Over the past two years, 600 thousand Russians have visited the UAE, and if we consider a specific emirate, then in Dubai in January-March 2017, twice as many Russian tourists rested as compared to the same period in 2016. What exactly to see in the UAE everyone wants to know who rushes to Abu Dhabi (focused both on single people and youth companies), Sharjah (quiet + family and children's recreation), Fujairah (active recreation, diving, natural beauty), Dubai (shopping + advanced technology).
Holiday season in the UAE
The ideal time to spend a vacation in the UAE is April-October. For a beach pastime, despite the fact that the sea is warmed up to at least + 20-22˚C all year round, months such as March-April and September-November are best suited. In winter, it is more comfortable to relax in Sharjah.
UAE Monthly Weather Forecast
The UAE is worth paying attention to in December-February, when a favorable system of discounts (50-70%) begins to operate there, shopping festivals, street processions, lotteries with prizes take place (you will be able to get gold items and even a car as a prize).
Top 15 places of interest in the UAE
Al-Fahidi
Al-Fahidi
Al-Fahidi is a fortress in Dubai: it used to protect the city from attacks, and even was a state prison. In the construction of the fortress (it is equipped with 2 towers - one of them is rounded and high, and the other is lower and flatter), resembling a square, shell rock, clay and coral were used. Today, the fort is a museum in Dubai, where travelers flock to explore the fort's dungeons on an interactive tour. Here you will be able to get acquainted with medieval, prehistoric and modern Dubai, as well as see the recreated pearl market.
Top 10 attractions in Dubai
Al-Kasbah in Sharjah
Al-Kasbah in Sharjah
Al-Kasbah is a popular pedestrian area in Sharjah, where there are cafes (you can look into a sushi bar, Turkish cafe or “Dunkin Donuts”), ice cream stands, restaurants, a 9D cinema, singing fountains (the show is held 7 times a day, from 5 pm to 11:30 pm), attractions for adults and children (the Ferris Wheel deserves special attention: it is not very high (60 m), but it spins quickly), an entertainment area for children (visit to the playground, which has soft cover, costs $ 4, 13; in winter it works from morning until 24:00, and in summer - from 16:00), art center "Mariah" (various exhibitions and cultural events are held here), as well as in the evening light show (images are projected onto the wall of one of the buildings). And everyone can ride an abra: as part of a boat tour, they will see the bridges, skyscrapers and embankments of Sharjah.
Top 10 attractions of Sharjah
Jumeirah Mosque
Jumeirah Mosque
The Jumeirah Mosque is a landmark in Dubai, where non-Muslims are allowed to come on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 11:15 am, but only with a guide (excursion costs $ 3). They are allowed here after the ritual of cleansing the mouth, nose, ears, head, entire face, hands and feet with water.
The Jumeirah Mosque is an example of the Fatimid style, and its dome and minarets look special in the evening thanks to artful illumination. It should be noted that the mosque is famous for its ornaments: flowers are depicted in the women's hall, and geometric patterns in the men's hall. And there are also many ornaments with Arabic calligraphy.
Burj Khalifa
Burj Khalifa
Burj Khalifa is Dubai's 828-meter skyscraper in the form of a stalagmite. It is equipped with a restaurant Atmosphere (122 floor) and a night club (144 floor); viewing platforms At the Top on the 124th floor (the cost of a regular ticket is $ 34, and an express ticket is $ 81) and At the Top SKY on the 148th floor (a ticket will cost $ 95-136). The foot of the skyscraper attracts tourists with a musical fountain located there in an artificial lake (the height of the jets is 150 m).
Buses 27 and 29 leave for Burj Khalifa.
Sheikh Zayed Mosque
Sheikh Zayed Mosque
Sheikh Zayed Mosque is located in Abu Dhabi. Admission and guided tours of the mosque are free. There is a main prayer hall (accommodates 7,000 people), 2 rooms for women (each for 1,500 people), 96 columns, 4 minarets, more than 100 m high, 82 white marble domes (the domes are the decoration of the main building), a courtyard (colored marble is used in its masonry), chandeliers from Germany (there are 7 of them) decorated with crystals and gold leaf, a carpet with an area of 5627 sq. m.
The Sheikh Zayed Mosque is open to tourists every day (except Friday) from 9 am to noon.
Top 10 attractions in Abu Dhabi
Sir Bani Yas Island
Sir Bani Yas Island
Sir Bani Yas Island is located in the Persian Gulf, at a distance of 240 km from Abu Dhabi. It attracts travelers with its nature (8 million trees are planted here, as well as ostriches, hyenas, giraffes, mountain rams, white oryxes), a salt dome (depths - 6000 m), restaurants, hotels. You can explore the island by bike or go diving if you wish.
Admission for children under 16 years old is free, and a ticket for those over 16 years old costs $ 4 (closed on Sunday). From Abu Dhabi to the ferry crossing can be reached by car, and the further way to overcome by ferry.
