Go up the Burj Khalifa's observation deck$46
The world's tallest building, with an observation deck at level 148: book sunset slots well ahead, as they sell out fastest.
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Middle East
Things to do in the UAE
Record-breaking skyscrapers and man-made islands beside centuries-old souks and desert dunes, built at a pace and scale unlike almost anywhere else.
Explore United Arab Emirates on the map →Budget$$$
Best for5-8 days
CapitalAbu Dhabi
VisaVisa-free or visa-on-arrival entry for most Western passport holders including US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian citizens, typically granting 30-90 days depending on nationality.
CurrencyUAE dirham (AED)
LanguagesArabic (English widely used in business and tourism)
InternetExcellent
Typical lodging$70–$190/night
Driving sideRight
Power & voltage230V / 50Hz (Type C/G plug)
Time zoneUTC+3
Emergency number999 or 112
Dialing code+971
★★★★★ Luxury★★★★★ Photography★★★★★ Nightlife
Visa rules and emergency numbers can change without notice. Confirm the specifics for your nationality and dates before you travel.
Travel smart
Bottled water recommended. 10–15% expected, often added as a service charge.
The UAE turned a stretch of desert coastline into two of the world's most visited cities in roughly two generations, home to the tallest building on earth and an increasingly serious contemporary art and culinary scene. It's also one of the easiest Middle Eastern countries for first-time visitors to the region, with modern infrastructure and a genuinely international population, more than 80% of residents are foreign nationals.
When to go
Winter (peak)December–February
The best window: warm days, cool evenings, and the region's main outdoor festival and event season.
SpringMarch–April
Still comfortable and increasingly popular as a shoulder season, before temperatures climb sharply.
SummerMay–September
Brutally hot, regularly above 40°C, most life moves indoors or to air-conditioned malls and pools.
AutumnOctober–November
Heat starts easing by November, making it a reasonable if still-warm shoulder season.
20 things to do
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Culture & history
9Explore the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi
One of the world's largest mosques, with hand-knotted carpets, floral marble inlay, and a scale meant to be genuinely awe-inducing, free to visit with modest dress.
Wander the Dubai Gold and Spice Souks
Old Dubai's trading heart, where gold is sold by weight in shop windows and spice stalls pile saffron and frankincense in open sacks.
Visit the Louvre Abu Dhabi
A striking domed building on Saadiyat Island, showing art and artifacts spanning civilizations under a 'rain of light' perforated ceiling.
Cross the Dubai Creek by traditional abra boat
Wooden ferries have crossed the creek between Deira and Bur Dubai for generations, still the cheapest and most atmospheric way across.
Walk Alserkal Avenue's contemporary art galleries
A converted industrial district in Dubai now home to the city's most serious contemporary art scene, well outside the tourist center.
Visit Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood
Dubai's oldest surviving district, with wind-tower architecture, narrow lanes, and the Dubai Museum housed in a 19th-century fort.
Watch falconry at a Bedouin heritage camp
Falconry remains a genuine point of Emirati cultural pride, demonstrated at heritage villages and desert camps alongside traditional dance.
Explore Sharjah's museums and heritage district
The UAE's designated cultural capital, with more museums per capita than its flashier neighbors and a strictly enforced alcohol-free policy.
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Adventure & outdoors
6Ride a camel or dune-bash into the Dubai desert
Sunset desert safaris combine 4x4 dune bashing with camel rides, a Bedouin-style camp dinner, and stargazing away from city light.
Ski indoors at Ski Dubai
A full indoor snow slope inside a desert-city mall, complete with penguins and real snowfall, as strange as it sounds and genuinely fun.
Snorkel or dive at Fujairah's coral coast
The UAE's only Indian Ocean-facing coastline, with calmer, clearer water for diving and snorkeling than the Gulf side.
Hike the Hajar Mountains near Ras Al Khaimah
The UAE's highest terrain, with Jebel Jais offering hiking trails and the world's longest zipline for those wanting more adrenaline.
Ride the world's fastest roller coaster at Ferrari World
Abu Dhabi's Formula Rossa reaches around 240 km/h, the centerpiece of an entire theme park built around the Ferrari brand.
Take a helicopter or seaplane tour over Palm Jumeirah
The clearest way to appreciate the scale of Dubai's man-made islands, visible properly only from the air.
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Food & drink
2Eat at a traditional Emirati restaurant
Dishes like machboos (spiced rice with meat) and luqaimat (sweet dumplings) are less visible than international dining but worth seeking out.
Try shisha and Arabic coffee at a traditional café
Flavored tobacco smoked from a water pipe alongside cardamom-spiced coffee and dates: a genuine evening social ritual, not just a tourist experience.
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Nightlife
1Shop at the Dubai Mall and watch the Dubai Fountain show
One of the world's largest malls sits beside a choreographed fountain show set to music, running every 30 minutes each evening.
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Nature & scenery
1Kayak the mangroves of Abu Dhabi's Eastern Mangroves
A protected mangrove lagoon minutes from the city skyline, with guided kayak tours through channels home to herons and flamingos.
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Beaches
1Swim at Kite Beach in Dubai
A lively public beach with kitesurfing, beach volleyball, and food trucks, with the Burj Al Arab visible offshore.
Common questions
▾Do I need a visa for the UAE?
Most Western passport holders, including US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian citizens, receive visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry for 30 to 90 days depending on nationality. Check the specific allowance for your passport before booking.
▾Are there cultural rules I should know before visiting?
The UAE is more liberal than many Gulf neighbors but is still a Muslim country with local laws: dress modestly outside resorts and beach clubs, avoid public displays of affection, and be aware that alcohol is only served in licensed venues.
▾Is Dubai or Abu Dhabi better for a first visit?
Dubai has more of the iconic sights (Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah, the souks) and nightlife; Abu Dhabi has the Louvre and Sheikh Zayed Mosque and feels calmer and more spread out. Many trips combine both over 5-7 days.
▾Is the UAE walkable or do I need to rent a car?
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are heavily car-oriented and built around highways, though both have metro systems covering key tourist areas. Taxis and rideshare are cheap and easy, so a rental car isn't essential for most visitors.
▾Is the UAE worth visiting outside of winter?
Only if you plan around the heat: summer temperatures regularly exceed 40°C, making outdoor activities impractical. December through March is by far the most comfortable window.
▾How much does it cost to visit the top of the Burj Khalifa?
Standard 'At the Top' tickets for levels 124-125 start around AED 169 (about $46) during non-peak hours, rising to roughly AED 219 for sunset time slots. Higher floor access (level 148) and skip-the-line options cost significantly more on top of the base price.