What sights to visit and what to do during your vacation in the UAE? Holidays in the United Arab Emirates: useful information and features of holidays in the Emirates - choose any.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a young state in southwest Asia located in the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula. December 2, 1971 is considered the date of foundation of the state: it is on this day that six emirates declare the creation of a federation; in 1972, the emirate of Ras al-Khaimah joined the federation.

The UAE includes: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah and Sharjah. The capital of the Emirates is Abu Dhabi.

The territory of the country is washed by the waters of the Persian and Oman Gulfs. In the west and south, the state borders on Saudi Arabia, in the southeast and northeast on Oman.

The vast majority of the UAE's population are visiting workers from South and Southeast Asia. Representatives of the indigenous population are Sunni Muslims. The basis of the political structure of the UAE is a federation uniting absolute monarchies. The head of state is the Emir of Abu Dhabi, the head of government is the Emir of Dubai.

Current time in Abu Dhabi:
(UTC+4)

The basis of the economy of the emirates is the export of oil and tourism, for the development of which significant funds are allocated. Time in the UAE coincides with Moscow time. Transition to summer time No. Coordinated Universal Time UTC +4.

How to get there

Planes from Russia fly mainly to Dubai, but some flights are operated to Sharjah. Regular flights from St. Petersburg and Moscow to Dubai are operated by Emirates Airlines and some Russian carriers. Fly Dubai Airlines flies from Yekaterinburg, Samara, Kazan and Ufa. Air Arabia flies from Yekaterinburg to Sharjah. Read more about how to get from various Russian cities to Dubai.

Visa

G citizens of the Russian Federation from February 2017 can receive free visas for a period of 30 days at the points of entry to the UAE. This visa can be extended once for another 30 days. Howeverthere are restrictions - they apply to children "inscribed" in the parents' passport. In addition, in order to obtain a UAE visa, it is recommended to have a medical insurance policy, hotel reservation and visa risk insurance.

You can read more about the entry document into the country in our special material "Issuing a visa to the UAE".

Customs regulations

To country allowed import the following goods: two thousand cigarettes, or 400 cigars, or 2 kilograms of tobacco; two liters of wine and two liters of spirits.

Import prohibited pornographic publications and materials (video cassettes and disks may be subject to verification), as well as firearms and drugs.

The ban on the import of medicines into the UAE

Many tourists are unaware that codeine is banned throughout the country. Accordingly, the importation of medicines containing codeine can be the basis for a serious fine or even imprisonment. The list of prohibited drugs includes not only codeine-containing drugs, but also a number of narcotic drugs, as well as sedatives. Before traveling to the UAE, a tourist should carefully check his first aid kit, and if there are prescription drugs, then it is better to have a translated prescription from a doctor with you to enter the Emirates with them. The import of prescribed narcotic drugs is possible only with a special permit, which should be obtained in advance. Codeine is found in many cough, antipyretic, and pain medications. So, it is an integral part of the Pentalgin and Sedalgin tablets, which are quite often used by Russians. Checking at the border is selective, but, according to tourists, recently it has been done more and more often.

Money and currency exchange in the UAE

Cities and regions

Emirate of Abu Dhabi

Al-Husn Palace is a fort built in the 19th century to protect the fresh water found on the island by the Beni Yaz tribe of Liwa. Enclosed within the outer walls, built by Sheikh Shabut, who made Al-Husn his palace, is an old square fort.

Another important attraction of Abu Dhabi, which serves as a gateway to the past, is a cultural and ethnographic village that recreates the life of different historical eras. Attractions in Abu Dhabi include wonderful parks, gardens and delightful fountains.

Here are the oases of Liwa, Qattara and Al-Ain, the island of Futaisi - a water sports center and the Hili amusement park, as well as a zoo. In addition, the interesting Shopping Festival can be a reason to visit, and there are also Abu Dhabi shopping centers with a large selection of good goods (Abu Dhabi Mall, Marina Mall and Madinat Zayed).

Emirate of Dubai

The central district of modern Dubai is divided into two parts: Bur Dubai (south) and Deira (north). Bur Dubai's old Bastakiya area is full of traditional Arab houses with courtyards. There are also wind towers that once replaced air conditioners. Arriving in Dubai, you should definitely visit the Dubai History Museum in Al Fahidi Fort. It was built in the late 80s of the XVIII century, and managed to visit the palace, and the garrison, and even a prison. Now there is a historical museum, the exposition of which includes a collection of applied art, household items of ancient Bedouins and residents of Dubai. There is also a marine part of the exposition. With the help of audiovisual technology, surround sound and elaborately crafted figures dressed in national costumes, the museum creates a stunning sense of presence in the past.

Emirate of Sharjah

An amusement park with attractions and souvenirs is located in Khalid Lagoon. Directly from the bay beats the third highest fountain in the world (after Geneva and Jeddah). The coral reefs of the famous diving center located in Korfakan are famous for the richness of the flora and fauna of the underwater world.

Emirate of Fujairah

The highlight of Fujairah is its amazing nature, replete with lush greenery, which other emirates cannot boast of. Add to this the beautiful Hojar mountains, waterfalls, hot springs and the clearest sea - this is Fujairah. Three protected areas open to the public have been established in the emirate - these are the Al Wurraya waterfalls, the Ain Al Madhab gardens and the hot springs of Ain Al Ghamour.

