Tourism Guide of UAE

The United Arab Emirates consists of 7 emirates, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras al-Khaimah, Ajman, Umm al-Quwain, and Fujairah, the largest of which is the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, “the capital of the Emirates”, it includes the largest coastline, the Emirates is one of the world’s most prominent and important countries that people from all over the world visit with the aim of tourism and enjoying time in all seasons of the year.

Language in UAE

The UAE is an Arab country, so the official language is Arabic, but the dialects differ from one country to another, the Emirati dialect is close to the dialects of other Gulf countries, but Standard Arabic is used in the media, education, and official and governmental transactions, given the multiple nationalities residing there and in order to make it easier for them to understand, the English language is widely used, especially in the Emirate of Dubai, due to the presence of foreign residents and tourists from different countries of the world, it is the first language in the world, which makes Emirati citizens distinguished by their proficiency in the English language.

Essential entry documents for UAE

Considering that the UAE is a tourist country, it facilitates entry and exit procedures for tourists from all countries. You can book your trip easily via the Internet or through tourism companies, if your visit to the Emirates is for the purpose of tourism, you will be required to submit the following:

• A valid passport for at least 6 months from entering the country.
• 4 personal photos, size 4 x 6, with a white background.
• A valid health insurance document.
• A bank account statement for the last 6 months to prove the availability of a balance of $4,000 or its equivalent in other currencies.
• Applying for a return ticket.
• Proof of accommodation or hotel reservation during your stay in the UAE.

The UAE allows citizens of some countries to visit it without a visa for a specific period of time that does not exceed 3 months, including (Germany – Europe – Italy – Portugal – Jordan – Bahrain – Kuwait – Morocco – South Africa – Syria – Egypt).

Currency and working hours

The currency of the Emirates is the Emirati dirham, you can also deal in US dollars in hotels, restaurants and other tourist places,

Working hours start from 10 am until midnight in most places, and official working days start from Monday to Friday.

The most famous cities and tourist attractions in the Emirates

Emirate of Abu Dhabi

One of the most important tourist cities in the Emirates, the largest emirate, most of its residents are Emirati citizens, unlike Dubai, it provides almost all services, it also includes tourist places that attract tourists from all over the world, the most famous of which are:

• Abu Dhabi Corniche: which extends over a distance of 8 km, you can enjoy just sitting and watching the water, walking or jogging, in addition to practicing water games such as surfing and others.
• Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: It is one of the world’s largest mosques, accommodating about 40,000 worshipers, it is distinguished by its remarkable architectural design inspired by Islamic art, and is decorated with precious stones, gold, crystal, and columns decorated with more than a thousand stones of amethyst and jasper, it has the largest carpet in the world that was manufactured in Iran, which set a Guinness World Record. The mosque includes four minarets at a height of 107 meters, in addition to Swarovski crystal chandeliers, the mosque is located on Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Street.
• Qasr Al Watan: One of the most important historical places through which you can learn about the country’s ancient heritage, it is located in the Cabo Verde region.
• Heritage Village: One of the most important cultural monuments in the UAE, where there are stories of civilizations and collectibles dating back to ancient times, and shops for buying souvenirs. It is located in the Corniche area near Marina Mall, and operates throughout the week from 9 am to 4 pm, except for Friday, the working hours is from 3 pm to 9 pm.
• Ferrari World: located on Yas Island, it is the largest entertainment city in the Middle East, and the largest covered amusement park in the world on an area of ​​200 thousand square meters, it contains various games, most notably Formula Rossa, the magic of speed and the training camp, it has the largest Ferrari store in the world and many different restaurants and shops, the ticket price is 195 AED.
• Dalma Mall: One of the most important shopping centers in Abu Dhabi, it includes many clothing, accessories, perfumes, shoes, electronics, and various restaurants, in addition to a cinema, an entertainment area, and a parking lot that can accommodate more than 6,300 cars, on an area of about 255 square meters.
• The leaning tower of Abu Dhabi: The largest leaning tower in the world, with an inclination of 18 degrees, and a height of 160 meters, it is characterized by the fact that it contains Diagrid technology, which works to absorb earthquakes, it is the first leaning tower that contains this technology.
• Louvre Abu Dhabi: was opened in 2017, it was agreed with the French government to display paintings, drawings and various documents to be a mixture of eastern and western civilizations and arts. The entry cost is 60 dirhams.
• Emirates Zoo: There are about 1,700 different animals from different wild and domestic environments, such as lions, leopards, tigers, bears, and many rare animals. The entry cost is 8 AED.
• Emirates Palace: It was awarded the International Five Star Diamond Award in 2008, as it contains 302 rooms and 92 suites, it is one of the most important hotels in the Emirates.
• Umm Al Emarat Park: One of the most important places that you can visit with your family and enjoy watching small animals, the evening garden, the open theater and the children’s garden. It was established at the beginning for women and children only, but after its restoration and reopening, it became a place suitable for families, the entry ticket price is 10 dirhams.
• There are also many other different tourist places such as Marina Mall, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Murjan Splash Park, Qasr Al Hosn, Yas Island, Al Ain Paradise Park, Khalifa Park, Al Ain Oasis, and Qurum National Park.

