Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of Abu Dhabi’s most iconic structures – a triumph of architecture and a testament to the life’s work of the UAE's first president, Sheikh Zayed. The mosque can accommodate more than 40,000 worshippers, and its brilliant white domes are illuminated by a state-of-the-art lighting system that reflects the phases of the moon. This utterly opulent structure comprises upwards of 80 qubba, or domes, 1,000 pillars and an assortment of semi-precious stones. Visitors are welcome outside of prayer time, with free 45-minute tours offered in English and Arabic. 

The Louvre Abu Dhabi opened to much fanfare in 2017. As with its Parisian counterpart, the structure itself is a work of art. The roof is a dome of overlapping geometric lattices, allowing a patchwork of natural light to filter through to the interior in a dazzling light show that evolves with the shifting sunlight throughout the day. Inside is a network of 23 galleries housing a collection of sculptures, paintings and objets d’art – from millennia-old jewellery to 20th-century French masterpieces. Some two-thirds of the art and artefacts on display have been sourced from the original Louvre’s repositories. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 8pm, the Louvre Abu Dhabi is one of the UAE’s absolute must-sees.