Connoisseurs of beautiful man-made works of art will also be able to find a lot of interesting things here. Among the attractions of the emirate is one of the oldest mosques in the emirates Al-Bidiya Mosque, located next to the village of the same name, about 30 km north of the city of Fujairah. Al-Bidiya was built about five centuries ago.

One of the most picturesque forts in the country stands among the palm trees in the village of Bithna. In 1745, a battle took place here between the warring factions of Oman, one of which enlisted the support of local tribes. In the city of Fujairah, there is another very famous fort that was bombed by the British in 1925. The modern landmark of the city is the tower of the Trade Center, located among the new modern residential areas. A little further is the bay, which, together with the port of Korfakkan, provides the country with direct access to the Indian Ocean. Tourists come from all over the world to Fujairah specifically to see the famous bullfights, which are very different from the Spanish bullfight.

In terms of shopping, Fujairah can offer both traditional markets (such as the Souq Al Jumaa market) and modern malls such as the Safeer Mall.

Emirate of Ajaman

Since ancient times, Ajman has preserved a square watchtower on the shore of the bay, guarding the entrance to the city, and huge fort in the city center. The fort was completed and rebuilt many times, the last extension was a wind tower to supply the premises with cold air. Distinctive features of ancient buildings are narrow staircases and passages, decorated with carved wooden doors. The main attraction of Ajman is the Historical Museum of the Fort, which exhibits items that are over 4,000 years old. In the southern part of the city stands a mosque built by the ruling Sheikh in memory of his father, the late Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al-Nuami. With simple, clean lines and a creamy carved stone façade, the building looks great in a stone-paved square. Above the mosque rises a minaret of a stepped structure.

Construction in the early 60s. cinema marked the beginning of the development of the film industry in the city. Here is the United Color Film company, where all the films shot in the Emirates come. The complex includes a laboratory and a film studio that makes television films for the whole country. An equally interesting spectacle for tourists and locals are the famous camel races taking place in the deserts of the emirate. Shopping lovers can recommend the most famous and largest shopping center in the emirate - Ajman City Center.

Emirate of Umm Al Quwain

At the entrance to the city there are three ancient watchtowers, once connected by a wall. Surrounding the old fort are the remains of houses, some of which show traces of the once chic finishes of pink stone and stucco. To the north of these buildings is the area of ​​the old market with wind towers and old stone houses. Siniya Island, on which the remains of early Islamic structures have been found, is located across the strait from the old city. In order to get into the natural reserve created on the island, you must obtain a special permit. Not far from Umm Al-Quwain, during international archaeological excavations, two trading cities of the 2nd and 4th millennium ago, Ad Dur and Tel Abrak, were discovered.

Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah

The ancient city of Yulfar, once a thriving center of the pearl trade, is famous for the hot springs of Hatt, which have been attracting visitors for several centuries. Digdaga is the largest old city of Ras Al Khaimah. Here is the emirate's museum in a huge military fort, which contains traditional household items, jewelry, archaeological finds, the oldest of which dates back to the first millennium BC. The architecture of the building of the fort itself is of particular interest: its curved staircases, watchtowers and wind towers, terraces, battlements and a wide courtyard. Twenty years ago, the fort served as the home of the ruling family of Ras Al Khaimah. Fort Falaya is also noteworthy, where a treaty was signed between the British and local sheikhs in 1820. It stands to the east of the internal road running from Al Nakhil to Haran.

What to see

Dubai

Dubai, the largest city in terms of population in the emirates, is the home of the head of the UAE government and invites tourists to visit a lot of attractions. Tour operators offer sightseeing tours around the city, which will cost about $20-30. During these excursions, tourists will get acquainted with the following interesting places. You can also visit all these sights on your own, using the metro or a fairly inexpensive taxi.

Abu Dhabi

The center of the capital of the United Arab Emirates is deservedly called the Arab Manhattan: the business part of the emirate of Abu Dhabi is densely built up with huge skyscrapers, when looking at which, a comparison with the most popular high-rise area in the world, New York Manhattan, involuntarily comes to mind. It is in Abu Dhabi - a young but fabulously rich capital - that you will enjoy the luxury of colorful fountains, magical gardens, the majestic and light architecture of white-stone mosques, as well as admire and envy the grandiose villas of Arab sheikhs. Here you will see many more interesting sights listed below.

• A masterpiece of world architecture - the residence of the ruling sheikh
• Fountain "Clock", symbolizing the friendship between Abu Dhabi and Geneva
• The central square of the capital, which contains five Arabic symbols made of white stone
• The observation deck of the tallest skyscraper in Abu Dhabi - the Hilton Bainua Hotel
• District of the palaces of the rulers
• Night fountains
• Unique "Transparent Mosque"
• grand mosque
• Ceremonial stands and officers' club
• Museum-Park "Ethnographic Village"

Al Ain

Al Ain, the fourth most populous city in the UAE, is located 148 km east of the country's capital on the border with Oman. This amazing city will immerse you in the atmosphere of camel caravans, Arab princesses and noble emirs.

