Trusted Local News

Visiting the United Arab Emirates: what you need to know

  • News from our partners

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a desert landscape that has been transformed into a vibrant oasis with beautiful skyscrapers, stunning fountains and impressive water parks. It is known for its luxurious resorts and shopping malls, which are truly remarkable. While Dubai is famous for its architectural achievements, the UAE also has quiet oases that preserve the atmosphere of Arab culture. These areas offer a unique experience where visitors can immerse themselves in the beauty of the desert and the rich history of the region. Despite the differences between emirates, one thing remains the same. High-quality beach holidays and a luxurious atmosphere make the UAE an ideal destination for those seeking relaxation and luxury. Whether you choose to visit Dubai or another Emirate, you will surely find something to appreciate and enjoy. If you want to stay connected during your international travel, try out the best eSIM for UAE travel by eSimPlus. There are nice discounts for those who go to the Emirates. 


Why going to the United Arab Emirates

The UAE is a country that strives to satisfy all tourists' desires. Here, you will find comfortable beaches, architectural wonders, natural exoticism reminiscent of "A Thousand and One Nights", endless shopping opportunities, restaurants with gold ice cream, exciting events such as Formula 1 and Haute Couture Week, and a wide variety of entertainment - all in one place. If it's not snowy enough for skiing in the desert, they'll create an artificial ski resort. If surfing waves aren't high enough, they'll raise them higher than human height in a water park. And if there isn't enough room for luxury hotels, here's Palm Jumeirah. Many tourists will say that the main reason for coming to the Emirates is to be amazed by everything. The tallest skyscraper, the highest fountain, the biggest aquarium, the largest shopping mall (larger than Vatican City) - these are all attractions that attract tourists. However, not everyone chooses to go to Dubai, which has fantastic urbanism concentrated there. Some tourists deliberately choose less pretentious Emirates, where it's not so noisy (and to be honest, it's cheaper). After all, every emirate has clean beaches, excellent hotels and wonderful weather from November to March when there's not much sun or sea.

Which emirate to choose?

First, decide what you would like to do. Are you going to clubs? Or are you going to Dubai or Abu Dhabi? If you want a comfortable family vacation, Fujairah Emirate might be the place for you. If you are looking for an inexpensive and relaxing break, then head to Ras Al Khaimah or Sharjah. The UAE is a major shopping destination. There are malls and markets in every emirate. The locals love shopping and spend their evenings, weekends and holidays in malls. They also just drop in at any time they like. There are city hotels, first-class hotels with their own beaches and coastal hotels close to municipal beaches. City hotels often have their own swimming pools located on the top floors of the buildings. If you like spectacular views, look out for a hotel with a pool as high as possible above sea level. Remember to compare prices. The further away an emirate is from Dubai's main attraction, the more affordable hotels will be. However, there is a bus that runs between hotels in distant emirates and Dubai several times a week. 

Now, let's take a closer look at each of the emirates and their unique features.

Dubai

The UAE's top tourist destination is Dubai, with its main city as the epicenter. The most cosmopolitan emirate. This is a vast metropolis with a lively nightlife, where there are more shopping malls than anywhere else. Water buses are common, and metro trains usually go without drivers. The city has an incredible nightlife and dining scene, where you can enjoy hookah smoking and sample world cuisine. However, people under 21 years of age are not allowed to enter clubs. Half a century ago, Dubai was just a small fishing village that mined pearls. Now it has grown into a massive metropolis and the city of the future, where visitors can check out Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, go skiing in the desert, take a ride on Dubai Metro's panoramic train, and shop at Dubai Mall, the biggest mall in the world! If you are considering visiting the Emirates for the first time, we highly recommend it.


Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is the largest emirate and a significant part of it is located in the Arabian Desert. The capital, Abu Dhabi, is situated on islands where every day is accompanied by gentle breezes and the heat is pleasant. In this weather, you definitely won't want to leave the snow-white beaches. However, make an effort, because there are fantastic adventures waiting for you! Take an exciting 150 mph roller coaster ride at the world's largest indoor theme park, Ferrari World, and at Yas Waterworld Water Park, try the 200 m tall tornado slide. Explore the Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi and admire the beauty of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque.


Get local news in your inbox every morning

* indicates required

Sharjah

Sharjah is a strict and conservative emirate with its laws. Alcohol can't be consumed in public places, on the streets, or at the beach. It's also not sold in hotels. But Sharjah is still the cultural capital of the country with many attractions. Holidays are cheaper here than in other emirates, and the city is quiet and peaceful with sparsely populated beaches, only 45 km from Dubai. Known as the center for cultural life in the Arab Emirates, Sharjah has something for everyone. You can visit Al Noor Mosque, made of white marble and King Faisal Mosques. You can also go to Al Jazeera Park with a 100-meter fountain and Sharjah Aquarium, learn about local wildlife at the Arab Wildlife Center, and ride on the Eye of Emirates Ferris Wheel.


Fujairah

Fujairah is known as the most beautiful emirate in the country. It is located on the coast of a bay, and many hotels have private beaches. There are fewer skyscrapers in Fujairah, making it a more comfortable place to visit. Exotic lovers and diving enthusiasts come to Fujairah due to its rich marine life. The sea is full of corals, where you can see moray eels and other underwater creatures. Among the attractions of the emirate is the Museum of Ancient Settlements and the Old Town area, filled with traditional Arab architecture. Fujairah's lively port adds to the city's charm with its numerous fountains and sculptures featuring Arabic motifs.


Ras Al Khaimah

The Hajar Mountains with their magnificent cliffs, the oases with date palms, the desert dunes, the fine sand on the beaches, and the excellent weather. This is the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. Here, you will find a vacation that is perfect in every way: low prices, top-class hotels with well-maintained beaches, chic restaurants, and cozy cafés, as well as shopping malls and entertainment options for all tastes. Take a bicycle ride through the Grand Canyon of Wadi Bi, zip down a zip line on Jabal Jess Mountain, and explore the old town of Ras Al-Khaimah with its fortresses, mosques, and watchtowers.



The Emirates are growing and evolving at an incredible pace. Surrounded by warm, clear waters of the Persian Gulf, they are always prepared and welcoming to guests who want to relax on the beach or explore the opportunities of this thriving metropolis.

author

Chris Bates

STEWARTVILLE

JERSEY SHORE WEEKEND

LATEST NEWS

Real Estate Widget Fragment

Events

January

S M T W T F S
29 30 31 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31 1

To Submit an Event Sign in first

Today's Events

No calendar events have been scheduled for today.