United Arab Emirates
Burj Khalifa skyscrapers, desert dunes and Abu Dhabi's Grand Mosque
Best Deal of United Arab Emirates
Overview
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Travel Guide
The United Arab Emirates is one of the world's most iconic luxury destinations, located on the Arabian Peninsula's south-eastern coast just 7 hours from the UK. A federation of seven emirates including Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the UAE pairs world-record skyscrapers, desert safaris and pristine Arabian Gulf beaches with year-round winter sunshine. Visitors can climb the 828m Burj Khalifa, shop at the Dubai Mall, visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, and explore the Louvre Abu Dhabi or theme parks at Yas Island. Beyond the cities, the Empty Quarter desert, the Hajar Mountains and the Fujairah coastline deliver dune-bashing safaris, mountain wadis and Indian Ocean diving. With direct UK flights from Emirates and Etihad, English universally spoken and tax-free luxury shopping, the UAE is ideal for couples holidays, family holidays, winter sun escapes and luxury city breaks. Johnson Holidays offers ATOL-protected UAE holidays and Dubai package holidays from multiple UK airports.
✨ Why Visit The UAE
- The world's tallest building — the 828m Burj Khalifa in Downtown Dubai with three observation decks (At The Top, At The Top SKY and Burj Khalifa Lounge at Level 154).
- The world's largest shopping mall by area — the Dubai Mall holds 1,200 stores, the Dubai Aquarium and the Dubai Fountain at its base.
- Year-round winter sun — Dubai averages 24°C in January and 41°C in August, with November to March the peak UK winter-sun window.
- The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque — Abu Dhabi's 41,000-capacity mosque is one of the world's largest, with the planet's biggest hand-knotted carpet.
- Direct UK flights with Emirates and Etihad — over 100 weekly flights from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow, 7 hours to Dubai (DXB) or Abu Dhabi (AUH).
- Tax-free luxury shopping — the UAE applies only 5% VAT, with tourist refunds available, making it one of the world's leading designer-shopping destinations.
🌴 What Makes It Special
Unlike Qatar or Saudi Arabia, the UAE has built a fully tourist-developed economy with world-record attractions, theme parks and licensed alcohol (in hotels and licensed venues), making it Western-traveller-friendly in ways its neighbours are not. Unlike the Maldives or Seychelles, the UAE pairs beach holidays with serious urban entertainment — Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall, Ferrari World, IMG Worlds of Adventure and the Louvre Abu Dhabi all sit within a 90-minute drive. And unlike most Middle Eastern destinations, the UAE delivers an English-speaking, drive-yourself, family-friendly experience with the strongest five-star hotel inventory per capita in the world — Dubai alone holds more five-star hotels than Paris, London or New York. The combination of world-record skyscrapers, desert safaris, theme parks, luxury shopping and direct UK flights makes the UAE the world's most rounded city-and-beach winter-sun destination.
📍 Key Areas to Explore
- Dubai — The UAE's largest city, with the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina and the historic Al Fahidi district.
- Downtown Dubai — Home to the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and the Dubai Fountain — the city's modern heart.
- Palm Jumeirah — The artificial palm-shaped island with Atlantis The Palm, Atlantis The Royal and the Aquaventure Waterpark.
- Dubai Marina & JBR — Skyscraper-lined marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence with the JBR beach strip.
- Jumeirah — Dubai's traditional beach quarter with the Burj Al Arab, Madinat Jumeirah and Wild Wadi Waterpark.
- Abu Dhabi — The UAE capital, with the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Emirates Palace and Qasr Al Watan.
- Yas Island (Abu Dhabi) — The leisure island holding Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi.
- Saadiyat Island (Abu Dhabi) — Cultural district with the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
- Al Ain (eastern emirate) — The "Garden City" oasis on the Omani border with the UNESCO Hili archaeological site.
- Fujairah — The east-coast emirate on the Gulf of Oman, with mountain wadis, diving and the Friday market.
- Sharjah — The cultural-heritage emirate with the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization (alcohol-free).
- Ras Al Khaimah — The northern emirate with Jebel Jais (UAE's tallest mountain at 1,934m) and the world's longest zip-line.
A seven-emirate federation that pairs world-record skyscrapers with desert safaris, Arabian Gulf beaches, theme parks and luxury shopping — broken down by category below.