Most famous hotels in Abu Dhabi

• Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Rosewood Abu Dhabi Hotel, Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi, Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi, Al Maha Arjaan by Rotana, Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi Hotel, Cristal Hotel Abu Dhabi, Novotel Abu Dhabi Al Bustan.

Emirate of Dubai

The most important tourist city in the Emirates, the largest in terms of population, which includes many famous tourist places that attract tourists from all over the world, the most important of which are:

• Burj Khalifa: The world’s tallest skyscraper, with a height of about 828 meters, it includes many administrative offices, shops, various residential apartments and hotels, it also includes the world’s highest swimming pool and the world’s highest mosque.
• Dubai Opera: It is distinguished by its remarkable design in the form of a fishing ship, and overlooks the world’s tallest tower, Burj Khalifa. It includes an indoor and outdoor theater, a reception and art hall, a ballet hall, an art museum, and a huge hotel. Its cost is about $330 million, the building can accommodate 2,000 visitors, the chairs can be removed to become equal to the stage, which changes the shape of the hall and the walls.
• Emirates Towers: the most prominent and beautiful skyscrapers in Dubai, which overlook Sheikh Zayed Road, you can enjoy watching them while passing by a car or through the metro, they include administrative offices, companies, hotels, and various apartments.
• Dubai dancing fountain: The world’s largest dancing fountain, it shoots water with lights for a distance of up to 140 meters in two different directions, with carefully selected different Arabic and foreign music clips.
• Ski Dubai: One of the most famous tourist attractions, it contains ice figures, you can enjoy ice skating to experience the Arctic life among the penguins, the entry cost is 120 AED.
• IMG Worlds of Adventure: It is one of the most famous amusement parks in Dubai and includes a fantasy world for children’s games, suitable for families, the entry cost is 299 dirhams for adults, 248 dirhams for children, 175 dirhams for the elderly, and children under 105 centimeters are free of charge.
• In addition to various other places such as Dubai Creek, the Lost Chambers Aquarium, Jumeirah Beach, Dubai Dolphinarium, Global Village, which provides you with a unique and exceptional experience by visiting the world through this small spot, Dolphin Bay, Dubai Marina, Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Spice Souk, Gold Souk in Dubai, Dubai Miracle Garden, Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, Grand Mosque, Jumeirah Mosque, Dubai Museum, Al Bastakiya, Palm Jumeirah.

The most famous hotels in Dubai

• Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Four Points Hotel Downtown, Atlantis The Palm Hotel, Premier Inn Airport Hotel, Al Qasr Hotel Dubai, Hotel Versace Dubai, Raffles Hotel Dubai, Burj Al Arab Hotel Dubai, Royal Central Hotel – The Palm, Palm Jumeirah Dubai Hotel, Sofitel Dubai Downtown, Crowne Plaza Deira, Ghaya Grand Hotel.

