Today, we embark on a journey to explore one of the world’s most captivating tourist destinations—welcome to the UAE. This ancient Arab nation has transformed itself from a secluded region to a thriving powerhouse in the Middle East, emerging as a global economic hub. The UAE has become a melting pot of diverse nationalities and religions, embracing all with remarkable tolerance, understanding, and freedom. Despite its deeply rooted traditions, it stands as one of the most progressive Gulf nations.
Strategically situated on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, the UAE boasts a stunning coastline along the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, paired with a pleasant desert climate for much of the year.
The seven emirates offer an extraordinary blend of attractions, ranging from historical landmarks to entertainment, shopping, and scenic beaches. The UAE is a unique blend of international tourism offerings, enriched with authentic Arab heritage. It perfectly balances fun, culture, and relaxation, making it an essential destination for global travelers. Undoubtedly, the UAE stands as a premier regional hub for diverse, world-class tourism experiences.
Dubai
Dubai, the jewel of the Gulf and the “Pearl of the World,” is an emirate that offers a rich blend of cultural and civilizational heritage, drawing billions of visitors from across the globe. From every corner of Dubai, you’ll witness stunning modern architecture, luxurious hotels, vibrant markets, bustling commercial centers, majestic mosques, and unforgettable landmarks. Tourism in Dubai begins high in the sky, offering breathtaking views of its iconic structures designed specifically to define the emirate. These landmarks have cemented Dubai’s reputation as the heart of Asian and global tourism, becoming the backdrop for numerous blockbuster films. The city has seamlessly blended the old with the new, offering an exceptional variety of experiences. Whether you’re seeking history, adventure, or luxury, Dubai has something for everyone, making it the ultimate destination for all types of travelers.
The 3 most important landmarks in Dubai:
1- Khalifa Tower
Opened in 2010, it is located in the heart of Dubai, and is considered one of the most inspiring tourist attractions in the UAE for its combination of art, innovative design and engineering genius. Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world, measuring 828 meters, and was designed with a triple base, inspired by the lily flower.
If you are looking for the most beautiful places in the UAE that are able to give you a panoramic view of the entire city of Dubai, you will not find better than the Burj Khalifa, especially through the viewing platforms on the last floors of it, and the tower also includes many high-end restaurants such as the Atmosphere Restaurant on the 122nd floor, and below the Burj Khalifa, you will find many entertainment options, such as visiting The Dubai Mall, or watching the more than enjoyable Dubai Fountain show.
2- The Dubai Mall
The Dubai Mall and the dancing fountain will give you an unparalleled shopping experience, as it is one of the largest entertainment shopping malls in the world, located next to the Burj Khalifa, the one we metioned earlier.
The Dubai Mall extends over an area of 2 million m2, which is equivalent to 200 football fields, and includes 200 stores selling the most famous local and international brands, in addition to a distinguished list of restaurants and entertainment centers, such as the ice rink, Dubai Aquarium, cinemas, and the KidZania Children’s Entertainment Center.
Near The Dubai Mall, you will see the greatest entertainment show, which is the water, music, and light show of the world’s tallest dancing fountain, which extends over an area of 30 acres, located in the Burj Khalifa Lake, this fountain is a masterpiece, and you can see it up close either by renting a boat inside the lagoon, or strolling on the “Dubai Fountain Boardwalk” promenade, which will put you only 9 meters away from the dancing fountain.
3- Palm Jumeirah
A unique architectural icon, which contributed to putting Dubai on the global tourism map. You’ll be able to see Palm Jumeirah from your aircraft, on your flight to the UAE on your way to Dubai International Airport, and you’ll notice its palm-like design from above.
Palm Jumeirah is the first man-made island with many homes, restaurants, malls, hotels and some of Dubai’s most luxurious tourist resorts.
Palm Jumeirah offers many activities and entertainment events, including strolling in Etihad Park, penetrating the island by riding the Palm Jumeirah electric train, renting a boat or yacht, sailing around the island, or trying paragliding if you are an adventure lover, or having a delicious meal at one of the restaurants scattered around Palm Jumeirah with the most beautiful view you may ever have dreamed of .
Abu Dhabi
What is really distinctive about the seven cities of the Emirates is that each of them has a unique character, but in an integrated manner with the rest of the cities, and this is what we spot immediately with the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the Federal State, and its largest city. Tourism in Abu Dhabi is a key pillar of the emirate’s economic development with its new and heritage attractions and many highly distinctive leisure facilities.
