Perhaps, briefly, the approach to tourism in the UAE can be expressed as follows: "Let's surprise everyone with what the country has and what is not - we will build and surprise even more." As practice shows, this action plan of the Emirates has a very beneficial effect on the tourist flow: capricious young ladies, accustomed to snow-white sand and clear blue waters, are delighted with local beaches, extreme lovers explore underwater and sandy expanses, dreamy natures walk along and across traditional bazaars ( where the UAE plugs the entire Arab East into its belt), while gourmets and other hedonistic contingents enjoy delicious national cuisine and aristocratically helpful service. The credo of the UAE is “everything for the guest!”. In the Emirates, everything goes well with everything: the sea breeze plays with expensive curtains in the windows of a “seven-star” hotel,
So the UAE is a “must-visit” destination for everyone who is not indifferent to the Arabian exotic and at the same time appreciates comfort. As for the cost of rest, this is a country for tourists with upper-middle and high incomes. However, in not the most popular emirates, it is quite possible to find almost budget accommodation.
The capital is Abu Dhabi City.
The federation includes 7 emirates, each of them, to a greater or lesser extent, is also a tourist resort: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah, Sharjah. A complete list of interesting cities to visit in the country can be found on the page "Cities and resorts of the United Arab Emirates".
In winter, from December to February, the weather in the UAE is warm and sunny: +20...+30 °C. The water temperature on the open beaches of the Persian Gulf is from +17 °C in winter to +35 °C in summer. The best time to travel is from October to May. During the summer period, from May to September, the daily air temperature reaches +45 °C, while high humidity is felt.
Average daily temperature by months: January +24 °C, February +24 °C, March +24 °C, April +32 °C, May +37 °C, June +37 °C, July +40 °C, August + 41 °C, September +38 °C, October +35 °C, November +30 °C, December +26 °C.
Regular daily flights from London to Dubai are operated by Emirates Airlines. Budget Dubai air carrier "Flydubai" f
You can see the prices for air tickets here.
There is a bus service between the Emirates. Buses run about every 30 minutes on the most popular departures, the fare starts from AED 18 depending on the distance. There is no rail transport in the UAE yet, but the Etihad Rail project is under development, which will provide communication between the Emirates, as well as connect the UAE with neighboring countries - Saudi Arabia and Oman.
There are 5 highways connecting the Emirates in the UAE: E 11 (Sheikh Zayed Road), E 311 (Emirates Road), E 44 (Dubai-Hatta Highway), E 77 (Dubai-Al Habab Road) and E 66 (Oud Metha Road).
Intercity bus tickets are sold at stations, detailed information about the schedule and tariffs is available on the official website of the UAE Ministry of Transport.
Public transport in the cities of the UAE is represented primarily by buses, in Dubai there is a subway controlled automatically. There is a Gold class car in the subway: this is the first car from the window of which you can watch the expensive "eyes of the driver", the cost of the trip is calculated at a double rate. All modes of transport can be paid by cards (similar to the Moscow "Troika"), depending on the tariff, they are different:
Water buses, water taxis and traditional water taxis - "abres" also run along Dubai Bay. Most hotels offer their own buses that take their guests to the city center or to the beach.
Taxi is the most common vehicle in Dubai. In the UAE, it can be municipal and private, the car meters are equipped only in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. A municipal taxi can be found in special parking lots, the trip will cost - from AED 8. There is an additional charge at night and for a phone call. There are also special "women's taxis" with female drivers in Dubai.
Private taxis are cheaper, especially if you can bargain. Local taxi drivers are very emotional and like to swear at other drivers on the road, let it not scare you - it's customary here. Usually they are aware of the location of key attractions, hotels and shopping centers, but they can easily get lost if the place is not very popular, and wander around the city for a long time. It is better to agree on the fare in advance, otherwise there is a risk of overpaying.
Double-decker tourist buses run through tourist cities. There are day and night tours, within the period stipulated by the tariff (from 1 day) you can leave at any stop provided for by the route and go further on the next bus. The cost depends on the specific city. There are special offers for families, children, schoolchildren and students.
It is easy to rent a car in the Emirates: cars of the latest brands with or without a driver are offered everywhere. Rental will require an international driver's license issued at least a year ago (driver's licenses of the CIS countries in the Emirates are invalid); the driver's age is at least 21 years. It is strongly not recommended to take a car without insurance, and in some emirates, for example, in Dubai, it is impossible to rent without insurance at all. The insurance is valid only in the UAE. It does not operate in the enclaves of the Sultanate of Oman, so tourists on wheels should carefully choose travel routes. The minimum car rental period is 24 hours.
