Louvre Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesPhoto: Francesco Bini, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Find your Bliss in the United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, made simple: desert, souqs, skylines and easy Gulf beaches
The United Arab Emirates packs a lot into a short trip: the skyline and old creek of Dubai, the grand mosque and museums of Abu Dhabi, the oasis and forts of Al Ain, the heritage quarter of Sharjah and the mountains of Ras Al Khaimah. It is safe, well run and easy to travel. This guide explains the customs, costs and rules so you arrive confident.
Your trip, step by step
- Before you flyEntry rules, seasons, dress codes and money, answered
- LandingThe airports, the metro, taxis, SIM cards and your first evening, explained
- Your days in the EmiratesSouqs, mosques, desert, mountains and beaches, planned with care
- Home againDeparture tips, duty free and onward routes across the world
Where to go, eat and stay
Our local picks
Restaurants, things to do and nightlife
Our hand-picked spots in Nairobi and beyond, from must-haves to off the beaten path.
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Flights, stays and travel essentials
Search flights to United Arab Emirates and places to stay, and get set before you go.
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- Plain answersClear, honest guidance on the questions first-timers actually ask.
- Official sourcesEntry, health and safety facts point you to the official pages to confirm.
- No price surprisesWe explain money, taxis, tours and costs so nothing catches you off guard.
- Free to useEvery guide and the trip planner are free.
Our promise
The Emirates should feel like discovery, not worry. We answer the questions about entry, dress, alcohol, the heat, money and getting around before they start, so you arrive confident and ready to find your Bliss.
Stopping over between continents, coming for a winter week of sun, visiting family who work in the Gulf, or travelling for business and staying a few extra days? This guide was written with you in mind.
How to use this guide
Four steps from first idea to a trip that feels easy.
- Choose your EmiratesDubai's buzz, Abu Dhabi's culture, Al Ain's oasis, Sharjah's heritage or Ras Al Khaimah's mountains: start with the destinations that fit you.
- Sort the essentialsEntry rules, travel advice, money and local customs, checked against official sources.
- Pick your placesUse our places to visit list for food, culture, desert, beaches and stays across the seven emirates.
- Plan your routeUse the free trip planner to fit cities, desert and coast into a realistic plan.
Everything your UAE trip needs
Free tools and guides for every stage of the journey.
Destinations
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, each explained in depth.
Explore destinationsPlaces to visit
More than a hundred restaurants, souqs, museums, beaches and stays, from classics to hidden corners.
See places to visitFlights and stays
Search flights into Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, and stays across the country.
Plan travelPlaces finder
Food, sights and stays mapped around each base.
Find placesFree trip planner
Tell us your dates and interests and build a route that fits.
Plan your trip
The classic UAE trip
Old creek, grand mosque and a night in the desert
Most first visits pair a few days in Dubai with a day or two in Abu Dhabi, plus an evening or overnight in the desert. A week lets you add Al Ain's oasis, Sharjah's museums or the mountains and beaches of Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.
- Al Fahidi, the abra across Dubai Creek and the old souqs
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Louvre Abu Dhabi
- Dunes, camels and a starry desert evening
- Jebel Jais, Hajar mountain wadis and the east coast
Plan with confidence
Your route, without the worry
The Emirates reward a little preparation: picking the cooler months, planning around Ramadan, knowing the dress and behaviour rules, and choosing between the metro, taxis, ride hailing and intercity buses. Our free planner helps you shape it.
- Realistic travel times between the emirates
- Ramadan, holidays and big events to plan around
- Where to base yourself
Where to go in the United Arab Emirates
From the creek and skyline of Dubai and the cultural capital of Abu Dhabi to the oasis of Al Ain, the heritage quarter of Sharjah and the mountains of Ras Al Khaimah.
Emirate of Dubai
Dubai
An old trading creek and spice souqs beneath the tallest building on earth, with beaches, desert and food from every corner of the world.
Read the guidePhoto: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Emirate of Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
The country's capital: a grand white mosque, world class museums on Saadiyat, a long Corniche and the theme parks of Yas Island.
Read the guidePhoto: Guilhem Vellut from Annecy, France, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Emirate of Abu Dhabi
Al Ain
A UNESCO listed palm oasis, mud brick forts, ancient tombs, a working camel market and a mountain road with desert views.
Read the guidePhoto: trolvag, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Emirate of Sharjah
Sharjah
The UAE's cultural capital: restored heritage lanes, fine museums, an art biennial, the Blue Souq and the archaeology of Mleiha.
Read the guidePhoto: Sharaf01, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah
The country's highest mountain, the world's longest zipline, quiet beaches, mangroves and a ghost pearling village.
Read the guidePhoto: Original: Florian Kriechbaumer Derivative work: Aristeas, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A note from our founder
A note from our founder
My first time visiting Kenya, I was genuinely surprised with how fast it began feeling like home. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious and familiar, and the accommodations are modern and upscale.
During my travels throughout the continent, I commonly hear tourists share stories about being scammed or taken advantage of, which is both frustrating and disheartening.
Living in Kenya for the last 2 years, I have had the great fortune to meet a network of wonderful Kenyans who have continuously help guide my family's journey. Their shared knowledge has not only greatly enhanced our overall experience here, but it has also saved us tons of time, energy, and resources.
With BlissPoint Travel, my hope is to build a global community that is willing to share useful, uncommon knowledge so that we can all blissfully enjoy the wonders our world has to offer.
Questions we hear most
Is the UAE safe to visit?
The UAE has very low levels of everyday crime and most visits pass without trouble. Laws on behaviour, drugs and public conduct are strict, and regional tensions can change quickly, so read your government's current travel advice before you go and during your trip.
What is the capital of the UAE?
Abu Dhabi, the largest of the seven emirates. Dubai is the biggest city and the main gateway for most visitors, about ninety minutes away by road.
Do I need a visa for the UAE?
It depends on your passport. Many nationalities receive a visa on arrival or visa free entry, while others must apply in advance. Check the official ICP or GDRFA Dubai sites, or your airline, before you book.
Can I drink alcohol in the UAE?
Non-Muslim adults can drink in licensed hotels, restaurants and bars. Drinking in public and being drunk in public are against the law, and Sharjah is a dry emirate.
What should I wear in the UAE?
Swimwear is fine at beaches and pools, and most casual clothes are fine in malls and hotels. Cover shoulders and knees in souqs, government buildings and heritage areas, and dress fully modestly for mosque visits.
Can BlissPoint Travel book my trip?
We are a free travel guide, not a tour operator. Use our trip planner to shape your route, and our partner links to compare flights and stays.
Ready to find your Bliss in the Emirates?
Use the free trip planner to shape your days, or send us a question through the contact page.