Smart Self-Managed Tours

Country guide

United Arab Emirates

A photograph of United Arab Emirates
Photograph · Tonenight · CC BY-SA 4.0

The United Arab Emirates has been one country since 2 December 1971, when seven emirates — Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah — federated. It covers 83,600 km² and held 11,027,129 people in 2024, of whom about 11 per cent are Emirati citizens; the rest came to work, and that shapes the food, the languages and the shape of a week more than any monument does. Abu Dhabi is the capital and Dubai the largest city, close enough to treat as one base. The northern emirates beyond them are quieter and far less built.

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information
Language spoken
Arabic; English is widely used
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+971
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
UAE dirham (AED)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
999 police · 998 ambulance
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type G · 230 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
No verified nationwide drinking-water statement was recorded

Planning a visit

  1. January: no seasonality data recorded
  2. February: no seasonality data recorded
  3. March: no seasonality data recorded
  4. April: no seasonality data recorded
  5. May: no seasonality data recorded
  6. June: no seasonality data recorded
  7. July: no seasonality data recorded
  8. August: no seasonality data recorded — this month
  9. September: no seasonality data recorded
  10. October: no seasonality data recorded
  11. November: no seasonality data recorded
  12. December: no seasonality data recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

Filter the list

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Category

Historic monuments 0 Museums 0 Places of worship 0 Nature sites 343 Viewpoints 0 Food and drink 0 Markets and shopping 0 Entertainment 0 Nightlife 0 Family attractions 0 Art and culture 0 Activities 0

Typical visit duration

Up to 1 hour 342 Half a day or more 1

Interests

History 0 Art 0 Museums 0 Nature 343 Sea and beach 343 Viewpoints 0
  3. Safa Park
    03 1 hour

    Safa Park

    Safa Park is a public green space in Dubai, known locally as حديقة الصفا. The park occupies a notable position within the urban landscape of the emirate, offering residents and visitors a recreational environment amid the surrounding city development.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Dubai
  4. Zabeel Park
    04 1 hour

    Zabeel Park

    Zabeel Park is a major urban park in Dubai, known locally as حديقة زعبيل. The park occupies a significant green space within the city and serves as a recreational destination for residents and visitors.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Dubai
  5. Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve
    05 4 hours

    Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve

    The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve is a 225-square-kilometre protected area in the emirate's inland desert, which the reserve describes as 4.7 per cent of Dubai's total land area and as the UAE's first national park.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Dubai
  6. Burj Park
    06 1 hour

    Burj Park

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Dubai
  8. Ḩadīqat al Khawr
    08 1 hour

    Ḩadīqat al Khawr

    Ḩadīqat al Khawr, locally known as حديقة الخور, is a park situated in Dubai.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Dubai
  9. Ḩadīqat al Khazzān
    09 1 hour

    Ḩadīqat al Khazzān

    Ḩadīqat al Khazzān, locally known as حديقة الخزّان, is a park located in Dubai. The name translates to Reservoir Park or Tank Park, suggesting historical or functional water-related significance in its naming.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Dubai
  13. ...
    13 1 hour

    ...

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Dubai
  37. Al Mamzar
    37 1 hour

    Al Mamzar

    Al Mamzar is a coastal area in Dubai, known primarily for Al Mamzar Beach Park. The local name الممزر identifies this destination on Dubai's northeastern shoreline, near the border with Sharjah.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Dubai
  42. Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve
    42 1 hour

    Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve

    Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve is the largest unfenced nature reserve in the United Arab Emirates, located in the desert interior of Dubai. The protected area encompasses extensive dune landscapes, sabkha flats, and gravel plains.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Dubai
  52. Al Nakhla
    52 1 hour

    Al Nakhla

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Dubai
  84. Al Wadi
    84 1 hour

    Al Wadi

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Dubai
  89. Amwaj Beach
    89 1 hour

    Amwaj Beach

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Abu Dhabi

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to United Arab Emirates be?

Six to eight days is enough for roughly four days in Dubai and two or three in Abu Dhabi. Sharjah can be a separate museum day, while Ras Al Khaimah or Fujairah requires dedicated road time rather than being treated as a quick urban extension.

What entry documents are needed for United Arab Emirates?

UAE entry permission depends on nationality and may be arranged in advance or granted under a nationality-specific rule. Confirm the current position through the federal ICP service or the responsible UAE embassy, especially for a stopover itinerary.

What is the best way to travel around United Arab Emirates?

Dubai combines metro, tram, buses, and marine transport; Abu Dhabi relies more heavily on buses and taxis. Travel between emirates remains road-based, so allow for an intercity bus, taxi, or rental car rather than expecting a passenger train.

When is a practical time to visit United Arab Emirates?

November through March gives the most practical outdoor hours for this Dubai-Abu Dhabi route. In hotter months, schedule waterfront and heritage districts early or late and reserve the middle of the day for indoor museums.

What money and payment basics apply in United Arab Emirates?

The United Arab Emirates uses the dirham (AED). Cards are widely useful in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but retain an AED backup for smaller fares or deposits and check which currency a card terminal proposes.

What practical safety details should I save for United Arab Emirates?

Police in the UAE can be reached on 999 and ambulance services on 998. Type G sockets supply 230 V; tap-water guidance is not recorded here, so ask the accommodation for the building-specific position.