Dhabi

From a quaint fishing village to a colossal cosmopolitan, the journey of Abu Dhabi in becoming one of the hidden gems in the world is nothing less than phenomenal. Abu Dhabi is everything travellers or tourists would look forward to seeing and witnessing in their visit – luxury accommodation and dining options, innumerable activities to indulge in, gigantic monuments that speak volumes of architectural heritage, rich culture that is seen in their cuisines, and offbeat tourist attractions. It is the most ideal city to visit if you are looking for a quick getaway from your routine and mundane lifestyle. So, no matter if you intended to sit on the world’s fastest rollercoaster, admire the world’s largest handcrafted carpet or say hello to an impeccable skyline, Abu Dhabi is all about turning your moments into memories. And on this post, we have compiled some of the most Instagram-worthy places to see in Abu Dhabi.

Read on to find out what places to see Abu Dhabi during your trip and plan the most happening travel itinerary.

1. The Mangrove National Park

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Isn’t it magical that a city like Abu Dhabi that appears to boast only of towering skyscrapers made of steel and glasses has a silent mangrove forest tucked secretly in an island? Amidst all the hustles, bustles and industrious lifestyle of the people in Abu Dhabi rests quaint little mangrove forests attracting thousands of visitors from abroad. Along the shorelines of the city, this place is contrary to what you get to see, hear and feel in the city’s streets. The place is calm, composed, reassuring and offers comfortable silence that makes it difficult for a while to get back to your hotel room. That is why we have included the mangrove forests as one of the top attractions in Abu Dhabi.

One of the major crowd pullers of the place is that you can hire kayak boats and go on a kayaking tour inside the mangrove forest. Abu Dhabi tourism is all about making your experiences special and imagine kayaking your way through a mangrove forest that stands adjacent to the bustling city. Depending on your age and experience, you can either go for a kayak tour that could last from 90 minutes to three hours. There is also an Eco Tour that will give you all the insights about the place and let you explore the final remnants of Abu Dhabi’s forests.

To make your visit more special, you can also take up a night tour to explore the place at night, kayaking your way through the forests.

• Distance from the Airport: Approximately 30km
• How Much Time to Spend: Halfday
• Opening Hours: 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. all days
• Conclusion: If you are looking for a retreat in an otherwise busy city, this is where you need to head to.

 2. Ferrari World – Among the must-visit places to see in Abu Dhabi

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If you notice, Ferrari is unbiased by gender-based preferences. When you see a Ferrari zooming into a traffic signal, it attracts awe from both men and women. If you intend to volunteer to be awed in more ways than one, Ferrari World is one of the first places you need to visit in Abu Dhabi. The building and its construct is an architectural marvel that makes its visitors revere. One of the best things about the Ferrari World is that it has something to offer for the entire family. Your kids would have fun at the Junior GT race track, your parents would appreciate and be amazed by the way the world is constructed, and you and your spouse would catch a visual glimpse of the timeline of Ferrari cars with their housing of vintage cars right from the year 1947. This is on the top list of places to visit in Abu Dhabi for travellers coming from across the world.

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But do you know what would bring your entire family together? Formula Rossa – Ferrari World’s iconic rollercoaster ride that boasts of being the world’s fastest roller coaster. With a loop that is as high as 52 meters and a speed that reaches close to 250 kilometres per hour, the ride is all about experiencing 4.8g acceleration due to gravity or in short, pure adrenaline rush. Our Dubai Tour Packages are the best way to indulge in the fun world of Ferrari.

• Distance from the Airport: Approximately 12km
• How Much Time to Spend: Full day
• Opening Hours: 11 am to 8 pm all days
• Conclusion: With so many things to learn and appreciate about Ferrari, this is the place you need to spend an entire day in.

3. The Observation Deck

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We promised you Instagram-worthy places to see in Abu Dhabi and here is one – The Observation Deck at 300. In a city that flaunts a flamboyant skyline and illuminated architectures that come alive when the sun goes down, who would not want to have a bird’s eye view of the entire city, cherishing and being thankful for the sight? For those of you who share our thoughts, the Observation Deck at 300 is where you could get to see the entire city in all its might and click innumerable photographs that would go as social media stories.

People call the Observation Deck as Abu Dhabi’s reply to the Burj Khalifa which is in Dubai. The 74^th floor of the Etihad Towers hotel is where the deck is and the best part is that it is open for non-residing guests of the hotel too. Though an entry fee is applicable if you want to explore the hotel and visit the deck, your entry fee covers a food and beverage voucher that you can redeem at the restaurant located on the deck. The place is known for its high tea (literally) and you could enjoy a pleasant evening with your special ones, sipping a beverage of your choice overlooking the limitless expanse of the city. Travel goals anyone?

• Distance from the Airport: Approximately 40km
• How Much Time to Spend: Entire Evening
• Opening Hours: NA
• Conclusion: The place could help you tick off a lot of things from your travel bucket list.

