Cheap Holidays to United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates, or the UAE, is made up of seven emirate cities, including the ever-popular Dubai and stunning Abu Dhabi. UAE tourism has skyrocketed in a recent boom, offering luxury city breaks with authentic Arabian elements. Its cities are busy, but the UAE also has access to wide sandy dunes and azure waters, and its arid climate and blue skies lend well to dreamlike sunny escapes.

Places to Go and Things to Do

Explore the Corniche waterfront

Abu Dhabi has the beautiful Corniche beach, recognized Blue Flag and is good for a swim with lifeguards and floating fences. It has separate areas or singles, families and the general public. The surrounding marina is an 8-km waterfront teeming with cafés and restaurants and pathways for cyclists and pedestrians. Stroll along the marina to enjoy beautiful vistas of the coast on one side, and the buzzing metropolis on the other.

Fun at Ferrari World

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is sure to give you an adrenaline rush with its fastest in the world roller coaster Formula Rossa and some spectacular, hair-raising rides. There are also live shows, go-karting and shops selling racing memorabilia. The children will love the attractions and when you feel like bite, the menu is distinctly Italian.

Absorb the Unique Abu Dhabi Culture

From a tour of the beautifully intricate Sheikh Zayed Mosque (the largest of its kind in the UAE), to the Heritage Village where you can see replica buildings, traditional wooden boats and pretty handicrafts, Abu Dhabi has enough cultural highlights to keep you busy for days. Also worth a view is the Qasr Al-Hosn fortress.

Splash at Yas waterpark

Yas island waterpark has over 40 exciting rides including the 235 metres long gigantic tornado waterslide designed to thrill and it would be difficult to tear the kids away once they get hooked to the fun. Several other rides like Bubble’s Barrel, Bandit Bomber will keep the tiny tot’s occupied. The latest landmark to the park is ‘The Lost Pearl.’

Essential Information

Getting Around

In most areas of the UAE the roads are excellent, but signposting leaves a lot to be desired, so if you do hire a car, make sure it has a decent GPS. Be aware that drivers in the UAE can be reckless and drive very fast with little consideration for others, so only drive if you’re feeling brave! Taxis are available in some of the emirates, and the bus networks in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are excellent and cheap.

Travelling by bus or car

The bus services, in most emirate cities, are rudimentary, but are much better in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Bus services, where there are any, are fast, clean and extremely affordable, but can be overcrowded.

Car rental and petrol are cheap. Hiring a car can be a great way of exploring the emirates, as long as you have a GPS system and the nerve to drive alongside often reckless drivers. In the UAE, you drive on the right.

Passports and Visas

If you’re a British citizen, you can attain a 30-day visa upon arrival in the UAE. You must also have a valid passport. For the most recent passport and visa info, take a look at For more information and advice, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/united-arab-emirates/entry-requirements

Health and Safety

Make sure that you take out appropriate travel insurance before you travel; the EHIC isn’t valid in the UAE. For the latest health and safety information visit For more info, see www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/united-arab-emirates/health

Vaccinations

There are no specific vaccinations required to travel to the UAE, but holidaymakers should ensure that their routine jabs are up to date.