5 Reasons Why Luxury Enthusiasts Should Visit Abu Dhabi Right Now

Photo Credit: Emirates Palace

Luxury enthusiasts have always looked to Dubai as the epicenter for opulence in the UAE, but more and more those same visitors are turning to Abu Dhabi for new and thrilling luxe experiences. Here are five reasons why you should venture outside of your comfort zone and visit this capital city immediately.

THE GLORY AND OPULENCE OF THE GRAND MOSQUE

Photo Credit: Tourism Abu Dhabi

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a breathtaking sight to behold. The religious epicenter of Abu Dhabi is a formation of white marble domes and pillars topped with gold decorations and surrounded by perfectly manicured gardens. As one of the largest mosques in the world, the architectural marvel boasts a capacity for 40,000 worshippers and visitors. It is also one of the few mosques open to non-Muslim visitors, distinguishing Abu Dhabi as a forward-facing, progressive city.

THE WORLD OF FERRARI

Photo Credit: Ferrari

If you’re a Ferrari enthusiast, this Ferrari-dedicated theme park is a must. Live the dream and experience the thrill around Yas Island with a private racing instructor; or sharpen your skills at the Kart Academy with 950-foot-long track inspired by the Yas Marina Circuit. There’s also a 1920s-style Italian cinema that showcases the thrilling journey of Coppa di Sicilia, the story of how Enzo Ferrari brought his motoring dream to life.

THE MOST EXPENSIVE PAINTING IN THE WORLD

Photo Credit: Roland Halbe

The Louvre Abu Dhabi will soon exhibit the most expensive painting in the world: the Salvatore Mundi, a rare Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece that sold for $450 million earlier this year. The Louvre Abu Dhabi is a massive 260,000-square-foot complex housing hundreds of displays that touch on both culture from around the world and at home in the Emirates, covered with a white lattice dome and resting on a marble outcropping over the Persian Gulf.

THE FORMULA1 ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX

The Emirates-sponsored F1 Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit is the event of the season in Abu Dhabi, and visitors come from all over the world to see the action take place was on Yas Island. While Ferrari World simulates the experience, this is the real deal—and it’s exhilarating. 

THE RISE OF HAUTE HOTELS

Photo Credit: Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island
In recent years, Dubai has been synonymous with luxury, over-the-top hotels, but now Abu Dhabi is unveiling a variety of new properties on par with the most opulent of its sister emirate. New additions include Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort, a beautiful oasis which resembles a sophisticated, quietly understated summer house; EDITION Abu Dhabi, which features three signature celebrity chef-crafted restaurants and a three-story nightlife venue; and the Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Residences Emirates Pearl, whose attractions include two cinemas, a private beach and seven restaurants.