Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi offers a diverse selection of activities for tourists and is a combination of modern attractions and traditional Arab culture. Tourists can explore the iconic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and learn more about its fascinating history, visit the impressive Louvre Abu Dhabi museum or go on a desert safari. In addition, shopping malls and local markets offer a unique shopping experience, from luxury brands to traditional crafts and spices.

The popularity of Abu Dhabi as a cruise destination has been growing over the past few years and many cruise ships have made it a stop on their cruises. This has been aided by the new Zayed Port, a world-class cruise terminal that provides world-class facilities for an ever-growing number of cruise ships and tourists.

History

The history of the port in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, traces back to the late 1960s. The port, officially named Zayed Port after the founder of UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, has been the main gateway for trade in the region for over 40 years. It was originally built with the purpose of diversifying the Emirate's trade routes and reducing its dependency on the region's traditional camel routes.

In 2012, a new port was established, the Khalifa Port, which has taken over the commercial traffic that was originally handled by the Zayed Port. Khalifa Port is considered one of the most technologically advanced ports in the world, and now serves as the main maritime gateway for Abu Dhabi. Despite this transition, the Zayed Port continues to play a crucial role, accommodating cruise ships and fostering tourism in the region.

Travel tip: Ferrari World and the F1 racing circuit

During your stop in the city, you can visit the famous Yas Marina race circuit, where F1 cars race once a year. You can also visit the nearby Ferrari World theme park, inspired by the world-famous Italian carmaker, where you can visit the fastest roller coaster in the world.