Travel in the United Arab Emirates: when to go, places and advice

Seven emirates that raised the superlatives of the modern world out of the desert: the Burj Khalifa and its 828 m, the artificial archipelagos of Dubai, the immaculate Sheikh Zayed mosque and the Louvre in Abu Dhabi. But the Emirates are also the gold and spice souks of old Dubai, the oases of Al Ain, the red dunes of Liwa and the Hajar mountains. A concentrate of excess and tradition, seven hours from Paris.

Capital: Abu Dhabi
Currency: Dirham (AED)
Language: Arabic, English widely spoken
Direct flight: ≈ 7 hr from Paris
Time difference: +3 hr in winter, +2 hr in summer

Itineraries

Our trip ideas in the United Arab Emirates

The itineraries in the United Arab Emirates are in the works: the day-by-day programme, named hotels, tickets to book flagged in advance. Leave your address to be notified when they come out.

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The right season

When to go in the United Arab Emirates?

From November to March, the Emirates live their gentle season: 25 °C, permanent blue skies, pleasant evenings in the desert. From May, the furnace sets in, 40 to 48 °C until September: life then retreats into the air-conditioned malls and the hotels slash their prices. April and October make the transition, hot but workable.

January : Ideal
February : Ideal
March : Ideal
April : Pleasant
May : In-between
June : Avoid
July : Avoid
August : Avoid
September : Avoid
October : Pleasant
November : Ideal
December : Ideal

Ideal
Pleasant
In-between
Avoid

Quick guide

Understanding the United Arab Emirates

Getting around

Dubai's driverless metro covers the essentials, backed up by cheap taxis. A rental car is a must for Abu Dhabi, the oases and the desert: impeccable motorways and cheap fuel.

Money

The dirham (AED). A card pays for everything, everywhere, down to the smallest coffee. Prices vary threefold between the souk and the malls. Tip appreciated, around 10%.

Language

Arabic is the official language, but English is the language of the street in a country where 85% of the population is expatriate. No barrier for the traveller.

Useful apps

Careem or Uber for rides, the Nol card for Dubai's metro, The Entertainer to halve the bills, and Visit Abu Dhabi to book the mosque and museums.

Accommodation

From 5-star hotels at slashed summer prices to luxury camps in the dunes of Liwa. The mid-range is excellent: aiming for Deira or Al Barsha cuts the bill in Dubai.

Etiquette

Covering clothing in the mosques (an abaya is lent on site) and sober dress in the malls. Public displays of affection remain frowned upon, and neither people nor official buildings are photographed without permission.

The iconic places

Burj Khalifa

Dubai

828 m, the tallest tower in the world. Go up at sunset and stay for the fountain ballet of the Dubai Mall at its feet.

Sheikh Zayed Mosque

Abu Dhabi

82 domes of white marble, the largest hand-woven carpet in the world and crystal chandeliers. Dazzling at golden hour.

Louvre Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi

Under Jean Nouvel's mashrabiya dome, a rain of light falls on the masterpieces. The finest museum in the Gulf.

Old Dubai

Deira

Crossing the creek in a wooden abra, the gold souk, the spice souk and the historic Al Fahidi district: the Dubai from before the towers.

Liwa Desert

Al Dhafra

At the gates of the Empty Quarter, 300 m dunes among the highest in the world. At night in camp, the silence is total.

Jebel Jais

Ras al-Khaimah

The summit of the Emirates (1,934 m), its switchback road and the longest zipline in the world, at 150 km/h over the void.

Tap a dot, or browse the list below the map.

Burj Khalifa : The tallest tower in the world, 828 m
Palm Jumeirah : The artificial palm archipelago
Old Dubai : The creek, the souks and Al Fahidi
Sheikh Zayed Mosque : The marble masterpiece of Abu Dhabi
Louvre Abu Dhabi : Jean Nouvel's dome of light
Al Ain Oasis : Palm groves and thousand-year-old falaj, UNESCO
Liwa Desert : The great dunes of the Empty Quarter
Jebel Jais : The roof of the Emirates, 1,934 m