There are countless reasons why Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, is catching up to Dubai as the region’s most exciting and enigmatic city. Rich in local traditions and beautiful Arabian culture, Abu Dhabi blends its historical heritage with contemporary development remarkably well. Jaw-dropping architecture and cutting-edge facilities stand side-by-side with old-style souks, sand dunes and even a falcon hospital.

Abu Dhabi has grown considerably as a tourist destination, with a long line of luxury hoteliers building beautiful properties in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Visitors can explore Abu Dhabi in whatever way suits them. Families with young children can enjoy thrills and spills at the many theme and water-parks waiting for you to make amazing memories. Young professionals can experience the heights of hospitality at some of the region’s most luxurious resorts and spas, while those with a thirst for knowledge can visit the only Louvre museum outside of Paris, the biggest mosque in the UAE and the waterfront entertainment and leisure hub, Al Qana.

With so many forward-thinking developments being scheduled for the next few years, it’s inevitable that Abu Dhabi will soon become one of the world’s great tourism hubs. For now, it remains a destination that piques curiosity, but only those who have ‘been there and done that’ with Dubai are currently making the switch to the federation’s capital. Some might argue that this impressive city is actually more interesting than its glamorous cousin (it’s certainly more down-to-earth), but we’ll let you be the judge of that.