The Emirate of Abu Dhabi has the longest coastline within the UAE with a length of 700 km, so you will find many safe beaches, recreational islands, in addition to the wonderful 8 km Corniche, located along the waterfront, and its full restaurants, cafes, and cycling paths, as well as many historical places and museums that are one of the most important landmarks of Abu Dhabi and indicate the emirate’s being as one of the most prominent global cultural platforms.
Top 3 landmarks in Abu Dhabi:
1- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
It is not only one of the most important landmarks in Abu Dhabi, but the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is considered one of the most famous tourist places in the UAE in general.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is an architectural masterpiece with its dazzling architectural design from the outside, as it is one of the largest religious architectural edifices, which blends different schools of Islamic architecture. It includes 80 domes, a thousand columns, and four minarets, each with a length of approximately 106 meters, and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque can accommodate about 40,000 worshipers, as it is one of the largest mosques in the world.
Inside the mosque you will find the largest handmade carpet in the world, in addition to its luxurious decorations, represented in the use of natural marble inside and outside, glass artwork, in addition to 24-carat gold-plated chandeliers, and the most dazzling are those that hang in the main prayer hall, which is one of the largest chandeliers in the world.
2- Yas Island
The most famous tourist island of the Emirates at all, and one of the important tourist destinations in the UAE for families, it is a place that will add joy and inspiration to all ages, whether those who want adventure and suspense, or calm and relaxation, as it is a world of activities and various events, most notably concerts, theatrical performances, and exciting sports events.
Inside Yas Island, you will find many theme parks, most notably Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, Yas Marina, Yas Links and others, in addition to hotels, beach activities, malls, and restaurants.
3- Louvre Abu Dhabi
One of the most ioutstanding tourist places in the UAE for lovers of history and culture. Louvre Abu Dhabi is a world-class museum in the Arab world and a leading cultural destination rooted in universal human values, especially as it is the fruit of a partnership between the UAE, with its cultural progress and open vision, and with the long experience in the world of art and museums in France.
Opened in 2007, Louvre Abu Dhabi is located on Saadiyat Island, and the museum’s building is characterized by its impressive architectural design, especially its dome that is about 180 meters wide, consisting of 8 floors, and has holes, when penetrated by sunlight, giving the galleries a wonderful view, from the rays of light.
Louvre Abu Dhabi boasts magnificent views of the Gulf and has 23 permanent exhibitions of the treasures of human civilizations throughout the ages, a research centre, a children’s exhibition, special exhibition venues, restaurants, shops and a meeting room.
Sharjah
The tourist places in Sharjah revolve between culture and beach tourism, as the city’s history extends to more than 6,000 years, and is teeming with museums and ancient heritage sites, and its location on the coast of the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman made it enjoy many picturesque beaches, and one of the mains landmarks of Sharjah as well, entertainment places represented in the Al Majaz front, huge markets, and modern commercial centers, it is one of the most enjoyable tourist destinations in the UAE that will provide you with a pack of culture and entertainment .
Top 3 landmarks in Sharjah:
1- Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization
It is one of the major cultural landmarks of the Emirates, and is located on the opposite side of the Sharjah Corniche, and extends over an area of 6 km2. The building of the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization was built in 1987 from smooth stones, which were specially made for him in Britain, and the building was called before 2008 “Galaxy Market”, then turned into the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, which includes nearly five thousand unique Islamic pieces, brought from various countries of the Islamic world, and distributed in 6 spacious main exhibition halls.
2- Sharjah Central Souq
If you are a shopaholic, do not miss visiting the Central Market in Sharjah, which is one of the famous tourist sites in the UAE, which some also call the “Islamic Market”, its design has taken into account the preservation of the heritage and Islamic style, which consists of two buildings, consisting of two floors, between which is an internal corridor. The market is full of shops that offer all kinds of goods, from antiques, carpets, clothes, gold, etc., it is the perfect destination to buy the most cherishable souvenirs.
3- Sharjah Aquarium
Tourism in the UAE, specifically within the city of Sharjah, cannot be without a visit to this prominent entertainment landmark. “Sharjah Aquarium” it attracts many lovers of marine life because it contains amazing marine creatures, located within aquariums, highlighting the mysterious environment of the deep sea, the number of these creatures reaches about 150 species, taking the marine environment of the UAE, as its home.
