The United Arab Emirates blends futuristic skylines with desert landscapes, coastal resorts, and rich Gulf heritage. You will find a mix of innovation, luxury, and traditional charm across its cities.
Discover the United Arab Emirates
Discover the United Arab Emirates
Why visit the United Arab Emirates?
What to expect
Explore Dubai for its modern icons and beaches, venture inland for desert dunes, or visit other emirates for quieter coastal towns and heritage quarters. Expect excellent infrastructure, warm hospitality, and a cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Plan your trip
Use the United Arab Emirates as a gateway to the wider Middle East, Europe, and Africa. With efficient highways and a growing rail network, you can combine city stays with desert escapes in one journey.
Top experiences in the United Arab Emirates
Admire Dubai’s skyline
Take in sweeping views from an iconic skyscraper, then wander waterfront promenades lined with sleek towers and city lights.
Desert safari adventure
Head beyond the city for dune landscapes where you can experience 4x4 drives, sunset views, and traditional-style desert camps.
Beachfront relaxation
Unwind on soft-sand beaches, with calm Gulf waters, waterfront cafés, and family-friendly promenades.
Old quarters and souks
Explore historic neighbourhoods and traditional-style markets, browsing for textiles, perfumes, and gold along narrow lanes.
Waterfront entertainment districts
Spend the evening at marina or canal-side districts with restaurants, relaxed bars, and spectacular night-time city views.
Theme parks and family fun
Enjoy large indoor and outdoor parks offering thrill rides, branded attractions, and year-round family entertainment.
Museums and cultural centres
Visit modern galleries and museums that showcase regional art, history, and the story of rapid transformation in the Gulf.
Experience the United Arab Emirates way of life
Getting around
Use taxis, ride-hailing apps, and modern metro lines in the largest cities, with intercity buses and private transfers linking other emirates. Well-maintained highways make self-drive a practical option for exploring beyond the main hubs.
Local life & culture
Experience a blend of Emirati heritage and global influences, from waterside historic districts to sleek new neighbourhoods. Daily life moves at a relaxed yet energetic pace, with public spaces busy in the cooler evenings.
Where to unwind
Relax on city beaches, stroll along landscaped corniches, or escape to desert resorts where you can watch the sunset over rolling dunes. Many hotels offer spa facilities and quiet pools for a restorative break.
A taste of the United Arab Emirates
National dishes & specialties
Try Emirati dishes such as slow-cooked rice and meat platters, fragrant stews, and sweet pastries, often best experienced in traditional-style restaurants and heritage districts.
Casual & modern dining hubs
Sample flavours from across the Middle East, South Asia, and beyond in mall food courts, beachfront cafés, and stylish mid-range restaurants spread across the major cities.
Signature & scenic dining
Book a table at high-rise venues with city panoramas, waterfront restaurants along marinas, or desert resorts where you dine under clear night skies.
Retail therapy in the United Arab Emirates
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Discover expansive malls in Dubai and other emirates, where you will find international fashion houses, boutique labels, and entertainment under one roof.
Markets & local crafts
Wander through traditional-style souks to browse textiles, spices, perfumes, and handicrafts, with waterfront and old-town districts offering a more historic shopping atmosphere.
Evening retail scene
Experience illuminated boulevards, late-opening malls, and lively waterfront promenades, where shopping blends easily with dining and relaxed evening walks.
Best time to visit the United Arab Emirates
November to March is peak season, with warm and pleasant conditions around 18–28°C (64–82°F), ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities. April to May and October form the shoulder season, with hotter days around 25–35°C (77–95°F) but generally manageable heat. June to September is low season, with very hot temperatures often between 30–42°C (86–108°F), when indoor attractions, malls, and pools become the focus.