The UAE has always been popular among Armenian tourists. However, this year marked an unprecedented increase in tourist flows, especially to its glittering capital Abu Dhabi.
Why are there so many Armenian tourists in Abu Dhabi? There are several reasons for this, with the most important one being no visa requirements. The decision to lift visas for Armenian tourists came into effect earlier this year and caused quite a stir.
Another reason is an affordable direct flight by WizzAir. The UAE is just a three-hour flight from Yerevan. In addition, tourists can reach neighboring Dubai or Sharjah by FlyDubai and Air Arabia direct flights and visit several cities during one trip.
The hotel prices in Abu Dhabi appear much more affordable than in Dubai. It’s no wonder Armenians are flocking to this Middle Eastern gem. Despite the heat, many Armenians brave the temperatures to explore the city even in summer.
If you also plan to visit Abu Dhabi from Armenia this year, this blog will unveil the best places to visit in the UAE capital city.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Start your adventures with the iconic Louvre Abu Dhabi, the first universal museum in the Arab world, designed to foster cultural openness. The museum displays various pieces from ancient to contemporary times.
With 9,200 square meters of area, including a Permanent Gallery and a Temporary Gallery, the museum features masterpieces on loan from notable French institutions like Musée du Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and Centre Pompidou.
Designed by award-winning architect Jean Nouvel, the museum itself is an architectural marvel. Its centerpiece is a vast, silvery dome inspired by Arabic cupolas, composed of 7,850 stars.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi showcases a diverse collection, including Leonardo da Vinci’s La Belle Ferronnière, a 6th-century sphinx, and early Chinese pottery. The admission ticket for adults is around $16.
Ferrari World
The place that all children dream of visiting when traveling to Abu Dhabi. Of course, we mean the famous Ferrari World. It’s the ultimate destination for thrill-seekers and a very popular place with Armenian tourists in Abu Dhabi. As the world’s largest indoor theme park and the first Ferrari-themed park, it has over 40 rides and attractions. Among its highlights is the Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest roller coaster.
Besides, Ferrari World offers activities for all ages. There you can find the toddler-friendly Ferrari prototype carousel and cutting-edge racing simulators for older kids and teens.
Visitors can explore state-of-the-art simulators, enjoy live performances, and try electric go-karts. The park also houses the largest Ferrari store and several Italian restaurants. The general admission ticket for adults is around $94 and $73 for juniors.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Heritage Village
To truly understand the culture of the UAE, there are two must-see destinations for any tourists. The first is the Heritage Village showcasing how the locals used to live in the past. You can see traditional Bedouin palm-and-mud dwellings and learn about the ancient irrigation systems.
There is also a market in the area where you can shop for spices and souvenirs, and watch demonstrations of traditional crafts like spinning, metalworking, and pottery-making.
The next, of course, is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the largest in the world. This mosque welcoming up to 50,000 worshippers daily is unique due to its architecture and design. Here you can see gold-leaf calligraphy on the 82 domes, the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet, and gold-plated Swarovski chandeliers.
There is no admission fee for the mosque and Heritage Village.
Yas Waterworld
This place is renowned as one of the top 12 water parks globally. It offers a thrilling experience with its 40 unique rides and slides.
A highlight of Yas Waterworld is the massive pearl atop Jebel Dhana, the park’s towering centerpiece, which is impossible to miss. For adrenaline junkies, the park features the world’s first and largest hydromagnetic-powered tornado waterslide. It has the world’s largest surfable sheet wave.
However, if you do not want extreme activities. There is a perfect lazy river float and dedicated play areas for kids.
Visitors can prebook full-day tickets online, with options for priority ride access. The ticket for adults starts from $81 and $62 for kids. Before booking tickets to theme parks check so-called combo tickets. They provide access to several parks at a discounted price.
National Aquarium in Abu Dhabi
This is the largest aquarium in the Middle East. It features over 46,000 animals from more than 300 unique species across 10 themed zones. Visitors can explore attractions like UAE’s Natural Treasures, sunken sea wrecks, Atlantic caves, and more.
Highlights include glass-bottom dhow tours and personal animal encounters with sharks, puffins, and freshwater rays. The aquarium also offers interactive learning opportunities using video mapping technology.
Kids would love to see over 200 sharks and rays, including Bull Sharks, and the impressive Super Snake. The price of tickets depends on the activities and encounters you choose.
Pick the Right Agency to Book UAE Tours from Armenia
Booking a UAE tour has never been easier, especially with no visa requirements for Armenian visitors. While summer heat can be intense, the country’s attractions are available all year round. Now you can book a trip even two days ahead of your flight. However, in this case, you would need experienced travel agents who are used to handling last-minute bookings.
Levon Travel offers comprehensive services, including accommodation, flights, and transportation. This also refers to the tickets to theme parks and other attractions that you plan to include on your Abu Dhabi bucket list. The expertise of the Levon Travel staff ensures that your journey is well planned and enjoyable.