Travel Guide to United Arab Emirates 2026: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, the Desert & Beyond
Planning to visit the UAE? This travel guide to United Arab Emirates covers everything for a first trip: where the UAE is, the best (and too-hot) months to go, free visa on arrival, the 10 best places to visit across the seven emirates, a 7-day itinerary, realistic costs, local laws and etiquette, and the best hotels and universities. From the Burj Khalifa and old Al Fahidi in Dubai to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Louvre Abu Dhabi, the red dunes of the desert and the mountains of Ras Al Khaimah, the Emirates mix record-breaking cities with Bedouin heritage.
Last updated: October 2026 · Entry rules and taxes in this travel guide to United Arab Emirates were checked against official sources
📊 Quick Facts for Your Travel guide to United Arab Emirates
- Capital: Abu Dhabi💡 Dubai is the largest city
- Currency: UAE dirham (AED)💡 Pegged at about 3.67 to the US dollar. Check today's rate
- Languages: Arabic (official), English💡 English is used everywhere in tourism
- Population: About 11 million💡 2026 estimate; about 9 in 10 residents are expatriates
- Area: About 83,600 km²💡 Seven emirates
- Time zone: UTC+4💡 Gulf Standard Time, no daylight saving. Convert times
- UNESCO sites: 2💡 The cultural sites of Al Ain and the Faya palaeolandscape in Sharjah
- Power: 230 V, plug type G💡 The same three-pin plug as the UK
ℹ️ Figures in this travel guide to United Arab Emirates are 2026 estimates from official and international sources.
📍 Where Is the United Arab Emirates?
The United Arab Emirates lies on the south-east of the Arabian Peninsula. Most of the coast faces the Persian Gulf, while Fujairah looks east onto the Gulf of Oman. It borders Saudi Arabia to the south and west and Oman to the east, and the Hajar Mountains rise near the Omani border. The seven emirates are Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.
Dubai is a global hub: about 7 hours from London and 4 from Delhi, with non-stop flights to six continents. Dubai to Abu Dhabi is about 1.5 hours by road. Check the distance from your city with our distance calculator.
📅 Best Time to Visit the United Arab Emirates
The best time to visit the United Arab Emirates is November to March, when days are warm and sunny (24–30 °C) and evenings are perfect for desert camps and outdoor dining. April, May and October are hot but cheaper. June to September is extreme (40–45 °C) and humid; it is low season with big hotel discounts, and life moves indoors to malls, museums and theme parks. During Ramadan (dates move each year), eat and drink discreetly in public in daylight hours; restaurants for visitors stay open.
Peak season: perfect beach, desert and festival weather.
Hot days, quieter hotels, good value.
Extreme heat; big discounts and indoor attractions.
Still hot, but the season starts to cool down.
📅 Use the seasons in this travel guide to United Arab Emirates to match your trip to the weather, festivals and prices you want.
🛂 UAE Visa & Entry Requirements
Free visa on arrival for many visitors: citizens of the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and other countries get a free 30-day visa on arrival. Citizens of EU and Schengen countries get 90 days within 180. GCC citizens need only an ID card. Many other nationalities need an e-visa arranged before travel, often through an airline or hotel. Check your nationality on the official ICP or GDRFA Dubai websites.
- PassportValid at least 6 months from arrival.
- Smart gatesMany visitors can use automatic e-gates at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports.
- MedicinesSome prescription and over-the-counter medicines are controlled; carry prescriptions and check the rules before you fly.
- Main airportsDubai International (DXB), on the metro red line, and Abu Dhabi (AUH).
🔗 Official sources: Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) · GDRFA Dubai. Entry rules change, so always confirm before booking and avoid paid look-alike sites.
🛂 Entry rules in this travel guide to United Arab Emirates were last checked in October 2026.
🏙️ 10 Best Places to Visit in the UAE
These are the places we recommend most in this travel guide to United Arab Emirates, with the best months to see each one.
The Burj Khalifa observation decks, the Dubai Mall and the Dubai Fountain show.
💡 Best time: Nov–MarAl Fahidi, abra boats across the Creek, and the gold and spice souks.
💡 Best time: Nov–MarAbu Dhabi's white marble masterpiece; free entry with modest dress.
💡 Best time: All yearThe Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena and quiet beaches.
💡 Best time: Oct–AprDune drives, camel rides and dinner under the stars near Dubai or in Liwa.
💡 Best time: Oct–AprThe UNESCO oasis, Jebel Hafeet and the camel market, near Oman.
💡 Best time: Nov–MarThe UAE's cultural capital: museums, the heritage area and the Faya UNESCO site.
💡 Best time: Nov–MarJebel Jais, the UAE's highest peak, with one of the world's longest zip lines.
💡 Best time: Oct–AprThe east coast: snorkelling at Snoopy Island and the Hajar Mountains.
💡 Best time: Oct–MayKayaking on the dam, mountain biking and heritage villages.
💡 Best time: Oct–Apr🗺️ 7-Day UAE Itinerary: Dubai, the Desert & Abu Dhabi
This part of our travel guide to United Arab Emirates sets out a first trip that combines Dubai, the desert and Abu Dhabi. The Dubai Metro and taxis make getting around easy; hire a car or driver for Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.
Follow this route from our travel guide to United Arab Emirates day by day, or shorten it to fit your trip.
- Dubai: arrive; the Dubai Mall, the fountains and dinner in Downtown.
- Dubai: the Burj Khalifa at sunset (book ahead) and the Museum of the Future.
- Old Dubai: Al Fahidi, an abra across the Creek and the souks; evening at Dubai Marina.
- Desert: a morning at the beach, then an afternoon desert safari with dinner.
- Abu Dhabi: drive or bus (1.5 hours); the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque at golden hour.
