-
Perfume Souq
Several blocks of perfume shops stretching east of the Gold Souq hardly warrants the title ‘souq’, yet these bustling stores sell a staggering range of Arabic attars (perfumes), oud (fragrant wood) and incense burners.
-
Al Khalidiyah Public Park
One of many popular, shady parks in Abu Dhabi, this park offers a respite from the heat of the Corniche in the summer months. Theres a jogging track (20-minute circuit) and a variety of climbing frames and other attractions for youngsters.
-
Al Markaziyah Gardens
Spread over three distinct areas, Al Nahyan Park, Family Park and Urban Park, Al Markaziyah Gardens forms a broad band of recreational lawns parallel to the Corniche. The facilities offer toddlers and childrens play areas, fountains and shaded seating.
-
Ajman Museum
This late-18th-century fort served as the ruler’s residence until 1970 and also saw a stint as the police station. Now a museum, it illustrates aspects of Ajman’s past with an assortment of photographs, weapons, tools and archaeological artefacts.
-
Bait Al Naboodah
This 1845 house, a former pearl trader’s home with a grand entranceway, elaborately carved decorations and an ample courtyard, is a fine example of early Emirati architecture and daily living. It is expected to reopen in 2016 after extensive restoration.
-
Sharjah Calligraphy Museum
Even if you dont understand the meaning of the beautiful calligraphy on display in this handsome gallery, youll probably still admire its high aesthetic value and the variety of styles, forms of expression and materials used (canvas, ceramics, wood and paper).
-
Sharjah Desert Park
About 26km east of central Sharjah towards Al-Dhaid, Sharjah Desert Park packs four venues into a 1-sq-km package. The main attraction is the Arabian Wildlife Centre, a zoo and breeding centre showcasing the diversity of critters that call the region home.
-
Hatta Rock Pools
Hattas other main attraction is this series of pools and waterfalls carved out of the rocky bed of a wadi (river bed). Access was closed during our visit as the government was constructing a road and upgrading facilities. Check locally if the area has reopened.
-
Badiyah Mosque
Badiyah (also spelt Bidyah and Bidiya) is known mainly for its mosque. Thought to be the oldest in the UAE (possibly dating back to the early 15th century), it’s a small and simple structure, adorned with four pointed domes and resting on an internal pillar.
-
Al Serkal Cultural Foundation
This rambling courtyard building in the Al Fahidi Historic District provides a fitting setting for traditional and cutting-edge works by local and international artists. Exhibitions change monthly. In the workshop in front, you can often see a master engraver at work.
-
Cuadro
In a fabulous space taking up the entire ground floor of Gate Village’s Building 10, this highly regarded gallery shines the spotlight on contemporary artists and sculptors from both the West and Middle East and also presents lectures, workshops and panel discussions.
-
Sheikh Zayed Bridge
Said to symbolise the flow of energy into the capital, this 842m-long modern bridge designed by Zaha Hadid is one of three gateways to Abu Dhabi. Its curvilinear form is reminiscent of sand dunes and at night the lighting scheme gives a sense that the dunes are on the move.
-
Opera Gallery
More an art showroom than a classically curated gallery, Opera caters to collectors of artistic heavyweights in genres as varied as pop art, calligraphy and landscapes. One section of the beautiful bi-level space is reserved for contemporary artists from the Middle East.
-
Khalifa Park
This large and leafy park, not far from the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, has a number of attractions including a football playing area, fountains, ponds and waterfalls, lots of shaded seating, a childrens amusement park and a small train that trundles around the site.
-
Heritage Park
This attractive family park straddles both sides of the far eastern end of the Corniche, with great views of the traditional dhow harbour across the water in Al Mina. With fountains and faux grottos, barbecue facilities and play areas, it is a popular picnic site at weekends.
-
Cartoon Art Gallery
This bi-level space is the first gallery in the Middle East dedicated to cartoon and animation art. A typical exhibition might feature artwork and posters illustrating the world of Tintin or present animated cartoons by such illustrious names as Japanese artist Hayao Miyazaki.
-
Aldar HQ
Visible from afar, this futuristic landmark building has been dubbed The Coin thanks to its distinctive penny-shaped architecture. The worlds first circular skyscraper, this slender monument to modern design houses Aldar, one of the largest property developers in the Emirates.
-
Iranian Mosque
Shiite mosques are noteworthy for their exquisite faïence (green-and-blue-coloured and glazed) tile work covering the façade and main dome. A stunning Dubai example is the Iranian Mosque in Satwa – and the Iranian Hospital , adjacent and opposite, carries this same type of tile wor
-
Sheikh Zayed Mosque
After the one in Abu Dhabi, Fujairah’s grand new mosque is the second largest in the UAE. Festooned with six 100m-high minarets, the white granite and marble edifice can accommodate up to 28,000 worshippers. Its not open to non-Muslims, but the impressive exterior alone warrants a
-
Barakat Gallery
This exclusive private gallery, with branches in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles and Mayfair, London, houses some exquisite artefacts. With a heritage of over 100 years as art dealers, the family-run business has contributed pieces to museums, corporations and private collections around
Total
238 -travel
FirstPage PreviousPage NextPage LastPage CurrentPage:
5/12 20-travel/Page Goto:
An American (Icon) in Paris: SFMOMA Exhibit to Decamp to France
Insider’s guide to Yellowstone: where to trek and geyser gaze without the crowds
Brazil Scores Big with Museu de Futebol 
El Golfo
Photos: Grand Central Station in the 1940s
How travel has changed: Before TripAdvisor, smartphones, cash cards and e-tickets