• The largest zoo in the Middle East
• The ancient forts of Al-Hilla and Al-Khandaq
• camel market
• Palace of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
• Residence of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi
• Sheikh Khalifa's residence
• Viewpoint of Mount Hafeet

Sharjah

• Museums (Historical, National Heritage, Art, Archaeological and Scientific)
• Markets (Gold, Vegetable and Fish)
• King Faisal Grand Mosque
• Memorial "Unification"
• Monument dedicated to the Holy Quran
• Monument to Progress
• Khalid Amusement Park

fujairah

• Al Wurrayah Waterfalls
• Gardens of Ain Al Madhab
• Hot springs of Ain Al-Ghamur
• Al-Bidiya Mosque, the oldest mosque in the Emirates

Ajman

• Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Mosque

Umm Al Quwain

• Trading cities of 2 and 4 thousand years ago Ad Dur and Tel Abrak
• Ancient watchtowers
• Old market area

Ras Al Khaimah

• The ancient city of Yulfar
• Hot Springs Hatt

Where to go in the UAE

Attractions

Museums and galleries

Entertainment

Parks and recreation areas

Transport

Shops and markets

Private guides in the UAE

Russian private guides will help you to get acquainted with the UAE in more detail.
Registered on the Experts.Tourister.Ru project.

Things to do

On a speedboat you will go on a trip to the Indian Ocean and Oman. The tour program includes visiting date plantations, American University (one of the most expensive educational institutions in the country), the Masafi artesian well, the Koran government square, the Sharjah culture stele, the villages of local residents, the market for oriental carpets, where carpets from different countries peace, the Hajar mountain pass, from where an amazing panorama of the canyon opens, a camel farm where racing camels are grown, a fruit market, orange and tangerine groves.

Thrill-seekers are waiting for racing through wild sand dunes in a modern Toyota Land Cruiser 100 jeep equipped with air conditioning. You will admire the sunset in the desert from the height of a huge dune, visit a camel farm, where you will try camel milk, ride a board (sand-board) on sand dunes. The program continues in the Bedouin camp: camel riding, smoking a hookah, taking pictures in national clothes and painting hands with henna. The end of the holiday will be a plentiful dinner of national cuisine: shish kebab, barbecue, exotic fruits, sauces and seasonings.

Especially for the fair sex, the royal salon "Imar Spa", owned by Princess Ohud Bint Rashid Al Mualla, invites you to take a real Moroccan bath. This amazing procedure, consisting of several stages, will be carried out by an experienced master - a purebred Moroccan. The complex of procedures includes: gentle peeling and facial massage, hair mask and hairdressing styling by the hands of a professional master.

Many tour operators also offer an original cruise on a wooden ship built using oriental technology. The ship starts from a pier located on the shores of the Dubai Creek. During the trip, you will enjoy a romantic dinner included in the price of the cruise and watch a costumed performance of ancient and modern national arts. Places are provided on one of the two decks of the ship - a closed lower and an open upper observation deck.

If you want to plunge into the night waves and experience the joy of victory, boldly arm yourself with a lantern and a trident and go on a night hunt along crab shallows, the end of which will be a dinner on the seashore, the main delicacy of which will be the crabs you caught, cooked by an experienced chef.

An amazing dance show: an incendiary belly dance against the backdrop of a fabulous panorama of the city performed by a professional dancer. You get an amazing opportunity to take part in dancing with an Arab beauty and learn the basic movements of oriental dances.

Al Ain, the fourth most populous city in the UAE, is located 148 km east of the country's capital on the border with Oman. This amazing city will immerse you in the atmosphere of camel caravans, Arab princesses and noble emirs. During the tour, you will visit the largest zoo in the Middle East, where you will see animals living in natural conditions, the ancient forts of Al-Hilla and Al-Khandaq, and also visit the camel market, where huge ships of the desert and small camels are waiting for their buyers. Undoubtedly, a walk through the palace of the first Supreme Ruler of the country, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, will make the most indelible impression on you.

Movement around the country

Between countries

By bus

Bus service is carried out with a number of states: Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt. Given the extremely complex procedure for obtaining a Saudi transit visa, only Oman is a real opportunity to visit the UAE by land. Regular bus services from the capital

Oman Muscat to Dubai and Abu Dhabi is carried out by ONTC at least four times a day. The company's fleet is equipped with modern and quite suitable for long trips buses, the fare in which is $12-15 one way. Travel time is five hours.

On a ferryboat

Permanent ferry service is carried out by the state Iranian company IRISL (Islamic republic of Iran shipping company) in the following directions: Bandar Abbas - Sharjah (UAE) and Bandar - Abbas - Dubai (UAE). The cost of the cheapest ticket, depending on the season, is $55-60.

Around the country

The main mode of transport in the Emirates is a car. Buses are used mainly by workers and service personnel. The easiest and most convenient way to move around and between cities is by renting a car. If you do not have a license or rent a car for some reason is not possible for you, use a private or municipal taxi. To move around Dubai, you can use the subway, the first phase of which, consisting of 10 stations, was opened on September 9, 2009.

Car rent

You can rent a car in one of the large or small car companies.

In large companies, the cost of renting a car, depending on the brand, ranges from $60 to $300 per day.

In small companies, you can leave the original passport as collateral. The cost of renting a car in such a company is $ 30 - $ 50, but without insurance.

Car rental period is at least 24 hours. Gasoline is paid separately. The approximate cost of 1 gallon of gasoline (about 4 liters) is $1.

A temporary driving permit is issued for persons over 21 years of age with a passport (sometimes a copy is enough), credit card, valid international rights issued at least a year ago, and two photographs. Always carry your driving license and/or a copy of your passport with you when driving.

