The Abu Dhabi city tour and dhow cruise in Dubai are two of the major attractions of UAE holiday. Here is a sample UAE itinerary that you can use while touring the United Arab Emirates.
The United Arab Emirates has been on the map of famous tourist destinations for several decades. Over 22 million tourists visit this Middle Eastern country ever year. The desert landscapes, the modern skyline, the gorgeous beaches, and the beautiful landmarks are some of the things that attract people to the UAE. While Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the most popular places in the UAE, the country has five more emirates that are worth visiting. In short, when you visit the UAE, your holiday should not be restricted to visiting Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In fact, you must give an equal chance to other Emirates like Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quiwan. Here is a 7-day UAE itinerary that will give you an idea on planning your trip to this Middle Eastern country.
Day 1: Downtown Dubai and Modern Attractions
Assuming you land in Dubai for your UAE holiday, it is best to begin your vacation from this glamorous city of the UAE. Here are the places you can visit and things you can do on the first day of your Dubai trip.
Dubai Mall: Dubai Mall with its 1200+ stores, Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, Dubai Ice Rink, and Play DXB is a place where you can spend more than a couple of hours without getting bored.
Burj Khalifa: Head to the observation deck either on 124th floor or on the 125th floor of Burj Khalifa for a sweeping vista of the gorgeous city. The observation decks also have high-resolution binoculars that would give you a closer view of the major landmarks of the city.
Dubai Marina: The swanky neighborhood of Dubai is developed around a manmade Venetian-style canal. You can rent a yacht, try water sports, go ziplining, enjoy shopping, and try out fine dining restaurants at Dubai Marina.
Dhow Cruise: A Dubai Marina activity that needs special mention is the dhow cruise in Dubai. This involves sailing in a traditional wooden boat while enjoying the beauty of the place. Dubai dhow cruise dinner involves delicious buffet dinner and entertaining shows.
Day 2: Old Dubai and Desert Safari
Devote the second day of your trip to exploring the older part of the city.
Dubai Museum: The Dubai Museum inside Al Fahidi Fort will take you back to the days when Dubai was a fishing village. Through the various exhibits, you will get to see the attire, lifestyle, occupation, heritage, culture, and traditions of the Bedouins.
Al Fahidi Neighborhood: The traditional-style buildings, the wind towers, and the narrow-cobbled streets of Al Fahidi Neighborhood are quite fascinating. The place is full of museums, art galleries, and cafes that you can explore.
Dubai Souks: Indulge in shopping at the traditional markets or souks, where you can buy gold jewelry, perfumes, spices, herbs, dry fruits, and different types of fabrics. Gold Souk, Spice Souk, Perfume Souk, and Textile Souk are worth visiting.
Desert Safari: The desert safari is the ultimate experience to have in Dubai. From desert adventures like dune bashing and more to entertaining performances like belly dancing and Tanoura dancing, an evening desert safari promises a good time.
Day 3: Abu Dhabi
Spend the third day of your trip sightseeing in Abu Dhabi sightseeing, the capital of the UAE, a two-hour drive from Dubai.
Grand Mosque: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in the UAE, with the capacity to hold 40,000 worshippers at the same time. Join a guided tour to explore the interiors of the museum, made of white marble and decorated with crystal chandeliers, mosaic artwork, and jewel-embedded columns.
Qasr Al Watan: Qasr Al Watan or the Presidential Palace is the epitome of Emirati architecture and the country’s heritage. An audio-guided tour will take you to the different areas of the palace, giving you the opportunity to enjoy its grandeur.
Louvre Abu Dhabi: A beautiful building on Saadiyat Island, Louvre Abu Dhabi is one of the most important cultural attractions in Abu Dhabi. The permanent and temporary exhibitions of the museum celebrate art from ancient to modern times.
Observation Deck at 300, Abu Dhabi Corniche, Abu Dhabi Heritage Village, etc., are some other places you must visit in Abu Dhabi. An Abu Dhabi city tour will take you to all the important places in this city.
Day 4: Al Ain
Al Ain, a city in Abu Dhabi, should be your next destination. Known as the Garden City, Al Ain is most popular for its greenery. Al Ain Oasis, with its 100+ palm trees over an area of 3000 acres is the place you must visit to enjoy the peace and quietude of nature. Apart from this, there is Al Ain Zoo, one of the oldest wildlife parks of the UAE, which houses more than 4000 wild animals. Jebel Hafeet, Al Jahili Fort, Al Ain Palace Museum, Al Ain National Museum, and Hili Archeological Park are places that you must include in your itinerary.
Day 5: Sir Bani Yas Island
A part of the emirate of Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island is where you can enjoy wildlife, adventure, and nature. The star attraction of the island is going on a safari at the Arabian Wildlife Park, where you will get to meet 17,000 animals in their natural habitat. The island is a great place to indulge in outdoor adventures like mountain biking, horseback riding, land sailing, and more. Lounging on the beach and trying out water sports like snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding are some interesting things to do on Sir Bani Yas lsland.
Day 6: Sharjah
The emirate of Sharjah is known for its history and culture. In fact, the emirate was declared as the UNESCO Cultural Capital in 1998. Sharjah is home to some interesting historical buildings and museums. Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, Sharjah Heritage Area, Sharjah Art Museum, and Sharjah Fort are some of the must-visit places here. The Blue Souk is also a must-visit place not just for shopping but also to admire its blue-tile work architecture. Sharjah also has some beautiful beaches like Kalba Beach and Al Khan Beach, where you can relax and enjoy water sports.
Day 7: Fujairah
Spend the last day of your UAE tour at one of the lesser known emirates in the UAE, Fujairah. This is truly a hidden gem of the country, as Fujairah is filled with numerous interesting historical and cultural landmarks. Al Bidyah Mosque is a must-visit place here, as it is the oldest mosque in the UAE, believed to be built in the 15th century. The Fujairah Fort, Fujairah Museum, and Bithnah Fort will give you a glimpse into its past. Fujairah is also a nature’s paradise. You get to explore Al-Rafisah Dam, Wadi Wurayah National Park, and Madhab Hot Springs Park here.
Conclusion
If you want to explore the UAE in its entirety, you can plan a longer holiday, stretching it to 10 or 14 days. Even if you are planning a long holiday, there is no chance of getting bored, as there are plenty of things to see, do, and discover in this Arab nation.
