United Arab Emirates Travel Guide: Key Destinations, Helpful Safety & Travel Tips

The United Arab Emirates present two distinct sides to the world.

United Arab Emirates

Capital City: Abu Dhabi

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United Arab Emirates Key Facts

  • Flag

    UAE Flag

  • Size

    83,600 km²

  • Population

    9,346,129

  • United Arab Emirates Location

    Arabian Peninsula

  • Travel Insurance

    For UAE travel insurance, select "Worldwide" Region

  • International Calling Codes

    971

  • Cities

    Dubai

    Sharjah

  • Language

    Arabic

  • Religions

    76% Islam
    15% Hinduism and other Asian religions
    9% Christianity

  • Currency

    UAE dirham

    Get current exchange rates from

    XE Currency Converter

  • Driving

    In UAE they drive on the right side of the road

Tourism website: www.visitabudhabi.ae

When is the best time to visit?

The months from October to April are the best time to visit the UAE.

Transport Information

Airports (35 domestic, 7 international), highways.

 

World Heritage Sites

  1. Cultural Sites of Al Ain (Hafit, Hili, Bidaa Bint Saud and Oases Areas), which testifies to sedentary human occupation of this area since the Neolithic period
  • Average Annual Temperature

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     27 degrees

  • Average Annual Rainfall

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    96 mm

Climate Information

 The United Arab Emirates have an arid, desert climate. Summers are hot, with July and August being the hottest months where temperature can exceed 45 degrees. January and February are the coldest months with temperatures between 10 to 14 degrees. Rainfall is minimal throughout the year, with higher levels of rainfall at the coast.

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Official Holidays

  • January 1 - New Year's Day
  • January 3 - Mouloud (The Prophet's Birthday
  • May 16 - Leilat al-Meiraj (The Prophet's Ascension)
  • July 18 - Eid-al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
  • July 19 & 20 - Eid-al-Fitr Holiday
  • September 24 - Arafat (Haj) Day
  • September 26&27 - Eid-al-Adha Holiday
  • October 15 - Al-Hijra (Islamic New Year)
  • December 2 - National Day
  • December 3 - National Day Holiday
  • December 24 - Mouloud (The Prophet's Birthday)
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Why Visit UAE?

 The UAE has marketed itself as a shopping destination and a location for a quick weekend getaway. There are many options for shopping and luxury travel, making it a good destination for upmarket travelers. The UAE are not the right location for backpackers or budget travellers though.

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Things To Do In UAE

  • Go shopping in Dubai
  • See the famous 7 star hotel
  • Go to the viewing platform of the Burj Dubai
  • Go surfing in the wave pool at Umm al Quwain
  • Go to the camel races, camp in the desert
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Travel Tips For UAE

Certain prescription drugs are illegal in the UAE. Before you go, check with your travel agent and definitely bring the doctor's prescription with you.

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UAE Food

Popular staples in the UAE are rice, fish and meat. Generally, Emirati cuisine has adopted the favorite foods from their neighbors and Western countries as their own. Lamb and mutton are popular meats, though goat is also available and should be tried. Coffees and teas are usually spiced with mint, saffron or cardamom giving the a distinct but refreshing flavor. You will find excellent restaurants representing most of the world's cuisines here. At special occasions camel meat is served.

UAE Travel Safety and Warnings

  • The UAE are safe for travellers.
  • As a precaution, consider travel insurance for United Arab Emirates.
  • *Latest update*
    If you are travelling on an Australian passport showing 'X' (indeterminate/intersex/unspecified) in the sex field you will not be permitted to enter the United Arab Emirates (see Entry and exit). The level of our advice has not changed. Exercise normal safety precautions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
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About UAE

The United Arab Emirates present two distinct sides to the world: one very familiar to most westerners with big malls, and one that is less well known that presents stunning dunes and interesting wadis (Arabic for valleys) that are waiting to be explored. Whether you choose shopping, luxury holiday, or desert exploration, the UAE has it all and then some more just to be sure. Get your passport ready, take out travel insurance for United Arab Emirates, and head off to explore this gem of a country.

Travel Highlights of Emirates: 

Most travellers to the United Arab Emirates will enter through the main transport hub of Dubai. Heading into the city, you will immediately notice the sheer size of everything. Dubai has three to five lane roads running through it, and you’ll probably see the highest density of super cars in the world here. From far away you can make out the magnificent skyline of the ultra modern buildings, and the skyline of Dubai is nothing short of spectacular.

While most of the city is very modern, you can still explore some of Dubai's roots if you’re willing to look.

The Al Ahmadiya School is easily one of the oldest buildings in town, dating back to 1912.

The Jumeirah Mosque is another example of splendid Islamic architecture, and it’s also one of the few mosques in town open to visitors. 

The souks (markets) in Dubai are a lot of fun to explore, where you can buy anything from spices to t-shirts, after having haggled for a little while. The Dubai Museum offers a really interesting overview of the history of Dubai as well as a visual record of its transformation from new to ultra modern, which is fascinating to see.

As opposed to 'old Dubai', the modern face of Dubai is everywhere. The Burj Dubai is the tallest man-made structure in the world, and the view from the observation deck is absolutely spectacular.

From the top here you can also see the world famous Palm Islands, which are located just off the coast. Apart from the shopping malls, the Dubai Marina is one of the few places in the city where you can actually walk around, and you’ll probably see some of the most expensive boats in the world docked up

Should you be getting a little warm, the best place in Dubai to go to is the indoor skiing slope. Located in the Mall of the Emirates, it’s a cozy -4 degrees inside and you can enjoy a spell of skiing before heading out into the desert again.

And since you’re in the Mall of the Emirates already, why not indulge in one of Dubai's major attractions – shopping! 

The malls in this city are easily some of the best in the world and you will find everything from tea, iPads, and textiles to gold and diamonds.

Between the souks and the malls, there’s little you can’t find in Dubai.

On the west coast and not far from Dubai is the region of Umm al Quwain, which is a good place to come for adventure-oriented activities. Here you’ll find Dreamland, the world's largest aqua park which features a wave pool where you can go surfing.

This is also a great area for fishing, and in keeping with traditional activities, you can even see people engaging in falconry. There are also seven islands just east of the mainland, which are fun to explore, though you need to book through a tour operator. 

At Al Labsa is a famous camel-racing track, which is set in some picturesque dunes. In winter the camel races happen early in the mornings, and they do provide quite a spectacle.

This area is also very well known for camping and there are a few truly stunning camping spots here where you will see the most amazing night sky. Before heading into the desert though, ensure you have proper United Arab Emirates travel insurance

Umm al Quwain offers some wonderful places to relax as well, and the Corniche (walkway along the beach) is a nice spot to smoke a Shisha while enjoying the sound of the waves.

This area is also famous for bird watching - you can look across from the Corniche to Al Sinniya Island and spot herons, plovers, Greater Flamingoes. If you happen to be in this area between November and March, you stand a good chance of seeing large groups go Great Cormorants.

The United Arab Emirates are a very safe destination for travellers, and there is little to worry about. As for all overseas trips, add travel insurance for United Arab Emirates to your checklist. 

 

 

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