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Planning a trip to the United Arab Emirates but haven’t figured out where to go yet? My quick UAE travel guide is the perfect place to start, with tips on what makes each emirate unique, top things to do and where to stay.
From incredible encounters with wildlife, epic cityscapes and delicious international cuisine, to art, culture and exciting activities, it’s time to share a few highlights from my time in the UAE.
ABU DHABI
The UAE’s cultural heart, this city was a huge highlight for me. There are SO many things to do in Abu Dhabi, and as it was my first time visiting, I was keen to pack in as much as possible!, here’s what I got up to…
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – This is one of the top places to visit in Abu Dhabi. It’s free to get in, and the architecture is simply stunning. I loved exploring the inner courtyard, with its sparkling white stone, picturesque archways and beautiful domes. It’s also worth looking around the inside too where you’ll find one of the world’s largest chandeliers, and the largest handmade carpet. As this is a place of worship, remember to cover up. Even if you dress conservatively, most women are asked to wear an abaya (available to borrow free of charge at the entrance) while men wearing shorts will be asked to borrow loose trousers.
The Louvre, Abu Dhabi– Opened in 2017, The Louvre has affirmed Abu Dhabi’s status as a cultural and artistic city. The architecture of the building is mesmerising with its impressive dome. There are 55 buildings, 23 galleries, a 1,200-seater auditorium, and more to wander around at your own pace. Allow some time to explore the courtyard areas, where steps lead down to the water, and mirror-like reflections will have you reaching for your camera over and over again.
Warner Bros. World, Abu Dhabi – One of the newest Abu Dhabi attractions, this theme park only opened in June 2018. Unlike theme parks I’ve visited before, this one is completely indoors, so it’s the perfect activity for times when temperatures outside are uncomfortable. There’s a mix of high-tech 3D simulators, rollercoasters and family rides, plus a few adventure activities too. We thought it was a really fun place to spend a few hours. As it’s pretty new, it wasn’t very busy when we visited, so we didn’t have to worry about lengthy queues. For adrenaline addicts, just across the road is Ferrari World – home of Formula Rossa a.k.a. the world’s fastest rollercoaster.
DUBAI
Dubai’s skyline has continued to develop at a rate of knots. It’s a great city if you’re looking for a beach and city break in one. Dubai holidays are popular with Brits during winter time, when temperatures are lovely and warm in the UAE.
Abra Trip Across Dubai Creek – One of my favourite things to do in Dubai is to hop on an abra and cross the creek. It only costs two dirhams (under 50p!) and it offers lovely views of the city. You can catch an abra to the old part of Dubai, check out the gold souk or visit some of the tourist souks for souvenirs.
Museum of Illusions, Dubai – A fun new addition to Dubai, this museum encourages you to look at things a little differently. The interactive exhibits will have you appearing to have shrunk, be standing on the ceiling, and even have a card game with 6 versions of yourself!
Burj Khalifa – If it’s your first trip to Dubai, you just have to head to the top of the world’s tallest building! It’s one of the top places to visit in Dubai, and for very good reason – the views are INCREDIBLE! Definitely check the weather forecast as you’ll want to pick a day with really good visibility.
Now we get to the emirates you may not know so much about. Before this trip, I hadn’t heard of these either, but I was pleased to find they each had their own identities and unique activities. Sharjah is renowned for being the most conservative state. Unlike the others, it’s a dry emirate (no alcohol) and you’re expected to adhere to a more conservative dress code too.
Explore Sharjah’s city centre – We spent an afternoon exploring the centre of the city and its lagoons. We took a traditional abra trip, which was a relaxing experience, and a great way to see the city’s skyscrapers. It also allowed us to take a closer look at the stunning Al Noor Mosque. As the sun started to set, it was illuminated with beautiful golden rays.
Ajman
Ajman is the smallest of all the emirates, and one of the least touristy. However, this is changing. There’s plenty of construction going on, and I think there will be quite a few more attractions to visit in the next few years.
Ajman Pearl – Hop on board this tour with Ajman Pearl and learn all about diving for oysters and pearls – an important part of the UAE’s history. The tour takes you along the mangroves and waterways, while a guide explains the techniques and equipment used by brave divers who would risk their lives on a daily basis, all in the hope of finding one shiny pearl in an oyster shell.
These days Ajman Pearl cultivates pearl, by placing a small grain of sand inside the oyster shells, and waiting for the pearls to develop inside (a 60% success rate no less!) As we sailed back towards the dock, we spotted some flamingos in the wild enjoying Ajman’s mangroves – what a bonus!
UMM AL QUWAIN
Another of the smallest emirates, we only spent a few hours in Umm Al Quwain. Whether you fancy trying some water sports, fishing or kayaking, it’s a lovely place to explore nature.
Kayaking In The Mangroves – We hired kayaks and took a trip to see the mangroves in Umm Al Quwain. The water was lovely and calm, and with no strong currents to worry about, it was an easy paddle. There were plenty of birds to see too, including herons who seemed happy in their peaceful mangrove homes.
RAS AL KHAIMAH
For me, this emirate was an amazing new discovery, with its epic, rugged scenery, beautiful sandy beaches and adrenaline-filled activities. As we drove the Jebel Jais mountain roads, I felt like I could be on Mars! Huge rocks, big sandy mountains and barren scenery; it felt like a big contrast to the other emirates we’d visited so far.
The Longest Zip Line In The World – The Jebel Jais Mountains are one of the top places to visit in Ras Al Khaimah. It’s also where you’ll find Toroverde, aka the world’s longest zip line. As we drove towards it, we saw the tiny dots of two bodies flying along an almost invisible wire. Wow they were going fast! I was pretty nervous, but lots of that was the anticipation and pre-flight nerves. Once we set off from the platform along the 2.8km wire, travelling at speeds of 150kph, I let out several screams and relaxed into it! I loved the sensation, and the views were as epic as I’d hoped!
Fujairah
The drive from Ras Al Khaimah to Fujairah took us along highways flanked by sand dunes. Gradually, rugged mountains started to appear and finally the deep blues of the Indian Ocean. Yes, this resort is on the other side of the Arabian Gulf.
Snorkelling At Snoopy Island – This was a lovely way to take in the underwater life in Fujairah, with water sports company Adventure Sports (located on Fujairah Beach). I wasn’t expecting to see much, but once I popped my head in I was greeted by colourful angel and parrot fish. Sadly, we didn’t spot turtles this time, but they’re often spotted in the waters here.
Parasailing – After taking in the views underwater, it was great to fly over Fujairah beach! The last time I tried parasailing was around eight years ago. I remembered absolutely loving it, and this experience was no different. There’s a wonderful feeling of freedom and tranquillity as you soar over the water, taking in the views from the skies. I can’t recommend it enough!