Al-hish fort
Al-hish fort
Fort al-Hish in Sharjah used to be a two-story fortification with towers (several) and cannons (6), from which one tower remains today. Everyone is invited to visit the museum, consisting of storage rooms, the Al-Kazimov library, the Makhlus tower, the armory (daggers and swords are the exhibits), recreation rooms, rooms in which sheikhs and nobles lived. In addition, visitors see Acquisitions, Trade, Sharjah Events and other displays.
Al-Hish is open from Tuesday to Sunday (09: 00-13: 00 and 17: 00-20: 00).
Aquarium in Dubai
Aquarium in Dubai
The aquarium, the size of a three-story house, is located in the Dubai Mall in Dubai. Thanks to the tunnel under the aquarium available for visitors (a zoo is open above it, where fish, reptiles, snakes and penguins live), they will be able to observe 33,000 underwater inhabitants (sharks, rays, crabs, fish, octopuses) and take as many photos as they want in their background … Students will be able to visit the “School of the Ocean”: there they will be informed about various topics related to marine life.
If you are a certified diver, you will be able to swim with sharks on your own, and if you are a beginner, you will first have to take a short training course. The cost of a full excursion is $ 27.
Bastakia
Bastakia
Bastakiya is an area in Dubai best visited in the early morning or evening to avoid sunstroke. At the end of the 19th century, pearl divers lived here mainly. Subsequently, wealthy citizens began to settle here, and in the 20th century - immigrants.
Bastakiya is famous for its houses with “wind towers” (they served as air conditioners), the Beit Al-Wahil building, the XVA art gallery, the Al-Fahidi fort, the Majilis gallery.
Unusual sights of the UAE from private guides
Dubai Creek
Dubai Creek
The length of the Dubai Creek is 14 km: it divides Dubai into Deira and Bur Dubai. The west bank is occupied by Creekside Park, where a children's playground has been built, and the east bank is occupied by the port of Rashid. Those who wish will be offered a ride along the bay on an abra (boat). In autumn, in the south of Dubai Creek, it will be possible to meet with migratory migratory birds. It is worth noting that 4 road bridges (Business Bay Bridge, Al Maktoum Bridge, Al Garhoud Bridge, Floating Bridge) are thrown across the bay, and an underground tunnel also passes through it.
Tower Etisalat
Tower Etisalat
The 130-meter round tower of Etisalat in Abu Dhabi is considered a unique structure due to the use of green glass in its decoration, and at the very top there is a white golf ball. Tip: Tourists are advised to take a photo against the backdrop of the Etisalat Tower at sunset.
It is more convenient to get to the Etisalat Tower by taxi (you need to get off at the intersection of SHK. Rashid Bin Saeed St. and 7th St.).
Historical and Ethnographic Village in Abu Dhabi
Historical and Ethnographic Village in Abu Dhabi
Those who come to the historical and ethnographic village in Abu Dhabi should pay attention to huts (Bedouin dwellings built from date palms), bazaars, tents, adobe and houses made of coral limestone.
Tourists will be told about the life of the Arabs - from what dishes they ate and what crafts they were engaged in (weaving, pottery, blacksmithing), as well as invite them to watch the creation of various creations, visit a museum with gold jewelry, weapons and other archaeological finds exhibited there, and feast on freshly baked flatbread, attend the performances of musicians and dancers, ride a camel, and, possibly, see such a spectacular show as falconry.
On Thursday-Saturday, the village is open from 09:00 to 17:00, and on Friday from 15:30 to 21:00 (admission is free).
Skyscraper Capital Gate
Skyscraper Capital Gate
The 160-meter high skyscraper Capital Gate, covered with 700 glass panels, is located in Abu Dhabi. The first 18 floors (35 in total) are occupied by office and office premises, and the rest belong to the Hyatt at Capital Gate hotel (those who live in its rooms will be able to enjoy the beautiful views of the Persian Gulf and Abu Dhabi).
Fountain in Dubai
Musical fountain in Dubai
The location of the musical fountain is an artificial lake in the center of Dubai. Its water jets rise to a height of 150 meters, and the fountain itself is “served” by point (6600) and colored (25) spotlights, smoke generators and gas nozzles (thanks to them, the fountain is able to smoke and simulate fire). The performance, accompanied by musical motives (the “dance” fountain performs to Arabic melodies, songs by Andrea Bocelli, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Sarah Brightman, Celine Dion and other performers), is held every half hour from 6 to 11 pm.
Buses No. 29, F13 and 27 will take everyone to the fountain.
Saadiyat Island
Saadiyat Island
The artificial island of Saadiyat is equipped with cultural zones, several parks, a 9-kilometer beach area (all the necessary amenities are available), the Sheikh Zayed Museum, a golf club, accommodation facilities, a museum of abstract art, an equestrian center (here you can not only see horses, but and ride them), a maritime museum, an outdoor amphitheater, which is used for performances and shows.
From the island to Abu Dhabi, just a few minutes by taxi or bus number 401 (Saadiyat Public Beach stop).
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