Emirate of Sharjah

The Emirate of Sharjah stands out by its stunning beaches, it also won the UNESCO Prize for being the Capital of Culture in the Arab World, some of its most famous tourist attractions are:

• Al Khan Street: It is considered one of the most important tourist attractions in the Emirates, and contains hotels and archaeological landmarks dating back about 400 years.
• Souq Al Jubail: the largest market in the Middle East, as it is located on an area of ​​about 37 thousand square meters, thousands of people visit it daily, it includes more than 400 shops selling various foods such as fish, meat, poultry, fruits, vegetables, plants, and others.
• Khalid Lake: It is an artificial lake where you can go with your family and enjoy walking, running, cycling and enjoying the beautiful scenery.
• Sharjah Aquarium: It is an aquatic exhibition located near the Sharjah Maritime Museum in the old Al Khan area. It consists of two floors and contains more than 20 aquariums containing more than 150 species of coral reefs, sharks and moray fish.
• Sharjah Mega Mall: one of the most important shopping centers, as it has many stores of local and international brands, as well as various entertainment venues.
• In addition to many other places such as City Center Mall, Desert Park, Sharjah Discovery Center, Al Kasbah, Sharjah Science Museum, Al Noor Island, Adventure Land, Al Noor Island, and the Arabian Wildlife Center.

Most important hotels in Sharjah

• The Chedi Al Bait Hotel, Royal Tulip, 72 Hotel Sharjah, The Act Hotel – Sharjah, Hilton Sharjah, Centro Sharjah, Ibis Styles Sharjah, Tulip Inn Hotel, Al Salam Hotel, Copthorne Hotel, Al Hamra Hotel, Sharjah Palace Hotel.

Emirate of Ajman

It is the smallest of the seven emirates, however it includes many important tourist places such as:

• Ajman Museum: It contains many archaeological discoveries, a display of Emirati weapons, and many manuscripts, the museum is surrounded by watch towers.
• Ajman beaches: one of the most beautiful beaches in the Emirates, there are many hotels that overlook the different beaches to provide you with comfort, tranquility and a special time.
• Masfout City: It is close to Al Naseem Nature Reserve, on its way, there are many mountains, landscapes and sand dunes.
• City Centre Ajman: One of the most important shopping centers in Ajman, as it includes many commercial and entertainment stores to enjoy shopping with the family and practicing various activities.
• Al-Zawra Nature Reserve: It has many types of birds, about 1000 species, various pets, forests and lakes, by visiting them you enjoy the charming and picturesque nature.
• In addition to many other places such as Mowaihat archaeological site, Etisalat Tower, Ajman Fort and Citadel, Dow Yard Port, Ajman fish market, and Safeer Mall.

The most famous hotels in Ajman

• Ajman Hotel, The Ajman Palace, Fairmont Ajman, Ajman Saray Luxury Resort, Ajman Beach Hotel, Iwan Hotel, Alain Hotel Ajman, Dream Palace Hotel, Halla Inn Hotel Apartments, Crown Palace Hotel.

Emirate of Umm Al Quwain

In terms of area, it is the second smallest emirate among the seven emirates after Ajman, it is located on the coast of the Arabian Gulf on the Bayda Creek, it is one of the most important tourist cities in the Emirates, as it is famous for being one of the oldest places to dive in search of pearls and is characterized by old traditional stone dwellings and houses, some of its most important landmarks are:

• Dreamland Aqua Park: If you are looking to enjoy different water games, it will be your first choice, as it is distinguished by its diversity in games, it satisfies all tastes and ages, daily working hours are from ten AM until four PM, the entry cost is (47.15 AED for adults, and 29.47 AED for children).
• Umm Al Quwain Museum: It was opened in 2000 and consists of two towers, the Prism Tower and the Liwara Tower. The museum is distinguished by the diversity of its holdings, where you can see models of traditional houses, jewelry, old coins, pieces of mosaics, artifacts, ancient architecture, Islamic arts and other artifacts, working hours are from seven AM until eight PM, the entry cost is 6 dirhams.
• During your trip in the Emirate of Umm Al Quwain, you can enjoy visiting Sheikh Zayed Park, Al Siniya Island, Umm Al Quwain Beach, Khawr al Bayda’, Falaj Al Mualla Park, Palma Bowling, Umm Al Quwain Islands, Aquarium, and Umm Al Quwain Mall.

