Middle East · Arabian Gulf
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates travel guide
Record-breaking towers, golden dunes & old souks.
- Currency
- AED
- Time
- UTC +4
- Emergency
- 999 · 998
Best places in United Arab Emirates
- Burj Khalifa. Sunset from the observation decks.
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. White marble wonder in Abu Dhabi.
- Desert safari. Dunes, camels and a desert camp dinner.
- Old Dubai. Abra rides, gold and spice souks.
Hidden places
- Hatta. Mountain kayaking and hiking.
- Jebel Jais. The UAE’s highest peak and world’s longest zipline.
- Al Ain oasis. Date palms and ancient falaj channels.
- Sir Bani Yas Island. Wildlife reserve with Arabian oryx.
When to go
- Best time. November–March.
- Avoid. June–September heat above 40°C.
- Festivals. Dubai Shopping Festival (Dec–Jan), Ramadan and Eid evenings.
What you need
- Documents. Passport, visa or visa on arrival.
- Pack. Modest clothing, sunglasses, light layers for air-conditioning.
- Apps. Careem, RTA Dubai, Uber.
- Rules. Check medicine rules; respect public conduct laws.
The soul of the Emirates
- Start somewhere unforgettable. Dubai’s skyline and creek, Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Louvre, Ras Al Khaimah’s mountains.
- Choose your season. November–March is pleasant. Summer often exceeds 40°C.
- Before you leave. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are about 90 minutes apart by road.
Visual money
- Currency · AED. The dirham is pegged to the US dollar (about 3.67 AED per USD).
- A daily budget. Illustrative, per person: budget AED 250–400; comfortable AED 700–1,500.
- Paying locally. Cards are accepted almost everywhere; carry small cash for souks and abra boats. Bargain politely in souks.
Arrival playbook
- Documents first. Many passports receive a visa on arrival; others need a visa in advance. Check the official UAE government portal.
- Your first ride. Dubai Metro’s red line serves DXB; official taxis and ride apps are metered.
- Get connected. Tourist SIMs from du or etisalat (e&) are sold at arrivals. Some calling apps are restricted.
Street codes
- Dress & public conduct. Cover shoulders and knees in souks, mosques and government buildings. Public displays of affection and drunkenness can bring penalties.
- During Ramadan. Avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight hours. Opening times change; iftar evenings are a special time to experience.
- Photography. Never photograph people, especially women, without permission, or government buildings.
Beyond the postcard
- Al Fahidi. Wind-tower lanes and museums in old Dubai.
- Hatta. Mountain kayaking and hiking near the Omani border.
- Liwa Oasis. Some of the tallest dunes in Arabia at the Empty Quarter’s edge.
Food dossier
- A few first plates. Machboos, luqaimat, shawarma, and Emirati breakfast with chebab pancakes.
- Global table. Indian, Lebanese, Iranian and Filipino food is excellent and affordable.
- Alcohol. Only in licensed venues; never drink in public.
Scam shield
- Fake desert safaris. Book with licensed operators with reviews and safety equipment.
- Online offers. Avoid “too cheap” hotel or ticket deals shared on social media.
- Gold souk. Ask for a receipt stating karat and weight.
Language cheat sheet
- Hello · As-salaam alaikum. Reply · Wa alaikum as-salaam. Thank you · Shukran.
- How much? · Bikam?. Water · Mai. Help · Musa’ada!
- English. Widely spoken across the UAE.
Survival essentials
- Emergency · 999. Police 999, ambulance 998, fire 997.
- Medicines. Some medicines are controlled; carry prescriptions and check rules.
- Power & time. 230V; sockets type G. Time zone UTC+4.
Your UAE chapter
- A gentle first journey. Four days Dubai, two days Abu Dhabi, one desert night.
- A different pace. Mountain stays in Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah’s east coast.
- Before confirming. This is a starter guide, not live advice. Verify visas, prices, opening times and safety conditions with official sources.