United Arab Emirates attractions

Just east of Dubai Marina off Sheikh Zayed Road, the Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT) is a large development of high-rises and lakes that epitomizes 21st-century Dubai. Composed of 68 residential and commercial towers, this waterside community is also home to plush lakefront hotels, shops, restaurants, and leisure attractions.

Dubai has no shortage of magnificent views, but there’s no better place to admire the famous Palm Jumeirah island than the aptly named View at the Palm. Zip up to level 52 of the Palm Tower and walk out to the 360-degree panoramic observation deck, which looks out over the palm-shaped, man-made islands and the glittering waters of the Arabian Gulf.

Resembling a giant picture frame, the Dubai Frame is an example of architectural ingenuity. Standing around 492 feet (150 meters) tall and measuring 312 feet (95 meters) wide, this massive structure can be seen from the ground and atop its 48th-floor observation deck.

Situated on Jumeirah Beach Road in Dubai’s Jumeirah 1 district, the Mercato Shopping Mall is hard to miss for its pastel-painted Italian-style design. Relatively small by Dubai standards, the mall accommodates around 140 shops—fewer than most of the city’s larger shopping centers—but scores highly for its upscale atmosphere and laid-back Mediterranean vibe.

Spread across 1.1 miles (1.8 kilometers) of shoreline flanking Dubai Creek, the Al Seef area offers a fantastic blend of old and new, with a mix of gorgeous old architecture linked by narrow alleys and contemporary structures. The area is also known for great shopping and dining. Highlights include a souk dating from the 1950s and a floating open-air market.

Situated just across the Unied Arab Emirates’ eastern border in Oman, the Hatta Rock Pools are spring-fed pools that flow through the rock passageways of the Hajar Mountains. Visitors come here to escape Dubai’s urban crowds, swim in the turquoise waters, and enjoy picnics amid stunning scenery and cooler mountain climates.

Bargain hunters who are big fashion fans will find a bit of paradise at Dubai Outlet Mall. This massive shopping center has around 240 stores showcasing more than 1,200 brands at hyper-discounted rates. The mall also has 20-odd restaurants and food court offerings, plus a kids' area with a Chuck E. Cheese.

Qasr Al Watan, the United Arab Emirates Presidential Palace, is a spectacular tribute to the UAE's past and future. Completed in 2017, the palace was initially used for state purposes but opened to the public in 2019. These days, visitors can explore the opulent interiors of the palace, check out its massive library, and watch the Palace in Motion light show.

Embellished with thousands of Turkish iznik tiles and elaborate red and gold carpets, Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque—often referred to simply as the “Dubai Blue Mosque”—is an homage to the famous Blue Mosque in Istanbul. The Ottoman influence can be seen throughout this architectural landmark, from its four towering minarets to its impressive 21 domes.

Overlooking the lagoon in Sharjah’s Al Khan district, Sharjah Museum brings visitors face-to-face with marine life native to the Persian Gulf and other oceans. Set over two levels of an impressive modern building, the aquarium houses more than 100 species—from exotic fish to stingrays—making it a fun and educational destination for all.

One of the top archeological sites in the UAE, Hili Archeological Park allows visitors to easily access the UAE’s Bronze Age and Iron Age past. Located north of Al Ain, the UNESCO World Heritage Site and public park is home to remnants of ancient villages, tombs and burial grounds, and agricultural infrastructure and sites.

Designed to promote Dubai’s customs and culture, Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) is in the city’s Al Fahidi Historical Quarter—also called the Bastakia Quarter—and welcomes visitors under an “Open Doors, Open Minds” motto. The center showcases Dubai’s traditional and Bedouin roots through a variety of activities.

One of Abu Dhabi's most recognizable landmarks, the Etihad Towers is a mixed-use complex consisting of five massive towers that feature restaurants, retail shops, residences, and offices. The Conrad Abud Dhabi hotel and its observation deck café are big draws for visitors here.

South of Abu Dhabi, Emirates National Auto Museum (ENAM) houses 230 vintage and custom vehicles owned by Sheikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, also called the Rainbow Sheikh for his love of the colors of the rainbow. Here, one of the world’s largest car collections is displayed inside and outside a pyramid-shaped hangar.

In Dubai, a hotel can be considered a top tourist attraction, and that’s certainly the case with the extravagant Atlantis, The Palm. The 1,539-room, ocean-themed resort occupies the top portion of the crescent of land surrounding the man-made Palm Islands, just off the coast of Dubai, and it includes 42 acres (17 hectares) of amusement and entertainment space. Even if you’re not a resort guest, it’s worthwhile to spend a day enjoying everything it has to offer.

