United Arab Emirates

Places in United Arab Emirates

• Abu Dhabi

  Abu Dhabi balances grand modern monuments and museums with beaches, mangroves, and desert excursions. It offers a calmer urban base for exploring the UAE’s cultural and natural highlights.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$100

  Best months

  Nov–Apr

• Ajman

  Ajman is the smallest of the seven UAE emirates, centrally located on the Gulf coast with 16 km of beach. It offers a more relaxed, less touristy alternative to Dubai while being only 10 km away.

  Atlas entry

• Al Ain

  Al Ain is an oasis city of date palms, forts, cultural sites, and mountain viewpoints beside the Oman border. Its greener setting and slower pace make a strong contrast with the UAE’s coastal metropolises.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$69

  Best months

  Nov–Apr

• Dubai

  Dubai combines futuristic towers and luxury with merchant quarters, creek crossings, beaches, and desert excursions. Its public transport and international air links make it an easy base for a wide range of day trips.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$107

  Best months

  Nov–Apr

• Fujairah

  Fujairah is the only UAE emirate on the Gulf of Oman rather than the Persian Gulf, offering a different coastal character with mountain backdrops. It is the youngest emirate, only gaining independence from Sharjah in 1952, and remains more laid-back than Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

  Atlas entry

• Hatta

  Hatta is a Dubai exclave tucked into the Hajar Mountains, offering a dramatic contrast to the emirate's urban sprawl. The town has served as a retreat from Dubai's summer heat since the late 19th century, and its higher altitude brings noticeably cooler temperatures.

  Atlas entry

• Sharjah

  Sharjah is the UAE’s cultural counterpoint to its glitzier neighbors, centered on Islamic art, literature, architecture, and heritage museums. Conservative customs and a dry dining scene shape the experience.

  Daily budget (USD)

  ~$53

  Best months

  Nov–Apr

• Yas Island

  Yas Island is a purpose-built entertainment island 20 km off the Abu Dhabi coast, spanning 2,500 hectares. It serves as the UAE's premier theme park destination, home to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi (world's largest indoor amusement park), Warner Bros.

  Atlas entry