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Travel and Tour World Epochal GCC Tourism Visitor Growth Reshapes Sovereign Frontiers Across Qatar, Saudi Arabia And Other CountriesTravel and Tour World Ras Al Khaimah to Host FHS World at Wynn Al Marjan Island in 2027Travel and Tour World Bahamas Along With Mexico, UAE And More Among Ninety Three Visa Free Travel Countries Boosting Poland TourismAeroTime MEBAA Show 2026 draws global aviation leaders as UAE market expandsTravel and Tour World Air Arabia Reconnects Ras Al Khaimah and Kozhikode With Daily Flights Powering Travel GrowthTravel and Tour World Emirates Holidays Boosts Thailand Travel With New Pass Offering Discounts VIP Lounges and MoreTravel and Tour World Kerten Hospitality CFO Aman Malhotra Discusses Lifestyle Assets and Branded Residences at FHS DubaiTravel and Tour World Fairmas’ Dima Ladizhenski on AI & Hotel Cost Control at FHS 2026 in DubaiTravel and Tour World Mexico Outbound Spending Rises as Gulf Travel Demand Comes into FocusAviation A2Z Wizz Air Delays 6 Flight Resumptions to Safest City in the WorldTravel and Tour World Dubai Expands Sports and Wellness Tourism as Club 15 Brings New 15,000-Square-Metre Lifestyle Destination to Al QuozTravel and Tour World Dubai Moves Alongside Abu Dhabi and More to Build the Future of Tourism With AI-Powered Crowd and Climate ManagementTravel and Tour World Eurowings Expands Travel From Germany With New Baghdad Flights and Dubai GrowthAviation A2Z Etihad to Deploy A350 to Most Visited Country in the WorldTravel and Tour World Epochal GCC Tourism Visitor Growth Reshapes Sovereign Frontiers Across Qatar, Saudi Arabia And Other CountriesTravel and Tour World Ras Al Khaimah to Host FHS World at Wynn Al Marjan Island in 2027Travel and Tour World Bahamas Along With Mexico, UAE And More Among Ninety Three Visa Free Travel Countries Boosting Poland TourismAeroTime MEBAA Show 2026 draws global aviation leaders as UAE market expandsTravel and Tour World Air Arabia Reconnects Ras Al Khaimah and Kozhikode With Daily Flights Powering Travel GrowthTravel and Tour World Emirates Holidays Boosts Thailand Travel With New Pass Offering Discounts VIP Lounges and MoreTravel and Tour World Kerten Hospitality CFO Aman Malhotra Discusses Lifestyle Assets and Branded Residences at FHS DubaiTravel and Tour World Fairmas’ Dima Ladizhenski on AI & Hotel Cost Control at FHS 2026 in DubaiTravel and Tour World Mexico Outbound Spending Rises as Gulf Travel Demand Comes into FocusAviation A2Z Wizz Air Delays 6 Flight Resumptions to Safest City in the WorldTravel and Tour World Dubai Expands Sports and Wellness Tourism as Club 15 Brings New 15,000-Square-Metre Lifestyle Destination to Al QuozTravel and Tour World Dubai Moves Alongside Abu Dhabi and More to Build the Future of Tourism With AI-Powered Crowd and Climate ManagementTravel and Tour World Eurowings Expands Travel From Germany With New Baghdad Flights and Dubai GrowthAviation A2Z Etihad to Deploy A350 to Most Visited Country in the World
Jebel Jais – United Arab EmiratesDubai – United Arab EmiratesAbu Dhabi – United Arab EmiratesAl Ain – United Arab EmiratesLiwa Oasis – United Arab EmiratesSheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – United Arab Emirates
📍 Jebel Jais📷 wilhelmtittes · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
🌍 Asia🗓️ Best: Nov–Mar

United Arab Emirates ✓

Dubai

Record-breaking skylines, desert dunes and luxury

🕒 –:– local time44 stories this week15 sources 6 top placesCapital Abu Dhabi

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United Arab Emirates📸 Photo album · 7 photos · Ultra-HD
United Arab Emirates📜 History of United Arab Emirates

The story of United Arab Emirates

People have lived along the shores and oases of what is now the United Arab Emirates for at least several thousand years. Bronze Age communities of the Umm an-Nar culture built round stone tombs and traded copper from the Hajar Mountains with Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley, while the oasis of Al Ain was watered by ingenious underground falaj channels. Coastal towns later thrived on fishing, date farming, seafaring and, above all, pearl diving.

