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2 hours
Dubai Creek
Dubai Creek is a natural saltwater inlet that historically divided the city into Deira and Bur Dubai.
- Must see
- Nature site
- Dubai
Country guide
United Arab Emirates
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...
Photograph · Tonenight · CC BY-SA 4.0
6,981
Places
2Cities
Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor
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.
Checked 2026-08-25
Cities
Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.
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Dubai
Photograph · Tim Reckmann from Hamm, Deutschland · CC BY-SA 3.0
Dubai 4,763 places -
Abu Dhabi
Photograph · Валерий Дед · CC BY 3.0
Abu Dhabi 2,218 places
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
Top things to see
Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.
Filter the list
144 places match
Category
Typical visit duration
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08 2 hoursDubai Miracle Garden
Dubai Miracle Garden is a seasonal outdoor floral attraction in Dubailand, Dubai. It claims status as one of the region's larger flower gardens, displaying elaborate arrangements and structures covered in blooms.
- Must see
- Nature site
- Dubai
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09 3 hoursSki Dubai
Ski Dubai is an indoor ski resort located within the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It represents one of the world's largest indoor snow parks, offering winter sports experiences in a desert climate.
- Must see
- Entertainment venue
- Dubai
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10 1 hourAin Dubai
Ain Dubai is a giant observation wheel located on Bluewaters Island, an artificial island off the coast of the Jumeirah Beach Residence area. It stands as one of the most prominent landmarks on the Dubai skyline.
- Must see
- Viewpoint
- Dubai
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11 2 hoursYas 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
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12 3 hoursDubai Mall
دبي مول
Dubai Mall stands on Financial Centre Road in Downtown Dubai, at the foot of Burj Khalifa, and its operator Emaar describes it as the most visited retail and lifestyle destination in the world, welcoming over 100 million visitors a year.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Dubai
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13 2 hoursJumeirah Beach
Jumeirah Beach is a public coastal stretch along the Persian Gulf in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The local name is شاطئ الجميرة. The beach lies in the Jumeirah district, a well-established residential and hospitality area.
- Must see
- Nature site
- Dubai
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14 1 hr 30 minRas Al Khor
Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected wetland area in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The local name is محمية رأس الخور للحياة البرية. It is recognized as an important habitat for migratory birds and indigenous wildlife.
- Must see
- Nature site
- Dubai
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15 30 minThe Dubai Fountain
نافورة دبي
The Dubai Fountain is a choreographed water and light show staged on the Burj Lake, the artificial lake that lies between the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and Souk Al Bahar in Downtown Dubai.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Dubai
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16 1 hourAl Wathba Fossil Dunes Reserve
Al Wathba Fossil Dunes Reserve is a protected natural-heritage area in Abu Dhabi Emirate, recognized for its fossilized sand dunes formed over millennia. The site preserves ancient geological formations created when wind-blown sand solidified into dramatic sculptural shapes.
- Must see
- Nature site
- Abu Dhabi
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17 2 hr 30 minMuseum of the Future
متحف المستقبل
The Museum of the Future is a steel torus standing on a planted green mound beside Jumeirah Emirates Towers on Sheikh Zayed Road, with an oval void cut through its centre.
- Must see
- Museum
- Dubai
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18 30 minBAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi
BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi is a traditional Hindu temple built by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. It stands as a significant cultural and spiritual landmark in the United Arab Emirates, representing interfaith harmony and the UAE's commitment to religious tolerance.
- Must see
- Place of worship
- Abu Dhabi
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19 1 hr 30 minDubai Frame
برواز دبي
Dubai Frame is a picture frame built at architectural scale in Zabeel Park, and it is run by Dubai Municipality rather than by a commercial operator.
- Must see
- Museum
- Dubai
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20 1 hourDubai Gold Souk
Deira Gold Souk
Deira Gold Souk is an open-air jewellery market in Al Ras, at the northern end of Deira, a few hundred metres back from the Dubai Creek waterfront.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Dubai
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21 1 hr 30 minLouvre Abu Dhabi
Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi
Louvre Abu Dhabi is an art and civilization museum on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi. The institution opened in 2017 as a collaboration between the governments of Abu Dhabi and France.
- Must see
- Museum
- Abu Dhabi
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22 1 hr 30 minAl Bastakiya
حي الفهيدي التاريخي
Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood stands on the Bur Dubai bank of Dubai Creek, a few streets of low coral-stone houses left standing while the rest of the city went vertical.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Dubai
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23 45 minDubai Spice Souk
سوق التوابل
Dubai Spice Souk is a traditional market in Deira, Dubai's historic commercial district. The souk forms part of the older trading quarter near Dubai Creek, where merchants have conducted business for generations.
- Must see
- Market
- Dubai
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24 45 minDeira Clocktower
Deira Clocktower is a prominent roundabout monument located in the Deira district of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Dubai
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25 45 minUAE Presidential Palace
قصر الوطن
Qasr Al Watan is a working presidential palace in Abu Dhabi that opened to public visitors in 2019. Its name means “Palace of the Nation,” and the attraction combines national symbolism with ceremonial architecture and cultural interpretation.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Abu Dhabi
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26 45 minDubai Parks and Resorts
دبي باركس
Dubai Parks and Resorts is a large integrated leisure destination in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It encompasses multiple theme parks and entertainment zones within one complex.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Dubai
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27 30 minSheikh Zayed Mosque
جامع الشيخ زايد الكبير
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a major Islamic place of worship in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
- Must see
- Place of worship
- Abu Dhabi
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28 1 hourMushrif Park
حديقة مشرف الوطنية
Mushrif Park is a major public park in Dubai, known locally as حديقة مشرف الوطنية. The park occupies a substantial green space in the eastern part of the city, offering a natural environment distinct from Dubai's urban core.
- Must see
- Nature site
- Dubai
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29 45 minSaruq Al Hadid Archaeological Site
موقع ساروق الحديد الأثري
Saruq Al Hadid Archaeological Site is an important archaeological location in Dubai emirate. Finds from the site connect it with ancient metallurgy, craft production and trade.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Dubai
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30 1 hr 30 minEtihad Museum
متحف الاتحاد
Etihad Museum, known locally as متحف الاتحاد, is a cultural institution in Dubai dedicated to preserving and presenting the history of the United Arab Emirates.
- Must see
- Museum
- Dubai
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31 45 minMall of the Emirates
مول الإمارات
Mall of the Emirates is a major shopping and entertainment destination in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Its Arabic name is مول الإمارات. The complex combines retail, restaurants, cinema entertainment and indoor recreation in a climate-controlled setting.
- Must see
- Market
- Dubai
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.