My decision to take an unconventional route and make travel a priority rather than pursuing a full time career has its ups and downs.  Working as an attorney on a contract basis offers tremendous flexibility, but I also never quite know how much time I’ll have in between work projects to dedicate to travel while still balancing my other expenses.  Sometimes it may be a month, other times only a matter of days.  This juggling act has allowed me to master the art of quick trips and learn how to squeeze in the best a city has to offer into a short amount of time.

I recently returned from a short 3 day adventure in the United Arab Emirates.  I spent my time marveling at the modern architectural wonders in downtown Dubai, breathing in the salty sea breeze of the Persian Gulf and dining on delicious dishes like chicken biryani and fresh hummus. On the last day of my trip, I decided to take advantage of Dubai’s close proximity to Abu Dhabi and spend a day exploring the UAE’s capital city. It was short, but sweet and I left feeling like I had sufficiently experienced the city’s main attractions. Below is my guide on how to spend one day in Abu Dhabi.

VISIT THE SHEIKH ZAYED GRAND MOSQUE:

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is an unmistakable landmark and happens to be the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates. Built over the course of 11 years, this stunning structure is said to unite the world because its design and construction was a collaborative effort among 10 different nations. Unfortunately, it was closed for Friday prayer when I arrived, but visitors are always welcome and free guided tours are offered daily. More information about visiting the mosque can be found here.

SHOP AT THE SOUK CENTRAL MARKET:

 

Another attraction not to be missed is the Souk Central Market. This expansive shopping center is the perfect place to purchase souvenirs for others or personal keepsakes for yourself. You’ll find just about everything from handwoven carpets, custom perfumes, jewelry, spices, traditional clothing and more. With 3 floors and over 60 individual vendors, you could easily spend an entire day here.

WALK ALONG THE CORNICHE:

  

Abu Dhabi sits along the glittering shores of the Persian Gulf. Spanning nearly the entire stretch of beachfront lies the pristine boardwalk known as The Corniche. Rent a bike, take a leisurely stroll or grab an ice cream and find a spot on the sand to watch the boats sail by. However you choose to enjoy, this is a truly relaxing way to spend an afternoon.

MARVEL AT THE EMIRATES PALACE HOTEL:

 

Not far from the end of the boardwalk stands the Emirates Grand Palace Hotel. Opulent, extravagant and luxurious are just a few words that come to mind as you approach this lavish building. It truly is a stunning architectural achievement designed to display the best of Arabian culture. From the whimsical fountains to the meticulously kept gardens, the attention to detail is astounding. Upon entering, the smell of sweet incense gently wafts over you and your eyes dance from the elaborate marble work on the atrium floor, past the elegant café serving dainty hors d’oeuvres with tea, to the intricate arched window at the back overlooking the hotel’s private beach. This stop was not originally on my itinerary, but I was glad to have experienced this hotel and all its grandeur, even if just for a moment.

EXPLORE THE ZYED PORT:

  

For a change of pace, head over to the marina and explore the open air souks and markets selling fresh produce, seafood, flowers and more. There are also several restaurants in this area where you can enjoy a delicious meal or maybe some hookah and watch the fishing boats come and go.

GIVEAWAY:

It’s wonderful to take your time and thoroughly explore a city, but if you only have a few hours to sight see like I did in Abu Dhabi, it is important to map out your day ahead of time. Luckily there is a great app that helps you do just that!

House of Wend recently partnered with GPSmyCity to provide you with exclusive access to its travel app. The City Walks App from GPSmyCity offers self-guided city walks in over 470 cities around the world. The app is compatible with iOS (ipad/iphone) and Android devices and works offline, so no data or Wi-Fi connection is needed while on the tour. Just download the app, select a city and get walking!

Want to try it? Simply leave a comment below stating which city you would like to explore for a day and why. The first 20 readers to comment will receive a promo code to download the Full Version of the City Walks App for a city of their choice for FREE! Easy as that! For the full list of available cities, click here.

CONTEST DETAILS:

• Open worldwide.
• To enter, leave a comment below stating which city you would like to explore for a day and why.
• The first 20 to comment will be provided with a promo code to download the Full Version of the City Walks App for a city of their choice for FREE!
• Once the promo code is issued, it remains valid for 28 days.
• Follow House of Wend on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook for updates on future offers and giveaways!

Happy wending…and walking!