Islam reached the region in the seventh century, and the coast became a crossroads of Arab, Persian and Indian Ocean trade. Portuguese forces controlled parts of the shoreline in the sixteenth century, and by the nineteenth century local sheikhdoms had signed a series of truces with Britain, which handled their foreign affairs. The area became known as the Trucial States, and towns like Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah remained modest settlements of coral-stone houses, cooled by wind towers.

Read the full history

The collapse of the natural pearl trade in the 1930s brought hardship, but oil, discovered in commercial quantities in Abu Dhabi in the late 1950s, changed everything. When Britain withdrew from the Gulf in 1971, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai led the creation of the United Arab Emirates; Ras Al Khaimah joined in 1972, completing the seven emirates. In just a few decades the country invested in trade, aviation, finance and tourism, becoming one of the world's great global hubs.

Today visitors find record-breaking skyscrapers and futuristic museums alongside restored heritage quarters, traditional souqs, falconry and camel racing. Beyond the cities lie red dunes, rugged mountains and mangrove-fringed islands. The population is overwhelmingly international, yet Emirati traditions of hospitality, coffee and dates remain at the heart of the culture.

Timeline

  1. c. 2500 BCUmm an-Nar culture builds stone tombs and trades copper
  2. 7th centuryIslam spreads across the region
  3. 1820First general maritime treaty with Britain
  4. 1930sCollapse of the natural pearl trade
  5. 1958Oil found offshore Abu Dhabi
  6. 1971United Arab Emirates founded
  7. 1972Ras Al Khaimah joins as the seventh emirate
  8. 2010Burj Khalifa opens in Dubai
United Arab Emirates 🛂 Visa & entry

Entry rules depend on your passport and change often.

  • GCC – Gulf Cooperation Council member – GCC residents often have simpler entry.

Before you book, check the official rules for your passport:

The latest visa and entry news for United Arab Emirates appears below as soon as publishers report it.

United Arab Emirates✨ 10 best things to do in United Arab Emirates

Things to do in United Arab Emirates

  1. Top of Burj KhalifaRide the elevators to an observation deck of the world's tallest building and watch the city sprawl into the desert.
  2. Sheikh Zayed Grand MosqueWalk barefoot across marble courtyards inlaid with flowers beneath dozens of white domes in Abu Dhabi.
  3. Desert safariRide over red dunes, then watch the sunset from a desert camp before a dinner under the stars.
  4. Abra across Dubai CreekCross the creek on a wooden water taxi to the spice and gold souqs of Deira.
  5. Al Fahidi Historical DistrictWander lanes of coral-stone houses topped with wind towers, now home to galleries and cafés.
  6. Louvre Abu DhabiSee art from across civilisations beneath a vast latticed dome that scatters a 'rain of light'.
  7. Jebel JaisDrive the switchback road to the UAE's highest mountain area in Ras Al Khaimah for cool air and big views.
  8. HattaKayak a turquoise dam lake and hike or mountain-bike in the Hajar Mountains.
  9. Mangrove kayakingPaddle quietly through Abu Dhabi's mangroves looking for herons, crabs and fish.
  10. Emirati breakfastTry balaleet, chebab pancakes with date syrup and cardamom-scented gahwa coffee.
United Arab Emirates🗺️ Where to visit in United Arab Emirates

