United Arab Emirates

Asia

United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates pairs futuristic skylines with a landscape of red desert dunes just outside the city limits. Dubai stacks record-breaking towers, indoor ski slopes and sprawling souks selling gold and spices against a backdrop of turquoise coastline, while Abu Dhabi balances its own gleaming skyline with the marble domes of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. Desert safaris, falconry displays and traditional dhow cruises sit alongside some of the world's most extravagant shopping and dining.

Why go thereLuxury & shopping Architecture & cities Deserts Beaches Nightlife & music Theme parks Food Markets & bazaars Adventure sports Wellness & spa Culture & heritage Diving & snorkelling

Main destinations

Food & drink to try

Machboos

Rice cooked with loomi, spices and meat or fish, the Gulf's everyday feast dish.

Harees

Wheat and meat pounded to a smooth paste, topped with ghee at Ramadan.

Salona

Sharp tomato and tamarind stew with fish or lamb, ladled over rice.

Main destinations

Other destinations

Comfort in January · by notability

Food & drink to try

Machboos

Rice cooked with loomi, spices and meat or fish, the Gulf's everyday feast dish.

Harees

Wheat and meat pounded to a smooth paste, topped with ghee at Ramadan.

Salona

Sharp tomato and tamarind stew with fish or lamb, ladled over rice.

Madrouba

Rice beaten with chicken and milk into a soft porridge, literally the beaten one.

Thereed

Thin regag bread layered in a meat and vegetable stew until soaked through.

Balaleet

Sweet saffron vermicelli under a thin savoury omelette, eaten at breakfast.

Jasheed

Baby shark cooked down with onion and turmeric, a coastal speciality.

Regag

Lace-thin bread cooked on a hot plate and folded around cheese and fish sauce.

Khameer

Date-sweetened bread studded with sesame, torn and eaten with cream cheese.

Chebab

Saffron and cardamom pancakes eaten with date syrup and cheese.

Luqaimat

Crisp fried dough balls drowned in date syrup and sesame.

Khanfaroush

Rice-flour cakes with saffron and cardamom, fried in a special ridged pan.

Camel meat

Slow-cooked camel served at celebrations, leaner and sweeter than beef.

Karak chai

Strong tea boiled with evaporated milk and cardamom, sold from roadside hatches.

Gahwa

Cardamom coffee poured from a dallah, always with dates beside it.

Entry & health

Set your passport

u.ae worldstandards.eu

Advisory only — AI + web search, may be out of date. Confirm official sources before you travel.

Tipping & local customs

Tipping isn't mandatory but is appreciated; a 10% service charge is often already added to restaurant bills (check before adding more), and rounding up or leaving 10-15% in cash for good service is common. For taxis, rounding up to the nearest few dirhams is customary, and small tips (a few dirhams) for hotel porters or valet staff are standard.

Dress modestly in public areas (shoulders/knees covered), especially in malls, government buildings, and religious sites; swimwear is only for pools/beaches.
Public displays of affection (kissing, hugging) are frowned upon and can attract legal attention.
Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours in Ramadan out of respect for those fasting.
Alcohol is only permitted in licensed venues (hotels, bars); public intoxication is illegal.
Use your right hand for eating, greeting, and giving/receiving items, as the left hand is considered unclean.
Photographing people, government buildings, or military sites without permission is not allowed.

Advisory only — AI + web search, may be out of date. Confirm official sources before you travel.

Before you go

Stay connected

Get an eSIM for United Arab Emirates — mobile data the moment you land.

via Airalo

Travel insurance

Cover trip cancellation, medical care and delays.

via EKTA