Event Planner's Guide

ADDITIONAL
REGIONAL
ATTRACTIONS
AL GHARBIA – WHERE THE
DESERT MEETS THE SEA
Just 240 kilometres west of the UAE capital is the stunning
diversity of Al Gharbia – a place of secluded beaches and
the vast deserts of Abu Dhabi’s western region. Making
up over two-thirds of the Emirate, Al Gharbia hosts some
of the most fascinating and vibrant cultural festivals and
events, luxury resorts and Abu Dhabi’s Arabian Wildlife
Park on the nature haven of Sir Bani Yas Island.
Al Gharbia is also home to the Empty Quarter, and the
town of Liwa, an historic oasis town which has eight early
19th century forts and towers, open to the public.
SHEIKH ZAYED GRAND
MOSQUE
Named as one of the world’s top 25 attractions in
TripAdvisor’s 2013 Travellers Choice Awards, the Sheikh
Zayed Grand Mosque is the Emirate’s most revered and
loved landmark. Renowned as one of the world’s largest
Mosques, with a capacity of 41,000 worshippers, it
features 82 domes, over a thousand columns, 24 carat
gilded chandeliers and the world’s largest hand knotted
carpet. Open daily to visitors, complimentary guided
tours are available and the spectacular Sunset Tour of the
mosque is a must! www.szgmc.ae
SAADIYAT ISLAND
Just 500 metres off the coast of Abu Dhabi city, the 27
square kilometre Saadiyat Island is undergoing remarkable
transformation to become a world class leisure, residential,
business and cultural hub of global proportions. Housing
the world’s largest single concentration of premier cultural
assets, all of which have been designed by Pritzker prize
winners, the Island will play host to Louvre Abu Dhabi -
opening 2015, Zayed National Museum - opening 2016
and, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi - opening 2017.
The Island’s purpose built visitor centre - Manarat Al
Saadiyat brings the Saadiyat vision to life, whilst the
Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, the luxury resort hotels and the
exclusive Monte Carlo Beach Club provide an opportunity
for guests to relax and luxuriate in equal measure.
www.saadiyat.ae
AL AIN – ABU DHABI’S
HERITAGE HEARTLAND
Once a vital green oasis on the caravan route from UAE
to Oman, Al Ain (meaning ‘The Spring’ in Arabic) is the
Emirate’s heritage heartland. Now a UNESCO World
Heritage Site, here you’ll find evidence of permanently
settled inhabitants, forts, museums, oases and pre-historic
tombs. A must visit destination, visit the picturesque Al
Jahili fort, the expansive Al Ain oasis, Al Ain National
Museum, the Zayed Palace Museum, and the Al Qattara
Arts Centre (housed in an historic renovated fort on a
site dating back to the Iron Age 1100 – 300Bc). Other
attractions include, Al Ain Zoo, Hili Fun City, Wadi
Adventure, the UAE’s only traditional camel market and
the majestic heights of Jebel Hafeet. www.visitabudhabi.ae
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SAFARI THROUGH
ABU DHABI’S DESERTS
Traditional, sustainable desert camps, powerful 4x4s
or on the back of a camel are just some of the many
ways to enjoy Abu Dhabi’s deserts. Host to a variety of
efficient and licensed tour operators who can arrange
desert safaris, they also offer the opportunity to engage
in a variety of desert activities such as dune bashing,
sandboarding and desert camping.
THE GALLERIA MALL
AL MARYAH ISLAND
The Galleria Al Maryah Island is a luxury shopping and
dining destination with a stunning waterfront promenade
located in the heart of Abu Dhabi. With more than 130
shops under one roof, the Galleria features a mix of highend
retailers and licensed and unlicensed chef-driven
restaurants and cafes. The Galleria is home to the world’s
most iconic luxury fashion and fine jewelry brands, as well
as an array of first to Abu Dhabi brands.
ABU DHABI FALCON HOSPITAL
Guided tours of this award-winning specialist hospital, the
most advanced of its kind in the world, are available. Visit
the luxurious wards where the birds are kept, explore the
museum which gives an insight into the noble desert sport
of falconry, or try your hand at the pursuit of the sport in
the lush garden surrounds. Open Sunday to Thursday,
advance bookings are recommended.
www.falconhospital.com
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