Things To Do in United Arab Emirates

From the start of February to the end of March, the RAK Fine Arts Festival gives local and international artists, photographers and movie makers the chance to show off their work and celebrate the culture of Ras Al Khaimah. During the two-month-long festivities, you’ll be able to wander around contemporary art exhibitions in the city’s galleries and kick back during an al fresco short-film screening.

This 200-year-old coastal town used to be home to over 2,500 pearl fishermen, before it was abandoned in the 1960s. During a visit to this open-air museum, you can explore its collection of crumbling, coral-stone houses – which are thought to be haunted – and take a look at the mosaic tiles in the old mosque.

Golf’s big news in Dubai and attracts some of the world’s top players. The green giant here’s the highly regarded Emirates Golf Club – a 15-minute drive from the Palm Jumeirah. It boasts two championship courses, one of which is designed by Nick Faldo. It also just happens to be the home of the four-day Dubai Desert Classic, one of the planet’s most elite tournaments.

Dubai’s cloud-piercing skyline’s pretty impressive, to say the least. And there’s no better place to take it all in than hundreds of floors up, on the observation deck of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. At nearly 3,000 feet tall, it acts as the attention-seeking centrepiece of Downtown Dubai. Floor-to-ceiling windows open up 360-degree views, panning Dubai, the Arabian Desert, and the Gulf of Oman. You’ll get a Boeing-level view of the famous Dubai Fountain, too.

We offer a range of experiences in Dubai – from a swanky dinner on a yacht to fast-track tickets for the Burj Khalifa. Take a look at what’s on offer, and see what takes your fancy. View experiences >

Abu Dhabi Mall has prime position on the waterfront, and lines up a host of big retail names. You can pick up jewellery from the likes of Pandora and Rolex and a new wardrobe from Bershka and Lacoste. Restaurants, cafés and ice-cream parlours form a supporting cast, and you can top off your spree with a trip to the in-house cinema.

You’ve got all the hallmarks of a UAE beach in Ajman – fine, white sand, aqua-blue waves and constant sunshine. Dolphins are a common sight off this part of the coast, too, so you can pair sunbathing with spotting marine life. Beachfront cafés serve stuff like kebabs, sandwiches and fresh fruit smoothies, so you won’t have far to go for lunch or a cold drink.

The heart of Abu Dhabi’s got its fair share of cutting edge architecture, but among the lofty buildings is a historic gem. The Qasr al-Hosn fortress was built out of coral and sea stone in the 1700s, and it’s looking back to its best after a major renovation project. Parts of the fortress have been turned into a museum, so when you’re not exploring the inner fort you can see artefacts that have been around for centuries.

The Ajman Museum is a must-see for history buffs. You’ll find it inside a giant terracotta-coloured fortress, which used to be the home of Ajman’s ruler before it was taken over as the police headquarters. These days, it houses an interesting collection of relics from the emirate’s past, including archaeological artefacts, tools and photos.

Chinese, Indian and Moroccan cuisine is popular in Ajman’s restaurants, which are scattered about town. For a fast-food fix, head to the Ajman City Centre mall – it’s filled with all the favourites, including Pizza Hut, McDonald’s and KFC.

Like neighbouring Dubai, Ajman's big on shopping. There are around 70 stores to browse at the City Centre mall, and they sell everything from clothing to jewellery and designer watches. As for dining, it’s jam-packed with cafés and fast-food outlets. Keeping the kids amused is a breeze here, as well, thanks to the arcade and the cinema where you can watch films in English.

We offer a range of experiences in Ajman – from snorkelling trips to dinner cruises on traditional dhow boats. Take a look at what’s on offer, and see what takes your fancy. View experiences >

Authentic Emirati cuisine often uses meats like goat, camel and seafood, the former of which is a particular favourite among locals with Bedouin roots. In most of the eateries in RAK city, you’ll be able to sample native staples, like meaty kebabs and spicy machboos – the UAE’s take on an Indian biryani curry. Both usually come spiced with turmeric, saffron and cinnamon.

As far as laidback swathes of sand go, Flamingo Beach is Ras Al Khaimah’s top pick. You’ll find this 400-metre-long strip a 15-minute drive from the city centre. It’s dotted with a scattering of thatched umbrellas and potted plants. Plus, there’s a little outlet nearby that’s stocked with a few cafés for when your stomach starts to rumble. Half of the beach is tucked away behind a row of sand dunes, too, offering a more secluded setting to the bustling city centre.

We offer a range of experiences in Ras Al Khaimah – from city tours to desert dune safaris. Take a look at what’s on offer, and see what takes your fancy. View experiences >

We offer a range of experiences in Abu Dhabi – from desert safaris to Ferrari World experiences. Take a look at what’s on offer, and see what takes your fancy. View experiences >

Nightlife in Ajman is mostly reserved to the bars and nightclubs found within the hotels. Dubai’s party scene is within reach, though – in a cab you can get there in 40 minutes. Expats pack out the clubs on Thursday and Friday nights, since UAE weekends start a day earlier than back home. Plus, Tuesday’s usually ladies’ night, with lots of places putting on free entry and drinks.

Corniche Beach is the ultimate sand and city hybrid. This rye-coloured sweep runs parallel to Abu Dhabi’s glitziest boulevard, the Corniche, which is home to shopping malls, sea-view bars and high-rise hotels. The sheltered bay’s great for swimming, thanks to a peninsula that keeps it tucked away from the Persian Gulf. And when you’re not sunbathing or paddling, you can hire bikes for a pedal along the promenade.

There are two shopping areas here – Kuwait Souk and Old Souk. Both are filled with stalls selling fruit and vegetables, leather goods, scented oils and handmade pottery. One of the most popular souvenirs to buy in this part of the UAE, though, is a pashmina scarf. You can use these cotton-soft wraps to help fend off the sun’s rays, or to cover you up if you plan on visiting some of the city’s religious landmarks.

Fitting Abu Dhabi’s skyline into your camera frame is no mean feat, and heading out on a cruise is one of the best ways to do it. Board a traditional dhow boat at the harbour, and you’ll have widescreen views of the city as you bob out into the Persian Gulf. Couples can book a romantic dinner cruise, while thrill-seekers can change things up by signing up for speedboat sightseeing trips.

One of the city’s chief landmarks, the Jumeirah Mosque is the only one in Dubai that opens its doors to non-Muslims, and it’s also one of the most beautiful. The intricately detailed architecture’s wow-inducing, both inside and out. Combine that with its nine large domes and a minaret that soars 70 metres skyward, and it’s no wonder that it’s one of the most photographed sights here. You can get there in 20 minutes if you hop in a cab from the city centre – just make sure you’re dressed modestly with your arms, legs and back covered. Plus, women must wear a headscarf, which can be borrowed if needed.

Dubai Creek has long been the lifeblood of this city. And the best way to get a feel for it is on an abra. These traditional water taxis run regularly, and are chock-full of locals wanting to travel along the shoreline. Make the 15-minute drive from the city centre, and you can charter your own abra with a little bartering. As you head down the creek to Al Maktoum Bridge, you’ll see a mix of gold-plated buildings and wooden dhow boats laden with everything from rice sacks to TVs.