Must Read: 20 places to visit in Abu Dhabi

4. Yas Waterworld – Places to see in Abu Dhabi for kids

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Imagine Yas Island to be to Abu Dhabi what Sentosa is to Singapore. A resort island that has all the facilities and entertainment options in store for visitors from around the world. One of the reasons it makes it to our list of highly recommended places to see in Abu Dhabi is because of the range of options it offers for a family. Firstly, there is this amazing water theme park that is sure to bring down your body temperature in the city’s scorching heat. Secondly, there are play areas for your kids and toddlers. Lastly, there are some really sumptuous restaurants and cafes that take care of your appetite and cravings for deserts. Our Yas Island special Abu Dhabi packages are the best to indulge in the unlimited fun.

When it comes to the Waterworld, Abu Dhabi tourism again reminds you why it has a different perspective on fun. Like its other buildings and approaches to tourism, it goes a step beyond the convention to give you jaw-dropping rides that you would not find anywhere else. For instance, the place has the planet’s first hydromagnetic tornado river rafting ride, a surfable sheet wave that is again the world’s largest, a water-based freefall ride, water slides with inner-tube rides and more. Not sure if their design brief starts with the world’s largest because this Waterworld and the rides in it are colossal. You would need an entire day to spend and explore the places and rides and you would still feel you could stay back for a couple of more hours.

• Distance from the Airport: Approximately 12km
• How Much Time to Spend: Full day
• Opening Hours: 10 am to 7 pm all days
• Conclusion: If you are looking for an ideal place to beat the heat and have fun while doing it, you know where to go.

5. The Emirates Park Zoo

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Coming to Abu Dhabi and leaving without waving a hi to some adorable wildlife animals does not make any sense. In our list of top Instagram worthy places to see in Abu Dhabi is The Emirates Park Zoo. This is an again a place for the entire family that ensures you have a great bonding time with the members of your family. Your kids would love spotting some of the rare species of animals and be learning about them. You can spot giraffes, zebras, white tigers, Siberian tigers, elephants, monkeys and more.

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The zoo also has a dedicated flamingo park and an enclosure for sea lions for you to have a look and cherish. But the most interactive section of the zoo is the petting zoo, where you or your kids can have a personal interaction with some domestic breeds of animals, touch them and feed them. This experience is something really beautiful that will unfold in Abu Dhabi with your family.

• Distance from the Airport: Approximately 12km
• How Much Time to Spend: Half day
• Opening Hours: 9 am to 8 pm all days
• Conclusion: Looking at your kids having fun with animals is priceless and the place deserves a visit for the very same reason.

Also Read: 20 free things to do Dubai that are absolutely free

6. Liwa Oasis – Among the adventurous places to see in Abu Dhabi

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Liwa Oasis is an offbeat place located to the south of Abu Dhabi, the place is again one of the finest escapes from the city. Just like how you could feel tranquillity in the mangrove forests, you can find similar vibes and enjoy the vastness of the desert at the Liwa Oasis. With only a change in the terrain, this place is for anyone looking to taking a break from clichéd sightseeing tours. The place is renowned for date farming and being in proximity to the world’s largest sand dunes. If you think these two factors are enough to plan your visit to the Liwa Oasis, wait until we spill some more beans. This is the place that is also known for camel rides, bird’s eye balloon rides, dune bashing, sand surfing and more. While you are busy indulging in activities, take some time to notice the Jebel Hafeet peak at the place’s backdrop.

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• Distance from the Airport: Approximately 20km
• How Much Time to Spend: Full Day

7. Yas Mall

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If the Emirates of Abu Dhabi is known for something else apart from offering some of the finest holiday experiences to its visitors, it has to be shopping. And it can’t get better than Yas Mall. Our visits to foreign countries do not generally end without a visit to the best shopping malls in the place and Yas Mall is no exception. The place is spacious with ample car parking facilities, is huge and is completely Instagram worthy. That is exactly why we featured the mall on our list of the exciting places to see in Abu Dhabi.

If you are looking for a quick getaway from your sightseeing and activity touring, this is the place you need to be. You can shop from some of Abu Dhabi’s best retailers, get yourself a bespoke piece of clothing, maybe watch a movie, or simply explore different cuisines at the food court. The mall is sure to not leave you with a dull moment. One of the other good aspects about Yas Mall is that it is very close to the Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld. So you could probably club two places together in a day and cover more in your itinerary.

• Distance from the Airport: Approximately 12km
• How Much Time to Spend: Half day
• Opening Hours: 10 am to 10 pm
• Conclusion: A shopping haven that is also strategically located. What else could anyone ask for?

So, these were some of the most Instagram-worthy places to see in Abu Dhabi. We have compiled diverse places offering quirky and unique experiences to you as a visitor. That is what travelling is all about right? Experiencing things that you do not get to otherwise in your place. Well, Abu Dhabi is sure one of the best tourist destinations out there that blends the best experiences for both the types of travellers – the exotic ones and those on a shoestring budget. If you know of a place that you think should make it to the list, share it on your comments.

So, interested to visit these places? Here are some Abu Dhabi holiday packages for you.