Abu Dhabi City Tour from Dubai

This wasn’t even the trip I booked so I have no idea how I ended up being given the tour I had specifically tried to avoid. I had booked a tour that spent time inside the Qasr Al Watan and we didn’t even get a photo stop there. We got dragged round a bunch of places where pressure was applied for our small group of 3 to buy things - an art gallery where I got doused in about six different perfumes I didn’t want to buy, and a date market that none of us wanted to go to. We were dropped for lunch at a big mall with a McDonalds and KFC when we would much rather have experienced some authentic street food somewhere. Then we got taken to Ferrari World where we were given 30 minutes to admire the entrance (?!) because tickets were certainly not included and the experience takes hours anyway. A completely pointless detour and we contacted the driver to ask to leave. The highlight of the trip was the mosque but that has free entry anyway so you don’t need a tour to take you there. We also visited the Emirates Palace - Mandarin Oriental hotel where the driver gave us 27 minutes to look around. As with all the stops, our “guide” stayed in the vehicle leaving us to try and figure out where to go and what we were looking at. His commentary consisted of a monologue in the vehicle and half the time I didn’t even know what he was talking about. I specifically booked this tour because it gave you time inside the Qasr Al Watan and I feel utterly cheated. We didn’t even get to go to the Corniche. When one of the other tour group members asked why we hadn’t had a photo stop there, he said it was because of the construction and that there was nowhere to stop. The details I was sent said that water was included, but I had to ask to be given a bottle of water. He gave me a very small bottle and later in the day when the 40° heat was getting to me, it was one of my tour group companions who noticed and gave me her bottle of water because she had bought a big bottle. Also, the driver messaged me via WhatsApp at 1:36 am on the morning of the tour to let us know what the clothing requirements were for the mosque. This is far too late to be telling everyone of the actual specifics - they should be sent at the time of booking. It was a long and very disappointing day. Do yourself a favour and do not book this tour. Find a decent one that is worth your time and money.

Hamid the tour guide was great, knowledge, pickup at time, thanks lot we appreciate this trip,

Great experience! Khalil was a great driver and tour guide! Highly recommend this tour to Abu Dhabi!

The drive to Abu Dhabi began – as so many organized excursions did – with this faint hope that everything would be different today. Spoiler: it didn't quite get it. The small tour group in the van was 6 people, the streets were empty, as were the sights. At least that's what the wave of attacks was good for. First stop: **Ferrari World on Yas Island**. Sounds like adrenaline, speed and a touch of luxury life. We were ready at the entrance on time at 10am... and then we were allowed to find out that admission was not included, of course. Surprise. Instead, there was the generous option of spending about *no time* there. So plan B: **Yas Mall**. Three-quarters of an hour. For a mall about the size of a medium-sized small town. We chose the only realistic goal in these circumstances: Coffee. At least something that works. ☕ --- The next item on the agenda: **the legendary date market**. In my imagination: oriental hustle and bustle, fragrances, dealers, atmosphere. In reality: *a* dealer. A store. One. Who wanted to turn us on dates, tea and perfume with the energy of a very motivated vacuum cleaner representative. The prices? Let's put it this way: My credit card heroically refused service. Looking back, probably the smartest financial decision of the day. Because later it turned out that the alleged “premium dates” were much cheaper to have elsewhere. **Remember:** If a market consists of exactly one person, caution is advised. --- Afterwards we went to the **Carpet Museum** – and yes, that was surprisingly good indeed. Beautiful pieces, interesting insights, really worth seeing. Of course, with the inevitable sales attempt at the end. But at least in style. You know the game by now. --- Then came the part that had probably been planned as “cultural highlights”: * Emirates Palace * Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental * Emirates Heritage Village They all failed. Complete. According to the tour guide for attacks from Iraq. The air raid warnings made the whole trip an adventure holiday. Jochen Österreicher (name purely coincidental) would have charged extra for this. Here it was included. This is the moment when you stop for a second and think to yourself: “Okay... that wasn’t in the prospectus now.” --- Luckily, the real highlights of the day came afterwards: The **Sheikh Zayed Mosque** and **Qasr Al Watan**. And this is where the sarcasm stops. Both places were simply impressive. These dimensions, the architecture, the details – it was one of those rare moments when you get quiet. We were really short of breath. It’s just a pity there was no tour – with some background information it would have been even more intense. All right, we joined a guided tour together until they realized we weren't one of them. So we learned all sorts of background information, because it took us a while to be asked to discreetly leave;-) But even so: absolutely worth seeing and worth the trip alone. --- The **Marina Mall**? Also deleted. Apparently, this day had a certain relationship to “programme items are omitted without replacement.” --- During the trip, the tour guide explained a lot about Abu Dhabi. And you have to hand it to him: He was really nice, talked a lot and above all drove safely and confidently. In a program that seemed rather improvised in places, this was almost reassuring. --- **Conclusion:** A day full of missed program items, creative scheduling, adventurous air alarms and educational sales strategies – but with two truly impressive highlights that saved everything a bit. And honestly: Without this mixture of chaos, coffee and light shaking of the head, it would probably have been half as memorable.

Abu Dhabi is home to some of the most stunning examples of Islamic architecture in the world. While the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the most famous, there are several others noted for their unique designs and historical significance. ​1. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque ​As the largest mosque in the UAE, this is a major cultural landmark and a symbol of peace and tolerance. ​Architectural Highlights: It features 82 white marble domes, over 1,000 columns, and four 106-meter-high minarets. It houses the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet and 24-carat gold-gilded chandeliers, including one of the largest in the world. ​Capacity: It can accommodate over 40,000 worshippers at once. ​Visitor Hours: ​Saturday – Thursday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Last entry 9:30 PM). ​Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Closed to visitors during midday prayers). ​Entry: Free of charge, though it is recommended to register online in advance. ​Dress Code: Modest attire is mandatory. ​Women: Must wear loose-fitting, ankle-length clothing and cover their hair with a scarf. ​Men: Must wear long trousers (no shorts) and shirts that cover the shoulders (long sleeves are preferred). ​2. Al Aziz Mosque (Reem Island) ​This mosque is famous for its futuristic and modern design. ​Unique Feature: The exterior walls are made of "light-transmitting concrete" (LUCEM) that illuminates the 99 names of Allah in calligraphy at night. ​Design: It breaks from traditional rounded shapes, using sharp angles and triangles in its structure. ​3. Mary, Mother of Jesus Mosque (Al Mushrif) ​Formerly known as the Mohammed Bin Zayed Mosque, it was renamed in 2017 to honor the commonalities between Islam and Christianity. ​Significance: It serves as a powerful symbol of religious tolerance and interfaith harmony, located in a neighborhood with several churches. ​4. Imam Al-Tayeb Mosque (Abrahamic Family House) ​Located on Saadiyat Island, this mosque is part of a complex that also includes a church and a synagogue. ​Design: It features a minimalist, contemporary design with three identical cubes representing the three Abrahamic faiths, focused on the principles of human fraternity. ​5. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Mosque (Al Ain) ​Though located in Al Ain (part of the Abu Dhabi emirate), it is one of the largest in the region. ​Highlight: It is known for its massive dome covered in intricate Arabic calligraphy and its proximity to historical sites that date back to the Islamic Golden Age. ​Tips for Visitors: ​Footwear: You will likely be asked to remove your shoes before entering the prayer halls. ​Photography: General photography is allowed, but it is important to avoid taking photos of people praying and to respect restricted areas. ​Guided Tours: At the Grand Mosque, free "Culture Gate" tours are available and provide deep insights into the architecture and history.