United Arab Emirates Holidays

The United Arab Emirates – often shortened to UAE or the Emirates – is at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula, bordered by Saudi Arabia and Oman, while Iran lies just the other side of the Persian Gulf. It consists of seven princely states called emirates – Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al-Quwain – of which the first is also the capital. Fujairah is the odd one out in having a coastline entirely on the Gulf of Oman, which gives on to the Indian Ocean.

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Dubai’s futuristic, reach-for-the-stars skyline bristles with incredible buildings, from the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab, home to an ultra-luxury hotel, to the needle-pointed Burj Khalifa, so tall it pierces the clouds on overcast days. Everywhere you look, there are one-off contemporary structures such as the Dubai Frame, part gilded monument, part observatory, part museum – and even the hotels (hello, Atlantis) have iconic designs. Dubai doesn’t have a monopoly on impressive architecture, however. Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a vast shimmering modern creation of white marble, topped by a forest of domes and fringed by soaring minarets, while Ajman’s historic fort has a wind tower thought to be the oldest in the UAE.

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With 400 miles of coastline, the UAE provides plenty of inviting stretches of soft white sand. In Dubai, the most famous names are Jumeirah Beach and the marina area’s JBR Beach, both backed by strikingly modern high-rises. Abu Dhabi’s buzzing Yas Beach has a prized Blue Flag and plenty of lounges, clubs and restaurants; for a slightly more back-to-nature experience, head to the main beach on Saadiyat Island just off the coast where turtles nest at certain times of the year. Ajman’s two public beaches are super-clean, and you might spot dolphins frolicking just offshore. If you’re staying in a luxury resort, there’s a high chance it will have its own private beach.

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This part of the Arabian Peninsula has been inhabited since Neolithic times, as shown by archaeological sites such as UNESCO-listed Al Ain. You can find out more about this long history at the striking Louvre Abu Dhabi, whose multicultural displays include important finds from across the region. Dubai, meanwhile, has acquired a reputation for innovative architecture, from Zaha Hadid’s iconic Oval to the ship-shaped Dubai Opera, an eye-catching hub of the performing arts. Even more of a one-off, the city’s fascinating, interactive Museum of the Future – whose focus perfectly reflects the emirate’s forward-looking approach – is set in an oval structure that couldn’t be less like a high-rise.

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From private transfers to organised tours, the chances are that most of your travel in the United Arab Emirates will be by road. For a special occasion, you could rent a car with a driver for the day – it’s more affordable than you’d expect. Otherwise, there’s a good supply of taxis within the cities for when it’s too far or too hot to walk. Within Dubai, the state-of-the-art Metro provides a handy traffic-jam-busting option, with two lines that connect many of the main sights, hotels and attractions. You can also travel by water in a range of ways, from modern ferries to coastal destinations to small boats that hop back and forth across the creek.

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The hardest thing about eating out in the United Arab Emirates is choosing from the staggering variety of cuisines on offer in every environment from waterfront cafés to palaces of gastronomy. Every celebrity chef worth their salt has a restaurant in Abu Dhabi or Dubai, and the latter even received its first Michelin stars in 2022. Between indulging in high-end French, sublime Cantonese and refined Italian dishes in the smartest of surroundings, don’t overlook other flavours. Dubai’s older districts are crammed with authentic Persian, Indian and Pakistani eateries, while all the emirates are well supplied with characterful spots where you can feast on traditional Arabic dishes featuring lamb, chickpeas and dates.

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Dubai’s air-conditioned shopping centres are destinations in their own right; the Dubai Mall – the world’s largest – has an ice-skating rink and aquarium to escape to, while the Mall of the Emirates has five indoor ski slopes with real snow. If you’re looking to splash out, the ritzy Dubai Marina neighbourhood has a waterfront boulevard lined with boutiques showcasing the latest designer fashions. For a taste of old-school buying and selling, though, you’ll have to hit the traditional markets. In Dubai’s Deira district, the narrow alleyways of the spice souk are filled with heady scents while the gold souk gleams with displays of yellow gold. Abu Dhabi’s Souk Central has high-end boutiques and lots of historic charm and is conveniently next to the World Trade Center mall.

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Thanks to its two flag-carrying airlines – Etihad, based in Abu Dhabi, and Emirates, with its busy hub in Dubai – you can enjoy a memorable break in the United Arab Emirates before heading further afield. The possibilities are almost endless. You can make for romantic Indian Ocean destinations such as the Maldives, Mauritius and Seychelles, opt for safari favourites including Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa, check out the fascinating culture of South-East Asia or even go Down Under for an adventure in Australia and New Zealand.

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