Speed limit in settlements - 60 km/h, on autobahns - 100 km/h. Radars and surveillance cameras are placed everywhere, data on violators are immediately sent to the local police. Drunk driving is strictly prohibited: it threatens deportation from the country, and in some cases also imprisonment. The fine for unfastened seat belts is AED 400. Many rental cars are equipped with an audible warning system that triggers if the permissible speed is exceeded.
Telephone communication in the UAE is of high quality and quite affordable. Signal interruptions can only be in the desert or on the high sea. There are only two mobile operators in the country, and their tariffs are about the same.
You can buy a SIM card in cellular salons, souvenir shops, newsstands, there are also points of sale at the airport. Tourists are offered only prepaid tariffs, a passport is required to buy. There is a card - from 50 AED, the price includes 2 GB of Internet, 30 minutes of calls to local and international numbers. Also keep in mind that local mobile operators are very fond of sending ads in large quantities.
Wi-Fi in the UAE is available almost everywhere - in restaurants, cafes and hotels - and it is quite fast. However, in some places you will have to pay for the connection. There are Internet cafes in large cities, they are usually located in tourist areas. In the UAE, sites that do not meet the norms of Islam and cover topics prohibited in the country are blocked: alcohol, gambling, etc.
Dubai city hotels offer very mediocre quality in 1-2 "stars", good mostly options in three-four-star hotels and very good quality "five". The coast of Dubai (elite Jumeirah district) are extremely expensive high-level hotels. In Sharjah and Ajman, the hotel base is weak, pleasant exceptions - Ajman Kempinski and Coral Beach, almost all other hotels can safely write off one "star" at a time.
In Abu Dhabi, hotels stand on the shore, but since there is not enough land on the island, the territory of the beaches is very small. Hotels are mostly good, but old. In the northern emirates of Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, the quality of hotels is like in Sharjah (except Le Meridien al Aqqa), the demand for them is low.
Three types of sockets are used in the Emirates: type C (European), type D (Indian) and type G (British). Each hotel chooses which sockets to put in the rooms, and you can find out in advance only by calling or writing a letter to the hotel. The problem on the spot is solved elementary: any adapter can be asked for at the reception or bought at the nearest supermarket.
A night in a five-star hotel in Dubai will cost from AED 380 per day for a room for two, and prices for good "threes" start from about AED 200 per day.
The monetary unit of the country is Dirham (AED), in 1 dirham 100 phils. Current rate: 1 AED = 17.61 RUB (1 USD = 3.67 AED, 1 EUR = 3.6 AED).
It's better to go to the UAE with dollars. They are easiest to exchange, and in large stores you can also pay for the purchase. There will be no problems with the exchange of the euro either, but the exchange rate for this currency is very low here. It's completely problematic with rubles.
You can exchange currency in most banks, as well as exchange offices and private exchange offices. Banks are open from 8:00 to 13:00 daily, except Friday (weekend). On Thursday, they close at 12:00. Most of the exchange offices are open from 9:00 to 13:00 and from 16:30 to 20:30. Many hotels, shopping centers and large stores accept American Express, Master Card, Visa and Diners Club cards.
Crime in the UAE is almost non-existent - both day and night it is absolutely safe there. But there are a series of restrictions related to tourists themselves. Photographing Arab women is perceived as an insult. It is not recommended to rent state institutions, banks and facilities of military importance. Gambling is prohibited in the country, and bathing suits are allowed here only on the beaches or by the hotel pool. It is strictly forbidden to sunbathe naked or without the top of the swimsuit. Drinking alcohol (including beer) in public places and appearing on the street in a state of severe intoxication can lead to criminal liability and deportation from the country.
Most beaches in the UAE are located on the shores of the Persian Gulf, where coastal currents are often unpredictable. Therefore, you need to swim with caution, and dive only accompanied by local instructors who are well acquainted with the nature of the surrounding waters. The sun in the Emirates is very active, so you should always use protective creams, even if you are not going to the beach.
Russian Embassy in Abu Dhabi: Khalifa str., East Plots 65/67, building of the Russian Embassy, P.O. box 8211; tel.: +971 (2) 672-17-97.
Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Dubai: Um Al Sheif, str. 6B, Villa No 21, Community No. 367-432; tel.: +971 (4) 328-53-47.
Ambulance, police: 999; firefighters: 997; reference: 180 or 181.
The coast of the UAE is washed by the Persian (patriotically called the Arab) and Oman Bays. On the side of the first are Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Abu Dhabi, and on the shore of the second - Fujairah. All hotels in these resorts, located directly on the coastline, have their own private beaches. Guests of two- or three-star city hotels can go to a paid or free city beach. There is a free bus from the hotels there and back. 4 and 5* hotels, located in the city center, have an agreement with coastal hotels, and a bus takes guests to their beaches free of charge.
All beaches of the UAE are sandy, impeccably clean and with excellent infrastructure. In addition, it is absolutely safe there, and there are no beach thieves - there is almost no crime on the coast, as well as in the country as a whole. In some places there are funnels and underwater currents, but such places are always marked with special signs.
