Uncover the Top must-visit attractions in the UAE

Captivating the world’s attention with its soaring skyscrapers, glamourous malls, posh hotels, and iconic landmarks, the United Arab Emirates is a popular holiday destination for anyone wanting a mix of a city break with some glitz time. Home to some of the world’s tallest, biggest, and finest structures, the country is an incredible architectural gallery to explore. Along with the stunning shorelines, the famous man-made islands draw millions of visitors every year to the Emirati land.

While this ‘luxury vacation destination’, is what the rest of the world expects to see, explore and delve into the Emirates' rich culture, from its waves to desserts, for the ultimate fun of discovering the UAE. So, without further ado, here are the top tourist attractions in the UAE.

Visit the famous Dubai

The Burj Khalifa is one of the most famous buildings in the United Arab Emirates and an iconic landmark in Dubai. The building stands at a towering height of 828 meters, twice as tall as the Empire State Building in New York and thrice as tall as the Eiffel Tower in Paris. It also highest observation deck in the world, and the elevator with the longest travel distance.

The Burj Khalifa has observation decks on three different floors: the first-tier decks at the 124th and 125th floors, called ‘At the Top’ at a height of 452 meters. The second observation deck is on the 148th floor, called ‘At the Top Sky’ at a staggering height of 555 meters. A visit to these observation decks grants you the most admiration for both the panoramic views of the city and the engineering feats.

Soak up the sun at the beaches.

Beaches are popular places to visit in the UAE in the summer, and for visitors, UAE vacation centres around them. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the most preferred choices for a fun beach day and offer a plethora of activities to do, including shopping, sightseeing, visiting theme parks, and more.

For a sun-and-soak vacation, Dubai’s luxury restaurants are centred along the coast of the central city. The beaches around Jumeirah and Dubai Marina have several family-oriented and lavish resorts dedicated to a good beach time.

Abu Dhabi’s posh resorts are no exception! These stays line the shorelines of the various islands, so most resorts are spread across the city.

Besides these, Ras Al-Khaimah, Al Aqah Beach, and Ajman are some of the quick getaways that are popular among beachgoers.

Go on a Jebel Jais tour in Ras Al-Khaimah.

The highest peak of the United Arab Emirates, Jebel Jais, stands at an impressive altitude of almost 2,000 meters. This rocky mountain is a popular weekend getaway for visitors looking for adventure and excitement. It provides a perfect setting for adventure seekers with its deep canyons, deserted cliffs, eroded landscapes, and steep slopes.

You can simply come here to soak in the vistas of Hajar Mountain peaks undulating down to the coastline plateau, or you can match those views with some adventure activities. The main attraction of Jebel Jais is the Jebel Jais Flight, the world’s longest zipline. This zipline runs for about two kilometres down the side of the peak, reaching speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour. For fewer speed thrills, you can choose to hike or indulge in guided tours.

Explore the deserts of the UAE.

For the daredevil, head straight for the UAE's hot deserts that stretch across the country's southern interior. While Dubai Desert Safari is one popular option, you can still look for other options that suit your preferences.

There are plenty of activities to do on a desert adventure, from dune bashing to authentic camel trekking, sandboarding, a hot air balloon ride, dune buggy trips, and much more. These safari packages are available at various times of the day and include both similar and optional activities. Some include desert trips, while others allow more scope for exploring the wildlife and overnight camping to enjoy and learn more about Emirati culture.

Visit the Sheikh Zayad Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Zayad Mosque in Abu Dhabi is the epitome of incredible beauty, fusing contemporary design with traditional craftsmanship. When you enter the mosque, you will immediately realise why it is such a special place. Visitors from all over the world visit the mosque to engulf the architectural essence and gain a deeper understanding of the religion and culture of the United Arab Emirates.

Witness exteriors and interiors utilising gold, mosaic tiles, and glasswork to present the stonework as the architecture blends inspiration from various mosque designs from multiple Islamic empires as you travel through the marble halls.

Step inside the iconic Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi.

The first universal museum in the Arab world, the Louvre is the newest and most spectacular museum in the United Arab Emirates. It takes you on a splendid journey through human history, where the collection has been sourced from the earliest human existence to works by significant names in the present day’s art scene.

The Louvre aims to demonstrate the ages-old links between civilizations and cultures that have been woven through humanity's story. Whether you are a history buff or an art admirer, this museum is one of the best places to visit in the UAE.

A road trip up Jebel Hafeet

Jebel Hafeet, located on the edge of Al Ain, is not only one of the most popular destinations for a quick getaway but also ranks among the most beautiful road trips in the world. With its stunning climb of 1240 meters, the Jebel Hafeet road trip in Abu Dhabi is the world’s third most beautiful and most photographed road trip.

Jebel Hafeet is the second-highest peak in the UAE, formed by millions of years of old limestones, and it welcomes visitors with stunning views of the desert. The mountain is on the outskirts of Al Ain, and a road leads to some of the incredible attractions, including an ancient tomb, hot springs, and wildlife.

Explore the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization

The most significant landmark of Islamic culture, the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, displays thousands of unique artefacts that showcase the great Islamic civilization from the first century AH to the 14th century AH. It is the only museum in the country that is focused on the breadth of Islamic history.

The collections include the history of Islam from its early years to the spread of empires through Asia and Africa, exploring the diversity of cultures throughout the world. Besides the artefacts and art objects, some displays focus on different facets of the Islamic faith and eras in Islamic history.

Dine on a Dubai Dhow Cruise

Dubai offers innumerable attractions and famous landmarks, and the best way to admire them is through the water. The Dhow Cruise is a significant attraction in Dubai and one of the best places to visit in the UAE at night. It takes you on a splendid river voyage while witnessing the gorgeous views of Dubai’s shimmering skyline.

The traditional Dhow Cruise dinner lasts for about two hours. Once you board these traditional boats, you get served a wide array of traditional and international flavours. Enjoy the evening with amusing entertainment, including traditional Tanoura dance performances, as you sail through the tranquil waters.

Head to the Hajar Mountains

Nestled in the interior of the United Arab Emirates, Hajar Mountain is one of the unique places to visit in the UAE. This mountain ranges offer plenty of things to do and see. For nature lovers, these wadis hidden within the region are a prime spot for trekking, hiking, climbing, and bird-watching.

Hajar mountains are also a great option for road trips for a soothing getaway to take in the scenery of barren yet beautiful mountains. Some tiny villages in the Hajar Mountains in the emirates of Ras Al-Khaimah and Fujairah are dotted by historic watchtowers and small forts, making for a good stop along the way.

Discover Dubai's Al Fahidi Quarter.

Al Fahidi Quarter, also known as Bastakia, is the last remaining fragment of Old Dubai, where it all started. Located along Dubai Creek, it is a key heritage site where much of the infrastructure is preserved and intact.

Here you get to explore what life was like in Old Dubai during the mid-19th century through traditional wind towers constructed from sandstone, palm wood, teak, and gypsum, reflecting a small part of Al Fahidi’s history. Follow the winding streets and discover numerous cultural activities, art galleries, special events, and more.

Conclusion

While buildings, malls, and restaurants offer so much to take in, mountains, desserts, and the waters surround the entire United Arab Emirates. Visitors are spoilt for choice with a plethora of things to do and see in every corner, providing a glimpse of the UAE from every angle. So, don’t forget to add these to your UAE trip.