A glamorous and glitzy country in the Middle East, United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a place that every traveler yearns to visit once in their lifetime.
The place impeccably blended in traditional culture and modernization makes it one of the richest urban cities on earth.
Home to a host of tourist attractions alongside skyscraping constructions and action-packed activities to do like sandboarding in Dubai’s desert, Formula 1 racing in Yas Marina Circuit, ziplining in Jebel Jais, kayaking in Hatta, and many more.
The UAE is an ideal place to spend your family vacations. Here is a list of the best things to do on a visit to this Arab nation.
1) Visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
A visit to Sheikh Zayed Grand Museum or Grand Mosque will leave you in awe as you marvel at the stunning architectural design of the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates and the eighth in the world. Grand Mosque is the resting place of UAE’s first president Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
The mosque displays design elements inspired by Morocco, Turkey, and Egypt. The majestic structure has 1096 exterior columns, 82 white marble columns, with floral inlays adorned with semi-precious stones such as red agate, lapis lazuli, jasper, mother of pearl, and 24-carat Swarovski crystal chandeliers.
The mosque’s largest loomed carpet in one of the prayer halls is a key attraction.
2) Take a Desert Safari Dubai Tour
Among the UAE’s Things to do, the desert safari tour is something that you cannot miss out on during a visit to Dubai. The desert safari is a fun-filled experience where you go dune bashing in a 4×4 land cruiser, sand boarding, camel riding, or quad biking.
Witness the beauty of the sunset while standing on the summit of a dune and sinking in views of the beautiful surrounding. You will then reach a Bedouin tent in the desert to enjoy a scrumptious BBQ dinner while watching live performances by belly dancers and Tanoura dancers.
Enjoy the activities like henna tattoo painting and clicking photographs in traditional clothes.
3) Get Active in Hatta
The Hajar Mountain village of Hatta is a prime base for travelers who want to experience a slice of the UAE’s Hajar Mountain scenery. While the coast swelters in summer, temperatures here in the mountains, although still hot, tend to be pleasant rather than humid, making Hatta a popular weekend getaway for Dubai locals.
The turquoise waters of the vast Hatta Dam, surrounded by jagged mountain slopes, is the main tourist attraction, and many people are here chiefly to kayak or boat on the lake.
If you are looking for more activities, Hatta is home to several hiking and mountain biking trails across the surrounding mountain wadis and slopes, many with phenomenal Hajar Mountain vistas along the way. Due to this, it has become a top destination in the UAE for adventure travel and nature-based journeys.
4) Enjoy the Thrill at Ferrari World
Ferrari World is the first Ferrari-themed Park in the Middle East. Located on Yas Island, thrilling rides, state of art simulators, electric go-karts, and live performances under the bright red roof of the Ferrari World are one of the best things to do in UAE.
This park houses the biggest Ferrari store where you can buy your favorite Ferrari memorabilia. Many Italian and multi-cuisine restaurants serve authentic dishes like Espresso Rosso, Mamma Rosella, Officers Food Quarters, Cavallino lounge, and many more.
A trip to Ferrari World will be incomplete without riding the Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest roller coaster; The Flying Aces, the highest roller coaster; and the Fiorano GT Challenge, which gives you a Formula 1 racing experience.
5) Go Up to the Top of Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa, which is 2700 feet tall, is the tallest tower in the world. With two observation decks, nine luxury hotels, multiple restaurants, and a Las Vegas-inspired fountain, this architectural marvel must surely be on your bucket list when you plan a trip to the UAE.
Watch the mesmerizing musical Dubai Fountain Show while enjoying a dinner at the At.mosphere. You can get the best views of the Dubai skyline from “At The Top” observation decks on the 124th and 125th levels.
6) Skydive in Palm Jumeirah
The Palm Islands Jumeirah in Dubai is a favorite place to visit for adventure seekers. And skydiving is one of the unique experiences that one can have here.
Get an adrenaline rush by dropping from a plane at a distance of 13,000 feet while free-falling at a speed of 120 miles per hour. The serene views of the beautiful Palm islands as you float in your parachute over the Arabian Gulf are like the icing on the cake.
There are professionals available who will be available to guide you at each step.
7) Shop at the Souks
Shopping in the UAE can be an exhilarating experience, with several world-class malls offering high-end brands.
But for a different experience visit the traditional souks or markets in Dubai. While you are tempted to buy the lustrous gold bars and jewelry from the Gold Souk, the aromas of scents will lead you towards the Perfume Souk, where you can buy perfumes and attars made using age-old techniques.
There is the Spice Souk to buy saffron, nuts, dates, and authentic spices used in traditional Arabic dishes. Visit the Textile Souk to buy premium quality fabrics of silk, cotton, and unstitched suits.
8) Admire the Collections at Louvre Abu Dhabi
The most spectacular museum in the Middle East, Louvre Abu Dhabi, located on Saadiyat Island, traces the history of humanity’s artistic achievements from the Neolith Age till today.
The museum houses artworks, artefacts, and masterpieces ranging from prehistoric works to contemporary art with paintings by Picasso and the architecture of the museum with its galleries under a vast silver dome, is a must-visit place for art enthusiasts.
Some of the masterpieces in the Louvre Museum are Vincent Van Gogh’s ‘Self Portrait’, Claude Monet’s ‘La Gare Saint Lazare’, Leonardo Da Vinci’s ‘La Belle Ferronniere’, and Jaques Louis David’s ‘Napoleon Crossing the Alps’ among others.
The museum has a Children’s Museum spread over two floors consisting of several interactive workshops for the little ones.
The United Arab Emirates is a place that is full of endless opportunities that make for a perfect holiday. With a country home to so many attractions and ample things to experience, you will want to keep visiting this splendid country again and again.
