The United Arab Emirates is one of the most visited countries in the world. The latter has led to many people speculating about what things the UAE is famous for.
People often think that the Burj Khalifa is the only thing that draws tourists to the United Arab Emirates, but this is untrue. There is much more to it, all of which can be found and enjoyed by going to the country.
Read on for a list of 15 things the United Arab Emirates is known for, which will give you an idea of what is popular there. And if you plan to visit the United Arab Emirates, check the visit visa UAE price, the cost of a hotel, and flights to the emirate you will be visiting. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the most well-known airports, so you can get better rates.
Top 15 Things That the UAE Is Famous For
1. Burj Al Arab
The Burj al Arab, sometimes called a “7-star hotel,” was modeled after a ship’s mast regarding its design.
It’s the sixth tallest hotel in the world right now, and its name loosely means “tower of the Arab.” Not only is it well-known for its design, but its rooms are also known for their luxurious decor.
Since it is not only one of the best hotels in Dubai but also one of the best hotels in the world, people who stay there are treated like kings.
People who aren’t staying at the hotel can’t get in, but the best way to see the building from the inside is to have a cup of coffee in the Burj Al Arab café.
You can also eat at one of the world-class restaurants in Burj Al Arab. Well-known Chefs run all these places for being good at what they do.
The tower is on an island made by people, just a short distance from Jumeirah Beach. Locals usually take their families to the beach in the winter, when they can see the tower without any trees in the way and have lunch.
2. Burj Khalifa
At the Top, Burj Khalifa is a must-do for anyone who wants to see the view from the world’s biggest tower. This tour gives people a mesmerizing view of the sky from the very top of the building.
You can go to one of the world’s highest viewing decks with both the At the Top tour and the At the Top SKY tour. From the beginning, these tours were made with tourists in mind.
3. Desert Safari
United Arab Emirates is filled with lots of sand dunes. But to make things more “cool,” they added a fun game that tourists and locals could enjoy.
A Desert Safari is a package deal where people sign up to do things like dune bashing (driving on dunes in a 4×4), belly dancing, and getting their hands painted with henna, among other things.
Some of these deals even let you spend the night in the desert, an amazing experience you’ll always remember.
4. Dubai Frame
The Dubai Frame is the biggest frame structure in the world. It is in Zabeel Park and was made to look like the logo for the World Expo 2020.
The main things tourists shouldn’t miss are the glass bridge walkway and the galleries with audiovisual displays and projections that show everything from the city’s beginning to what it might look like.
You can see a wide view of old and new Dubai through the frame, from the Old Town of Deira to the Dubai Marina.
5. Louvre Abu Dhabi
The UAE is known for its Louvre museum. Abu Dhabi is now a well-known tourist location because it approved the city’s application to open its own Louvre.
The outside was made to look like the shadow that dates palm branches cast in an oasis when the sun shines on them. This makes it a great place for art lovers and people looking for “Instagrammable” spots to take pictures.
6. The Museum of the Future
The Museum of the Future, in Dubai’s Financial District, acts as a bridge between the world we live in now and the world we will live in in the future by showing both new and old work. It has three parts: the empty space, the house, and the grassy hill.
By getting scholars, ecologists, financiers, and environmentalists to work for it, the museum wants to find answers to future problems that cities may face.
This most recent building wonder opened in Dubai in February 2022, and since then, it has quickly become a popular place for tourists. It has seven different levels.
7. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is becoming more and more popular with tourists. Now, people come to the city to look at the beautiful designs on the marble walls.
Sheikh Zayed was the president of the United Arab Emirates and the master of Abu Dhabi. The mosque was built in his honor.
Even though there is no fee to enter the mosque, guests must follow a strict dress code. Women must wear long dresses that cover their arms, legs, and heads, and men must wear scarves on their heads.
A gown is ready for guests to change if they are not dressed appropriately. Without question, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the most impressive places in all of Abu Dhabi.
8. The Dubai Mall
With an area of over 500,000 square meters, the Dubai Mall is one of the biggest shopping malls in the world. People know it as the place where the Dubai Shopping Festival happens every year.
This shopping center has more than 1200 stores, a large aquarium with a walk-through exhibit, a world-class ice rink, 14,000 parking spots, and other interesting things to see.
9. Shawarma
Donors are like shawarma, a famous street food in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). On a spit, meat is cooked until it is tender and juicy, and then the meat shavings are stacked in bread with different toppings.
Everyone who travels around the United Arab Emirates has their favourite place to get shawarma, which is also the cheapest snack you can get.
The best time to get shawarma is usually in the evening when people have just gotten off work and are eager to eat some.
The most popular ones in the country are those made in Lebanese or Indian eateries. Try each one to see which one you like best.
10. Dubai Gold Souk
Dubai’s famous gold souk is the biggest gold market in the world. This golden souk is in Deira, and many people think it is the most famous and visited tourist spot in all of Dubai. That is because the gold they sell is of high quality and style.
At least ten tons of gold are brought to Gold Souk every day. It has more than 350 jewelry shops and people who sell jewelry.
11. Luxurious lifestyle
If you have been told that people in Dubai live in luxury, you have been given false information. This is one of the most common things people from other countries don’t understand. In the UAE, not everyone is rich, and many people don’t even have cars.
Some people are rich and spend their money on ridiculous things, but it’s important to remember that there are also working people and normal people who don’t always have the money to go on crazy shopping sprees.
12. Dates
Dates are native to the desert and are prized for their naturally sweet flavour. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it is not unusual to see roadways lined with date palm trees laden with the fruit’s weight.
It’s practically considered a “souvenir” now that most travelers carry at least one box of fresh dates back to their nation when they leave a foreign place.
13. Ferrari World
Visit Ferrari World if you are looking for an exciting experience! This amusement park is especially popular among families with children during the summer months because it is home to the roller coaster that holds the record for the fastest speed in the world, 240 kilometres per hour.
14. Hummus
Hummus, a Middle Eastern dip, and its tasty versions, like avocado and beet hummus, have become popular worldwide.
The original way to eat hummus was as a side dish with Arabic bread. Chickpeas are mashed and mixed with a paste made from sesame seeds.
This appetizer is an important part of any Arabic meal and is one of the most important dishes in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates.
15. Palm Jumeirah
The amazing artificial archipelago built by land reclamation in Dubai and stretches out into the Persian Gulf is the definition of stunning beauty.
Looking down at the archipelago from above, it looks like a palm tree with a circle attached. It was one of the first significant tourism developments in the United Arab Emirates.
It is now home to some of Dubai’s most popular tourist attractions, including Atlantis, the Palm, Aquaventure Waterpark, and the Lost Chambers Aquarium.
About The Author
Robeena Brown is a travel blogger & destination expert living in the UAE and works for local tourism companies like Arabiers. If you have been looking forward to touring Dubai, getting a visa, extending stays and exploring the city, you can follow her on social media.