The United Arab Emirates | ZHO Travel & Tourism

The Emirates hold the world's tallest tower and the silence of the Empty Quarter, a short flight away.

The destination

About The United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is one of the most striking and fast-moving destinations in the world, where futuristic towers sit beside real luxury and old Arab heritage. A trip here suits everyone, from shopping and family days out to desert adventure and major museums.

In Dubai stands Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building at 828 metres, with Dubai Mall and the Dubai Fountain at its foot, Palm Jumeirah on the sea and the Museum of the Future on Sheikh Zayed Road. In Abu Dhabi, the capital, you will find the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi and Qasr Al Watan, and two hours to the south the dunes of the Empty Quarter at Liwa.

To the north, Ras Al Khaimah has the Hajar Mountains and Jebel Jais, the highest ground in the country, while Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman offers quiet beaches and a historic fort. The roads between the emirates are excellent: about 90 minutes from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, and about an hour to Ras Al Khaimah.

The Emirates are easy for a Gulf family: Arabic is spoken, food is halal, there is a mosque in every district, and hotels offer family suites and private pools. We recommend October to April, when the weather is mild and Global Village is open.

Best timeOctober to April

FlightAbout 2 h direct from Riyadh to Dubai or Abu Dhabi, about 3 h from Jeddah

VisaSaudi citizens need no visa and may enter with their national ID card or passport; residents of Saudi Arabia need an entry visa, which we arrange

CurrencyUAE dirham (AED)

LanguageArabic; English is widely spoken

Time1 h ahead of Saudi Arabia

Ideal stay5 to 8 nights

Ideal for

Family travel Honeymoons Travel with friends

Regions

Where to go

01 · City

Dubai

Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Palm Jumeirah and the Museum of the Future, beside Dubai Creek and its old souks.

02 · City

Abu Dhabi

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi and Qasr Al Watan, and the Liwa dunes on the edge of the Empty Quarter.

03 · Highlands

Ras Al Khaimah

Jebel Jais and its winding road, a record-breaking zipline, and quiet beaches on the Arabian Gulf.

04 · Coast

Fujairah

Mountains running down to the sea, Fujairah Fort, and Al Badiyah, the oldest mosque in the country.

Experiences

What to do

Burj Khalifa and the Dubai skyline at sunset

Burj Khalifa: Dubai from above Dubai A ride to the observation decks of the world's tallest building. The city, the Gulf and the desert in one view.Discover

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque lit at night behind a fountain

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi Prayer and a visit at one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in the world. White marble, domes and one of the world's largest hand-knotted carpets.Discover

Sunset over the red dunes of the Dubai desert

An evening in the Dubai desert Dubai A dune drive, a golden sunset and dinner in a camp. The Arabian desert, in complete privacy.Discover

The Museum of the Future beside Sheikh Zayed Road towers

Culture and heritage The Museum of the Future An oval building wrapped in Arabic calligraphy, and an interactive journey into tomorrow. Read more

Palm Jumeirah seen from a tower in Dubai Marina

Sea and islands Palm Jumeirah The famous palm-shaped island, with its resorts, beaches and water parks. Read more

Global Village pavilions lit up and reflected in the lake at night

City and shopping Global Village An open-air winter festival of national pavilions, markets, food and shows. Read more

Dappled light under the dome of Louvre Abu Dhabi

Culture and heritage Louvre Abu Dhabi A universal museum beneath a dome of light on Saadiyat Island. Read more

The winding Jebel Jais mountain road at sunrise

Adventure Jebel Jais and Jais Flight A mountain road to the highest ground in the UAE, and a record-breaking zipline. Read more

Abra boats crossing Dubai Creek with Deira behind

Culture and heritage Old Dubai and the Creek The Al Fahidi quarter and an abra across the Creek to the gold and spice souks. Read more

Where to stay

Hotels and resorts we recommend

View all 5 stays

Atlantis The Palm on the crescent of Palm Jumeirah, seen from the air

Dubai Atlantis The Palm, Dubai Beachfront Explore

The palace-style entrance and steps of Jumeirah Al Qasr

Dubai Jumeirah Al Qasr, Dubai Beachfront Explore

Palace Downtown on the edge of Burj Lake, Old Town Island

Dubai Palace Downtown, Dubai City Explore

Emirates Palace, its gardens and private beach seen from above

Abu Dhabi Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi Beachfront Explore

The fort-like buildings and palms of Qasr Al Sarab on the sand

Abu Dhabi Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara Desert Explore

Taste and addresses

Flavours and places to know

Emirati cooking is close to home: machboos, harees, luqaimat, and Arabic coffee with dates. Dubai and Abu Dhabi have restaurants from every country, and almost all serve halal food.

A platter of chicken machboos with spiced rice

To tasteMachboosمجبوس

A bowl of harees topped with ghee and cinnamon

To tasteHareesهريس

To tasteArabic coffee and datesقهوة عربية

Interior of Dubai Mall with palm trees and galleries

Shopping · Dubai Dubai Mall One of the world's largest malls, at the foot of Burj Khalifa. Read more

The Dubai Fountain show at dusk on Burj Lake

Landmark · Dubai The Dubai Fountain Evening water shows set to music on Burj Lake. Read more

Wind-tower houses of the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood lit at night

Landmark · Dubai Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood Old Dubai's wind-tower houses on the bank of the Creek. Read more

Palm-lined gardens and fountain leading to the dome of Qasr Al Watan

Landmark · Abu Dhabi Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi's presidential palace, with halls and a library open to visitors. Read more

Journeys

Ways to see it

Itineraries drawn up by our consultants, to adapt to you day by day.

The United Arab Emirates · 8 days

The Emirates: tower, mosque and desert

7 nights in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qasr Al Sarab

Three nights in Downtown Dubai facing Burj Khalifa, two at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi and two in the Liwa desert, with a private car throughout.

Price On request View the package

Questions

Before you go

Do I need a visa for the UAE?

Saudi citizens need no visa and may enter with their national ID card or passport. Residents of Saudi Arabia need an entry visa; we submit the application for you, and the decision rests with the UAE authorities.

When is the best time to visit?

October to April, when it is mild to warm, Global Village is open, and outdoor and desert activities are pleasant. Summer is very hot but suits shopping, resorts and indoor attractions, at lower prices.

Is the food halal?

Yes. Meat in the UAE is halal, and restaurants and hotels serve halal food. Where a hotel restaurant serves alcohol, it is clearly listed and easy to avoid.

Is it easy to pray during the trip?

Yes. There is a mosque in every district, and prayer rooms in malls, airports and most attractions. We plan your daily programme around prayer times.

How do we travel between the emirates?

We arrange a private car with a driver; the roads are excellent: about 90 minutes from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, about an hour to Ras Al Khaimah and about two hours to Fujairah. Within Dubai, the metro and taxis are easy too.

Is the UAE safe for families?

The UAE is one of the safest countries in the world, with high standards of public and medical services. The main caution is the summer heat: keep drinking water and use sunscreen for children.

What currency is used, and are cards accepted?

The currency is the UAE dirham. Cards are accepted almost everywhere. Carry a little cash for the old souks and the abra.

What should we wear?

Usual Gulf dress is fine everywhere. Modest, covering clothes are required at mosques and official sites such as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Qasr Al Watan, with a head covering for women at the mosque.

Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah in one journey