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As the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi is a dream destination that's on everyone's bucket list. Revered for its recreational and retail highlights, Abu Dhabi is also a cultural epicentre that's home to some of the Middle East's finest museums and art galleries. Whether you are heading to Abu Dhabi for a weekend getaway or planning to spend a few weeks in the city, here are some tips to help you organise your holiday in the desert capital.

Image via Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara

1. Timing is Everything

While most holiday destinations are conducive to holidaymakers even during the low season, it is simply not the case when it comes to cities in the Middle East such as Abu Dhabi. With summer temperatures and humidity reaching unbearable levels, the only time tourists can visit Abu Dhabi is during the winter months. This is when temperatures are low enough for spending time outdoors and when even the locals step out in great numbers to experience life outside of their air-conditioned abodes. That's why your trip to Abu Dhabi must take place between December and March. Although the peak tourist season, which coincides with the winter months, does mean costs will be high, it is a non-negotiable aspect of holidaying in Abu Dhabi due to the weather patterns.

2. Find a Strategic Base

Although Abu Dhabi is well-connected in terms of public transport networks, those who are vacationing in the city would benefit from a convenient base. Whether you choose to stay at the Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara or any city hotel that doubles as popular wedding venues in Abu Dhabi, it is crucial to consider the location of the property. Make sure the hotel you select is within close range of the attractions and activities you hope to enjoy during the stay, as a culture buff should ideally stay close to the Louvre Abu Dhabi while someone enticed by desert safaris should find a glamping site on the outskirts of the city.

3. Create a Sightseeing Plan

Depending on how much time you have at your disposal, it is crucial to create a daily sightseeing plan for each day of your stay. Highlights that every visitor should explore during a trip to Abu Dhabi include Qasr Al Hosn, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the iconic Louvre Abu Dhabi, which is the only instalment of the Paris Louvre Museum outside of Europe. Qasr Al Watan, the Al Ain Palace Museum, Wahat AlKarama and the Al Ain Oasis are also worth including in your travel itinerary as there's more to Abu Dhabi than skyscrapers and massive malls.

4. Sign up for Activities

When it comes to some of the most rewarding things to do in Abu Dhabi, kayaking and windsurfing on Saadiyat Island should be a top priority. Dune bashing and desert tours are also available through local resorts and private tour operators while spending a day or two on Yas Island with its impressive theme parks and splash centres are also musts. Ferrari World offers motorsports fans an array of adrenaline-pumping experiences while kayaking around the Eastern Mangroves can be a magical excursion for nature lovers.

5. Enjoy a Shopping Spree

Counted among the region's top retail hotspots, a shopping spree is a veritable rite of passage for first-time visitors vacationing in Abu Dhabi. While it may be impossible to hit all the major department stores and shopping complexes in the city, tourists should aim to visit at least the big 5 including the Marina Mall, Al Wahda Mall and the Abu Dhabi Mall. The souqs in Abu Dhabi such as Souq Al Zafarana and the Al Mina Souq are alternative retail landscapes where tourists can lose themselves in a traditional Arabian bazaar where stalls selling everything from frankincense and perfumes to Persian rugs and gold jewellery can be found.

Although it is not necessary to be fluent in Arabic to enjoy a holiday in Abu Dhabi, those who are heading to the cosmopolitan city would benefit from learning a few useful phrases. As an Islamic city where most locals converse in Arabic, getting around and enjoying your time in Abu Dhabi will depend on how well you can form connections with locals. Here are some terms and phrases you can employ in everyday conversations during a trip to the UAE's capital city.

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1. Greetings

Travellers heading to Abu Dhabi will find that knowing how to say "hello" or "goodbye" will not only come in handy when dealing with the staff at Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara or any one of the other Abu Dhabi resorts but also when travelling around the city. The best way to greet a local in Arabic is to say "salam alaykum" to which the response ought to be "wa'alaykum as-salam." The phrase's meaning goes a little beyond a simple "hello!" and actually translates to "may peace be upon you." If you are on friendly terms with any locals, it is permissible to greet them with a simple "Salam" or "Halla", which actually does mean "hello." Don't be surprised to hear your taxi driver or airport personnel greet you with the words "ahlan" or "marhabaan" as these are also formal greetings.

2. Common Inquiries

When it comes to asking about someone's health or well-being, one must use the proper variation of the phrase for "how are you?" in Arabic because it differs based on whether you are addressing a man or a woman. "Kayfa halluk" is how one many ask a man how he's doing while the phrase changes to "kayfa halluki" when it is a woman. Responding to this question is "ana bekhair, shukran" regardless of the gender of the person posing the question as it means "I'm fine, thank you." The phrase "go in peace" is often substituted for "goodbye" in Arabic conversations and tourists who learn to say "mae alsalama" will find plenty of use for this sentence every day. Asking for the price of an item in Arabic is as easy as uttering "kam yukalif?" while the Arabic word for yes is "na'am" while no is indicated with a simple "la."

3. Colloquialisms and Popular Phrases

When apologising, it is best to use "aeset", which means "sorry" or " alma'derah", which translates to "excuse me." Thanking someone is as easy as saying "shukran" while visitors may also hear locals referring to one another as "habibi." This popular term actually means "beloved" but is used in familiar settings among friends, colleagues, and those who are nearest and dearest to you. "Habibi" refers to a male while "habibit" is used for a female. The best way to say "no problem" or "no worries" in Arabic is to simply say "Maafi mushkila." "Insha'Allah" is another sentence that visitors will hear all around them during a trip to Abu Dhabi and it has several meanings including "if God wills it" or "God willing." This is a statement that indicates the speaker's confidence that some event or happening will take place as planned.

4. Other Useful Terms

Terms that will come in handy when wining and dining in restaurants are " Khallas", which means " I'm done" or " I'm finished" so waiters can clear away your plate. " Shu hadha" is another common phrase that will change in meaning depending on the tone used as it simply means "what is this" but can also mean " what on earth are you doing?" if uttered in aggression.

5. Words to Watch Out for and Avoid

Haram is a term that broadly refers to prohibited and sinful activities as it pertains to Islamic laws. If this term is used near you, it could mean that some local custom has been broken and that it has been deemed offensive.

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