Sharjah
Paths meander past art sculptures amid landscaped gardens on this island across a bridge behind the Al Noor Mosque. The main draw is the wavy-roofed…
Must-see attractions in United Arab Emirates
Ras Al Khaimah
As observation decks go, it doesn't get much posher than this. Opened in early 2018, the landscaped and manicured viewing terraces here at 1250m have…
Ras Al Khaimah
It's well worth climbing the zigzagging staircase (you'll need sturdy shoes – this is not flip-flops territory) to this twin-towered hilltop fortress to…
Sharjah Art Foundation New Art Spaces
Sharjah
Urban meets traditional in this cluster of white-cube galleries set within restored Emirati homes in the Heritage Area, behind Al Zahra Mosque…
Al Ain
This carefully restored fort was the birthplace of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, current president of the UAE. A stylised falaj marks the entrance…
Fujairah City
Enter the double-turret gate of the fort compound with its vestiges of Fujairah's old village and spy this dollhouse of a fort, draped over a rocky mound…
Sharjah
A fine example of early Emirati architecture, this 1845 house was once home to pearl merchant Obaid Al Naboodah. Note in particular the teak-wood ionic…
Al Ain
These remarkable vestiges of a settlement and tombs dating back some 5000 years to the Umm Al Nar period open up a window on early life in the region. On…
Yas Island
Visible from afar, this futuristic landmark building has been dubbed the 'Coin' thanks to its distinctive penny-shaped architecture. The world's first…
Dubai
With shops, restaurants, a waterpark, a beachfront with hammocks and a huge playpark, La Mer is Dubai’s newest beachfront destination. Opened in 2018 …
Sharjah
Don't think calligraphy is worthy of your time? Think again. The two galleries here showcase this swirling, beautiful art form at its best with works by…
Bur Dubai
Truly impressive and truly green, this living wall is touted as the Middle East's largest, measuring some 6m in height and 212m in length. Its green cred…
Bur Dubai
Step back in time to retrace history at the Dubai Creek House, part of the Al Shindagha Museum restoration project. The Birth of a Nation exhibit takes…
Deira
Several blocks with a preponderance of perfume shops hardly warrants the title ‘souq’, yet these stores sell a staggering range of Middle Eastern attars:…
Abu Dhabi
This luxurious, exclusive beach club, spa and fitness centre is open to day visitors and offers an expanse of pristine beach with plenty of sun-loungers…
Marina Breakwater
At 122m, this giant flagpole was the tallest free-standing flagpole in the world when it was constructed in 2001. It lost its title to the Raghadan…
Sharjah
Renowned French-Tunisian street artist eL Seed brought his trademark 'calligraffiti' street art to Sharjah in 2015 with this snake-like design sprawling…
Downtown Dubai
With the energetic Malini Gulrajani at the helm, this gallery has brought some of the foremost names in India’s contemporary art scene to Dubai since 2009…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
Riva Beach Club is a popular independent beach club (ie not attached to a hotel), especially among expats. The entrance fee will score you a sunbed and…
Gallery Isabelle van den Eynde
Downtown Dubai
This edgy gallery has developed relationships with artists from Europe, Latin America and Africa whose work has some connection to the Middle East. Part…
Downtown Dubai
A co-venture by two Emirati business tycoons and British art dealer Charles Pocock, this blue-chip gallery is dedicated to presenting the masters of…
Abu Dhabi
If you're a fan of cutting-edge art, the temporary art exhibitions held here, in the art gallery of New York University's Abu Dhabi campus, focus on…
Al Bateen & Al Mushrif
The wide strip of soft white sand here is Abu Dhabi's new beach destination. Opened to the public in 2018, this beach is the first phase of Hudayriat…
Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Centre
United Arab Emirates
Thirty mountain species, including Arabian leopards and gazelles, can be seen at this small wildlife centre, which opened in 2016. A shuttle whizzes…
Downtown Dubai
Founded by prominent Iranian collector Ramin Salsali, SPM is the first private museum for contemporary Middle Eastern art in the region and has made it…
Sharjah
If you're interested in digging a bit further into Sharjah's trading history, this small shop space in Souq Al Shanisiyah has been turned into an exhibit…
Sheikh Zayed Mosque Area
A day spent beach-side at the Fairmont is sandy relaxation with the best views across the khor (creek) to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to boot. There's a…
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
This 5.4km-long promenade bends gently round the western shore of Al Maryah Island and offers good views of Abu Dhabi and the busy channel of water in…
Downtown Dubai
Green Art has been around for more than four decades and played a key role in championing modern Middle Eastern art, including such masters as Fateh…
United Arab Emirates
This huge mural, painted as part of the Dubai Street Museum Project, encompasses the entire outer wall of the Hatta Dam, which you pass by on the road up…
Dubai
Fancy a nighttime swim with the twinkling Burj Al Arab as a backdrop? Since 2017, you can legally take a post-sunset dip along a 125m stretch of beach…
Downtown Dubai
This minimalist white-cube space serves as a gateway to the UAE art scene for accomplished artists from around the world, and vice-versa. Some of them…
Downtown Dubai
Don't be deceived by the relatively small gallery space here; the emphasis is firmly on quality rather than quantity. This is one of the pioneering…
Marina Breakwater
Marina Mall's observation tower has traditionally been the budget way to get 360-degree aerial views of the city, costing just the price of a coffee from…
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
This attractive family park straddles both sides of the far eastern end of the Corniche, with great views of the traditional dhow harbour across the water…
Al Bateen & Al Mushrif
A big wide strip of compacted sand, good for picnics and a spot of swimming and sunbathing. Umbrellas and loungers can be hired and if you feel like…
Downtown Dubai
This fabulous, vast 700-sq-metre space is associated with the prestigious Waddington Custot gallery in London. The exhibitions promote such major masters…
Sharjah
If you're interested in modern art, it's worthwhile checking Maraya's website to see if there's an exhibition on while you're in town. This art centre has…
Downtown Dubai
This prestigious New York import presents cutting-edge art from emerging and mid-career artists from the Middle East, Central Asia, southeast Asia and…
Sharjah
For a salty introduction to the UAE, visit this charming museum that displays enough traditional dhows (cargo ships), exhibits on pearling and fishing…