Opened in 2009, the Dubai Metro is a rapid transit rail system serving Dubai. With driverless, fully automated trains operating along two routes—the Green and Red lines—and connecting 47 stations, the cutting-edge, 46-mile (74-kilometer) system is one of the most convenient ways to get to key points around the city.

With three floors of exhibitions dedicated to Emirati women, the Women’s Museum at Bait Al Banat is one of Dubai’s most revealing cultural institutions. Founded in 2012 by Professor Rafia Ghubash, it showcases women’s art, photography, poetry, costume, and writings to tell the story of UAE women past and present.

The Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal, also called Zayed Port, is located on the northern tip of Abu Dhabi island, about 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the city center. While the port has a state-of-the-art terminal and shopping area, there are no other on-site attractions, so new arrivals immediately venture out into the city.

The purpose-built island of Bluewaters Dubai is one of the city’s most glamorous shopping, entertainment, and residential hubs, connected to mainland Dubai by road and pedestrian bridges. Visitors can relax at its oceanside restaurants and beach clubs, enjoy the stores and attractions along its tree-lined plazas, and take in its signature sight, the Ain Dubai, the world’s tallest observation wheel.

The Dubai Cruise Terminal—situated about 7 miles (12 kilometers) from the center of old Dubai—serves as the gateway for cruise passengers taking shore excursions into the city and its surrounding desert. Also known as Port Rashid, the port boasts a modern and comfortable terminal, but nothing by way of visitor attractions, so new arrivals head straight off into the waiting metropolis.

Home to around 1,400 animals, the Emirates Park Zoo is situated on the northeast outskirts of Abu Dhabi and makes an engaging destination for nature-loving families and visitors of all ages. The zoo houses mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and birds, and offers an inspiring space for visitors to have fun learning about animal life.

Fringing the shores of Yas Island, one of Abu Dhabi’s top entertainment destinations, Yas Beach is an idyllic private beach offering a luxurious getaway for the day. When you’re not lazing on the white sands or in the Persian Gulf waters, relax at the beach club with its beckoning pool, restaurants, bar, and other activities.

Winding from Dubai’s skyscraper-packed Business Bay into the Persian Gulf, the Dubai Water Canal is an artificial waterway offering respite from the surrounding metropolis. Stroll or cycle its walkways, cruise its gentle waters, and admire everything from Dubai’s skyline, avant-garde bridges, and the multicolored Dubai Canal Waterfall, which gushes from the Sheikh Zayed Bridge, along the way.

Set in Abu Dhabi’s waterfront Al Qana district, the National Aquarium Abu Dhabi brings you face-to-fin with thousands of exotic creatures courtesy of tanks, tunnels, and recreated marine worlds. View sharks, stingrays, and rainbow-colored shoals; admire vibrant reefs from a mock shipwreck; see birds and crocs in a flooded forest; and explore fascinating ocean-themed exhibitions.

Located on the northern fringes of Fujairah city center, Fujairah Museum offers a rare insight into the region’s ancient and modern history. Set in a crenelated, ochre-stone building, this old-school museum exhibits everything from prehistoric treasures unearthed at local archaeological sites to dioramas of traditional Emirati life and customs.

Home to more than 200 stores, the Abu Dhabi Mall is one of the major shopping and lifestyle destinations in the capital city of the UAE. Set in the heart of downtown on the waterfront facing Al Maryah Island, this glossy, 4-level mall has a wide range of international fashion and specialty stores, restaurants, a cinema, and entertainment centers.

Sitting within Khalid Lake, Al Noor Island is a lush nature-and-art sanctuary in the heart of Sharjah. Visitors wander boardwalks through shady palms, walk amid butterflies, relax on white sands, and enjoy art installations, reading retreats, and evening light shows—all in a family-friendly haven that feels far from Sharjah’s high-rises and highways.

Unfurling around 10 miles (16 kilometers) of silky sands, baby-blue seas, and palm-lined promenades, Ajman Beach is a serious crowd-puller. Sunbathers and sports enthusiasts flock to its open-to-all public sections, laze on the sun loungers of its private hotel zones, and enjoy the different activities available, including parasailing, camel rides, and kayaking.

Located within Sharjah Desert Park, the Arabian Wildlife Center houses a large collection of Arabian wildlife. All of its animals—more than 100 species, including fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals—are native to the Arabian Peninsula and live in natural surroundings.

Located in the desert outside of Abu Dhabi, Masdar City is the emirate’s revolutionary vision of a city of the future. Combining modern technology, renewable energy, and ancient Arabic architecture and design, the city aims to become the world’s most sustainable eco-city, a mixed-used development of technology, business, and residences.