Dubai beaches have the best infrastructure in the country. There are many luxurious beach complexes with restaurants, park areas, swimming pools, spa centers and much more. However, you will have to pay for this pleasure: about 120 AED (the price includes renting an umbrella, sunbed, towels and food delivery to the beach).
In Abu Dhabi, travelers with children will be comfortable. It's not so expensive, quieter and calmer here. The coast is divided into paid and free territories, there are no problems with infrastructure and entertainment for children and adults.
Sharjah beaches attract lovers of jet skis and water skis. However, it is forbidden to undress on public beaches here. Swimsuits are allowed only on private paid beaches. But Ajman is more democratic: you can not only undress, but also drink, as the strict dry law does not apply to this emirate.
The ski resort is not the most obvious leisure in the middle of a hot desert, but nevertheless, it is there. In 2005, the Ski Dubai ski complex was opened in the Mall of Emirates shopping center in Dubai, occupying about 25 thousand square meters and accommodating about 1,500 visitors per day. Snow guns installed throughout the territory produce about 30 tons of snow daily, and the temperature does not fall below zero.
The resort has several slopes for both beginners and advanced skiers, one prepared specifically for children. The highest peak is 85 m, which is suitable even for professionals, and the length of the longest descent is about 400 m with a height difference of 60 m. In addition to ski slopes, there are snowboard and sled slopes, there is a large skating rink.
More information about the services and prices of the Ski Dubai ski complex can be found on this page.
The United Arab Emirates has declared itself in the international medical market relatively recently. The country's clinics are famous for modern equipment and highly qualified personnel. However, even Arab sheikhs prefer to be treated abroad, as the prices for medical services in this country are almost astronomical and can often be 3-4 times higher than in Europe or the United States.
The Medical Center of the Shopping Center in Dubai has proven itself well. This is a multidisciplinary clinic where you can be examined on an outpatient basis by a number of narrow specialists and carry out all the necessary procedures and studies, including MRI and radiography. Dubai also houses the American Clinic, known for its pediatric department, endoprosthetics center (more than 99% of successful operations) and cancer center.
The UAE also succeeded in the field of plastic surgery. The clinics of Dubai and Abu Dhabi employ specialists of the "star" level and offer services for photorevenation, hair transplantation, plasma therapy, non-surgical facelift and much more.
It cannot be said that scuba diving in the UAE resorts blooms in lush colors, but there are still dive centers in Dubai, Fujairah, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. Of course, the marine life of the Persian and Gulf of Oman is far from the Red Sea - mainly represented by turtles, eels, octopuses and sea bass. There are also hammerhead fish, parrot fish and reef sharks. In Fujairah you come across barracudas, tuna, squid, seahorses, winged wings, clown fish - and if you're lucky, whales. In addition, in Dubai you can examine the preserved wreckage of ships, and in Fujairah - reefs.
Diving in the UAE is not a cheap pleasure. One dive will cost an average of AED 250. The lowest prices are in Ras al-Khaimah, the highest in Dubai.
Popular dive centers:
The undisputed leaders among the emirates in the field of shopping are Dubai and Sharjah. The first option is to buy on shopping streets, where you need to bargain and show a shopping estimate in every possible way. The second is a visit to large shopping centers. Prices in them are slightly higher, and there are fewer opportunities to bargain, but higher quality goods, many specialized stores. The vast majority of things purchased in the UAE are products of famous world brands: clothing and accessories, shoes, cosmetics and perfumes, watches and jewelry, interior items. All this is abundantly represented in numerous Emirati malls.
Another aspect of local shopping is authentic "endemic" candles. First of all, these are gold products and just gold bars, as well as spices and aromatic essences, including the best Somali incense. Let's mention precious oriental carpets, beautiful silk fabrics, embossed and copper products. As souvenirs from the UAE, you can bring Arabic coffee pots and hookahs, jewelry boxes, camel wool products and richly decorated "khanjars" - traditional Arabian daggers.
Shops are open from 9:00 to 13:00 and from 16:00 to 20:30, Friday is a day off. However, often small retail outlets and supermarkets are also open on Fridays from 16:00 to 20:00, there are 24-hour supermarkets.
Cafes and restaurants in the UAE are widely represented not only Arabic, but also any other cuisine. Here, in the best sense of the word, the gastronomic international, but national culinary traditions in the country are also respected.
Meat is actively used in Arabic cuisine. Here it is cooked mainly on an open fire, without fat, but with a lot of spices. Any meat must be served with hummus and hot fresh crispy tortillas. Vegetarians are not easy, but there is a choice: for example, grape leaves with rice, porridge with butter and nuts, which are added to almost all dishes - from soups to desserts.
