Things to do in United Arab Emirates: best places to visit
The UAE's must-sees: the Burj Khalifa, the Burj Al Arab, the Palm Jumeirah and the Dubai Mall fountain in Dubai, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Louvre in Abu Dhabi, the Blue Souk and Al Hisn Fort in Sharjah. Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah add mountains, old forts and beaches on the Gulf of Oman.
Sights in United Arab Emirates
70 places in 5 cities
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
1 h 30 minAED 10 for tourists, booked onlinemosqueshistoryviews
National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
1 h 15 minAED 5, children 5–13 AED 2historymuseumsancient ruins
Emirates Palace
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
45 min≈ Free entry; gold cappuccino AED 90palacessunsetsevening
Sharjah Fort (Al Hisn)
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
1 hAED 10 · 5-museum ticket AED 20historymuseumspalaces
Itineraries across United Arab Emirates
City itineraries in United Arab Emirates
UAE travel guide
Before you go: which emirate to pick, two seas, visa and currency, getting between cities, weather by month and local rules.
United Arab Emirates: the essentials
- Visa
- Depends on your passport — many get a free visa on arrival
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Currency
- UAE dirham (AED), pegged to the US dollar
- First trip
- Dubai for 4–5 days plus a day in Abu Dhabi
- When to go
- November–March: ≈ 24–30° by day
- Sea
- The Persian Gulf or the Gulf of Oman
- Summer
- June–September ≈ 40°, hotels cheaper
- Alcohol
- Licensed hotels and venues only; none in Sharjah
- Weekend
- Saturday–Sunday; Friday midday prayers
- Driving
- Right-hand traffic, speed cameras everywhere
- Time zone
- UTC+4 all year
officiali
Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Key facts
Sourcei
Wikipedia, “United Arab Emirates”Sourcei
Wikipedia, “United Arab Emirates”Sourcei
UNESCO World Heritage List, No. 1343Sourcei
Wikipedia, “Burj Khalifa”Sourcei
Wikipedia, “Jebel Jais”Best places to visit in the UAE
The best places to visit in the UAE on a first trip are Dubai for 4–5 days — towers, beaches and desert — plus a day in Abu Dhabi for the Grand Mosque and the Louvre. Sharjah suits museum lovers on a budget, Ras Al Khaimah has mountains, and Fujairah the clearest sea. Every place with its YesGo score is in the list above.
| Dubai | Burj Khalifa, the Marina, desert | 4–5 days |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi | Grand Mosque, Louvre, Yas Island | 1–2 days |
| Sharjah | Museums, souks, cheaper hotels | 1–2 days |
| Ras Al Khaimah | Jebel Jais, forts, beaches | 2–3 days |
| Fujairah | Gulf of Oman, snorkelling, hills | 3–7 days |
The emirates are 30 minutes to 2 hours apart by car, so any of them works as a day trip from Dubai. Ready trips across the country are above on this page.
Which coast to choose in the UAE
The UAE has two different coasts: the Persian Gulf in the west (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah) and the Gulf of Oman in the east (Fujairah). The Persian Gulf is warm and shallow with white sand and city views; the Gulf of Oman is clearer, with coral near shore and mountains behind the beach.
| Persian Gulf | Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah | Warm water, city nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Persian Gulf | Ras Al Khaimah | Resorts near the mountains |
| Gulf of Oman | Fujairah, Khor Fakkan | Clear water, reefs |
In winter the Persian Gulf is ≈ 21–22 °C and the Gulf of Oman ≈ 24 °C.
UAE visa and currency
UAE visa rules depend on your passport: many nationalities get a free visa on arrival, others apply online before travel. The currency is the UAE dirham (AED), pegged at ≈ 3.67 to the US dollar. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including taxis.
- Cards — contactless works in shops, malls, taxis and the metro.
- Cash — handy for souks and abras; ATMs are everywhere.
- Prices — Dubai and Abu Dhabi are expensive; Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah cheaper.
- Tipping — about 10% in restaurants if service is not included.
Getting around the UAE
Only Dubai has a metro; between the emirates there are intercity buses and taxis, and a hire car or transfer is easiest. Roads are excellent and fuel is cheap, but speeding fines are high.
- Dubai Metro — from the airport to the Marina, on a Nol card.
- Intercity buses — Dubai to Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.
- Car hire — bring an international driving permit if your licence requires one.
- Taxis — metered cabs and ride-hailing apps in every emirate.
UAE weather by month
The best time to visit the UAE is November to March: ≈ 24–30 °C by day and the sea at 22–27 °C. October and April are hotter but the sea is warmest. From June to September days reach about 40 °C — hotels are cheaper and life moves to the evening. Below is Dubai.
