Private Abu Dhabi City Tour : Sheikh Zayed Mosque & Heritage Village

Begin your 4-hour tour with a pickup from your central Abu Dhabi hotel. Hop inside your air-conditioned vehicle to travel around the UAE’s beautiful capital, often dubbed the ‘Arabian Jewel’ for its gleaming landmarks and stunning architecture.

Along the way, hear fascinating facts about the city’s past and present, and the plans for its future. Learn how the discovery of oil in 1958 saw it transform from a fishing port into today’s metropolis in just a few decades.

Head to the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, known as the Grand Mosque, and one of the world’s biggest mosques. Admire the spectacular domes and minarets of this vast white marble edifice, and go inside with your guide to view the interior as you learn how the mosque can accommodate some 40,000 people.

Travel to the Souk and work your way around this bustling marketplace. Stroll past the outlets stacked with gold jewelry and perhaps snap up some of the wares as you explore.

Next, visit the Dates Market, where shops sell enormous quantities of fresh dates and other sweet treats. Admire the pyramids of the fresh, juicy palm fruits, and sample some of the tasty treasures as your guide explains why they hold a special place in Abu Dhabi’s heritage.

Pass futuristic buildings and the gardens and beaches of the beautiful corniche on route to the Heritage Village, an open-air museum that recreates a typical Emirati desert village of old.

Peep inside the goat-hair Bedouin tents and reconstructed huts to discover what life was like here before oil. See craftspeople making pottery, watch a traditional

falaj irrigation system in action, shop for souvenirs at the souk, and visit the museum to chart Abu Dhabi’s history through photographs and other exhibits.

After around four hours of exploring the city, your tour finishes with a hotel drop-off.