United Arab Emirates
Updated October 19, 2026
The United Arab Emirates, a federation of seven emirates on the south-eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, stretches along the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, between Saudi Arabia and Oman. Founded in 1971, it has grown in two generations from a coast of fishing and pearling villages into one …
Must-See Places in United Arab Emirates
Burj Khalifa
The world's tallest building, about 828 m, with observation decks on levels 124, 125 and 148 overlooking Dubai, the desert and the Gulf.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
A white marble mosque with 82 domes, about 1,000 columns and one of the world's largest hand-knotted carpets, open to all visitors for free.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
A museum by Jean Nouvel on Saadiyat Island, under a vast latticed dome that creates a rain of light, with art from prehistory to today.
Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood
Old Dubai's quarter of coral-stone houses and wind towers beside Dubai Creek, with museums, galleries and abra boats to the souks.
Al Ain Oasis
A UNESCO-listed oasis with about 147,000 date palms watered by ancient falaj channels, with shaded walking paths in the garden city.
Jebel Jais
The country's highest peak, about 1,934 m, with the world's longest zipline, a mountain road and cooler temperatures in the Hajar range.
Sharjah Arts Area
Sharjah's restored heritage quarter with the Museum of Islamic Civilization, the Sharjah Art Foundation and traditional courtyard houses.
Al Bidya Mosque
The oldest known mosque in the UAE, a small mud and stone building with four domes, dated to about the 15th century, on the east coast.
Unique Experiences in United Arab Emirates
Desert Safari and Bedouin Camp
Ride over the red dunes in a 4x4, try sandboarding and camel riding, and spend the evening at a desert camp with a barbecue, henna painting and stargazing.
Abra Ride on Dubai Creek
Cross Dubai Creek in a traditional wooden abra boat between the Gold Souk, the Spice Souk and the Al Fahidi quarter, seeing old Dubai from the water.
Ziplining from Jebel Jais
Fly over the Hajar Mountains on Jais Flight, one of the world's longest ziplines at about 2.8 km, reaching speeds of about 120–150 km/h.
Snorkelling on the East Coast
Snorkel or dive among coral reefs, turtles and blacktip reef sharks at Snoopy Island and Dibba, on the Gulf of Oman coast, far from the city skylines.
Grand Mosque at Sunset
Visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in the late afternoon and stay as the white marble turns gold and the mosque is lit in shifting colours after dark.
Travel Tips for United Arab Emirates
Visit between October and April
Plan your trip for the cooler months, from October to April, when days are about 24–35°C and beaches, desert camps, outd…
Respect local customs and dress codes
The UAE is tolerant of visitors, but it is a Muslim country with strict laws. Cover shoulders and knees in malls, souks …
Check rules during Ramadan
During Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, whose date changes each year, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. Visitors may …
Use the metro and Nol card in Dubai
Dubai's driverless metro, with its Red and Green lines, connects the airport, Downtown, Dubai Marina and Deira cheaply. …
Go beyond Dubai
Most visitors stay in Dubai, but the other emirates are close and much quieter. Spend at least two days in Abu Dhabi for…
Protect yourself from the sun and heat
The sun is strong all year, even in winter, so wear sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat, and drink plenty of water. Plan out…
Must-Try Local Dishes
Machboos
Machboos, the national dish of the UAE, is spiced rice cooked with chicken, lamb or fish, flavoured with loomi, dried black lime, saffron, cardamom, cinnamon and a spice mix called bezar, often topped with fried onions and nuts. It is served on large shared platters at family gatherings and in Emirati restaurants. A portion costs about AED 50–90 in a restaurant.
Luqaimat
Luqaimat are small, crispy fried dumplings, golden outside and soft inside, drizzled with date syrup, dibs, and sprinkled with sesame seeds. They are especially popular during Ramadan and at festivals, and they are often made fresh at heritage villages and food stalls. A plate costs about AED 15–30, best eaten hot with Arabic coffee.
Arabic Coffee and Dates
Gahwa, Arabic coffee, lightly roasted and flavoured with cardamom and sometimes saffron, is poured from a dallah, a brass pot, into small cups and served with dates as a sign of hospitality, recognised by UNESCO. Shake the cup gently when you have had enough. It is offered free in hotels, majlis and heritage sites, and dates are sold in markets for about AED 20–100 per kilo.
