United Arab Emirates

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Pocket Dubai

$14.99

Overview

For most people, the United Arab Emirates means just one place: Dubai, the sci-fi-esque city of iconic skyscrapers, palm-shaped islands, city-sized malls, indoor ski slopes and palatial beach resorts. But beyond the glitter awaits a diverse mosaic of six more emirates, each with its own character and allure.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

Burj Al Arab
Dubai
The Burj Al Arab's graceful silhouette – meant to evoke the sail of a dhow (a traditional wooden cargo vessel) – is to Dubai what the Eiffel Tower is to…
Burj Khalifa
Downtown Dubai
The Burj Khalifa is a stunning feat of architecture and engineering, with two observation decks on the 124th and 148th floors and a restaurant-bar on the…
Madinat Jumeirah
Dubai
One of Dubai’s most attractive developments, Madinat Jumeirah is a contemporary interpretation of a traditional Arab village, complete with a souq (market…
Kite Beach
Dubai
This long, pristine stretch of white sand, a little way north of Jumeirah Public Beach, is a major draw for sporty types, with a range of activities on…
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
Designed by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Jean Nouvel, the highly anticipated Louvre Abu Dhabi finally arrived in late 2017. Through 12 galleries, the…
IMG Worlds of Adventure
Dubai
Housed in an air-conditioned hangar the size of 28 football fields, IMG Worlds of Adventure is the world’s largest indoor theme park. The US$1 billion…
Dubai Museum
Bur Dubai
The city's main historical museum charts Dubai's turbo-evolution from fishing and pearling village to global centre of commerce, finance and tourism. It…
Etihad Museum
Dubai
Opened in 2017, this striking modern museum engagingly chronicles the birth of the UAE in 1971, spurred by the discovery of oil in the 1950s and the…

View more attractions

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

Dubai is home to the world's tallest building, colossal malls and vast empty deserts. Don't go without these top tips.

Read article

Articles

Latest stories from United Arab Emirates

Filter by interest:

Wildlife & Nature

Learn survival skills at the first Bear Grylls Explorer Camp in the UAE

Oct 2, 2020 • 3 min read

The world's first Bear Grylls Explorer Camp (BGEC) will open this month in the United Arab Emirates, with survival courses that cater to small groups.