Seeing and capturing stunning views are part of every traveler’s itinerary. Vacations are simply not complete if you don’t visit gorgeous attractions that’ll take your breath away and have to take photos of and share on your newsfeed.

Taking in and capturing beautiful views, therefore, is a must if you’re going on vacation in Abu Dhabi. The UAE capital city’s natural wonders, including beaches, mangroves, mountains, and deserts, are a sight to behold and always Instagram-worthy.

The city also has several architectural masterpieces that will leave you breathless and earn you numerous likes and shares when you post their photos on your social media accounts and pages.

These must-see architectural marvels include a palace with a majestic grand hall, a stately mosque, and a museum and art gallery seemingly floating on water.

Seeing these stunning buildings up close will definitely be one of the highlights of your trip to Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi’s Architectural Masterpieces to Behold
Below are some of the top architectural marvels you have to see when you visit Abu Dhabi:

1. Qasr Al Watan
Qasr Al Watan is Abu Dhabi’s working presidential palace and the usual venue for state visits and other important gatherings involving local and visiting officials.

This stately white palace, which only opened to the public in 2019, features a façade made of granite and limestone. This landmark’s highlight is one of the largest domes in the world, which houses The Great Hall, the main area of the building.

The Great Hall is a sight to behold with its gold and earth-toned interior. It boasts intricate embellishments and mosaic patterns, which become more mesmerizing when you look at them on the mirrored cubes artistically designed and installed around the area by Emirati artist Mattar bin Lahej.

The Great Hall is also home to the “Power of Words,” an art installation also designed by Mattar Bin Lahej. It is an exquisite gold structure expressing an Arabic quote by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nayan.

The Spirit of Collaboration is another must-see area in Qasr Al Watan. Its circular layout signifies the United Arab Emirates’s commitment to equality and features a stunning chandelier made of 350,000 crystals.

The majlis, also called the Al Barza, is another must-see facet of the palace. Its interior features different symbols and designs representing meaningful aspects of the country, making the palace a recommended place for culture school trips and study.

For instance, the symbols on the ceiling epitomize interwoven hands and the tall columns were inspired by the waves lapping at the shorelines of UAE’s beaches.

Aside from the striking building façade and interior, the palace is surrounded by elegant fountains and pools and beautiful gardens.

Undoubtedly, Qasr Al Watan is one of the top picturesque landmarks in the UAE.

2. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is known as the largest mosque in Abu Dhabi. However, this landmark also stands out with its incredible architecture and fascinating interior.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque represents the perfect fusion of historical and modern architecture. Architects from different parts of the world worked together to come up with its design that celebrates cultural diversity.

The mosque’s interior is made of various natural materials, such as marble, ceramic, stone, gold, and crystals. It is renowned for its 82 eye-catching Moroccan-inspired white marble domes.

Its 1,096 columns embedded with amethyst and jasper and gold-plated Swarovski chandeliers are an impressive sight as well.

The mosque also features a beautiful courtyard with the world’s largest marble mosaic artwork and several gorgeous reflective pools.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the few mosques that allow non-Muslims entry. As such, take the opportunity to visit and delight your eyes with this architectural marvel.

3. Louvre Abu Dhabi
The UAE has its own version of Paris’s Louvre Museum – Louvre Abu Dhabi.

The Louvre Abu Dhabi was established as a collaboration between the UAE and France. The building design is reminiscent of the Arab medina or ancient quarters of Arab cities but has delicate touches of French art and architecture.

The museum was designed by famed French architect Jean Nouvel. Its highlight is the enormous signature star-latticed dome, which is set 180 meters high and weighs 7,500 tons.

This dome allows sunlight to enter the building and casts fascinating patterns on the walls and floors.

The museum covers 9,200 square meters of galleries featuring an exciting collection of historical and cultural art pieces from around the world.

From afar, the museum looks like a floating dome on tranquil blue waters.

These reasons make Louvre Abu Dhabi one of the most Instagram-worthy, must-visit places in the UAE.

4. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is known for its thrilling rides and attractions. But as one of the largest indoor theme parks in the world, its structure is a must-see, too.

Because of this, the theme park’s fiery red center is worth seeing during your visit to Abu Dhabi.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi’s iconic red rooftop is inspired by the double curves of their world-famous race cars. It boasts smooth and curved lines with a shiny finish.

The park’s massive glass facades make the entire building stand out on Yas Island.
Getting a bird’s eye view of the rooftop is the best way to enjoy the park’s architectural masterpiece.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi offers seasonal roof walk experiences, allowing guests to take a stroll on the rooftop, and get amazing views of the biggest Ferrari logo in the world and the entire park.

5. W Abu Dhabi
The exceptional shape and façade of W Hotel Abu Dhabi make it another Instagram-worthy human-made structure in the city.

This five-star boutique hotel boasts a steel and glass grid shell, which serves as a see-through canopy covering the building’s two towers.

At night, the hotel is illuminated by over 5,000 light bulbs, giving it a unique futuristic look.

The hotel interior is impressive as well. Inside, you will see desks shaped like oil drops and canoes and furnishings showcasing the incredible hues of liquid gold.

When you visit Abu Dhabi to watch the F1 race, you can have amazing views of the Yas Marina Circuit and all the races taking place here when you choose the right room at the W Hotel.

Aside from enjoying various experiences and joining different exciting events in Abu Dhabi, complete your visit to this city by treating your senses to these five outstanding architectural marvels.