How to Conquer Abu Dhabi in Just One Week - Travel Tips for Spending a Glorious Week in Abu Dhabi

 Often regarded as one of the Middle East's top tourist hotspots, Abu Dhabi offers travellers from around the world a wealth of diverse experiences. Home to some of the region's best cultural attractions, Abu Dhabi is also a recreational haven for the masses so at least a week is required to explore the capital of the UAE in its entirety. Here are some tips on how to make the most of your week-long getaway to the desert metropolis.

Image via Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Yamm Villa Resort 

1. Day One

After checking into your hotel room at the Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Yamm Villa Resort or any other tourist villas in Abu Dhabi, visitors should set out for the desert as it provides guests with the perfect introduction to this exotic destination. Dune drives and desert safaris can be booked via your accommodation provider but those who wish to hit the ground running can book a tour in advance. Some tours will also include additional activities such as sandboarding, dune bashing, and horse riding. A 4-wheel drive across the desert is a truly immersive experience. Those who wish to camp out in the desert can also book accommodation at a glamorous campsite where meals and entertainment are also provided in a traditional Bedouin atmosphere.

2. Day Two

Reserve your second day in the city for hitting some of the biggest landmarks in Abu Dhabi starting with the iconic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Considered the biggest mosque on the planet after Mecca and Medina, this mammoth place of worship is an architectural marvel for the ages. Non-Islamic visitors can tour the premises from 9 am to 10 pm but get a head start and visit the venue before the crowds descend in large numbers.  Next, head down to Al Jahili Fort and the UAE Heritage Village after lunch to experience what life in this part of the world must have been like in centuries past.

3. Day Three

Dedicate the third day of your trip to shopping around in Abu Dhabi's finest retail hotspots and don't start with the malls. Head over to some of the last remaining traditional souqs in the city. Walking around the labyrinthine confines of this marketplace is both a cultural encounter as well as a great shopping experience as one can find traditional wares such as local food, perfumes, carpets, incense and spices in this thriving thoroughfare. Spend the afternoon stopping by and picking up designer goods in Abu Dhabi's plush department stores including the Marina Mall, Al Wahda Mall and The Galleria.

4. Day Four

Devote the fourth day of your holiday to exploring one of the most illustrious museums on the planet. The Louvre Abu Dhabi is not just the only instalment of the French museum outside of Europe but anywhere on the planet. Housed inside a breathtaking compound, the museum showcases artworks that are among the world's most popular creative expressions. Most of the exhibits at the Louvre Abu Dhabi are loaned by the Louvre Paris, Chateau de Versailles and Centre Pompidou. Don't forget to go on a kayaking tour of the museum's exterior during the visit as it's one of the best things to do in the city.

 5. Day Five and Six

Yas Island is the perfect location to spend the days five and six as this manmade island and its countless attractions cannot be enjoyed in a single day. From splashing around at Yas Waterworld to enjoying Formula One racing simulations at Ferrari World and visiting the island's wildlife park full of Arabian Oryxes, there's simply too much to see and do here.

 6. Last Day

Sign up for a food tour and spend the hours available on your last day in the city wining and dining in some of Abu Dhabi's top eateries. A half-day tour is perfect for those with an early check-in time.