Traffic rules in the UAE

• The country has right-hand traffic, it is customary to give way to pedestrians and move along the central lanes, leaving the extreme ones for special cases.
• At intersections, traffic is often taken along the rings, each of which has its own name, they are guided in the same way as by street names. The advantage when driving at the roundabout is the one who is already on it.
• Entry to the intersection, if it is occupied by the vehicle ahead, is prohibited even with a permissive traffic light signal and is considered as a gross violation.
• Alcohol cannot be transported in a car without an appropriate permit (a license issued to residents).
• A mandatory rule is to wear seat belts, and the authorities strictly monitor compliance with this rule.
• It is customary to warn cars coming behind with a turn signal signal about the presence or absence of obstacles ahead for overtaking.
• The speed accepted in the city is 60-80 km / h, on the highway - 100-120 km / h. Radars are installed on the roads, and fines are issued and sent directly to the company where you rented a car. The size of the fine depends on speeding, the minimum is 100 dirhams.
• For violating traffic rules, your license can be withdrawn, and for offering a bribe to a policeman, you can be prosecuted.
• If you, while driving a car, hit a man - a fine of $ 10,000, a woman or a camel - a fine of $ 5,000.

The heaviest traffic occurs on Friday, when the UAE has a holiday and many people go to the beaches or for shopping. Road signs are also similar to domestic ones, the inscriptions are made in English and Arabic. Drivers are required to be constantly vigilant and carefully read road signs.

In the event of an accident, you must call the police on 999 and get a certificate of the accident, without which you will not be able to get insurance and permission to repair the car.

Parking and parking

In cities, paid parking is almost everywhere with an indication of the price for 1 hour. The parking receipt must be placed under the windshield so that it can be seen. Failure to pay for parking is punishable by a fine of 150 dirhams, a notice of this will be placed under the "janitor". You don't have to pay for parking from 13:00 to 16:00. If you did not find your car where you left it, it could have been towed to the traffic police station for non-compliance with parking rules. In this case, you should call 999. A possible fine on the spot is 50-75 dirhams.

At the entrance to the paid parking lot (2 dirhams/hour), you must press the button on the automatic barrier panel. If there are free seats, the barrier will open and you will receive a control ticket from the slot next to the button. According to the time stamped on it, a calculation will be made at the exit. In the case of short parking - parking is free. If you used the parking lot with a machine, then put 2 dirhams into the coin acceptor and get a ticket.

Taxi

In the UAE, there are two types of taxis - with a meter (2 dirhams per landing + 1 dirham for each kilometer) and without a meter (minimum fare is 5 dirhams). Hailing a taxi outside a hotel or inn is always a few dirhams more expensive than just on the street. Traditionally, women sit in the back seat of a car. It is not customary to leave a tip in a taxi.

Communication

Majlis

The concept of "Majlis" (literally - "the place where they sit") appeared as a result of the development of the ritual of Arab hospitality. For Bedouins, this is part of a tent or even a separate tent, for settled residents, a part of a house or a separate building, designed to adequately receive a guest.

Majlis, as far as possible, is covered with mats and carpets, oriental pillows to create maximum comfort for visitors. All who are in the majlis are located along the walls, and in the middle there is a copper tray with coffee pots for treating guests and a brazier for incense. Since the concept of "guest" in Arab society has a broader interpretation, unlike us (for example, the head of the clan, who came to the sheikh of the tribe, is also considered primarily not as a subordinate, but as a guest), the Majlis plays a social and public role. The Mejlis of any person, regardless of social status, is open to everyone who came in peace - this tradition was inherited from the time of the tribal structure of society, in which issues of internal democracy were resolved in this way. Therefore, the Majlis of the leader of the tribe is actually an official place, a council.

Modern institutions and hotels in Dubai support this tradition, so in many places you can see specially arranged majlises in the form of tents with pillows, carpets, hookahs, long-nosed dalla coffee pots standing ready on hot coals, in which the strongest coffee (kahwa arabiya) is brewed, dishes with dates (the sugary sweetness of dates is designed to emphasize the taste of coffee). Although Majlises are almost never used for their intended purpose, they emphasize the hospitality of the place and respect for the guests.

Etiquette

• It is impolite to immediately start talking about business without offering the guest tea, coffee or a soft drink and without asking a few polite questions - about health, about how the trip went, etc.
• If you are a guest yourself, then do not refuse the offered coffee and other drinks and take at least one small sip.
• It is not customary to ask about the wife and female relatives. Usually they are all united by the word "family".
• To avoid being embarrassed, take off your shoes when you enter if you see others doing it.
• During visits and meetings, greet newcomers standing up; do not forget to shake hands with all those present at the arrival and departure, but do not shake hands with local women.
• Do not forget to praise the proposed treat.
• Do not look into the mosque out of idle curiosity.
• Don't expect your gift to be unwrapped and examined in front of you.
• Do not discuss the dignity of passing women and do not consider their jewelry.
• Do not appear with alcoholic drinks on the street, do not offer alcoholic drinks to a Muslim.
• Many public places in Dubai are non-smoking, so before you take out a cigarette, find out if you will be in an uncomfortable position.

culture

The United Arab Emirates is a Muslim country, so the rules of conduct and culture are radically different from Western and European ones, but in recent years, due to the large number of tourists, the boundaries of decency are still shifting towards European traditions. This contribution

There is a growing need for education every year, thanks to which more and more world-class higher education institutions are being created in the UAE and scientific and educational centers of the largest, technically advanced companies in the world are opening.

