Roavina

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.

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

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
  9. September: no seasonality data recorded — this month
  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

5 places match
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Category

Historic monuments 30 Museums 26 Places of worship 10 Nature sites 26 Viewpoints 2 Food and drink 0 Markets and shopping 21 Entertainment 10 Nightlife 0 Family attractions 9 Art and culture 5 Activities 5

Typical visit duration

1 to 2 hours 4 Half a day or more 1

Interests

History 0 Art 0 Museums 0 Nature 0 Sea and beach 0 Viewpoints 0
  1. Burj Al Arab Burj Al Arab
    01 2 hours

    Burj Al Arab

    Burj Al Arab is Jumeirah's sail-shaped luxury hotel on Dubai's coast.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Dubai
  2. Palm Jumeirah Palm Jumeirah
    02 3 hours

    Palm Jumeirah

    Palm Jumeirah is Nakheel's palm-shaped, man-made island extending five kilometres into the Arabian Gulf. The master developer records 560 hectares of land and describes a mixed residential, tourism and leisure destination rather than one attraction behind a single entrance.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Dubai
  3. Abu Dhabi Corniche Abu Dhabi Corniche
    03 2 hours

    Abu Dhabi Corniche

    The Abu Dhabi Corniche is an eight-kilometre stretch of waterfront promenade along the northwestern shore of Abu Dhabi Island. It extends from the Emirates Palace area to Mina Port, forming one of the city's most prominent public spaces.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Abu Dhabi
  4. Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
    04 2 hours

    Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental

    Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental is a landmark luxury hotel in Abu Dhabi, situated on the Corniche. Originally opened as Emirates Palace, it became part of the Mandarin Oriental group.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Abu Dhabi
  5. Yas Marina Circuit Yas Marina Circuit
    05 2 hours

    Yas Marina Circuit

    Yas Marina Circuit is a motorsport race track located on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It was designed by Hermann Tilke and opened in 2009.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • 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.