UAE Travel Guide Best Things to Do & Places to Visit
From Burj Khalifa’s record-breaking skyline to desert dunes, ancient souks, and Michelin-starred dining, this UAE travel guide covers the top attractions, hidden gems, and best things to do across all seven emirates.
POPULAR TOURIST PLACES IN UAE
- Dubai
- Abu Dhabi
- Sharjah
- Ras Al Khaimah
- Fujairah
- Al Ain
- Hatta
- Yas Island
- Liwa Oasis
- Sir Bani Yas Island
WHY VISIT THE UAE
The UAE compresses more contrast into a short trip than almost anywhere else, which is exactly why it works for weekend getaways as easily as full two-week vacations. Dubai delivers the headline sights — the Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah, and Dubai Mall, three of the country’s most recognized famous landmarks — but a 30-minute drive to Sharjah swaps skyscrapers for the UAE’s cultural capital, with heritage districts and cultural places that predate the country’s modern boom. Abu Dhabi balances the two, pairing the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Louvre Abu Dhabi with Yas Island’s theme parks and family activities. Beyond the cities, the Hajar Mountains and Jebel Jais offer hiking, ziplining, and other adventure activities, while a desert safari into the dunes outside Dubai remains the one experience nearly every visitor adds regardless of itinerary style. Few destinations let you go from a rooftop dinner 800 meters up to a Bedouin-style desert camp in the same 24 hours — which is exactly the UAE’s pitch, and part of why it’s become a genuine luxury experience destination alongside its budget-friendly and free options.
Six essential experiences
Burj Khalifa & Downtown Dubai
The world's tallest building, its observation decks, and the Dubai Fountain show right below it — Dubai's unmissable starting point and the top answer to almost any "Dubai tourist attractions" search. For things to do in Dubai at night, the fountain show, Downtown's rooftop bars, and the wider Dubai nightlife scene keep the area lively well after sunset.
Desert Safari
Dune bashing, camel rides, and a Bedouin-style dinner under the stars — the classic UAE desert safari experience, whether basic or upscale (vintage Land Rover tours included), and one of the most searched adventure activities in the UAE.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Abu Dhabi's 82-domed marble mosque is one of the most striking pieces of architecture in the country and open to non-Muslim visitors — a highlight for anyone researching cultural places or free things to do in the UAE, since entry is free.
Old Dubai & the Souks
Abra boat rides across Dubai Creek, the Gold Souk, and the Spice Souk offer the pre-skyscraper city still very much intact, and rank among the top shopping destinations in the UAE for a more traditional experience than the malls.
Jebel Jais & Ras Al Khaimah
The UAE's highest peak, home to the world's longest zipline plus via ferrata climbing and mountain biking trails — the country's clearest answer for things to do in Ras Al Khaimah and adventure-focused day trips.
Yas Island
Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, and Yas Waterworld sit side by side in Abu Dhabi — a full day (or several) of water parks and family activities in one place, and the standard answer for things to do in Abu Dhabi with family.
Practical details
Plan your visit
The best time to visit UAE
November to March brings cooler temperatures (18–28°C) and is the best window for outdoor activities, beaches, and desert trips. Summer (June–September) regularly tops 45°C but offers the lowest hotel rates; April, May, and October are a shoulder-season middle ground.
Getting around
Dubai’s metro is efficient and affordable for getting around the city; taxis and Careem (ride-hailing) cover the rest. For trips between emirates — Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah — renting a car gives the most flexibility, though many day trips (including popular places to visit near Dubai) are also available as organized tours.
Where to stay
Dubai has the widest range, from budget hotels to Palm Jumeirah resorts and the Burj Al Arab. Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island and Saadiyat Island suit families and culture-focused stays. For something different, Hatta’s mountain resorts or Liwa’s desert lodges (like Qasr Al Sarab) make a strong 1–2 night add-on for a weekend getaway. Dubai and Abu Dhabi also hold some of the best restaurants in the UAE, from Michelin-starred fine dining to affordable Old Dubai food streets — worth building at least one dedicated food evening into any itinerary.
Continue exploring
From the journal
Latest UAE guide
A deeper dive into planning your trip — cities, desert and family fun.
Frequently asked questions
The UAE is best known for Dubai’s Burj Khalifa and skyline, desert safaris, Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, luxury shopping, and a rapid transformation from fishing villages to a global travel hub in just a few decades.
Most international visitors fly into Dubai International Airport (DXB) or Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH). Citizens of more than 60 countries can get a visa on arrival or apply for an e-visa in advance.
A week covers Dubai and Abu Dhabi comfortably with a day trip to Sharjah or Ras Al Khaimah. Ten to fourteen days allows a fuller loop including Fujairah’s east coast, Hatta, and the desert interior.
November through March, when temperatures are cooler and comfortable for outdoor sightseeing, beach days, and desert excursions.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s headline sights draw heavy crowds year-round, especially in the cooler months. Fujairah’s east coast, Hatta, and Sir Bani Yas Island stay much quieter for travelers wanting a break from the city pace.