UAE travel guide
United Arab Emirates travel guide: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the wider Emirates
The UAE has become the Middle East’s most-visited destination — Dubai’s vertical spectacle, Abu Dhabi’s quieter cultural depth (Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi), and the broader emirates’ desert + mountain extensions all reachable from a single base.
Destinations we cover in United Arab Emirates
Country overview
Hot desert climate with brutal May-September heat and mild November-March winters. Most Western travelers get 30-90 days visa-free; new Electronic Travel Authorization phasing in for some nationalities. English universal in business and tourism.
- Language
- Arabic (official). English functionally universal; Hindi, Urdu, Filipino also common.
- Currency
- UAE Dirham (AED). Pegged to USD (~3.67 AED = $1). Cards accepted everywhere.
- Best time to visit
- November-March is the unambiguous sweet spot. April and October are workable shoulder. May-September unbearable outdoors.
- Trip highlights
- Burj Khalifa + Dubai Mall + Marina + desert safari in Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque + Louvre Abu Dhabi + Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.