Where to go in United Arab Emirates

  • DubaiDubai · city & beachesA dazzling mix of skyscrapers, beaches, malls and old creekside souqs.
  • Abu DhabiAbu Dhabi · capital & cultureThe capital's Grand Mosque, Louvre and Saadiyat Island beaches make it the country's cultural powerhouse.
  • 📍
    SharjahSharjah · museums & heritageA UNESCO-recognised cultural capital with excellent museums and a restored heritage area.
  • Al AinAbu Dhabi · oasis cityA green garden city of date-palm oases, forts and the peak of Jebel Hafeet.
  • Liwa OasisEmpty Quarter · desertGateway to some of the highest sand dunes in the world on the edge of the Rub' al Khali.
  • 📍
    Ras Al KhaimahNorth · mountains & beachesHome to Jebel Jais, archaeological sites and quieter beach resorts.
  • 📍
    FujairahEast coast · divingThe Gulf of Oman coast offers rugged mountains, the old Al Bidya mosque and good snorkelling.
  • 📍
    HattaDubai · Hajar MountainsA mountain enclave with a heritage village, dam lake and outdoor adventure trails.
United Arab Emirates✨ Must-do experiences
  • Go up the Burj Khalifa
  • Take a desert safari with dune bashing
  • Ride an abra boat across Dubai Creek
  • Visit the Louvre Abu Dhabi
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United Arab Emirates🍽️ Taste of United Arab Emirates
  • Machboos – spiced rice with meat or fish
  • Luqaimat – sweet fried dough balls with date syrup
  • Harees – slow-cooked wheat and meat
  • Shawarma – grilled meat wrap, a favourite street snack
United Arab Emirates🌦️ Weather & best time to visit United Arab Emirates

Best time to visit United Arab Emirates

The UAE has a hot desert climate with very little rain, falling mainly in short winter showers. Coastal cities are humid in summer, while the mountains and inland desert are drier and cooler at night.

BestNovember-March – warm, sunny days ideal for beaches, desert trips and outdoor dining.
ShoulderOctober and April – hot but manageable, with fewer crowds and sea temperatures still pleasant.
AvoidJune-September – extreme heat and humidity make daytime sightseeing uncomfortable, though indoor attractions stay open.
24°💧Jan
25°💧Feb
28°💧Mar
33°☀️Apr
38°☀️May
40°☀️Jun
41°☀️Jul
41°☀️Aug
39°☀️Sep
35°☀️Oct
30°☀️Nov
26°☀️Dec

Typical daytime highs and rain in Dubai (approximate averages).

United Arab Emirates🎉 Festivals & events in United Arab Emirates
  • Varies (lunar calendar)
    RamadanA month of fasting with lantern-lit iftar meals after sunset; eating in public by day may be restricted.
  • Varies (lunar calendar)
    Eid al-FitrCelebrations, fireworks and family gatherings marking the end of Ramadan.
  • December-January
    Dubai Shopping FestivalA city-wide festival of sales, concerts and nightly fireworks.
  • December
    UAE National DayFlags, parades and fireworks on 2 December mark the founding of the federation.
  • November-December
    Abu Dhabi Grand PrixThe Formula 1 season often finishes under lights at Yas Marina Circuit.
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United Arab Emirates🧭 United Arab Emirates itinerary ideas

How many days in United Arab Emirates?

5 daysDubai and Abu Dhabi

Day 1-3 Dubai: Burj Khalifa, Dubai Creek, Al Fahidi and a desert safari. Day 4-5 Abu Dhabi for the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat beaches.

10 daysSeven emirates loop

Day 1-4 Dubai and Sharjah's museums. Day 5-6 Abu Dhabi and Al Ain's oases. Day 7 Liwa's giant dunes, then Day 8-10 head north and east to Ras Al Khaimah's mountains and Fujairah's coast.