Shawarma
Shawarma, thin slices of marinated chicken or beef cooked on a vertical spit and wrapped in flatbread with garlic sauce, pickles and fries, is the most popular street food in the UAE, brought by Levantine residents. Cafeterias across every city sell it late into the night. A wrap costs about AED 8–20, one of the cheapest meals in the country.
Harees
Harees is a traditional dish of wheat and meat, usually chicken or lamb, slowly cooked for hours and beaten into a smooth porridge, seasoned simply with salt and topped with ghee. It is a classic dish during Ramadan, Eid and weddings, and it is listed by UNESCO as part of Emirati heritage. Emirati restaurants serve it for about AED 30–50.
Camel Milk Products
Camel milk, slightly salty and lower in fat than cow's milk, has been drunk by Bedouins for centuries, and today it is used for chocolate, ice cream, lattes and cheese. Al Nassma camel milk chocolate, made in Dubai, is a popular souvenir. A bar costs about AED 15–40, and a camel milk coffee about AED 20–30 in cafés.
Grilled Hammour
Hammour, a grouper fish from the Gulf, is the country's favourite fish, grilled, fried or cooked in a spicy tomato sauce and served with rice. Fish markets, such as the Waterfront Market in Dubai, let you choose fresh fish and have it cooked nearby. A grilled fish dish costs about AED 60–120. Overfishing has made hammour protected in some seasons.
Karak Chai
Karak chai, strong black tea boiled with evaporated milk, sugar, cardamom and sometimes saffron, was brought by South Asian residents and has become the everyday drink of the UAE. Roadside cafeterias serve it in small paper cups, often delivered to cars. A cup costs about AED 1–5, and locals often drink several a day with a paratha.
History
Ancient Settlements and Trade
People have lived in the territory of today's United Arab Emirates for at least 125,000 years: stone tools found at Jebel Faya, in Sharjah, are among the oldest evidence of modern humans outside Africa. In the Bronze Age, from about 3000 BC, the Hafit and Umm an-Nar cultures built round stone tombs, which can still be seen at Jebel Hafeet and on the island of Umm an-Nar near Abu Dhabi.
Copper of Magan
Mesopotamian texts describe a land called Magan, which supplied copper mined in the Hajar Mountains to Sumer. Around 1000 BC, people learned to build falaj irrigation channels, bringing groundwater to oases such as Al Ain and allowing date palm farming. Later sites, such as Mleiha and ed-Dur in Umm Al Quwain, show trade links with Greece, Rome, Persia and India. In the 7th century AD, the region adopted Islam, and the Battle of Dibba in 633 is remembered as part of this history. Julfar, near today's Ras Al Khaimah, became a major medieval port.
Climate & Best Time to Visit
Spring
18–38°C
March to May is warm to hot, with days of about 27–38°C, rising quickly in May. March and early April are pleasant for b…
Summer
28–45°C
June to September is extremely hot and humid, with days of about 40–45°C, sometimes higher inland, and nights around 30°…
Autumn
19–35°C
October and November bring falling temperatures, from about 35°C to 30°C, and comfortable evenings, marking the start of…
Winter
12–26°C
December to February is the best time to visit, with sunny days of about 23–26°C, cooler nights of 14–17°C and occasiona…
Fascinating Fun Facts
The world's tallest building
The Burj Khalifa in Dubai, opened in 2010, is the tallest building in the world, at about 828 m, with more than 160 floo…
Islands you can see from space
The Palm Jumeirah, built from about 2001 with about 94 million cubic metres of sand dredged from the sea floor and 7 mil…
A country of foreign residents
Of the roughly ten million people living in the UAE, only about 11–12% are Emirati citizens, and the rest are foreign re…
Falcons with their own passports
Falconry is an important part of Emirati heritage, recognised by UNESCO, and falcons are so valued that they can be issu…
A probe sent to Mars
In July 2020 the UAE launched the Hope probe, Al Amal, from Japan, and in February 2021 it entered orbit around Mars, ma…
The largest hand-knotted carpet
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, completed in 2007, has one of the world's largest hand-knotted carpets, cove…
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