The most famous hotels in Umm Al Quwain

• Barracuda Resort, The Pearl Hotel, Royal Residence Resort, Pearl Beach Hotel & Spa.

Emirate of Ras al Khaimah

It is one of the best and most important tourist destinations in the United Arab Emirates, as it is a mixture of ancient civilization with the progress and brightness of the future. It includes scenery, picturesque beaches, sand dunes, green belts, and palm trees, in addition to Jebel Jais, which is considered one of the highest peaks in the UAE, some of the most important landmarks of Ras Al Khaimah are:

• National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah​​​: was opened in 1987 AD, it is located inside the fort building, which dates back to the middle of the eighteenth century. It includes many archaeological holdings dating back more than 6 thousand years, in addition to the presence of a special section on natural history, which presents a collection of fossils and secrets of marine life, the entry cost is 5 dirhams.
• Palace of Sheikh Sultan Al Qassimi: If you have enough courage and you are a fan of various adventures, you should visit this palace, as there were many terrifying rumors, mysterious events, and rumors about seeing children’s faces behind windows and moving furniture on its own. This palace was built by Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Humaid Al Qasimi in 1985 AD, the palace is characterized by the presence of unique holdings, pottery corridors, and artistic wall paintings.
• Iceland Water Park: one of the largest tourist attractions in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, where the desert meets ice in a way that you cannot expect, it is the largest water park in the Middle East. You can enjoy water games, playing with snow, swimming and skating, in addition to the presence of sports fields, restaurants, a shopping center and a beach park, the entry cost for adults is 175 AED, and 115 AED for children.
• Ras Al Khaima Zoo: the third largest zoos in the UAE, it includes about 50 species of animals, in addition to an equestrian club, bicycle paths, many rest areas, and a group of restaurants and cafes. In addition to the children’s area and theater for live shows. Working hours are from Nine AM until ten PM.
• In addition to Saqr Park, Flamingo Beach, Ras Al Khaimah Zoo, Wadi Shawka, Springs Road, Al Hamra Mall, Manar Mall, RAK Mall, Al Naeem Mall.

Ras al-Khaimah hotels

• Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Ritz-Carlton, DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island, Mangroves by Bin Majid, Hilton Garden Inn.

Emirate of Fujairah

It was called Fujairah because of its water springs and springs exploding in its various parts, Fujairah has many attractions and tourist places, it is located in the east of the Arabian Peninsula, it is the only emirate that overlooks the Sea of Oman, which distinguishes it from the rest of the Emirates and makes it one of the first choices for tourists, some of its most important landmarks:

• Sheikh Zayed Mosque: It was inaugurated in 2015 to be the second largest Islamic edifice in the UAE, as it has an effective role in Islamic culture, memorizing the Holy Qur’an and studying its teachings, in addition to the tourism aspect due to the splendor and luxury of its construction and design.
• Al Bidya Mosque: It is also called the Ottoman Mosque in relation to its old design, which resembles the designs of the Ottomans. It is named Al Bidya in relation to the village in which it is located, Al Bidya Mosque is one of the oldest tourist attractions in the Emirates, until now, prayers are still being held in it.
• Fujairah Fort: It was built between 1500 and 1550 AD, and despite the primitive materials and tools used in construction, its design attracts all tourists, the reason for its construction is to be a fortress for defense and control of the city.
• Al Hail Fort: was built for military purposes to protect the city, dating back about 250 years. It is one of the most important tourist attractions in Fujairah because of its archaeological nature, and distinguished by its remarkable location, as it is surrounded by many palm trees and mountains.
• Fujairah Museum: If you are interested in ancient rare historical collectibles, you should visit it. Its opening dates back to 1991 AD, the museum includes three halls, inside which are some old tools used in agriculture, trade, hunting, folk costumes, weapons, stones, copper and old axes, in addition to the presence of an old ostrich egg dating back to the year 2000 BC, you can also enjoy reading rare books in the library.
• Al Bithnah Fort: It overlooks many agricultural oases and was built for the purpose of protecting and defending the city, it was built in 1753 AD, and was built with primitive materials consisting of stone, mud and palm trunks. Al Bithnah Fort is one of the oldest and most prominent tourist attractions in the Emirates.
• You can also enjoy visiting Kalba corniche park, Madhab Sulpheric Spring Park, Dibba Al-Hisn Public Park, City Centre Fujairah, Lulu Mall, Fujairah Mall, and Friday Market – Fujairah, during your trip.

