The Best Places to Visit in the UAE

The United Arab Emirates is one of the richest countries in the entire world, situated on the Arabian Peninsula next to Saudi Arabia and Oman. It’s a place which is built for the future - crazy skyscrapers everywhere, extreme modernization and of course a piece of the Arabian Desert. The country’s population is around 10 million, but not even 13% are Emirati Citizens. It truly is a nation built off the hard work of expats. Some say the cities of the UAE are completely soulless, whereas the rest praise the country for the impressive luxurious dynamic. There is a lot to unpack here, and while Dubai is the standout, there are a few other places to go.

Capital: Abu Dhabi
Currency: UAE Dirham
Language: Arabic, English
When to visit: November to March

1) Dubai

Dubai is the most famous and populous city in the UAE by far. It’s home to the tallest building in the world, plus about a million other skyscrapers built all over the city too. Ages ago, the ruler of Dubai decided he wanted to create a city which would be the best at everything - education, holidays, architecture, all of it. Dubai has been expanding and rapidly growing ever since, and is now a big desert metropolis.

Things to do:
Dubai is massive so I’ll list things off by each area, starting with Downtown Dubai. In Downtown you have the Burj Khalifa, which is the worlds tallest building with a beautiful water area and boardwalk situated around it. This is also where the Dubai Fountain show happens in the evenings. Here you can also find Dubai Mall, a massive mall with an aquarium and ice skating rink inside. Just walk around Downtown to places like Burj Park and the Wings of Mexico for a good photo spot. The Palm Jumeirah is also an iconic place, the man made palm-tree shaped island with places like the Atlantis Hotel and Aquaventure Waterpark for tourists. Dubai Marina is also a luxurious neighborhood area by the Palm with a promenade, and you can get views of Ain Dubai, the Ferris wheel. There is a lot more to Dubai, but the last thing I’ll mention is Dubai Old City, the historical part of the city. It’s definitely worth going here to see a different side of Dubai, the side before all the skyscrapers.

How to get there:
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the city’s massive, clean airport with large international connection.
You can also get a bus from the other cities in the UAE like Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, etc.

2) Arabian Desert

The UAE’s section of the Arabian Desert surrounds Dubai and Abu Dhabi, making it a popular day excursion from either of those cities. It’s pretty accessible in general and you get to see the beautiful golden sands of the Middle East. It’s a good way to experience the country outside the mega-cities, and sort of get a good idea of what stands underneath all the skyscrapers and shopping malls.

Things to do:
You’ll have to experience it via a tour guide who is skilled in this climate. They’ll usually pick you up and depending on what you book, you may be able to try Camel Riding, camping, stargazing, driving a dune buggy, sandboarding and a ride in a 4x4 around the desert. Just look carefully when you book because some of the reviews may not be as authentic as they seem.

How to get there:
Your guide will either pick you up or give you a pick up spot.

3) Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is the country’s capital city, yet it has a lot to see compared to its neighbor, Dubai. Around 1.6 million people live here, and in the city center it feels clean and grand. As you venture out a little further, it literally is buildings in a barren wasteland. My advice is to stay in the modern area and the heart of the city to experience the luxury.

Things to do:
If you only do one thing in Abu Dhabi, make it visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the world’s most beautiful and grand white marble mosques. It is truly an incredible sight, and looks dazzling when lit up at night. It’s far from the downtown, so take public transport over. Louvre Abu Dhabi is also a very futuristic looking building, and it sits on Saadiyat Island. One place in Abu Dhabi which has a lot of visits is Yas Island. It holds Ferrari World, and the Yas Marina Circuit F1 Track, which is where most of the visits come from.

How to get there:
Zayed International Airport (AUH) has just as good international connections as Dubai, so you can fly in here.
You can also take the bus from Dubai easily.

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