Explore the United Arab Emirates with Corinthian
Our where to travel in the United Arab Emirates guides reveal the iconic highlights of Dubai and Abu Dhabi as well as the heritage of all seven emirates that comprise the UAE and the much less well-known scenic interior of the country. The United Arab Emirates is celebrated for its stunning luxury beach hotels, water sports, vast shopping malls, iconic buildings and as being a playground for adventure. Here you’ll find exquisite fine dining, the world’s tallest building, the longest zip-line in the world, a ski slope in the desert, and world-class theme parks that thrill adults and children alike. – but this is also a heritage-rich country with a timeless and traditional side where you can enjoy exploring history, culture and nature. Opulent palaces, picturesque fortresses, extensive heritage areas built of coral stone, fine museums, and archaeological sites all tell the story of the region’s past, while the jagged mountains rising up to just under 2,000m, pristine wadis, mangrove-lined lagoons, and the Empty Quarter desert rival neighbouring Oman’s natural beauty and are well worth exploring.
Dubai Creek, UAE
Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa near Dubai UAE
Sir Bani Yas island, Abu Dhabi UAE
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi UAE
Liwa Oasis, Abu Dhabi UAE
Al Noor Mosque, Sharjah UAE
Hadjar Mountains and Highland lake, Ras Al Khaimah UAE
Dubai Marina, UAE
UAE Highlights
- Uber luxurious hotels and resorts
- Old Dubai and Dubai Creek
- Dubai’s futurist architecture
- The Empty Quarter desert
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
- Historic forts
- Sir Yani Bas wildlife
UAE Journey Planner
Three days in Dubai or Abu Dhabi
On a three-day Dubai stop-over, you will be able to visit the neighbourhoods of both Bur Dubai and Deira (collectively Old Dubai) that line Dubai Creek where you will see the coral-stone buildings and lively traditional souqs. It will also be possible to explore the striking architectural marvels of the new city, including the world’s tallest building and the Palm Jumeirah. A heritage desert safari or spending time in the opulent malls might also be possible if you want to be kept busy. Three days in Abu Dhabi will enable you to explore the landmarks of the UAE’s capital, visit some of its world-class museums, and take a desert safari.
A week in Dubai or Abu Dhabi
With a week in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, you will be able to have an in-depth introduction to either emirate as well as have some leisure time at one of the opulent beach hotels or desert resorts. For ideas, our seven-day Classic Dubai tour or eight-day Abu Dhabi & The Empty Quarter tour cover most bases and are a good place to start. Alternatively, if you wish to compare the UAE’s two major cities, you might consider exploring Dubai with a day trip (or a couple of nights) in Abu Dhabi. Exploring the sheikdoms of the UAE on the Seven Emirates Tour will take you off the beaten track to reveal parts of the country that few visitors see while at the same time revealing the variety of the country’s landscapes and the diversity of its economic development.
Ten days to two weeks in Dubai or Abu Dhabi
Ten days to two weeks in Dubai or Abu Dhabi will enable you to explore either (or both) emirate(s) and have time at leisure to enjoy the stunning beach hotels or desert resorts. Our Luxury Dubai and Abu Dhabi Tour combine stays at stunning hotels in both emirates with time to relax in style at the opulent Al Maha desert resort. Alternatively, we could create a relaxed multi-centre journey that includes time to experience some further-flung regions such as Sir Bani Yas Island (where you could explore the wildlife) or on the UAE’s east coast in Fujairah. The adventurous might wish to combine a tour of the Emirates with two nights in Oman’s wild Musandam Peninsula.
