Landmark buildings across the UAE – in pictures

  • Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque seen from Wahat Al Karama on a cloudy day in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque seen from Wahat Al Karama on a cloudy day in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Real estate company Aldar's headquarters in Abu Dhabi. It is the first circular building of its kind in the Middle East. Victor Besa / The National
    Real estate company Aldar's headquarters in Abu Dhabi. It is the first circular building of its kind in the Middle East. Victor Besa / The National
  • Capital Gate tower, developed in Abu Dhabi by Adnec, is more than 160 metres tall. Photo: Adnec
    Capital Gate tower, developed in Abu Dhabi by Adnec, is more than 160 metres tall. Photo: Adnec
  • Emirates Palace, pictured at sunset, in Abu Dhabi. The luxury hotel opened in 2005. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Emirates Palace, pictured at sunset, in Abu Dhabi. The luxury hotel opened in 2005. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Adnoc Headquarters in Abu Dhabi. The building was completed in 2014 and is 342 metres tall. Reuters
    Adnoc Headquarters in Abu Dhabi. The building was completed in 2014 and is 342 metres tall. Reuters
  • Hazy weather at Louvre Abu Dhabi. Designed by architect Jean Nouvel, the art museum is the largest in the Gulf. Victor Besa / The National
    Hazy weather at Louvre Abu Dhabi. Designed by architect Jean Nouvel, the art museum is the largest in the Gulf. Victor Besa / The National
  • Despite not yet being open to the public, the Museum of the Future is already a major Dubai landmark. The exterior displays an Arabic poem by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, about the emirate's future. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Despite not yet being open to the public, the Museum of the Future is already a major Dubai landmark. The exterior displays an Arabic poem by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, about the emirate's future. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Before Burj Khalifa, there was Burj Al Arab. Designed to look like a billowing sail, the luxury hotel opened in 1999. AFP
    Before Burj Khalifa, there was Burj Al Arab. Designed to look like a billowing sail, the luxury hotel opened in 1999. AFP
  • At a height of 829.8 metres, Burj Khalifa has held the record as the world's tallest building since opening in 2010. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    At a height of 829.8 metres, Burj Khalifa has held the record as the world's tallest building since opening in 2010. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Dubai Frame became the largest frame in the world when it opened in 2018. It is positioned to represent a window between Dubai's past and future. Pawan Singh / The National
    Dubai Frame became the largest frame in the world when it opened in 2018. It is positioned to represent a window between Dubai's past and future. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The 2,000-seat Dubai Opera was designed by Janus Rostock and opened in 2016 as a multi-format performing arts centre. Alamy
    The 2,000-seat Dubai Opera was designed by Janus Rostock and opened in 2016 as a multi-format performing arts centre. Alamy
  • Located at the apex of the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, Atlantis, The Palm was the first resort to be built on the artificial island. It opened in 2008 and contains 1,548 rooms – some of which are underwater. AFP
    Located at the apex of the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, Atlantis, The Palm was the first resort to be built on the artificial island. It opened in 2008 and contains 1,548 rooms – some of which are underwater. AFP
  • One of Sharjah's most photographed landmarks, the Blue Souk is featured on the five dirham note. Antonie Robertson / The National
    One of Sharjah's most photographed landmarks, the Blue Souk is featured on the five dirham note. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • The Khorfakkan Amphitheatre is a relatively new addition to Sharjah, having been inaugurated in December 2020. It can accommodate 3,600 people and sits beside a 45-metre tall waterfall. Pawan Singh / The National
    The Khorfakkan Amphitheatre is a relatively new addition to Sharjah, having been inaugurated in December 2020. It can accommodate 3,600 people and sits beside a 45-metre tall waterfall. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The design of Sharjah's Al Noor Mosque was influenced by an Ottoman-style mosque in Turkey. It can accommodate 2,600 worshippers and opened in 2005. Victor Besa / The National
    The design of Sharjah's Al Noor Mosque was influenced by an Ottoman-style mosque in Turkey. It can accommodate 2,600 worshippers and opened in 2005. Victor Besa / The National