The most famous hotels in Fujairah

• Blue Diamond Hotel, Concorde Hotel, Siji Hotel, Radisson BluResort, Nour Arjaan Hotel, Novotel Hotel, City Tower Hotel, Ibis Hotel.

History of the Emirates

Since the beginning of the Stone Age, the UAE has witnessed many events that directly affected its formation in 1971 AD.

The Stone Age (3500 : 6000 BC):

People in this era were nomadic groups who practiced hunting, farming, sheep herding, and pottery making.

The Bronze Age (1300 : 3200 BC):
This era consists of three periods:
First: the Jebel Hafeet period, it was named by this name because of the large number of tombs that were found near the city of Al Ain in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Second: The period of Wadi Suq, named after the area between Al Ain and the Omani coast, which is Wadi Disuq.
Third: Umm al-Nar period, named after Umm al-Nar Island, which is located near Abu Dhabi.
 
The Iron Age (300 : 1300 BC):
In order to meet the agricultural needs of the people in the settlements, machines were discovered with modern technology that was able to extract groundwater, it was called the Aflaj Irrigation System. This era was famous for using all kinds of metals, including gold, stones, ornamental stones, swords, daggers and pottery.

The arrival of Islam (630 : 1258 AD):
The Messenger, may God’s blessings and peace be upon him, sent the Companions to call for Islam in the Arabian Gulf, whereby Amr ibn al-Aas was assigned to go to Oman and Sohar, they converted to Islam there, and the Islamic civilization flourished strongly in the regions of the Arabian Peninsula, the popular industry in this era was shipbuilding.

Portuguese era (1498 : 1650 AD):
After the success of the sea voyage led by the Portuguese sailor Vasco de Gama around the Cape of Good Hope, who was one of the first Europeans to reach the Arabian Peninsula, which made them take control for nearly a century and a half in the Arabian Gulf region, but with the presence of the Ya’ariba forces, Sohar was restored in 1643 and Muscat in 1650.

Dutch era (1622 : 1750 AD):
The Dutch and the English entered after the defeat of the Portuguese force in 1622 in the Battle of the Strait of Hormuz, this era was famous for the silk trade, the Dutch controlled the naval power of the Arabian Gulf and the Indian Ocean, the pearl fisheries that were owned by the local Arab population, which represented the most important sources of the economy in this era, were controlled as well, which led to the resistance of the local Arab population and the expulsion of the Dutch from the island of Kharg, which was their center in 1766.

British era (1720 : 1968 AD):
British commercial activities in the Gulf increased dramatically in 1720, but Al-Qawasim seized power in the eastern and northern regions, and built about 60 or more fleets of large ships, which raised the concern of the British and waging war on them, Al-Qawasim was defeated by the British in 1820, which led to the occurrence of a maritime security agreement with the sheikhs of each emirate, that stipulates the prohibition of building large ships, ensuring security and safety, and establishing fortifications along the coast. In 1892, Britain signed an agreement with the sheikhs of the Gulf stipulating that the sheikhs would not enter into agreements with any countries other than Britain. In return, the British pledged to bear the responsibility of defense from any external aggression on the region. This agreement paved the way for the establishment of the Trucial States and maintained maritime security and peace.
In 1968 the British government announced its withdrawal from the Gulf states at the end of 1971 AD.

