Abu DhabiAdventure Half day
Desert Safari in the Empty Quarter
Dune-bash across the world's largest sand sea, sandboard the golden ridges and end with a Bedouin camp dinner under the stars.
Experience
Things to do
Hand-picked experiences from every corner of the seven emirates.
Abu Dhabi
DubaiCulture Evening
Dubai Marina Dhow Cruise
Glide past the futuristic Marina skyline aboard a traditional wooden dhow with dinner, live music and skyline views.
Ras Al KhaimahAdventure Half day
Jebel Jais Flight Zipline
Strap in for the world's longest zipline — 2.8 km racing down the UAE's highest peak at speeds up to 150 km/h.
FujairahNature Half day
Snorkel & Dive at Snoopy Island
Swim with reef sharks, turtles and parrotfish in the warm Gulf of Oman waters off the East Coast.
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SharjahCulture Half day
Heart of Sharjah Heritage Walk
Wander restored coral-stone houses, wind towers and museums in the largest heritage restoration in the region.
AjmanFamily Evening
Ajman Corniche Sunset Stroll
Soft white sand, calm Gulf waters and golden-hour views along one of the UAE's most laid-back promenades.
Umm Al QuwainNature Half day
Mangrove Kayaking
Paddle through quiet tidal channels and spot flamingos, herons and turtles in the UAE's most untouched lagoon.
DubaiAdventure Half day
Hatta Mountain Kayaking
Glide across the emerald Hatta Dam, ringed by the dramatic Hajar Mountains, then hike rugged wadi trails.
Discover
Iconic attractions
The landmark sights you cannot leave the UAE without seeing.
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DubaiLandmark
Burj Khalifa
The tallest building in the world. Soar to At The Top observation decks for views stretching to the Gulf and the desert.
Abu DhabiReligious
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
A masterpiece of white marble, mother-of-pearl inlay and the world's largest hand-knotted carpet.
Abu DhabiMuseum
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Jean Nouvel's iconic floating dome shelters masterpieces from antiquity to the contemporary, beside the Saadiyat shore.
SharjahHistoric
Al Hisn Sharjah Fort
The 19th-century seat of the Al Qasimi rulers, restored as a museum at the heart of the Heart of Sharjah district.
Ras Al KhaimahNature
Jebel Jais
The UAE's highest peak at 1,934 m — switchback roads, viewing decks and the world's longest zipline.
FujairahNature
Wadi Al Wurayah
A UNESCO-listed mountain reserve of waterfalls, fresh-water pools and the elusive Arabian tahr.
AjmanHistoric
Ajman Museum
An 18th-century fort with watchtowers and wind catchers chronicling pre-oil Emirati life.
Umm Al QuwainHistoric
UAQ National Museum
Set in the old fort overlooking the lagoon — pearling, fishing and Bronze Age finds from Tell Abraq.
Climate
Weather across the year
Average daily high (°C) and sea temperature for the UAE coast.
Jan
24°
18°
Feb
25°
19°
Mar
28°
21°
Apr
33°
24°
May
38°
27°
Jun
40°
30°
Jul
42°
32°
Aug
42°
33°
Sep
39°
31°
Oct
35°
28°
Nov
30°
24°
Dec
26°
20°
Plan your trip
Suggested itineraries
One eleven-day route across the seven emirates — in three styles.
Signature11 Days
UAE Grand Tour — Classic Version
Seven Emirates in eleven days — from Dubai's modern marvels to the Empty Quarter, with culture, coastline and mountains in between.
View itinerary
Luxury11 Days
UAE Grand Tour — Luxury Version
An elevated take on the Classic Grand Tour — same seven-Emirate route, with premium stays and private guides throughout.
View itinerary
Adventure11 Days
UAE Grand Tour — Adventure Tour
Dune bashing, skydiving, ziplining, scuba and Via Ferrata — the high-octane way to cross the seven Emirates.
View itinerary
Eat & drink
Where to eat
A taste of every emirate, from over-water seafood to Emirati heritage cuisine.
Dubai$$$$Pierchic
4.8Seafood
Over-water seafood pavilion with Burj Al Arab views.
Abu Dhabi$$$Jawaher Restaurant
4.8Emirati · Middle Eastern
Authentic Emirati and Levantine cuisine in a refined setting.
Sharjah$$$Al Bait Sharjah
4.7Emirati
Heritage-house dining inside the Heart of Sharjah.
Ajman$$$Ewaan, The Palace
4.6International
Beachfront buffets and Arabian-courtyard ambience on Ajman's corniche.
Ras Al Khaimah$$$Puro Beach RAK
4.7Mediterranean
Daybeds, infinity pool and Gulf-fresh Med plates on Al Marjan Island.
Fujairah$$$Sheba's by Le Meridien Al Aqah
4.5Pan-Asian
Beachside Asian flavours with the Hajar Mountains as backdrop.
Umm Al Quwain$$Barracuda Beach Resort Restaurant
4.4Seafood · BBQ
Lagoon-side grills with daily catch from the local fish market.
Dubai$$$$Trèsind Studio
4.9Modern Indian
Two-Michelin-star tasting menu reimagining the Indian subcontinent.
