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Travel guide, from the UK

United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven emirates. Dubai has the Burj Khalifa, the desert and the historic Al Fahidi neighbourhood beside Dubai Creek. Abu Dhabi, the capital, has the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the museums of Saadiyat Island, including Louvre Abu Dhabi and the new Zayed National Museum. Inland, the oasis city of Al Ain is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Photo: Maximus Mazar, Unsplash License

The Burj Khalifa in Dubai against a pink and violet sunset sky, its spire catching the last light
When to go
October to April is the cooler season, with daytime temperatures of about 24 to 30°C, and January is the coolest month. From May to September it is very hot, and from June to September days pass 40°C. The Dubai Shopping Festival runs from 4 December 2026 to 17 January 2027, and Global Village opens each year from October to May. Ramadan is expected from early February to early March 2027, depending on the moon. During Ramadan, Dubai's restaurants stay open by day, and Abu Dhabi asks visitors to dress more conservatively.
Getting there from London
Direct flights to Dubai take about 7 hours. Emirates flies from Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted, and British Airways and Virgin Atlantic also serve Dubai. Etihad and British Airways fly from Heathrow to Abu Dhabi in a similar time. Regional tensions in 2026 have caused flight cancellations and short-notice airspace closures, so check the UK Foreign Office's travel advice and your flight status before you go.

What to do in United Arab Emirates

  1. 1Burj Khalifa, DubaiThe world's tallest building rises more than 828 metres. At the Top has viewing decks on levels 124 and 125 and, higher still, on level 148. Sunset is the busiest time, so book ahead.
  2. 2Al Fahidi and an abra across the creekWalk the lanes of the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, with more than 50 heritage houses and museums, then cross Dubai Creek on an abra, a traditional wooden boat. Dress modestly here.
  3. 3Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu DhabiEntry and guided tours are free, but you must book an access pass online first. Women need loose, ankle-length clothing, long sleeves and a covering for their hair; men should wear long trousers and avoid sleeveless or tight tops. The main hall closes to visitors on Fridays from 12:00 to 15:00.
  4. 4Saadiyat Cultural District, Abu DhabiLouvre Abu Dhabi sits under Jean Nouvel's dome of 7,850 stars and is closed on Mondays. Next to it are the Zayed National Museum and the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, both opened in late 2025.
  5. 5The desertThe Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve has protected 225 square kilometres of desert since 2004. Visits go through the Al Maha resort or the specialist operators listed by Visit Dubai.
  6. 6Al AinThe oasis city's UNESCO World Heritage sites include tombs at Hafit and Hili, some from around 2500 BC, and the green oases themselves. RTA bus E201 runs there from Dubai.

Getting around

In Dubai, the driverless Metro has two lines, Red and Green, running from about 5am to midnight on most days, with carriages for women and children. Pay with a Nol card, which also covers trams, buses and ferries; buses accept Nol only. Taxis are easy to find, and Uber, Careem, Bolt and Yango all operate. Abras cross Dubai Creek. Between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, RTA buses E100 and E101 leave from Al Ghubaiba and Ibn Battuta, and the drive takes about an hour. Etihad Rail passenger trains between the two cities were set to start on 30 September 2026, with the Dubai station linked by footbridge to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro.

Living in the UK on a non-UK passport? You'll need a visa for United Arab Emirates.

United Arab Emirates visa from the UK →

Where these facts come from

Fees and rules are checked against official and visa-centre pages. Rules change: we confirm everything again before you pay.

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