{"id":776,"date":"2025-06-28T06:44:07","date_gmt":"2025-06-28T04:44:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fontegaiatour.it\/en\/blog\/?p=776"},"modified":"2025-09-06T07:43:09","modified_gmt":"2025-09-06T05:43:09","slug":"beyond-dubai-abu-dhabi-the-emirate-you-dont-expect","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fontegaiatour.it\/en\/blog\/beyond-dubai-abu-dhabi-the-emirate-you-dont-expect\/","title":{"rendered":"Beyond Dubai: Abu Dhabi, the Emirate you don’t expect!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Let’s talk about Abu Dhabi starting from its name <\/strong>which means “land of the gazelle” in Arabic. A legend tells that the Emirate is in the place where an antelope led a nomadic tribe towards fresh water. An island where there were 300 huts made of barasti (palm branches), some coral buildings and the governor’s fort. That small settlement developed until it became the modern Abu Dhabi, one of the 7 United Arab Emirates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Abu<\/figure><\/div>
\"Abu<\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

More than a “stop over” destination<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Abu Dhabi is often considered only a “stop over” destination, to be visited in a short time during a stopover. In reality it is a fascinating, cosmopolitan destination, where tradition and modernity blend together. Similar but different from the nearby and famous Dubai, from which it is just an hour away<\/strong> by car, here you will find more nature and above all white beaches and turquoise sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The city has a lot to offer and is constantly expanding. One of its symbols is the immense mosque of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan<\/strong>, Founding Father of the UAE. It’s one of the largest in the world with its 22,000 m2, 82 domes, 4 minarets of 106 m and colonnades with floral inlays, amethysts and jaspers. In the prayer hall there is the largest carpet in the world, hand-woven by 1,300 Iranian artisans. Then gold-plated Swarovski chandeliers, mosaics with marble tiles and water mirrors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Dhabi waterfront<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Corniche Road <\/strong>is Abu Dhabi’s iconic waterfront. It extends for 8 km and includes children’s play areas, pedestrian and cycle paths, caf\u00e9s and restaurants and the Corniche Beach<\/strong>, a 2 km long beach with white sand and calm sea. On the Corniche Road you will also find the Etihad Towers<\/strong>, 5 skyscrapers that house luxury hotels, apartments, restaurants. The Observation Deck, at 300 on the 74th floor of Tower 2, is the highest panoramic point in the city with 360-degree views of Abu Dhabi and the Persian Gulf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Abu<\/figure><\/div>
\"Abu<\/figure><\/div>
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\"Abu<\/figure><\/div>
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Yas Island<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An artificial island 25\/30 km from the city centre. A real “toyland” dedicated to entertainment, where you can find hotels, restaurants, shopping centres, an F1 circuit<\/strong>, Warner Bros World<\/strong>, Ferrari World<\/strong> and many other attractions!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Warner Bros World you will meet the Warner Bros characters through six themed areas populated by the most famous cartoon heroes. Ferrari World is the amusement park dedicated to the red car that every Ferrari fan can’t miss. Inside the park there are the fastest roller coasters in the world and speed simulators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Dhabi Cultural District<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For those who prefer art to adrenaline, a must-see is the Saadiyat Cultural District<\/strong>, which in Arabic means \u201chappiness\u201d. There museums, cultural institutions, collections and public initiatives alternate. The pharaonic project sees the construction of other museums where the Louvre Abu Dhabi<\/strong> and the Abrahamic Family House<\/strong> already stand. It will be a huge open space with galleries at different heights intersecting with each other. Welcome to the future!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Louvre Abu Dhabi has been one of the icons of the metropolis since 2017 with its innovative approach. It exhibits works of art from different cultures side by side, showing how creativity links civilizations and geographical areas over time. In addition to the collections and exhibitions, you can \u201ccircumnavigate\u201d the museum kayaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Abrahamic Family House has the aim of understanding what unites humanity through the exchange of knowledge and faith. There are 3 places of worship to visit: the mosque of His Eminence Ahmed El-Tayeb<\/strong>, the church of St. Francis<\/strong> and the synagogue of Moses Ben Maimon<\/strong>, with the aim of learning more about each religion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n