UAE Customs

meal

• It is not customary to eat while standing or walking
• Looking into the face of a person engaged in eating is considered a violation of etiquette;
• Bread is usually broken by hand.
• Do not take or offer food to another with your left hand.
• Take food, money and things with your right hand.
• The soles of the feet should not point in any direction.
• During the handshake, you should not look into the eyes of the interlocutor, and you should not keep your other hand in your pocket or wave it vigorously in the air (especially with a cigarette).
• It is considered impolite to refuse an offer of coffee.
• To refuse additional servings of coffee, you should shake an empty cup or say "shukran".
• Do not offer pork dishes to a Muslim.

Religion

• You can not bypass the worshipers in front.
• Shoes should be removed when entering mosques and houses.

Maintaining cleanliness

• The fine for trash thrown on the street is 500 dirhams, even if you just missed the bin.

Communication with a woman

• Excessive attention to a woman (as well as actions that may be considered as such) can lead to imprisonment or a fine of up to 60 thousand dirhams.

Respect

Photographing

• It is strictly forbidden to photograph government institutions, sheikhs' palaces, military installations and installations.
• Photographs of local women are not allowed.
• Men should be asked permission to take pictures.
• Clothing should be modest.

Cloth

• Women should not wear provocative clothing.
• Men's clothing should also be modest.
• In accordance with the law of the emirate of Sharjah, women must wear clothes that cover their hands, neck and knees.
• Appearing in public places in sportswear or beachwear is considered extremely indecent.
• Even on the beach it is forbidden to appear in the nude or "topless".
• In Sharjah, women are not allowed to be on the municipal beaches in bathing suits.

Calendar

The Muslim calendar (Hijri) is based on the lunar calendar, which has 354/355 days. The Hijri year is 11 days shorter, and lunar calendar events occur each year about 11 days earlier than the Gregorian calendar.

Kitchen

The most common cuisines in the Emirates are Italian, French, Lebanese, Chinese, Mediterranean, Indian, Pakistani, Japanese, Thai, Korean, Filipino, Indonesian, Polynesian, Mexican, Irish, Iranian and, of course, the local Arabic. Recently, Russian cuisine has also become relevant. All world fast food systems are also widely represented.

Arabic cuisine

Main dishes

• Biryani - specially cooked rice with a large piece of meat, chicken or fish
• Kharis - lamb boiled for several hours in water with grains
• Machbous - stir-fry with lamb or chicken rice
• Homos - a kind of mashed peas with lemon
• Shawarma - pieces of lamb or chicken cooked on a spit and wrapped in a spiced flatbread
• Mezza - a set of traditional snacks
• Kebab mushekkel - assorted skewers of lamb or chicken fried on skewers
• Braised chicken with tomato
• Steamed Chicken Al Mandi with Honey
• Casserole with chicken or veal "haris"
• Rice with pieces of chicken stew "biryani ajaj"
• Chicken skewers "tikka-dajaj"
• Spicy Judge Tannuri Chicken
• Quail meat "Samman"
• Coarse wheat flour pies with kubbe meat
• Small triangular "sambusa" pies with vegetables - "khudar", cheese - "jabna", meat - "lyakhma" or spinach - "sabeneh"
• Dishes from fish and seafood, dairy products are widely used; vegetables and herbs form the basis of sauces and seasonings

Dessert

• Umm Ali milk pudding with raisins and nuts
• Sweet cheese pie with ash-acaya cream
• Mehallabiya pistachio pudding
• Baklava
• Donuts with Ligemat honey
• Sherbet
• Arabic dessert "asyda"

Tips in restaurants are usually included in the cost of meals, and this is indicated on the menu. If tips are not discussed separately, then it is customary to give 10% of the bill amount if the service was really high-quality.

When choosing dishes in restaurants and cafes, be careful and ask the waiter about the ingredients of the dishes you will order: not all Europeans can boast of a love for hot and spicy dishes. Be especially demanding about the food that your children will take.

Alcohol in the UAE

The Koran forbids Muslims from drinking alcohol, which is why there are restrictions on alcohol consumption in Arab countries. If you want to not only have a bite to eat, but also drink, you need to go to an establishment at the hotel. In Dubai, alcohol is served in restaurants and bars at hotels. Non-Muslim residents can purchase alcoholic beverages in specialized stores if they have the appropriate permit (liquor licence).

Being in a public place or in a car with alcohol, offering or selling alcoholic beverages to a Muslim is prohibited. The emirate of Sharjah has a dry law. Bringing alcohol into this emirate is a criminal offense. Being drunk on the street can result in a fine or even imprisonment for you. If you still consumed a little more alcohol, try to stop a taxi and get to your hotel, do not disturb other guests, as well as hotel staff.

Purchases

Opening hours of shops

Trade establishments and markets are open from 9:30 to 13:00, then a siesta, after which they reopen from 16:00 to 22:00.

Shopping centers from 10:00 to 22:00 without a break, on Friday from 16:00 to 22:00.

Most supermarkets are open seven days a week, some are open around the clock. On Fridays, all shops are closed for midday prayers: from 11:30 to 12:30, but then many work without a break, and in the evening - until late.

During the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, shops open in the morning as usual, close in the evening for the iftar (evening breaking of the fast) period, and then continue to operate until midnight and beyond.