🏞️ Nature & Outdoor Activities
- Desert safari at the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve with dune-bashing and camel rides
- Zip-line down Jebel Jais (Ras Al Khaimah) — the world's longest at 2.83km
- Hike the Hajar Mountains and Wadi Shawka rock pools
- Scuba dive the wrecks of Musandam (Oman day-trip from Ras Al Khaimah)
- Hot-air balloon flights over the Dubai Desert at sunrise
🏖️ Beaches
- JBR Beach (Dubai Marina) — 1.7km Blue Flag beach with skyscraper backdrop
- Kite Beach (Jumeirah) — popular family beach with food trucks
- Saadiyat Beach (Abu Dhabi) — Caribbean-clear water with nesting hawksbill turtles
- Al Aqah Beach (Fujairah) — Indian Ocean side of the UAE with calmer water
🍽️ Food & Drink
- Order Emirati lamb harees (slow-cooked wheat-and-meat dish) at Al Fanar Restaurant in Dubai
- Try shawarma at Al Mallah on Al Diyafah Street (Dubai's classic 24-hour shawarma spot)
- Sample camel-milk ice cream at Camelicious Café (Dubai's only camel dairy)
- Eat at Atmosphere on Burj Khalifa Level 122 — the world's highest restaurant
- Sip Arabic coffee (qahwa) with dates at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
🎉 Nightlife & Entertainment
- Sundowners at Cé La Vi rooftop (Address Sky View, Downtown Dubai)
- Beach-club nightlife at Drift Beach Dubai (One&Only Royal Mirage)
- Live music at the McGettigan's Irish pub chain (eight UAE locations)
- Dubai Fountain show at the Burj Khalifa base — every 30 minutes from 6pm to 11pm
- F1 Etihad Airways Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit (Abu Dhabi, December)
📸 Instagram-Worthy Spots
- The Burj Khalifa from the Dubai Mall fountain at 8.30pm
- The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque marble interior reflecting pools
- The Palm Jumeirah from The View at The Palm observation deck
- The Atlantis The Royal infinity pool at sunset
- The Hatta Heritage Village and Hajar Mountain reflections
Best Value Deals
💎 Luxury Holidays
The UAE holds the world's deepest five-star hotel inventory. Dubai's headline addresses include Burj Al Arab Jumeirah (the sail-shaped 1999 icon, Marriott Luxury Collection), Atlantis The Royal (opened 2023), Atlantis The Palm, One&Only The Palm, One&Only Royal Mirage, Bulgari Resort Dubai, Armani Hotel Dubai (in the Burj Khalifa) and Mandarin Oriental Jumeira. Abu Dhabi's flagship is Emirates Palace by Mandarin Oriental, with the new Edition Abu Dhabi and Rosewood Abu Dhabi adding contemporary luxury. Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert and Anantara Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort deliver the desert-luxury alternatives. Tax-free shopping at the Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates and the Louis Vuitton-anchored Mall of the Emirates fashion strip adds the headline luxury-shopping experience.
🏨 All-Inclusive Holidays
The UAE's all-inclusive market is small but growing, with the inventory mostly on the Fujairah east coast and select Dubai beach resorts. Rixos The Palm Dubai (ultra-AI), Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island (Abu Dhabi), Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort (Fujairah) and Fairmont Fujairah Beach Resort lead the AI options. Shoulder-season weeks with UK flights typically open from £649pp in May or October, climbing to £1,499pp at Christmas-New Year and February-half-term peaks. Most Dubai and Abu Dhabi hotels run on B&B or half-board formats rather than AI.
👨👩👧👦 Family Holidays
The UAE is one of the world's leading family-resort destinations. Yas Island (Abu Dhabi) holds Ferrari World (the world's fastest roller coaster), Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi — four world-class theme parks within walking distance. Dubai's family attractions include the Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm, Wild Wadi Waterpark, the Dubai Aquarium in the Mall and IMG Worlds of Adventure (the world's largest indoor theme park). Atlantis The Palm, Rixos The Palm and JA The Resort lead the family inventory.
⏰ Last-Minute Deals
The UAE's massive resort capacity means strong late-availability stock outside the November-March peak. The strongest discounts surface in May to early September (the summer 40°C+ off-season) and from late October — discounts of 25–40% inside three weeks of departure are realistic on Atlantis The Palm, Rixos The Palm, JA The Resort and the Fujairah AI properties. Summer travellers should expect 40–45°C highs but benefit from the cheapest year-round hotel rates; indoor air-conditioned attractions (Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Ski Dubai, IMG Worlds) keep the city operational year-round.
Why book with us:
💷 Low deposits from £49pp
🔄 Flexible payment plans with balance due 6 weeks before travel
🛡️ ATOL Protected — your money and flights are safeguarded
✅ Free amendment window on selected packages
📞 UK-based customer support, 8am–11pm every day
📅 Best Time to Visit
The UAE runs two distinct seasons. November to March is the peak UK winter-sun window, with daytime highs of 24–28°C, sea temperatures of 22–26°C and full theme-park, desert-safari and beach-resort operations; December to February is the busiest period, with the Dubai Shopping Festival (mid-December to mid-February) and the F1 Etihad Grand Prix (Abu Dhabi, December) drawing peak demand. April to October brings 35–45°C heat with high humidity — outdoor activities become unviable but indoor attractions (Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Ski Dubai, IMG Worlds, Louvre Abu Dhabi) stay air-conditioned year-round. The shoulder months of April-May and October-November balance pleasant 28–33°C weather with off-peak hotel rates.