DubaiiLong-term averages, °C: day and night air, sea water near the shore, rain — rainy days a month. Any given year can be warmer or cooler. Tap a month for details below. | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 24° | 25° | 29° | 33° | 38° | 40° | 41° | 41° | 39° | 35° | 30° | 26° |
| Night | 15° | 16° | 18° | 22° | 26° | 28° | 31° | 31° | 28° | 24° | 20° | 17° |
| Sea | 22° | 21° | 23° | 25° | 28° | 31° | 32° | 33° | 32° | 30° | 27° | 24° |
| Rain | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
Warm — 20 °C and above by dayBest time to go: January–March and November–December
- day ≈ 24°
- night ≈ 15°
- sea ≈ 22°
- rain 2 days
Peak season: about 24°, sea ≈ 22°. Swimmable, the water is fresh — about 22°.
- day ≈ 25°
- night ≈ 16°
- sea ≈ 21°
- rain 2 days
Warm and dry — the best time. Swimmable, the water is fresh — about 21°.
- day ≈ 29°
- night ≈ 18°
- sea ≈ 23°
- rain 2 days
About 29°, spring, desert trips. Swimmable, the water is fresh — about 23°.
- day ≈ 33°
- night ≈ 22°
- sea ≈ 25°
- rain 1 days
Hotter, the sea is warm. Warm for swimming, water — about 25°.
- day ≈ 38°
- night ≈ 26°
- sea ≈ 28°
- rain 0 days
About 38°, heat. Warm for swimming, water — about 28°.
- day ≈ 40°
- night ≈ 28°
- sea ≈ 31°
- rain 0 days
Heat ≈ 40°, cheaper hotels. Warm for swimming, water — about 31°.
- day ≈ 41°
- night ≈ 31°
- sea ≈ 32°
- rain 0 days
The hottest month. Warm for swimming, water — about 32°.
- day ≈ 41°
- night ≈ 31°
- sea ≈ 33°
- rain 0 days
Hot and humid. Warm for swimming, water — about 33°.
- day ≈ 39°
- night ≈ 28°
- sea ≈ 32°
- rain 0 days
About 39°. Warm for swimming, water — about 32°.
- day ≈ 35°
- night ≈ 24°
- sea ≈ 30°
- rain 0 days
About 35°, a warm sea. Warm for swimming, water — about 30°.
- day ≈ 30°
- night ≈ 20°
- sea ≈ 27°
- rain 1 days
About 30°, the season begins. Warm for swimming, water — about 27°.
- day ≈ 26°
- night ≈ 17°
- sea ≈ 24°
- rain 2 days
About 26°, New Year. Warm for swimming, water — about 24°.
Each city has its own weather: Jebel Jais is 8–10° cooler, and Fujairah has warmer winter sea.
UAE travel tips and rules
UAE travel rules are simple: normal swimwear on the beach; shoulders and knees covered in malls, mosques and souks. Alcohol is served only in licensed hotels and venues, and not at all in Sharjah. During Ramadan, be discreet in public in the daytime.
- Dress — women need a headscarf in mosques; clothing covers arms and legs.
- Photos — ask before photographing people, especially women.
- Ramadan — the dates move each year; some cafés change daytime hours.
- Safety — the main tourist areas are considered safe; check your government’s travel advice before you go.
Tips
- In summer, book outdoor plans for early morning and evening; keep midday for museums, aquariums and malls.
- The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi pauses for Friday prayers ≈ 11:30–14:30.
- A Nol card covers Dubai’s metro, tram, buses and abras.
FAQ
Do I need a visa for the UAE?
It depends on your passport: many nationalities get a free visa on arrival, others apply online before travel. Check the official UAE rules for your passport.
What are the best places to visit in the UAE?
Dubai for Burj Khalifa, the Marina and the desert; Abu Dhabi for the Grand Mosque and the Louvre; Ras Al Khaimah for Jebel Jais; Fujairah for snorkelling.
When is the best time to visit the UAE?
November to March, when days are 24–30 °C and the sea is 22–27 °C. Summer is very hot, around 40 °C.
What is the UAE currency?
The UAE dirham (AED), pegged at about 3.67 to the US dollar.
Is the UAE safe for tourists?
The main tourist areas are generally considered safe, including for women travelling alone. Check your government’s current travel advice before you go.
What is the weather like in the UAE in December?
About 26 °C by day and 15–17 °C at night, with the sea around 24 °C.
What to do in the UAE with kids?
Dubai’s aquarium, Legoland, safari park and water parks, and Yas Island in Abu Dhabi with Ferrari World; the Persian Gulf beaches are shallow and calm.
What to do in the UAE in summer?
Indoor sights — museums, aquariums, malls and indoor theme parks — plus the cooler heights of Jebel Jais and evening beaches.
Can you drink alcohol in the UAE?
Yes, in licensed hotels, bars and restaurants only; drinking in public is not allowed. Sharjah bans alcohol entirely.
How far apart are the emirates?
Dubai to Sharjah ≈ 30 minutes, to Abu Dhabi ≈ 1.5 hours, to Ras Al Khaimah ≈ 1 hour and to Fujairah ≈ 1.5–2 hours.
Sources and fact-check
- Wikipedia, “United Arab Emirates”; “Burj Khalifa”; “Jebel Jais”; Dubai climate (1991–2020 normals)
- UNESCO World Heritage List, No. 1343 (Al Ain)
- Central Bank of the UAE — dirham exchange rate
- UAE government portal u.ae — entry rules