Shopping in the UAE

It is the opportunity to make profitable purchases in United Arab Emirates make this country especially attractive for tourists. A distinctive feature of the UAE is the absence of income taxes, which sometimes makes the prices of goods lower than even in producing countries. The main trading city of the Emirates is Dubai. It is deservedly called a "shopper's paradise". Shopping lovers will get great pleasure traveling through countless shops, shops and shopping centers and markets, where you definitely need to bargain in order to fully experience the flavor of the oriental bazaar. In spring and summer, shopping festivals are held, famous for discounts and lotteries.

Buying gold

Dubai is a major international gold trading center. There are markets where gold products are sold not only in Dubai, but also in any major city of the Emirates. You will find countless shops that stock gold jewelry of every design and quality. The most common samples are 18 and 22 carats, you can buy products of 24 samples. If you wish, you can purchase kilogram bars, 10 tol bars (1800 gr.), small coin bars and gold plates. The value of gold is set daily - prices are printed in local newspapers every day. Make sure the asking price does not include "changes" which vary by store and style of jewelry.

Most pieces in the UAE can be even more expensive compared to similar items in Europe - however, take a piece in your hands and you will understand why the price is what it is: most of the jewelry that is made and sold here is made of pure gold, without impurities, so you literally get more gold for your money. You can also buy gems, pearls and a variety of jewelry for clothes.

Dubai Shopping Festival

The Dubai Shopping Festival takes place annually from mid-January to mid-February. This is a kind of huge fair, in which more than 2500 shops and trading companies participate. Discounts during this period reach 40% or more. The festival holds lotteries: gold bars, cars, etc. are raffled off. Within the framework of the festival, an entertainment program is held: pigeon competitions, a competition for the best cooking, an ice show, dolphin performances, a competition for the largest bike, a paratrooper show, crawling competitions on all fours , performances by Chinese acrobats, a fire show, bullfighting and other amazing things. The program includes business conferences and sports competitions. During the shopping festival, hotels and airlines cut prices for their services.

More information about shopping in Dubai can be found in our special material.

Connection

The international code of the United Arab Emirates is 971.

When calling from the UAE to Russia via an automatic line, the dialing code is 007 + area code + phone number. An international call to Russia will cost about 25 dirhams per minute.

When calling from Russia, the dialing code is 8-10-971-(emirate code) - the subscriber's number.

Cellular communication - 050 (when calling from Russia to Dubai mobile number 8-10-971-50 + subscriber number).

Emirates internal codes

• Abu Dhabi - 02
• Al Ain - 03
• Dubai - 04
• Sharjah, Ajman, Um Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah - 07
• Hatta - 085
• Fujairah - 09

Useful phone numbers

All types of telephone communication in the UAE are paid. It is easier and cheaper to make calls from public payphones. There are also special call points. The most expensive type of communication is a call from a hotel room. The cost of telephone conversations with Russia via automatic communication is 9 dirhams / min., during grace hours (from 0.00 to 7.00) - 7 dirhams / min., through an operator - 12.5 dirhams / min. You can call abroad from any public pay phone.

In Dubai, there are 2 types of phone cards issued in denominations of 30, 60 and 120 dirhams.

normal card- a regular telephone card, which can only be used in pay phones that have an appropriate slot for reading information.

prepaid card- used for calls from any phone, including from a hotel, at a minimum rate, which is much lower than a hotel one.

For local calls to pay phones, cards can be purchased at Itisalat stores and offices.

mobile connection

If you intend to use mobile communications, it is best to use a local SIM card with a UAE number (Tariff plan - "Al Wasel"). In order to purchase it, you will need a passport or a copy of it. The SIM card costs AED 165 (this includes the cost of outgoing calls) and is valid for one year. All incoming calls are free.

Internet

To work on the Internet, use the Dial and Surf service. There are no registration fees and subscription fees in the UAE, only the time spent online through the phone you connected with is paid. Traffic cost: 15 fils/minute (9 dirham/hour).

In case of problems, use the services of a telephone operator (tel. 100) or mobile phone service operators (tel. 101). Operators speak English and Arabic.

Sport

Service in the field of sports (especially aquatic species) in the UAE is at a very high level. Here you can go diving, sailing, become a spectator of races on motor boats. Exotic sports include camel racing and safaris. Western games such as bowling, tennis, football and golf are also widespread.

Bowling

Abu Dhabi Tourist Club, near Marilyn Hotel, 12-lane bowling alley. Visiting time is from 8:00 to 24:00. T.: 02 6723400.

Al Nasr Leizereland, near the American Hospital, Ala Karama is open from 9:00 to 24:00. The lanes must be booked in advance as the Leisereland is a very popular meeting place. T.: 04 3371234.

The Kalifa International Bowling Center is located near the Skating Rink in the sports town of Zaved. This imposing 40-lane facility is considered one of the most modern bowling alleys in the world. Opening hours are from 12:00 to 24:00 from Saturday to Wednesday, from 10:00 to 24:00 on Thursday and from 14:00 to 24:00 on Friday. T.: 02 4034650.

Camel racing

This may be your only opportunity to experience this unique sport that is an integral part of the culture of the UAE. Camel races take place during the winter period (Thursdays and Fridays from 8 am to 2 pm) from October to March throughout the country. Prizes are encouraged by significant cash rewards. There is no entry fee.

Cricket

Cricket is becoming more and more popular in the UAE. The Abu Dhabi Cricket Board organizes tournaments throughout the year. Among the most popular is the Abu Dhabi tournament.