🏨 Where to Stay
- Families: Atlantis The Palm, Atlantis The Royal, Rixos The Palm Dubai, JA The Resort Dubai, Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island
- Couples: Bulgari Resort Dubai, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Armani Hotel Dubai (in the Burj Khalifa), Anantara Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort
- Luxury travellers: Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, One&Only The Palm, Emirates Palace by Mandarin Oriental (Abu Dhabi), Bulgari Resort Dubai
- Budget travellers: Rove Hotels (Downtown Dubai, Marina, Healthcare City), Citymax Hotels, Premier Inn Dubai
- Beach-resort travellers: Atlantis The Palm, JA Beach Hotel, Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort (Fujairah)
🚗 Getting Around
Dubai and Abu Dhabi run on excellent public transport. The Dubai Metro Red and Green Lines cover most tourist areas for AED 3–7.50 (£0.60–£1.60) single — the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station is on the Red Line. Within Dubai, Careem and Uber are widely used; standard taxis are metered and start at AED 12. The Dubai Tram and the Abra wooden water-taxi (AED 1 across the Dubai Creek) complement the metro. Inter-city buses (RTA) and self-drive via the E11 motorway connect Dubai to Abu Dhabi (1hr 30min, 130km), Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. The 7km transfer from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Downtown Dubai takes 15 minutes by taxi (AED 70); Abu Dhabi (AUH) to central Abu Dhabi takes 35 minutes (AED 90). Hertz, Sixt and Budget rent cars from AED 100 a day at DXB — drive on the right.
💡 Travel Tips
- The UAE runs Gulf Standard Time — 4 hours ahead of the UK year-round (GST/GMT+4).
- The currency is the UAE Dirham (AED); pegged at 4.7 AED to £1.
- VAT at 5% applies (introduced 2018), with tourist VAT refund available at airport refund counters on purchases over AED 250.
- Plug type is the British Type G three-pin (legacy from British colonial protectorate) — UK plugs work directly without an adapter.
- Tap water is technically safe but heavily mineralised; locals drink bottled.
- Dress code is moderate — shoulders and knees should be covered in public outside beach areas and hotels; mosque visits require abayas (provided free) for women and trouser/long-sleeve cover for men.
- Alcohol is permitted only in licensed hotels, restaurants and bars — public drinking and being drunk in public are illegal. Sharjah is alcohol-free entirely.
- Public displays of affection are illegal — kissing, hand-holding in some contexts and any same-sex display can result in fines or arrest.
- Ramadan (March-April 2026) sees daytime fasting — restaurants close until sunset, but hotels continue to serve guests; UK travellers should respect the fast in public.
- Photographing locals, government buildings and military installations without permission is illegal.
- Friday and Saturday are the UAE weekend (Friday is the holy day); Sunday is a working day.
- The Big Bus Dubai and Big Bus Abu Dhabi hop-on-hop-off services are useful first-day orientations.
- The 5% tourist refund VAT on shopping is available at airport departure refund counters — keep receipts.
Map Of United Arab Emirates
Top Experiences
Climb the Burj Khalifa observation decks
The 828m world's tallest building offers At The Top (Level 148) at 555m; AED 379 entry, with the 8.30pm Dubai Fountain show free at the base.
Visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
The UAE's largest mosque holds 41,000 worshippers across 17,400m² of marble; free entry, with modest dress code (abayas provided) and 9am to 10pm opening.
Desert safari with dune bashing
4x4 dune-bashing, camel rides, sandboarding, falcon shows and BBQ dinner under the stars; AED 250–600pp depending on operator, daily 3pm departures.
Visit the Louvre Abu Dhabi
The Jean Nouvel-designed museum (opened 2017) holds works by Da Vinci, Van Gogh and Monet under a 180m perforated dome; AED 63 entry, closed Mondays.
Shop at the Dubai Mall and watch the Fountain
The world's largest shopping mall by area holds 1,200 stores, an aquarium and ice rink; free entry, with the Dubai Fountain show every 30 minutes from 6pm.
Wadi Adventure and the Hajar Mountains
White-water rafting, surf-pool waves and zip-lines at Wadi Adventure, paired with Hajar Mountains 4x4 routes through the UAE's rugged eastern interior.
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