United Arab Emirates Travel and Tourism Guide on Travel Notes

Burj Al Arab, Dubai, United Arab Emirates by Roman Logov on Unsplash.

Travel Notes: Middle East - Emirates Travel Notes - Updated 04 August, 2023.

United Arab Emirates (UAE) Travel and Tourism on Travel Notes

Find Emirates Travel and Tourist Information with links to official travel and tourism websites and state resources for visitors to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Tweet

About United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is a popular travel destination known for its luxury shopping, modern architecture, cultural landmarks, and beautiful beaches.

Some of the most well-known tourist attractions in the UAE include the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building; the Dubai Mall; the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in the capital, Abu Dhabi; and the Palm Jumeirah, an artificial island in Dubai.

Mapping UAE

Map of The Emirates

The United Arab Emirates, formerly called the Trucial States, is a federation of seven independent states on the southern end of the Persian Gulf.

Countries neighbouring the United Arab Emirates: Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia.

Emirates Background

The Portuguese were the first Europeans to trade through the region in 16th century, followed by the British East India company in the next year hundred.

By the 18th century the area became known as the Pirate Coast, until the British navy floated in to put an end to piracy.

The land-based Bedouin groups then had more control and, in 1853, a maritime treaty was signed; which led to the area being called the Trucial Coast.

British India governed the region from 1873, with foreign policy in the hands of Great Britain some twenty years later; although she didn't claim full sovereignty over the coast.

Britain withdrew from the region in 1971.

The Seven Emirates in UAE

The independent states in the United Arab Emirates are: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm Al Quwain.

Airlines and Airports.

There are no railways across the sand, although the Emirates are served by six international airports; with Dubai and Abu Dhabi a refuelling stop for many London to Australia passenger flights.

The Emirate of Abu Dhabi:
Abu Dhabi is the largest and most populous of the seven Emirates, and was made the federal capital of the newly formed United Arab Emirates, in 1971.

Large duty-free shopping centres have been set up at the modern airports, to help relieve weary stop-over passengers of their dollars.

DNRD:
General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs - Dubai.

Khaleej Times:
News and views from the United Arab Emirates; in English.

Hotels in The United Arab Emirates

Emirate of Abu Dhabi - Emirate of Ajman - Emirate of Dubai - Emirate of Fujairah - Emirate of Ras al Khaimah - Emirate of Sharjah - Emirate of Umm Al Quwain.

UAE Embassies And Consulates

UAE Visa Requirements.

On Wednesday, March 21st 2001 the United Arab Emirates announced that citizens from 33 countries, including Canada, the United States, western European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore would be granted entry visas upon arrival at the country's land, sea and air ports.

Botschaft der Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate in Berlin:
Hiroshimastrasse 18-20, Berlin.

UAE Embassies and Consulates:
List of UAE Embassies around the world with contact numbers to check on visa requirements.

UAE Embassy In Washington D.C:
3522 International Court, NW, Suite 400
Washington D.C, 20008.

Travel To The Emirates

An amphibious aircraft service links Abu Dhabi with Dubai.

Middle East Airports:
International gateways to the United Arab Emirates.

Fly Emirates:
Emirates airline flies world-wide and is synonymous with excellence in customer service. Treat yourself - fly Emirates.

Emirates Tourism

Enjoy a total tourist experience of unlimited sun, sand, sports and shopping in the United Arab Emirates; along with its friendly, helpful and generous people.

When To Visit The Emirates

The best time to visit the United Arab Emirates is from October through May.

In October the weather may still be quite hot (up to 35C), blue skies are the norm and the evenings are warm. At this stage the tourist season is well under way.

UAE Excursions

The Emirate of Dubai

Dubai is a city located in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on the south-east coast of the Persian Gulf.

Map of Dubai

It is the largest city in the United Arab Emirates, both in terms of population and land area.

Known as the Venice of the Gulf, Dubai was the former residence of the British political agent for the old Trucial States, between 1954 and 1971.

Business Hub

Dubai has become a major global city and a business hub in the Middle East, known for its skyscrapers, luxurious shopping malls, and tourism attractions.

Economy

Dubai's economy is based primarily on trade, tourism, and finance.

It is home to one of the world's largest ports, which serves as a major gateway for goods entering and leaving the Middle East.

The city also has a rapidly growing tourism industry, with many world-class attractions, such as the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, the Dubai Mall, which is one of the largest shopping malls in the world, and the Palm Jumeirah, an artificial island that is shaped like a palm tree.

Cultural Diversity

Dubai is known for its cultural diversity and tolerance.

The city is home to people from more than 200 different nationalities, and it has a thriving arts and cultural scene.

Dubai has a strong commitment to preserving its cultural heritage, and there are many museums and cultural centers that showcase the city's history and traditions.

Expatriates

Dubai is a vibrant and dynamic city that offers many opportunities for business, tourism, and cultural exchange.

Its unique blend of modernity and traditional culture makes it a fascinating place to visit or to call home.

In recent years, Dubai has become increasingly popular as a destination for expatriates and foreign investors.

The city's government has implemented many policies to make it more attractive to foreign businesses, such as tax breaks and other incentives.

Dubai also has a highly developed infrastructure, including modern transportation systems and state-of-the-art telecommunications networks.

Visiting Dubai

When visiting Dubai, it is important to be aware of local customs and laws.

Public displays of affection are not permitted, and modest dress is required in public places.