Football

Of course, football for the Emirates, as for any other world power, has long been a national sport. Many stadiums have been built for training and competition. Zaved Sports City is the largest sports complex in the Middle East.

Golf

There are more than a dozen golf courses in the United Arab Emirates, six of which have lush fairways and elegantly designed green rims. Modern club buildings have been built on all the main fields, the service and quality of sports equipment are top notch. Usually, the form of clothing is regulated: T-shirts, shorts or trousers, boots with rubber soles with soft spikes are allowed from shoes. It is strictly forbidden to be in jeans on the field or in the club. Available for hire golf carts.

Horse riding

All Arab countries are famous for their enthusiastic attitude towards horses. You have a wonderful opportunity to ride a thoroughbred Arabian horse on the sultry sands of the Emirates.

Skating

If suddenly summer entertainments get tired and you want to have a winter rest, skating rinks work for you.

Abu Dhabi Tourist Club has a large ice rink with TV screens and bright lighting. T.: 02 6723400.

Skating rink in the sports town Zaved. T.: 02 4448458.

Powerboat racing

Every year, the UAE organizes world races on motorboats. Abu Dhabi International Maritime Sports Club organizes powerboat races throughout the year. T.: 02 6815566.

Rock climbing

Everyone can go in for rock climbing - beginners and professionals will find absolutely everything related to this sport at the Pharaohs Club in Dubai. T.: 04 3240000.

Sailing

The opportunity to go sailing can be provided directly at the hotel or in the sailing club.

Tennis

Tennis courts are most often located in hotels and private clubs throughout the UAE. Many courts are open in the evenings to give players the opportunity to enjoy the game in fresh and cool air.

Safety

There is practically no crime in the UAE: it is absolutely safe here day and night. The main dangers that tourists expose themselves to are non-observance of elementary rules for protection from sunlight and a careless attitude to the strict customs and laws of this Muslim country. In order to save yourself from most of the problems that you may have in the Emirates, try to remember what is stated in the section »Culture » And "Communication ".

Arriving in the Emirates, women should not wear a hijab, but they should refrain from wearing shorts and short T-shirts. The optimal length of the skirt is below the knee. Most picky about your outfit in many areas of the emirate of Dubai, in the resorts of Ajman and Fujairah. The most conservative emirate is Sharjah.

People with a non-traditional sexual orientation should behave very carefully in society, since homosexual behavior is punishable by death. However, according to the laws of the Emirates, everything (except for serious crimes) that happens behind “closed doors” remains there and does not concern the representatives of the law.

It is not considered unnatural for men or women to show physical affection - men in the Emirates, when greeting each other, often kiss on the noses, and women greet each other with kisses on the cheek and may hold hands or arm in arm. Many Arab and Asian men show physical affection by holding hands as a sign of friendship.

If you are suspected of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, a blood test may be taken, and if it proves the presence of illegal substances in the blood, then you are likely to be sent to prison, even if the substances were consumed in another country.

The general level of medical care in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah is quite high, there are a large number of clinics providing general and specialized care. These include hospitals that receive patients around the clock. Hospitals are equipped with the necessary equipment to provide medical care in emergencies. There are ambulance stations in major cities, but the vehicles are designed to transport patients, not to provide emergency medical care. There is no malaria in the Emirates. The water in the country is safe to drink, but you should refrain from drinking tap water. Catering establishments comply with sanitary norms corresponding to Western standards. As in Russia, in order to avoid food poisoning, you should refrain from buying food on street stalls. Before leaving the house and during walks, drink as much liquid as possible: this will prevent dehydration.

Transportation of alcohol

It is illegal to transport alcohol from emirate to emirate. True, the punishments for this offense are different: the tourist will simply be reprimanded and, at most, the bottles will be confiscated, but the “bootlegger” with a resident visa will most likely be imprisoned for three months.

Swimming in the sea

Most of the beaches in the UAE are located on the Persian Gulf, where coastal currents are often unpredictable. Therefore, you need to swim with caution, and dive only with local instructors who are well acquainted with the nature of the surrounding waters.

Emirates surprise even the most experienced travelers. The sights of the UAE are stunning buildings of the future, historical Bedouin villages, luxurious mosques and the extraordinary nature of the desert. Which interesting places a must-see during a holiday in the UAE?

The doors of the mosque are open to visitors daily from 9 am to 12 noon, except Friday;

What to do in the Emirates?

Entertainment in the UAE is presented for every taste. Nightclubs and bars in the country are located only on the territory of hotels, but otherwise the traveler's choice is limited only by his imagination: you can sunbathe on the beach or swim in the waters of the Persian Gulf, go shopping or relax in a cafe, fly with water slide in the water park or go snowboarding down the ski slope.

Most tourists come to the Emirates for the sake of a measured beach holiday. Here always warm water and hot sun. In addition, the coast is clean and safe, and you can choose a vacation spot to your taste: there are free municipal beaches and areas with paid entrance. By purchasing a ticket, you get a sunbed, an awning and, often, the right to a free drink. Vacationers are also offered boat trips, water skiing or jet skiing.

Thrill-seekers should visit Wild Wadi Water Park, a favorite tourist attraction in Dubai.