- Abu Dhabi: the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat Beach, or Ferrari World on Yas Island.
- Depart: from Abu Dhabi, or return to Dubai via Al Ain with more time.
➕ With more time: add Ras Al Khaimah's Jebel Jais, the east coast at Fujairah, Hatta, or a desert night in Liwa near the Empty Quarter.
💵 How Much Does a Trip to the United Arab Emirates Cost?
The UAE can be as luxurious as you like, but metros, street food and budget hotels keep costs down. These are approximate daily costs per person in 2026, excluding flights. Use our currency converter to see them in your own currency.
| Travel style | Per day (approx.) | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | AED 250–400 | Budget hotels, the metro, shawarma and cafeteria food |
| Mid-range | AED 600–1,100 | Four-star hotels, attractions, a desert safari and restaurants |
| Luxury | AED 2,500 + | Burj Al Arab-class hotels, fine dining and private tours |
💡 All prices in this travel guide to United Arab Emirates are per person, per day, and change with the season and exchange rates.
🧾 Hotels in Dubai add a nightly Tourism Dirham fee per room, plus service charges and VAT, so check the final price. Alcohol is served only in licensed venues and is expensive. Tipping of about 10% is common in restaurants if service is not included.
💡 Safety & Travel Tips for Your Travel guide to United Arab Emirates
The UAE is very safe, with low crime. The main issues are legal and cultural: public displays of affection, swearing, rude gestures and offensive social media posts can lead to fines or arrest; drinking alcohol in public or being drunk in public is illegal; and drugs carry severe penalties. Photographing people without permission, especially women, is not allowed. In summer, heat is a real danger: drink water and avoid the midday sun. Driving can be fast and aggressive.
Cover shoulders and knees in malls, souks and mosques.
For Dubai's metro, buses and trams.
Burj Khalifa sunset slots sell out.
No eating or drinking in public in daylight.
Ask before photographing people.
"Marhaba" (hello) and "Shukran" (thank you).
🏨 Best Hotels in the UAE: 8 Top Picks
Stay in Downtown or Dubai Marina for first visits, the Creek area for value, and on Saadiyat or the Corniche in Abu Dhabi.
The sail-shaped landmark on its own island.
Check prices on Booking.com →A family resort with Aquaventure waterpark.
Check prices on Booking.com →Arabian palace style with canals and a private beach.
Check prices on Booking.com →Bedouin-style suites with private pools and oryx outside.
Check prices on Booking.com →Gold-leaf interiors and a long private beach.
Check prices on Booking.com →A fort-style resort among giant dunes near the Empty Quarter.
Check prices on Booking.com →Restored merchant houses in old Sharjah.
Check prices on Booking.com →A grand beach resort near the mountains.
Check prices on Booking.com →🔎 How we chose for this travel guide to United Arab Emirates: hotels are picked for location, reputation and a spread of emirates and styles. Prices and availability change daily, so the buttons open live Booking.com results for each property.
🤝 Affiliate disclosure: hotel buttons are affiliate links. If you book through them, AtlasWise may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes which hotels we list.
🎓 Top Universities in the United Arab Emirates
The UAE hosts strong national universities and branch campuses of international names.
| University | City | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Khalifa University | Abu Dhabi | Public |
| United Arab Emirates University | Al Ain | Public |
| New York University Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi | Private |
| American University of Sharjah | Sharjah | Private |
| University of Sharjah | Sharjah | Public |
The UAE's leading science and engineering university.
Visit website →The country's first national university, founded in 1976.
Visit website →A liberal arts and research campus of NYU.
Visit website →Known for engineering, architecture and business.
Visit website →A large comprehensive university.
Visit website →🔎 How we chose for this travel guide to United Arab Emirates: the leading universities in the UAE by reputation and research. Last checked: October 2026.
🐪 Emirati Culture & Food
Emirati culture is rooted in Bedouin desert life, pearl diving and Islam. Hospitality is central: guests are welcomed with gahwa (cardamom coffee) and dates. Falconry, camel racing and the al-ayyala dance are part of national heritage, and National Day on 2 December is celebrated with fireworks and parades.
Try machboos (spiced rice with meat or fish), harees, luqaimat dumplings with date syrup, shawarma and Lebanese-style grills, camel-milk chocolate, and Arabic coffee in a traditional majlis.
❓ Travel Guide to the United Arab Emirates: FAQ
Do I need a visa for the UAE?
US, UK, Canadian and Australian citizens get a free 30-day visa on arrival; EU citizens get 90 days in 180. Others usually need an e-visa.
What is the best time to visit the UAE?
November to March, when it is warm but not too hot.
Can tourists drink alcohol in Dubai?
Yes, in licensed hotels, bars and restaurants, but not in public places.
What should I wear in Dubai?
Light, modest clothing in public; swimwear only at beaches and pools.
Is Dubai expensive?
It can be, but metros, budget hotels and street food make it affordable.
How many days do you need in the UAE?
Seven days covers Dubai, a desert safari and Abu Dhabi.
Is the UAE safe for tourists?
Yes, it has very low crime; respect local laws on behaviour, alcohol and photography.
What currency does the UAE use?
The UAE dirham (AED), pegged to the US dollar.
📚 Trusted Resources for Your Travel guide to United Arab Emirates
- Visit DubaiOfficial Dubai tourism
- Visit Abu DhabiOfficial Abu Dhabi tourism
- UNESCO: UAEWorld Heritage Sites in the UAE
Finished this travel guide to United Arab Emirates? 🌍 More Middle East guides: Oman · Qatar · Saudi Arabia · Jordan · Egypt
⚖️ Compare the United Arab Emirates with other countries in Compare Countries.
🏛️ Planning a bucket list? See the 20 best World Heritage Sites to visit.
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