From Arabic cuisine, it is worth trying lamb meat with rice and nuts "guzi", shish kebab "tikka", traditional Arabic "shaverma" (as they say, feel the difference!), lamb cutlets with herbs "coustletoel", the famous "kebab" of pickled lamb or beef and lamb "shish ke Poultry dishes are very popular - stewed chicken with tomato, steamed chicken with al-mandi honey. Any meal in the restaurant begins with a mezze, which consists of 40-50 small aperitif snacks such as olives, feta cheese, lavash, greens and other things. A special type of meal is coffee, which is always prepared "on the spot" (no machines are recognized in principle) and poured from traditional "dalla" coffee pots into small bowls.
Restaurants are strictly divided into institutions that offer alcohol and do not have such an opportunity. The former, as a rule, work at hotels - it is almost impossible for a simple restaurant "on the street" to obtain an alcohol license.
The most luxurious restaurants are located at hotels, most of them are awarded Michelin stars. As a rule, a mandatory dress code is in such places (out of respect for Islam, excessively open dresses for ladies are not allowed). More democratic prices are in street establishments. Usually it's a cafe of Middle East cuisine - there are not such chic interiors, but you can have a tasty and relatively inexpensive lunch - from AED 100 per person per lunch. The cheapest way to eat fast food is that in the UAE these are different types of shawarma. There are a lot of immigrants from the Middle East here, everyone has their own recipe, so you can count on diversity.
The United Arab Emirates emerged in the desert relatively recently and thanks to the generous flow of petrodollars, they rapidly broke all records for hospitality, comfort and luxury.
The main sights of the country are "urbanist." The few historical monuments of the capital Abu Dhabi are adjacent to grandiose modern skyscrapers and green parks. Dubai is more interesting in this regard - this is where the tallest building in the world is located - the Burj Khalifa skyscraper. On one of its upper floors there is an observation deck with gorgeous views of the city. Not far from the skyscraper there is the famous musical fountain - a truly enchanting composition of light, sound and water. It is installed in an artificial lake with an area of 12 hectares.
In addition to modern architecture, the UAE has museums, including the curious Archaeological Museum in Sharjah, which tells about the history of the emirate and the region as a whole since its inception. As for entertainment for children, each emirate has amusement parks (necessarily with a water park), and the world's largest aquarium in Dubayevysota with a three-storey house and a zoo is especially popular.
You can go on excursions from any emirate, but for tourists vacationing in Abu Dhabi and the northern emirates, the prices will be different (they can be clarified on the spot with the host country). A trip outside one emirate will cost about 500 AED per person.
Holidays in the UAE are divided into secular and religious. Of the secular ones, the New Year is very magnificently celebrated - with fireworks, fireworks, balls and parties. Another important holiday is the Day of State Formation - December 2. In honor of independence and the unification of 7 emirates into one power, a huge balloon is launched into the sky every year, solemn parades are held in all cities.
In January-February, an annual trade festival is held in Dubai. This is the largest event of its kind in the world. During the festival, numerous shows, lotteries, contests, concerts, running and bullfights are held, and many goods (especially expensive ones) can be purchased with good discounts.
The most popular religious holiday is Eid al-Adha, a holiday of sacrifice. According to the Quran, God appeared to Ibrahim in a dream and ordered his son to be sacrificed. Ibrahim did not dare to disobey and has almost already prepared everything, but God, seeing his determination, had mercy and allowed him to limit himself to a lamb. On this holiday, pilgrims climb Mount Arafat and symbolically "clog" the devil with stones, and ordinary Muslims cut a ram or other animal (sheep, goat, bull - but necessarily a healthy animal at the age of at least a year). It all ends with a noisy meal, where, in addition to meat, a lot of sweets are served on the table.
Another important day is Arafat Day. It is celebrated on the 9th of the month of Zudhijah (for example, in 2016 the beginning of the month fell on September 3). On this day, believers make a pilgrimage to Mount Arafat (about 7 hours on a walking distance). It is believed that anyone who reads Al-Ikhlas surah a thousand times will be forgiven all sins.
The UAE is a country of business tourism, a variety of exhibitions are regularly held here. International exhibition and conference on investment and real estate - in March. International Education Exhibition, Middle East International Fashion, Accessories and Leather Products Exhibition and Middle East Clothing Exhibition - in April. International Spring Fair and International Middle East Tourism Exhibition - in May. Dubai Festival "Summer Surprises" - June-July. International exhibition-fair of perfumes, cosmetics and body care products - in September. International exhibition of furniture and interior, sports exhibition and the largest exhibition of computers and peripherals GITEX in the Middle East - in October. International Consumer Goods Fair (concerated to Ramadan), International Horse Show and Air Show - in December. Each of the business events is necessarily accompanied by entertainment shows, concerts and other entertainment events.