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The 5 Best Destinations for Emirati Culture and History in Abu Dhabi

 Experiencing cultural travel involves immersing yourself in the culture, history, and traditions of the place you’re visiting.

This means engaging in certain activities that let you learn more about the country or city’s people, history, and culture, and not solely on the tourist attractions.

With these cultural experiences, you can broaden your knowledge, open your mind to new ways of doing things, expand your understanding of and connection with humanity, and see the world as it truly is.

As such, when you visit Abu Dhabi, don’t miss out on the chance to engage in various cultural experiences to make the most out of your trip. The city has a wide array of attractions that let you learn more about the country’s fascinating culture, history, traditions, and people.

From a presidential palace that showcases the Year of Tolerance in the UAE and a traditional Bedouin village to a majestic mosque and historical fort, you can have an illuminating, fun, and memorable cultural experience during your visit to Abu Dhabi.

Qasr Al Watan - Abu Dhabi Presidental Palace


Where to Go for Cultural Immersion in Abu Dhabi

If you’re making a list of places to go to for Emirati cultural and historical immersion in Abu Dhabi, make these five destinations your priority:

 

1.   Qasr Al Watan

The United Arab Emirates’ Palace of the Nation is one of the most culturally enriching places to visit in Abu Dhabi.

Qasr Al Watan, which was opened to the public in 2019, is the country’s official presidential palace.

The palace is divided into different zones that allow visitors to learn about the history, formation and growth of the UAE, as well as Emirati culture, traditions and values. It also has several areas highlighting the nation’s meaningful contributions to different fields of knowledge.

Qasr Al Watan’s must-visit zones include:

     The House of Knowledge

This zone houses a well-curated collection of treasured artifacts and manuscripts highlighting the Arabian peninsula’s important contributions to science, arts, literature, and other fields. It also has an area where you can learn about the origins of Arabian libraries.

The House of Knowledge is a place where you can immerse yourself in the country’s culture and history.

     The Qasr Al Watan Library

The palace library has an impressive collection of over 50,000 books covering numerous subjects about Arabian history and culture.

This library was established with the aim of preserving and sharing centuries of Arabian knowledge and inspiring and shaping future generations.

     Year of Tolerance

The UAE declared 2019 as the Year of Tolerance. To celebrate this, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan invited Pope Francis and Dr. Ahmad Al Tayyeb to visit the country. This culminated in improved interfaith relations between Christians and Muslims.

This zone displays several memorabilia from this historical event, which marks the first time a pope ever visited the Middle East.

Other must-see areas in Qasr Al Watan include The Great Hall, the Exhibition of Presidential Gifts, The Presidential Banquet and the Media Room.

 

2.   Al Jahili Fort

This historic fort, which was built in the 1890s, underwent a complete restoration in 2007 by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage. Since then, it has become a popular cultural destination in the city.

The massive structure is made entirely out of mud bricks, which is an amazing display of the workers’ craftsmanship. You’ll be impressed by the fort battlements and watchtowers as well.

Al Jahili Fort has an exhibit honoring the renowned British explorer Sir Wilfred Thesiger who explored the Rub Al Khali desert.

This exhibit gives you a better understanding of the traditional Bedouin culture and lifestyle.

 

3.   Qasr Al Hosn

Qasr Al Hosn is Abu Dhabi’s oldest building and one of the city’s most important historical landmarks. It is composed of two major buildings, which are the Inner Fort and the Outer Palace or the watchtower.

This historical complex has a museum showcasing numerous artifacts and literature, including some dating back to 6000 BC, highlighting the exciting growth and development of Abu Dhabi.

Additionally, the complex has a new attraction, The House of Artisans, where you can see a collection of fascinating artwork. Here, you can witness the magnificent art of Sadu, a traditional Bedouin weaving technique.

You can also see khoos (a weaving technique that turns date palm leaves into baskets and other functional objects) artisans at work while at The House of Artisans.

 

4.   Heritage Village

If you want a complete Bedouin cultural experience, visit the Heritage Village.

The village is home to a traditional mosque, souk and housing, all reminiscent of the old Bedouin lifestyle. Here, you’ll also see artisans engaged in various handicrafts like weaving, pottery, metalwork and glassblowing from scratch. 

To complete your Bedouin experience, visit the museum, which houses valuable Emirati weapons, treasures and jewelry, and the falconry display.

Don’t leave the village without seeing copies of the original handwritten Quran.

Lastly, drop by the village’s little spice shop to shop for handmade soaps, dried herbs and other souvenirs you can take home.

 

5.   Bait Al Oud

If you want to know more about Arabic music, Bait Al Oud is your best destination.

Bait Al Oud was established in 2008 with the aim of preserving and sharing knowledge about traditional Arabic musical instruments.

This center focuses on the preservation, teaching and study of the oud, a lute-type stringed instrument dating back to the Akkadian Empire in ancient Mesopotamia, which is present-day Iraq.

Bait Al Oud also aims to promote the use of the oud in modern-day music.

Abu Dhabi is teeming with plenty of must-see attractions and events, including the Middle East Film and Comic Con (MEFCC) next year. This largest pop culture festival will have a dedicated cosplay central zone where you can meet  professional cosplayers around the world, and participate in cosplay competitions.

During your visit here, take the time to immerse yourself in Emirati culture and history to get more out of your trip.

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