Alcohol is also only permitted in licensed venues.

Burj Khalifa

Standing at 828 meters tall, Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world.

You can visit the observation deck on the 124th floor for stunning views of the city.

Dubai Creek

A saltwater creek that runs through the city, Dubai Creek is a great place to take a traditional dhow boat ride and see the historic side of Dubai.

Dubai Mall

Dubai Mall is one of the largest shopping malls in the world, featuring over 1,200 stores, an indoor theme park, and an aquarium.

The largest choreographed fountain system in the world is located outside the Dubai Mall.

The fountain show takes place every half-hour in the evenings and is a must-see.

Dubai Miracle Garden

Dubai Miracle Garden is the world's largest flower garden, featuring over 45 million flowers arranged in various shapes and patterns.

Dubai Museum

The Dubai Museum is housed in the Al-Fahidi Fort, built around 1800, and serves to display the traditional way of life in the Emirates.

Palm Jumeirah

An artificial island shaped like a palm tree, Palm Jumeirah features luxury hotels, resorts, and residences.

Dubai Tourism

Dubai Holidays:
UK company with inspiring holidays to Dubai; from dreamy luxury holidays in Dubai's chicest, grandest hotels to romantic boutique getaways for couples and fun family holidays at Dubai's top theme parks and resorts.

Go Dubai:
Explore what else Dubai has to offer and you might be tempted to leave the airport on your stop-over.

Seawings Seaplane Tours:
Based in Dubai, Seawings provides aerial tours, scenic flights, customized excursions, MICE/corporate packages and exclusive aircraft charters to over 20 destinations within the United Arab Emirates.

Skiing in Dubai:
Skiing in the desert no longer means hiking up a sand dune.

Visit Dubai:
From the timeless tranquillity of the desert to the lively bustle of the souk, Dubai offers a kaleidoscope of attractions for visitors.

Dubai Accommodation

Where to Stay in Dubai

Burj Al Arab

Burj Al Arab: Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai.

Dubai is a fantastic and vibrant Middle Eastern, yet very Westernised city that boasts many of the worlds most luxurious and amazing hotels. Hotels in Dubai are known around the globe for their fantastic designs and locations, their food and of course their unparalleled service.

One of the most incredible buildings on the planet stands off the coast of Dubai; at 321 metres it soars higher than the Eiffel Tower. Currently the tallest hotel on earth, the Burj Al Arab (Arabian Tower) is also the most luxurious.

But how did they go about building an icon to compete with the Eiffel Tower and Sydney Opera House? It started with a few sketched lines; a sail rising out of the water like a massive yacht. But it needed an island to stand on.

Hotels in Dubai.

Dubai in The News

Unfortunately, Dubai sometimes makes the news for its treatment of foreigners.

It must be stressed, that when visiting another country we need to respect their rules and culture by not taking our habits and customs with us.

Sometimes things do go wrong and it's helpful to know that some people are there to help.

Stirling Haigh is a London-based international dispute resolution, crisis management and strategic advisory firm specialising in a range of criminal and civil disputes in Dubai, the wider UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Saudi Arabia.

Considered an international authority on UAE law, Detained in Dubai was founded by Radha Stirling in 2007, following her colleague's detention.

Dubai Adventures:
Offers inbound tourists a choice of desert safaris, dhow dinner cruises and city tours throughout the United Arab Emirates.

The Emirate of Sharjah

Sharjah is the third largest Emirate and offers visitors interested in culture more than twenty museums, several art galleries and beautifully restored heritage areas.

Sharjah is about 15km from Dubai and around 200km from Abu Dhabi.

Expo Centre Sharjah:
The visually striking Expocentre is now the most technically-advanced exhibition, conference and event complex within the Middle East.

Sharjar Chamber of Commerce and Industry:
Sharjah enables investors to have restriction-free commercial and financial transactions, including the transfer of all their profits and capital or conducting other exterior financial dealings.

Sharjar Department of Culture and Information:
UNESCO promoted Sharjah as the 'Cultural Capital of the Arab World', in 1998.

Sharjah International Airport:
Sharjah's distinguished place on the world aviation map began back in 1932, when Imperial Airways - the forerunners of British Airways - constructed an airfield here as a stopover en route to India and Australia.

Sharjah Tourism:
The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) was established in 1996.

Sharjah Art Museum

The Sharjah Art Museum was inaugurated during the 3rd Sharjah International Arts Biennial, in April 1997. This museum is one of the city's main landmarks with a total of 68 halls and exhibited works from European Orientalists who painted the Arab Orient.

Umm Al Quwain

Located along the coast of the Arabian Gulf, the Emirate of Umm Al Quwain is situated between Sharjah to the west and Ras Al Khaimah to the east.

The Emirate of Al Fujairah

Al Fujairah:
Fujairah Emirate is the seventh in the union of the United Arab Emirates.

Emirates Directories

UAE Interact:
News and information on the United Arab Emirates, supported by The National Media Council.

UAE Maps and Travel Guides

Emirates Travel Guides - Emirates Maps.

Weather in the Middle East:
Local weather forecasts for destinations around the Middle East.

Travel Notes Online Guide to Travel

Africa - Asia - Caribbean - Europe - Middle East - North America - Oceania - South America.

The Travel Notes Online Guide to Travel helps visitors plan their trip with country and city travel guides, local tourist information, reviewed web sites, and regular travel articles.