Explore Abu Dhabi’s top attractions on a half-day city tour with My Arabian Gate. Visit the iconic Grand Mosque, explore the Heritage Village, and discover the vibrant dates market.
Explore Abu Dhabi’s top attractions on a half-day city tour with My Arabian Gate. Visit the iconic Grand Mosque, explore the Heritage Village, and discover the vibrant dates market.
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center - The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is among the largest mosques globally, uniquely showcasing the interaction between Islam and various world cultures. Sheikh Zayed envisioned the Grand Mosque as a blend of architectural styles from different Muslim civilizations, celebrating cultural diversity by creating a truly…
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center - The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is among the largest mosques globally, uniquely showcasing the interaction between Islam and various world cultures. Sheikh Zayed envisioned the Grand Mosque as a blend of architectural styles from different Muslim civilizations, celebrating cultural diversity by creating a truly inspirational and diverse sanctuary. The mosque’s architects hailed from Britain, Italy, and the UAE, drawing design inspiration from Turkey, Morocco, Pakistan, and Egypt, among other Islamic nations. This architectural marvel can accommodate an impressive 40,000 worshippers and visitors.
The mosque’s open-door policy welcomes tourists and celebrants worldwide to admire the stunning onion-top domes, reflective pools surrounding the courtyard, and the iconic prayer hall. This hall is not only bathed in blissful sunlight but also houses the world’s largest handmade chandelier and carpet. Visitors should look for the calligraphy encircling the domes’ hollows, featuring Quranic verses painted with gold leaves in An-Naskh script.
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Abu Dhabi Dates Market - The Abu Dhabi Dates Market is the largest and primary market for dates in Abu Dhabi. Various date species are available, especially during the season, including products from Oman and Saudi Arabia. The market offers the best prices in town.
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Heritage Village - Explore the Heritage Village to experience traditional desert life and immerse yourself in a time capsule featuring a souk, mosque, and encampment from pre-modernized Abu Dhabi. Visitors can shop, explore artifacts, and watch artisans crafting pottery, blowing glass, and weaving fabric on a loom.
Managed by the Emirates Heritage Club, this reconstruction of a traditional oasis village offers a fascinating glimpse into the emirate’s past. It features public workshops where craftsmen demonstrate traditional skills like metalwork, pottery, weaving, and spinning. Craftsmen share their skills with visitors and occasionally allow them to try. The village’s spice shop offers a variety of dried herbs, handmade soaps, and souvenirs.
- Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi - This iconic Abu Dhabi landmark combines Arabian splendor with modern luxuries for a magical and memorable experience. By day, the hotel’s golden-sandy color contrasts with its lush green gardens, silvery fountains, and blue sky. At night, the lighting subtly changes, creating a majestic rainbow effect over the main dome.
The main Palace building spans over a kilometer from wing to wing, with gardens and surroundings covering 100 hectares. The hotel boasts 114 domes, with the central dome rising 72.6 meters above ground. Gold, mother of pearl, and crystals adorn the interior. The Palace features 1,002 chandeliers, the largest weighing 2.5 tonnes. Another notable feature is its two handmade wall display carpets, each weighing a tonne and depicting the palace itself.
Guests and visitors can explore the majestic halls and corridors, showcasing Arabian design with grand passageways and arched ceilings. The hotel offers over 200 rooms, all decorated in a chic yet comfortable style with lavish cultural touches. Culinary highlights include modern Chinese cuisine at Hakkasan, fine French dining at Le Vendome, and award-winning local dishes at Mezlai Emirati Restaurant.
- The Corniche - The Corniche Road stretches across an impressive eight kilometers of manicured waterfront, featuring children’s play areas, separate cycle and pedestrian pathways, cafés, restaurants, and the Corniche Beach, a lifeguarded beach park.
Corniche Beach
This extensive beach runs along Corniche Road from near the Hilton Hotel to beyond Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, where its main entrance is located. During the week, beach umbrellas are usually available, but they may be scarce on weekends. Swimming is limited to within 40 meters of the beach, with floating fences and numerous lifeguards ensuring safety.