Located in the old Al Khan area, next to the Sharjah Maritime Museum, Sharjah Aquarium also has a café, shops, chapel, toilets, disabled access, parking spaces, elevator, mother’s room, changing place for children, and free Wi-Fi.
Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah, the precious pearl of the Emirates, the cradle of civilizations, and one of the most beautiful tourist areas in the Emirates, due to its privileged location in the north of the country, specifically between the Hajar Mountains and the Arabian Gulf, this location has given it stunning coastlines, a calm desert atmosphere, diverse terrain, in addition to its rich cultural heritage. Tourism in Ras Al Khaimah will give you culture, amid a distinguished bouquet of historical destinations, such as museums, archaeological sites, and entertainment amid a range of fun outdoor activities, such as camping, safaris, mountaineering, cycling, shopping, and visiting advanced amusement parks.
Top 3 landmarks in Ras Al Khaimah:
1- Ras Al Khaimah National Museum
The Ras Al Khaimah National Museum is located in the Old City, close to the Mohammed bin Salem Mosque, as the current building of the museum was a castle in antiquity, and later turned into a police headquarters and a prison, until the situation stabilized to become a museum that displays archaeological and historical materials of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, and through it it is easy to identify the development of customs and traditions of that region.
The building of the Ras Al Khaimah National Museum is built according to traditional architecture, and consists of a group of rooms, all overlooking the inner courtyard garden, and includes artifacts, history, and heritage aspects, some of which were donated by members of the ruling Al Qawasim family, residing in the emirate, and others are the product of excavations and research work for the Department of Antiquities and museums.
2- Iceland Water Park
The Iceland Water Park is one of Sharjah’s most prominent entertainment attractions, and one of the best tourist destinations in the UAE for families, especially in the summer, as it is the largest water park in the UAE, and have many activities and distinguished facilities, most notably water slides, the largest underwater dance water ring in the world, called “Penguin Bay”, an Olympic swimming pool, a water football field, plus to a full lounge of restaurants, which offers a variety of delicious food.
3- Al Hamra Mall
Al Hamra Mall is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the UAE for shopaholics, as it extends over an area of 37,000 m2, and is characterized by its vital location, in the heart of the residential area of Al Hamra. The building of Al Hamra Mall consists of two floors, and inside it you will find various options for shopping, entertainment, food, and recreation.
Al Hamra Mall has a large number of stores, up to 100 stores, offering a variety of goods, including clothing, electronics, and furniture, to suit the tastes of both locals and expatriates in the UAE as well.
Al ain
In the UAE you will find many destinations, which constitute milestones, most notably the city of Al Ain, which is a museum open to life and beauty, as it is a green oasis in the heart of the UAE desert. Tourism in Al Ain is amazingly diverse, with beaches, lush oases, water parks, desert picnics, the highest mountain ranges, in addition to many wonderful parks and heritage sites dating back thousands of years.
Top 3 landmarks in Al Ain:
1- Jebel Hafeet
This landmark is one of the places of the UAE that has achieved a wide resonance at the global level, as many international sites praised the highway of the mountain, and described driving on it, as one of the most beautiful driving routes in the world, where you can enjoy the most beautiful scenic views, during the journey up to the top of the mountain, either by car or bicycle. Jebel Hafeet rises to about 1340 m, and you can see the charming view of the sunset from its top, or visit the hot springs below.
2- Al Ain Zoo
It is one of the most popular tourist places in Al Ain for families, where children can feed pets, such as llamas, sheep, goats, chickens, and ducks, in addition to camel rides, and many other recreational activities. Al Ain Zoo spans over 400 hectares and is located in the middle of the UAE desert, at the foot of Jebel Hafeet, and is home to more than 4,000 animals, from all over the world.
3- Al Ain Palace Museum
A very important heritage landmark, and it is one of the main tourist attractions in the UAE. Al Ain Palace Museum is located on the edge of the city, in the southeastern section, near the commercial area, on the road leading to the industrial area. In the past, the palace was the home of the founder of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, as it dates back to 1937, and was restored in 1998, as it is built in the style of historical heritage buildings.
It houses a lot of belonging to the royal family, and their history. The Al Ain Palace Museum derives its importance as this place was a witness to many important decisions regarding the founding of the UAE, which had the greatest impact on the lives of the Emirati people.
