A Guide to the UAE: What to Do and Where to Stay

No matter how many times you visit its cities, you will never truly know the UAE. This is a land of unconquerable desert, of ancient Bedouin history, of wild coastline where sea turtles nest. It may be famous for its epic metropolises, but after Abu Dhabi and Dubai there are five further emirates to tour: Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain. Travel in winter (October–February), when the sun is gentlest.

The best places to visit in the United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi

Beautiful architecture at Sheikh Zayed Mosque (Photo: Getty Images)

Home to the UAE’s capital city, the emirate of Abu Dhabi is also the country’s largest region – rich in freshwater oases and wildlife reserves, with a coastline that stretches as far as Saudi Arabia. It also has around 200 islands, and the city itself encompasses multiple isles – such as Saadiyat, where you’ll find the Louvre Museum and soon-to-open Guggenheim, a 10-minute drive from the glorious beach at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi. Yas Island, meanwhile, is all about high-octane thrills: featuring the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and Ferrari World theme park, with W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island delivering its signature wow-factor, too.

Dubai

Dubai's Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest building (Photo: Getty Images)

Dubai is the A-list emirate, stealing the limelight while its neighbouring emirates enjoy a more quiet, traditional life. The Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest building – is its magnificent centrepiece (and a great starting point to orientate yourself), with retail heaven at Dubai Mall, beach fun and watersports at JBR and La Mer, and glamorous nightlife in the Marina. But to really get under the city’s skin, visit the ancient pearl merchants’ villas of Al Fahidi and explore the Creek in an open-top abra boat. For true Dubai-style glamour, the best places to stay are the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai – it’s one of the world’s tallest hotels – and The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm.

Sharjah

Sharjah is the third-most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (Photo: Getty Images)

If you fly into Dubai International Airport, you’ll enjoy a great view of Sharjah, an emirate with treasures aplenty. It has been recognised by Unesco for its thriving cultural institutions, including the Museum of Islamic Civilization and Sharjah Art Museum, while the Sharjah Maritime Museum brings the UAE’s seafaring history to life.

Out in the desert, the Mleiha Archaeological Centre offers guided hiking trips and wildlife-watching tours, with incredible stargazing after dark. Modelled on a traditional village, ​​Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort & Spa has uninterrupted sea views – while Four Points by Sheraton Sharjah puts the city sights on your doorstep.

Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah boasts the mighty Hajar mountains (Photo: Getty Images)

The northernmost emirate, Ras Al Khaimah is also its wildest – with pristine beaches, lush mangroves, and adventures galore in the mighty Hajar mountains. So, where to go first? Climb the UAE’s highest peak, Jebel Jais, then test your mettle on its via ferrata climbing route, and swoosh down its 2.8km zipline (the world’s longest) at speeds of up to 150km per hour. Out in the dunes, life runs at a much slower pace: stay at The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert, and you can try camel-trekking, falconry, and other Bedouin pastimes – or retreat to the sea-view luxury of The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach, for sea kayaking, paddleboarding and marine nature tours.

Fujairah

The warm, plentiful currents of the Gulf of Oman attract sea turtles, dolphins and whale sharks to the coast of Fujairah, its reefs and wrecks teeming with exotic marine life. It’s the UAE’s top spot for snorkelling and scuba, and Al Boom Diving (located on the beach at Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort) is the place to visit for guided trips, gear hire and PADI tuition. Back on dry land, don’t miss Fujairah Fort, a 16th-century stronghold with elevated views of the mountains and coast – nor Al Bidya Mosque, which has welcomed worshippers for an estimated 500 years.

What to eat and drink in the UAE

Machboos

Until recently, Emirati restaurants were surprisingly hard to find. Amid the many global cuisines represented in the UAE, its own dishes remained firmly under the radar – eclipsed by the influx of Michelin-starred chefs and international names. But finally, traditional local cuisine is on the menu, and Abu Dhabi has some great places to eat machboos – the country’s de facto national dish. It’s similar to a biryani, with meat (chicken, lamb or seafood) marinated in coriander, cumin and garlic, then cooked slowly in fluffy, saffron-laced rice. Try it at Al Fanar or Meylas restaurants, with a tall glass of mint-lemonade, another Emirati favourite.

