The final round of this year’s FIA Formula One World Championship takes place in Abu Dhabi, the Middle Eastern venue that has hosted the season finale 13 times in the 16 races since joining the calendar in 2009.

It’s where championships are won and lost, and the impressive Yas Marina Circuit provides a fitting stage to bring the curtain down on another season. Located on Yas Island, the circuit sits amid a playground of attractions. If you’re heading to the United Arab Emirates to soak up the warm December sunshine, here are our top five tips for making the most of your stay.

Take a tour of the Grand Mosque

Situated between downtown Abu Dhabi and Yas Marina Circuit, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is unmissable as you pass by. One of the world’s largest mosques, it covers an area equivalent to four football pitches and can accommodate up to 40,000 worshippers. With four minarets and 82 domes, the white marble mosque took more than a decade to complete and each year welcomes millions of visitors from around the world.

Head out into the wilderness

Venture beyond the city and you’ll discover the Empty Quarter - a vast expanse of desert stretching over 650,000 sq km across several countries of the Arabian Peninsula. Its rolling dunes and shifting sands make it one of the most extreme landscapes on Earth. Each January, this wilderness forms part of the legendary Dakar Rally route. Book a 4x4 desert safari to enjoy traditional Bedouin hospitality, gaze at the stars under crystal-clear skies or try your hand at quad biking, camel riding, and sandboarding.

Swap the land for the sea

Abu Dhabi’s beauty isn’t confined to the desert. Out on the water, you can explore the area from an entirely different perspective. Speed boat tours around Yas Island reveal its stunning coastline, while in Mangrove National Park, you can paddle through the tranquil waterways by kayak or stand-up paddleboard, surrounded by lush coastal vegetation and birdlife.

Get a thrill ride at a theme park

If you’re looking for Formula One-style thrills away from the track, Ferrari World delivers in abundance. Home to one of the world’s fastest roller coasters, the park also features a go-kart track, state-of-the-art simulators and a classic car collection that’ll delight any motorsport fan. For more entertainment, there’s also neighbouring Warner Bros. World, while Yas Waterworld boasts more than 40 slides and rides for all ages.

Explore the wider region

If you have a little more time, just 80 miles up the highway lies Dubai, the UAE’s other major city. The drive takes less than 90 minutes and you’ll be impressed by the dazzling skyline, dominated by the soaring Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. Take in panoramic views from its observation decks more than 800 metres high, or stay on the ground and marvel at the spectacular Dubai Fountain, which performs a mesmerising water and light show across the 30-acre Burj Lake.