What's on
UAE events calendar
Festivals, races, heritage gatherings and headline shows across all seven emirates, month by month.
Jan
2 events
DubaiShopping & fireworks
Dubai Shopping Festival
Early Dec – late Jan
City-wide sales, nightly fireworks at The Beach and Al Seef, concerts and family shows.
Abu DhabiFamily & culture
Mother of the Nation Festival
Mid-Jan – early Feb
Beachfront festival on the Corniche with art, wellness, food trucks and live entertainment.
Feb
2 events
Abu DhabiHeritage
Al Dhafra Festival
Late Dec – early Jan (extends to Feb)
Traditional camel beauty contests, falconry and Bedouin crafts deep in the Western Region.
SharjahLight & art
Sharjah Light Festival
Early – mid Feb
Iconic mosques, museums and façades across Sharjah lit by world-class projection art.
Mar
2 events
DubaiHorse racing
Dubai World Cup
Last Saturday of March
The world's richest horse race at Meydan, closing with a major concert and fireworks.
DubaiLiterature
Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
Late Jan – early Feb
The Middle East's largest celebration of the written and spoken word, with global authors.
Apr
2 events
Abu DhabiArts & music
Abu Dhabi Festival
Throughout March – April
Classical concerts, ballet, opera and visual-arts commissions across the capital.
DubaiCamel racing
Al Marmoom Heritage Festival
Early April
Traditional camel races on the edge of the desert at Al Marmoom, free to attend.
May
1 event
Abu DhabiHeritage & culture
Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival
Nov – early Feb (heritage village year-round programming)
Pavilions from across the Arab world, falconry, horsemanship and Emirati food at Al Wathba.
Jun
1 event
DubaiShopping & family
Dubai Summer Surprises
Late June – early September
Mega sales, indoor entertainment and family activities through the hottest months.
Aug
1 event
Abu DhabiAgriculture
Liwa Date Festival
Mid – late July
Competitions for the finest dates, traditional auctions and Bedouin culture in the Empty Quarter.
Sep
1 event
FujairahPerforming arts
Fujairah International Arts Festival
Late Feb – early March
Music, theatre and dance troupes from dozens of countries on Fujairah's east coast.
Oct
1 event
Abu DhabiMotorsport & desert
Liwa Moreeb Dune Festival
Late Dec – early Jan
Hill-climb races up the towering Tel Moreeb dune, plus motocross, camel and falcon events.
Nov
3 events
SharjahBooks & ideas
Sharjah International Book Fair
Early – mid November
One of the world's largest book fairs at Expo Centre Sharjah, with global publishers and authors.
Abu DhabiMotorsport
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Late November / early December
Formula 1 season finale at Yas Marina Circuit with after-race concerts on Yas Island.
Ras Al KhaimahVisual arts
RAK Fine Arts Festival
Mid-February
Open-call exhibitions and workshops celebrating regional and international visual artists.
Dec
4 events
All emiratesNational celebration
UAE National Day
December 2
Parades, air shows, fireworks and cultural performances across every emirate.
Umm Al QuwainMaritime heritage
UAQ Marine Festival
Early December
Traditional dhow races, water sports and Emirati seafaring culture along the UAQ Corniche.
AjmanFood & drink
Ajman Bites Food Festival
Mid December
Beachfront food trucks, chef demos and live music on the Ajman Corniche.
Dubai (Hatta)Mountain culture
Hatta Cultural Nights
Throughout winter season
Heritage performances, stargazing and outdoor cinema in the Hajar Mountains.
Dates vary year to year — always confirm with the official organiser before booking travel.
Getting in
Airports & gateways
The four international airports that connect the UAE to the world.
Dubai · IATA DXB
Dubai International
The world's busiest airport for international passengers and the main hub for Emirates.
Abu Dhabi · IATA AUH
Zayed International
The new Terminal A is a global hub for Etihad Airways with hundreds of worldwide connections.
Sharjah · IATA SHJ
Sharjah International
Main base for Air Arabia, the largest low-cost carrier in the Middle East.
Ras Al Khaimah · IATA RKT
Ras Al Khaimah International
Gateway to the Hajar Mountains and Jebel Jais, 45 minutes from Dubai.
Read more
UAE travel guides
Stories, tips and local secrets from our editors on the ground.
Inspiration
The 7 Emirates in 11 Days: A Grand Tour Playbook
From the dunes of Liwa to the fjords of Musandam-facing Ras Al Khaimah, here's how the perfect UAE loop fits together.
9 min read
Read guide
Adventure
Beyond Burj Khalifa: Hidden Sides of the UAE
Mountain wadis, mangrove lagoons and pearl-diving villages — the Emirates most travellers never see.
7 min read
Read guide
Good to know
Practical information
Everything you need to know before you fly to the United Arab Emirates.
Currency
AED — UAE Dirham (≈ 3.67 to 1 USD, pegged)
Language
Arabic is official; English is spoken everywhere.
Time zone
Gulf Standard Time (UTC+4). No daylight saving.
Electricity
230V / 50Hz. UK-style Type G plugs.
Transport
Metro, tram and taxis in Dubai; Careem/Uber nationwide; car rental for the East Coast & RAK.
Best season
October to April — warm, dry days and mild evenings across all 7 emirates.