The Burj Khalifa against a blue sky, framed by palm trees

United Arab Emirates

Dubai's skyline is the start. The souks, the desert at dusk and Abu Dhabi's quieter grandeur are why it's worth more than a weekend.

Best time to visit: Nov–Mar
Getting around: Metro, taxis and a private car
Currency: UAE Dirham (AED)
Ideal length: 5–6 days

More than a shopping stopover

The UAE is three to four hours from most Indian cities, easy for families and good in winter, which is why so many trips stop at Dubai's malls and a desert safari. Give it five or six days instead and it opens up: Old Dubai's creek and souks, Abu Dhabi's Grand Mosque and Louvre, the mountains at Hatta and the beaches of Fujairah.

The trick is pacing the heat. Mornings and evenings are for the outdoors; the middle of the day is for museums, theme parks and the pool.

The emirates, one by one

Map of United Arab Emirates — Approximate Map & Locations

Skyline, beaches and Old Dubai's souks and creeks crossed by abra ferries, plus Palm Jumeirah, theme parks and Al Qudra Lakes. Stay near the beach or Downtown, not by the airport. Sharjah has museums, Ajman an old fort and souks, and Ras Al Khaimah desert mountains and hot springs.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Yas Island's theme parks.
Dune drives, camels and a quiet camp dinner outside the city (we skip the crowded buffet camps). Hatta in the Hajar range offers hiking and kayaking, and Fujairah has snorkelling at Snoopy Island on the Gulf of Oman.

Things worth actually doing

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Good to know before you go

Visa: check your passport
Indians with a valid US visa or green card, or UK or EU residence, get a visa on arrival. Everyone else applies online before flying; we handle it.
Go between November and March
From June to September it passes 40°C: fine for malls and pools, not for the desert.
Dress for the mosque
At the Grand Mosque women need an abaya and headscarf, men long trousers. Covered shoulders are polite elsewhere.
Ramadan changes the rhythm
Dates move each year. Some places keep shorter hours, and eating in public by day is frowned upon.