Dates

Date palms (Photo: Getty Images)

The energy bar of the desert, dates have powered the UAE’s population for centuries. You will encounter them everywhere, in every guise – blitzed into smoothies, wrapped in chocolate, swirled into ice cream – but while these are great dishes to try, this humble fruit is best in its purest form.

Medjool dates are plump and soft, with a texture akin to toffee; halawi dates are particularly sweet, while barhi dates are tastier when fresh rather than dried. In the souks, you can sample the varieties before you purchase them – though the supermarkets also offer excellent quality, and fixed prices.

Arabic coffee

Arabic coffee is lightly flavoured and coloured (Photo: Getty Images)

Light in both colour and flavour, Arabic coffee (known as gahwa) is spiced with cardamom, and sipped from tiny cups – poured with a flourish from a long-spouted pot. For hundreds of years, this fragrant pick-me-up has served as a refreshment for weary travellers, a symbol of welcome and hospitality that’s as rooted in UAE culture as a love of camels and gold. Try it in the majlis (courtyard lounge) of Dubai’s Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, while your Emirati hosts reveal the history and customs of the UAE. It’s considered rude to leave your guests with an empty cup, so the coffee will keep flowing: to signal that you’ve had enough, simply shake the cup slightly and put it down.

Top things to do in the United Arab Emirates

The UAE is a great place for an outdoor escape (Photo: Getty Images)

No trip to the UAE is ever long enough. There’s simply too much to see, and fresh attractions open every few months: new restaurants to try, new museums to visit, and whole new neighbourhoods to explore. But still, you can tick off the main cities’ best things to do in just a few days – visiting Dubai’s unmissable skyscrapers and souks, then Abu Dhabi’s museums, beaches and Sheikh Zayed Mosque. If time is tight, consider a guided trip: Arabian Adventures offers private and group options, while Big Bus Tours operates in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Or, pick a theme to focus on, designing your own unique itinerary of interesting things to do. For outdoor escapades, head to the mountains of Ras Al Khaimah, go dolphin-watching on the wild coast of Fujairah, or take a road trip from Dubai to the lush palm plantations of Liwa Oasis. For wildlife lovers, a kayaking safari through ​​Ajman’s Al Zorah Nature Reserve reveals flamingos and egrets, while the Abu Dhabi mangroves are teeming with turtles, sooty falcons and even manatees. Whether you choose history, music, fashion or theme parks, there are so many fun things to do.

Even if you can’t fit everything in, the United Arab Emirates is so well-connected that there’s always the next trip to plan for – whether a quick city stop-over, or a more immersive week-long adventure.

Hidden gems in the United Arab Emirates

A balloon ride across the UAE desert (Photo: Getty Images)

As soon as you step foot outside Abu Dhabi and Dubai, you’ll be exploring further than most travellers manage. A trip to any of the other five emirates is always full of alternative things to do – whether you’re scuba diving with sea turtles in Fujairah, touring the forts and museums of Umm Al Quwain, or camel trekking by moonlight from The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert.

But even Dubai has its wild side: at Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort and Spa, Dubai, you can admire the golden dunes from your very own swimming pool – and enjoy star-lit suppers, safaris on horseback, and traditional falconry displays.

Cocooned in this desert oasis, it’s hard to believe that the city centre is just a 45-minute drive away. If you’ve only an afternoon to spare, try a tour from Dubai with Platinum Heritage, heading into a wildlife reserve in an open-topped 1950s Land Rover – for storytelling, dancing, and a feast of Emirati cuisine. Or, for a pre-breakfast sojourn, book a sunrise balloon flight with Balloon Adventures: travelling silently over the UAE’s dunes, this is a thrilling way to see Arabian oryx and gazelles in the wild.

Go deeper

On Fridays, almost everybody in the UAE enjoys a day off – so don’t be surprised if the shops and attractions close early, and the beaches are busier than usual. It’s Islam’s holiest day, and the start of the weekend, as the working week runs from Sunday to Thursday.

Outside Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the country’s dress sense can be conservative – but bikinis are fine at the pool, and there’s no need to cover up entirely. If you plan to visit a mosque, bring a pashmina to cover your head.

Wherever you venture, you’ll be welcomed with the words “as-salam alaykum”, to which the response is “wa’alaykum as-salam”. It’s a bit of a tongue-twister, but your hosts will be very impressed.

Published: July 26, 2022

Last Updated: June 15, 2023

Article Tags:  United Arab Emirates , UAE