ABU DHABI isn’t just a futuristic-looking city fringed by white-sand beaches and turquoise waters. This is the largest of the seven emirates of the UAE, covering 26,000 square miles and encompassing 200 islands and a sand-dune desert where Arabian sand cats and oryx roam. It’s also the best place in the country to get in touch with the region’s history and traditional culture.

An emirate of souks and beach lounges, mosques and mangroves, oases and historic fortresses, Abu Dhabi’s diverse to say the least. And endlessly fascinating. Take a look at these 15 images and you’ll see what we mean.

 

1

Arabian oryx

The largest of the Arabian antelopes, the Arabian oryx once inhabited the entire Arabian Peninsula, but by the 60s it was extinct as a wild species. Through reintroduction programs, however, there are now herds at several locations in Abu Dhabi. Both males and females have horns, which can grow close to three feet in length. Their white bodies help to deflect the sunlight in the heat of the desert. The best place to see them? Abu Dhabi's Sir Bani Yas Island, awarded the World’s Leading Sustainable Tourism Destination at the 2014 World Travel Awards.
Photo: Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority

2

The local food

Making use of aromatic spices from across Asia and the Middle East, Emirati cuisine reflects its trading heritage. Cinnamon, saffron, turmeric, and cinnamon are the stars in many dishes, as are nuts, limes, and dried fruit. Head to Abu Dhabi’s Al Mina Fruit & Vegetable Souk to shop for local produce.
Photo: Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority

3

Louvre Abu Dhabi

The much-awaited Louvre Abu Dhabi has been in the works since 2007, and it’s finally nearing completion. On opening, featured artwork will hail from both East and West, from millennia past to today. Also coming to Saadiyat Island Cultural District will be the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, which, when completed, will be bigger than the New York branch.
Photo: Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority

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4

The Empty Quarter

Abu Dhabi’s desert sand dunes are big. In fact, the Empty Quarter is home to what might be the world’s tallest dune at nearly 1,000 feet: Tel Moreeb. Its incline is 50 degrees, and it draws 4x4 and quad bikers from all over to compete in the Moreeb Hill Climb event as part of the Liwa International Festival each year.
Photo: Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority

5

Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi

Connected to Yas Marina Circuit—home of Yas Marina Yacht Club and the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix—via a link bridge, Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi may look like an otherwordly space ship studded with cool LED lights, but it’s actually a luxury 5-star hotel and one of the most buzzing hangouts in the city, with 11 restaurants and lounges, and the ever popular Rush nightclub.
Photo: Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority

6

Kayaking among mangroves

Abu Dhabi’s shoreline is strung with mangroves, and this unexpected ecosystem (and its resident birds) are best seen by kayak. There are numerous outfitters who’ll take you out on the water; Noukhada runs full-moon kayaking tours and overnight camping trips.
Photo: Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority

7

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

Ferrari opened its first theme park in Abu Dhabi in 2010; underneath the park’s distinctive red roof are a ton of record-breaking rides, including the world’s fastest roller coaster—Formula Rossa—and the roller coaster with the world’s tallest loop, called Flying Aces. There are also electric go-karts, live shows, and so much Italian food.
Photo: Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority

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8

Manning the dhow

Abu Dhabi has 250 miles of coastline, and there are so many islands offshore you can explore by dhow (the traditional sailing vessel in this part of the world). Sunset dinner trips are an especially popular way of heading out on the water, with numerous outfitters offering packages.
Photo: Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority

9

Al Jahili Fort

One of Abu Dhabi’s most historic buildings, Al Jahili Fort was built in the 19th century to protect the city of Al Ain and its precious palm groves. Now a museum, the manicured gardens here are beautiful and worth exploring, as is the permanent exhibition on British explorer Sir Wilfred Thesiger. His journeys across the Empty Quarter in the 40s were famously documented in his travel classic Arabian Sands.
Photo: Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority

10

Etihad Towers

Abu Dhabi’s practically synonymous with skyscrapers, and some of the most distinctive are part of the Etihad Towers complex, made up of five super-tall buildings. Head to Tower 2 and the 74th-floor Observation Deck at 300 for views across the whole city and islands, and for afternoon tea from a 300-meter-high vantage point.
Photo: Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority

11

Saadiyat Beach Club

Right on the Arabian Gulf, Saadiyat Beach Club has a beach of the perfect, white sand variety, restaurants and lounges, a spa, sauna, steam rooms, and one of the best-looking pools in the country. And it isn’t just Abu Dhabi’s cool kids who hang out here; at certain times of year hawksbill sea turtles arrive to nest.
Photo: Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority

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12

Qasr Al Sarab

The best words to describe Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort? Palatial. Or maybe luxurious. With 400 staff on hand, private pools and butlers for the villas, and six helipads for the grandest guests to come and go, Qasr Al Sarab rises from the Liwa Desert like the grandest imaginings in One Thousand and One Nights. Your stay at the 5-star hotel can be super relaxed—hanging out in the spa, at the pool’s swim-in bar, maybe doing some outdoor yoga—or super charged. Think fat biking on shifting sand dunes, roller-coaster-like jeep safaris, camel trekking, sand boarding, dawn walks in the desert...
Photo: Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority

13

Pearl diving on the Gulf

Pearl diving used to be one of the Arabian Gulf’s most important industries. Today, you can head out on a jalboot—a traditional pearling dhow—with Abu Dhabi Pearl Journey into the peaceful channel between Abu Dhabi and the Judairi Yat islands to see the divers at work and to learn a bit of history while snacking on local dates and Arabic coffee. You might also hear an Emirati sea shanty or two.
Photo: Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority

14

Abu Dhabi Golf Club

Abu Dhabi has a lot of great golf clubs; Abu Dhabi Golf Club is one of the best. It hosts the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship every year—and yes, that is a giant falcon presiding over the clubhouse facade. This really is an excellent Par 72 National Course. In fact, it’s been ranked among the World’s Top 100 courses by Golf World magazine.
Photo: Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority

15

Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Coming into its eighth year, the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will take place at Yas Marina Circuit November 25-27, 2016. It’s the last race of the season, the only one that takes place at twilight, and it could well decide the F1 championship title. Opening the event as part of the Yasalam festival will be the Chemical Brothers, and closing the show is Rihanna.
Photo: Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority