Vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) are classified as an application of mobile ad hoc network (MANET) that has the potential in improving road safety and in providing travellers comfort. Recently VANETs have emerged to turn the attention of researchers in the field of wireless and mobile communications, they differ from MANET by their architecture, challenges, characteristics and applications. In this paper we present aspects related to this field to help researchers and developers to understand and distinguish the main features surrounding VANET in one solid document, without the need to go through other relevant papers and articles starting from VANET architecture and ending up with the most appropriate simulation tools to simulate VANET protocols and applications.