United Arab Emirates🎒 Backpacking United Arab Emirates – tips & hacks

Backpacker budget: about $60–100 a day

  • Dubai's metro, trams and buses are clean, cheap and air-conditioned – get a Nol card on arrival.
  • Intercity buses link Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and other emirates for far less than taxis.
  • Eat where the city's workers eat: Indian, Pakistani and Filipino cafeterias in Deira, Bur Dubai and Karama are excellent value.
  • Many top sights are free, including the Dubai Fountain show, public beaches and heritage districts.
  • Hostels exist but are few; budget hotels in Deira or Bur Dubai are often the best value base.
United Arab Emirates🛡️ Safety & money in United Arab Emirates

Stay safe

  • The UAE has very low crime rates, but laws are strict – respect rules on alcohol, drugs, public behaviour and photography.
  • Some prescription and over-the-counter medicines are controlled, so check the rules before you travel.
  • Drink plenty of water and avoid midday sun in summer; heat exhaustion is a real risk.
  • Dress modestly in mosques, souqs and government buildings, and check your government's latest travel advice.

Money

  • The currency is the UAE dirham (AED); cards and contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere.
  • ATMs are plentiful in malls and stations; keep some cash for souqs, abras and small cafés.
  • Restaurants often add a service charge; otherwise a tip of around 10% is appreciated.

Emergency: 999 police · 998 ambulance · 997 fire

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United Arab Emirates🛬 Getting to United Arab Emirates

Dubai International and Abu Dhabi's Zayed International are major global hubs, with Sharjah and Dubai World Central also busy; a land border connects the UAE with Oman.

✈️ Cheap flights to United Arab Emirates: airports, flight times & best time to fly →

United Arab Emirates💡 Did you know? 5 facts about United Arab Emirates
  • Only around one in ten residents of the UAE is an Emirati citizen.
  • Burj Khalifa in Dubai is the tallest building in the world.
  • Falcons are so prized that they can travel in airline cabins and have their own hospital in Abu Dhabi.
  • Before oil, pearl diving was the backbone of the coastal economy.
  • The weekend in the UAE moved to Saturday and Sunday in 2022.
United Arab Emirates❓ United Arab Emirates travel FAQ

United Arab Emirates travel questions

Is the UAE safe for tourists?

Yes – the UAE is one of the safest countries in the world for visitors, with very low crime. Laws on behaviour, alcohol and drugs are strict, so learn the basics and check your government's latest travel advice.

What is the best time to visit the UAE?

November to March offers warm, sunny weather perfect for beaches and the desert. Summer is extremely hot, though hotel prices are lower.

How many days do you need in Dubai and Abu Dhabi?

Four to five days covers the highlights of both cities. A week or more lets you add Al Ain, the desert and the mountains of the north.

Do I need a visa for the UAE?

It depends on your passport – check the official government site or a UAE embassy before you travel.

What should I wear in the UAE?

Beachwear is fine at beaches and pools, but cover shoulders and knees in malls, souqs and public spaces. Women need a headscarf and long, loose clothing to visit mosques.

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United Arab Emirates💰 What a trip costs
$$$price level
$60–100backpacker / day
$180–320mid-range / day

Approximate daily cost per person (stay, food, local transport).

United Arab Emirates🚌 Getting around

Dubai has a modern metro and tram, and taxis and ride-hailing apps are easy everywhere. Intercity buses link the emirates, or you can rent a car.

United Arab Emirates🛕 Sacred & spiritual places
  • Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – Vast white-marble mosque with 82 domes, open to visitors
  • Jumeirah Mosque – Elegant Dubai mosque offering guided tours for non-Muslims
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United Arab Emirates🤝 Local etiquette
  • Dress modestly in malls, souqs and religious sites
  • Avoid public displays of affection
  • Do not eat or drink in public during Ramadan daylight hours if signs ask
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Paddle Your Own Kanoo✈️ Flights & Airlines
Flydubai Confirms ‘Incident’ Onboard Tel Aviv-Bound Plane: Passengers Left Bloodied After Reports Pilot Deliberately Tried to Crash Plane

Reports are emerging from within Israel that an incident that occurred on a Flydubai flight from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Tel Aviv (TLV) on Wednesday morning was terror-related after a “violent altercation” broke out…

#Israel#United Arab Emirates#Tel Aviv#Flights & Airlines
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📰 Older United Arab Emirates stories Everything our agents ever found – keeps loading as you scroll

🧭 Nearby countries

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