Abu Dhabi’s pristine Corniche beachfront has earned the prestigious Blue Flag status, an internationally recognized eco-label for beaches and marinas, guaranteeing clean and safe bathing water.
Each month, 30,000 to 50,000 visitors enjoy the Corniche, which offers three separate sections for families, singles, and the general public. There are over 1,100 free parking spaces within a five-minute walk of the beach. Entry to the family and singles sections costs AED 10 (US $2.7), while access to the public beach is free.
- Qasr Al Watan - Qasr Al Watan, a new cultural landmark in Abu Dhabi, invites the public to explore the legacy of knowledge and tradition that has shaped the nation’s journey, enhancing cultural understanding of the United Arab Emirates.
An Architectural Landmark
Qasr Al Watan is more than a traditional palace; it is a beautifully crafted tribute to Arabian heritage and artistry. Its architecture and design reflect the significance of the exhibits within its halls and the function of its iconic rooms.
Cultural Initiative
Qasr Al Watan encourages visitors to learn about the country’s governing traditions and values, exploring a well-preserved legacy of knowledge and enhancing cultural understanding of the UAE.
A Knowledge Hub
Qasr Al Watan offers an inspiring intellectual legacy, highlighting Arab contributions to various fields of knowledge. The Palace also houses the Qasr Al Watan Library, where scholars can explore a vast collection of books and resources about the UAE and learn about the nation’s progressive journey.
An Enriching Visitor Journey
At Qasr Al Watan, visitors will learn about the UAE’s formation and governance system, with access to halls typically reserved for official summits. Visitors will also gain a deep appreciation of Arabian architectural craftsmanship and intellectual heritage on a truly enriching journey.
Parking: Upon arriving at the Visitor Centre by car, visitors will find ample parking spaces available at no charge. Valet parking is available at the Visitor Centre car park for AED 80.
Parking is open from 9:30 am to 9:30 pm, seven days a week.
- Etihad Towers - This five-tower complex makes a dramatic architectural statement, inviting residents and visitors to live, work, stay, shop, and dine in one destination with panoramic city and Arabian Gulf views.
A benchmark for luxury experiences, the complex includes three residential towers and the 280-meter-high, five-star Jumeirah at Etihad Towers hotel.
On Tower 2’s 74th floor, the Observation Deck at 300 offers unbeatable cityscape and island views.
The Avenue at Etihad Towers is one of the world’s most exclusive collections of boutique shops, with many offering luxurious private rooms for VIP shopping.

- Explore the bustling Dates Market for local flavors
- Visit the iconic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
- Drive past Qasr Al Watan, capturing its majestic architecture
- Admire Etihad Towers during a scenic drive
- Stroll along the picturesque Corniche promenade
- Discover the traditional Heritage Village
- See the opulent Royal Palace Area
- Enjoy the tour…
- Explore the bustling Dates Market for local flavors
- Visit the iconic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
- Drive past Qasr Al Watan, capturing its majestic architecture
- Admire Etihad Towers during a scenic drive
- Stroll along the picturesque Corniche promenade
- Discover the traditional Heritage Village
- See the opulent Royal Palace Area
- Enjoy the tour in a Private Luxury Vehicle for comfort
- View the majestic Emirates Palace Hotel
Explore significant landmarks of Abu Dhabi including the Grand Mosque with My Arabian Gate. Uncover the prime locations of Abu Dhabi on a 4-hour journey, traversing the Emirates’ capital in a communal car. Stop at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Heritage Village, the dates market and other notable spots. Take a stroll through traditional and contemporary sights.
Explore significant landmarks of Abu Dhabi including the Grand Mosque with My Arabian Gate. Uncover the prime locations of Abu Dhabi on a 4-hour journey, traversing the Emirates’ capital in a communal car. Stop at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Heritage Village, the dates market and other notable spots. Take a stroll through traditional and contemporary sights.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.