Establishment of the Federation of the United Arab Emirates (1966 AD: 1971 AD):

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God have mercy on him, the ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, called for union with the Trucial States in order to protect the coast and oil resources from the ambitions of the more powerful neighboring countries, Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid invited the rulers of the five Trucial States in addition to Bahrain and Qatar to participate in Negotiations for the formation of the union, the historic declaration of the union took place on July 18, 1971 AD, when the rulers of the six Trucial States, namely Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras al-Khaimah, and Umm al-Quwain, decided to form the United Arab Emirates, on December 2, 1971, the establishment of an independent, federal, sovereign state was officially announced as part of the greater Arab world.

Transportation 

• Public buses: They are found in most places within each emirate and operate according to specific times. All modern buses are air-conditioned and have comfortable seats in addition to providing facilities for people of determination, front seats are allocated often for children and women to provide them with comfort.
• Taxi: It can be used to save time and can be driven directly on the roadside.
• Metro: The Dubai Metro passes through forty-nine stations in Dubai and you need to purchase a Nol card or ticket to be allowed to use it.
• Tram: The Dubai Tram operates with a ground electrical supply system, it is the first of its kind in the Arab world. It passes through 11 stations distributed in different residential areas, and in order to be able to travel on the tram, you must purchase a card or a Nol ticket.
• Women-driven pink taxis are available in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi and are intended to transport women and children under the age of 10.

The most famous foods and restaurants

• Khameer: It is one of the well-known types of bread, Sesame and some flavors like turmeric and saffron are added to it.
• Balaleet: One of the traditional meals for breakfast in the Emirates, it consists of a layer of fried eggs above a plate of vermicelli.
• Jami: It is concentrated creamy milk, to which ghee is added, it is one of the oldest Emirati meals.
• Quzi: A famous meal that you can eat at Jabal Jais Restaurant, it is served with meat on special occasions and weddings. It is a filling consisting of bran, pine nuts, potatoes, onions and some spices.
• Al-Maleh: It is salted fish that is eaten with rice.
• Harees: It is boiled meat or chicken, crushed wheat is added to them, the ingredients are ground together until they become like puree, it is one of the most famous dishes in the Emirates.
• Asida: It consists of flour, sugar, ghee and date molasses and is cooked well with a large amount of sugar.
• Khanfaroosh: One of the most famous Emirati sweets, it consists of ground rice, flour, sugar, eggs and water and fried in oil.
• Rangeena with dates: One of the most famous Emirati sweets, it consists of flour, cardamom, cinnamon, dates, sugar and butter.
• Tharid: It is crumbled flatbread, to which soup and meat or chicken are added.

Restaurants

• Al Fanar Restaurant, Meles Restaurant, AL Jalboot Restaurant, Al Bait Al Mahalli Restaurant, Luqma Restaurant, Karak House Restaurant, Hadoota Masreya Restaurant, Long Teng Restaurant, Karen Restaurant, La Cantine du Faubourg Restaurant, Masti Restaurant, Tomo Restaurant, Babel Restaurant, Black Tap Restaurant, Pots Pans & Boards, Vietnamese Foodies, Gossip Cafe, Roya Restaurant, Ibn Albahar Restaurant, Tong Thai Restaurant, Samad Al Iraqi Restaurant, Ibn Hamido Restaurant, Mado Restaurant, Amazonico Dubai, Al Bait Al Shami Restaurant at Al Garhoud, 3 fils, Il Borro Tuscan Bistro Dubai, Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe, Kaftan Turkish Cuisine & Fine Art.

General tips for tourists when dealing with Emiratis

• Before taking any picture of the local population, you must first ask for their permission, and do not take any picture of a government building, airports, or any military installation.
• It is preferable to visit Dubai between November and March because the weather is mild at this time.
• Ensure the appropriate time for all tourist places, as the weekend in the UAE is Saturday and Sunday, unlike the rest of the Arab countries.

• Make sure to wear appropriate clothing when visiting religious places.
• Do not to smoke in government institutions or in shopping centers.
• Do not throw waste and rubbish on the roads.
• Respect women always and forever.