This is a giant complex that includes about 30 exciting rides, many cafes, souvenir shops and entertainment areas. The park has one of the most extreme slides in the world - Jumeirah Sceirah. Due to the strong pressure of water, a person rises to a height of more than 20 m, and then rolls down at a speed of 80 km / h in an almost sheer tunnel

For those who prefer leisure, it is worth going diving and exploring the local marine life: turtles, octopuses, barracudas and reef sharks. In Dubai, you can explore the wrecks and coral reefs. As an alternative to diving, you can go on an excursion to the desert and spend the night by the fire under the endless desert sky.

shopping

Shopping in the UAE is becoming more and more popular with tourists every year. Travelers tend to visit numerous local bazaars and modern shopping centers. What can you buy in the UAE? Buyers prefer products of world famous brands: clothes and accessories, shoes, cosmetics and perfumes, watches and jewelry. All this is presented in abundance in numerous Emirati stores.

Outlets in the UAE are represented by a single, but huge Dubai Outlet Mall complex. Its main feature is the ability to bargain with the seller and ask for a larger discount than indicated on the price tag. Also on Mondays, the mall holds a promotion, during which you can buy a thing for 15-30% of its original cost. Therefore, shopping in Dubai can be not only a great pleasure, but also a sporting interest.

What to bring from the UAE as a gift?

It is impossible to visit the Emirates and not bring home a memorable souvenir for yourself and pleasant surprises for friends and relatives. What is worth buying in the UAE as a keepsake?

1. Oriental sweets: Turkish delight, nougat, baklava and nuts and honey crust. These unusually tasty delicacies are not at all like those sold in domestic stores. Such a gift will please any sweet tooth;
2. Cloth. Among tourists in the UAE, it is very popular to buy local fur products: fur coats, muffs, headphones, etc.
   In addition, the country has a huge number of branded stores where you can buy any thing you like from a well-known brand;
3. Perfumes and cosmetics. Such a gift will please any lady. The Emirates are famous for their perfumes made from natural oils. An indescribable oriental aroma will be a pleasant reminder of the journey;
4. Jewelry and exquisite souvenirs. Jewelry markets in the UAE are one of the most famous attractions. Here you can buy original jewelry, animal figurines made of precious metals, gilded cutlery and much more.

The range of all kinds of gifts and souvenirs in the shops of the UAE is huge, you just have to choose what you like.

Food and drink

The Emirates is a country of desert nomads. Due to the paucity of local vegetation and the scarcity of food, national cuisine recipes consisted of various combinations of dates, camel milk and, occasionally, goat or mutton meat. Nowadays, you can try these dishes only during an excursion to the Bedouin settlements. The national food here is the cuisine of the UAE, which was formed under the influence of religious characteristics and the hot natural and climatic conditions of the country.

The modern cuisine of the Emirates combines Arab and European traditions. The most popular meat dishes are: roast meshui-mushakkal, kustileta - lamb cutlets with spices and fragrant herbs, haris - veal casserole. Lovers of sweets should pay attention to local desserts: lush honey donuts ligemat, pistachio mehallabiya pudding and ash-asaya - a sweet cottage cheese pie.

There are two types of restaurants in the UAE: those with a license to sell alcohol and those without it. The first group includes the most luxurious establishments located at large hotels. Most of them are Michelin star holders. For example, Clé Dubai restaurant. It is designed in a modern Arabic style with subdued lighting and many decorative elements. Here you should definitely try the chef's specialties: lamb dalma with rice, orange Turkish delight and chocolate cake with sesame cream.

Tasty, but inexpensive, you can have a bite to eat in small national establishments. For example, in the Golden Fork restaurant chain, food prices will not exceed 100 AED (25 EUR) per person for a full meal.

The most experienced travelers already know that the United Arab Emirates offers an amazing combination of metropolitan vacations, beach activities and many natural and architectural attractions. Whether you are looking for a seaside holiday destination with sun, warm water and plenty of water sports to choose from, or an unforgettable vacation along the Bedouin itineraries, the UAE has an impressive range of things to do and see.

What interesting things can a country offer where there is only sand and sea, you ask? In addition to an impressive list of various and, you will find in the United Arab Emirates a wide range of active excursions and sporting events that will not leave lovers of speed and extreme sports indifferent. Golf courses, water parks, desert safaris, fishing, diving, horseback riding, camel racing, car and motorcycle sports, water parks and theme parks...

Think it's an impossible dream? Travel to Abu Dhabi! If you want to see an "icy" water park in the middle of the desert and a pearl farm - welcome to Ras Al Khaimah! Would you like to catch crabs at night in the mangroves? Urgently book an excursion to Umm Al Quwain.

Oh, there are legends! Perhaps you can’t buy only weapons and drugs here! Super malls and traditional bazaars, luxury brands and craft shops, carpets, gold, fur coats, furniture, cars, yachts and even camels! And all this at very attractive prices! No wonder Dubai is called one of the fashion capitals of the world!

Club nightlife has not bypassed Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Cavalli Club, Buddha Bar, Caramel and many others... The widespread opinion that the UAE still has a "dry law" is refuted by photo sessions from the city's trendy bars, where you can watch fashionable European audiences in skimpy outfits at the next sophisticated cocktail.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi promise to become popular art capitals in the near future as well. Only one is scheduled to open branches of the Louvre and the Guggenheim. And in the Dubai Metro, by decree of the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed, very soon the stations will become real art galleries! So the question "What to do in the UAE?" it would be more correct to rephrase it as “How to make a choice among such a variety of entertainment?”

What to do in the UAE for those who do not like the bustle of the city and outdoor activities? The answer is simple! Head to one of the secluded hotels, whether in the desert or on a "desert" beach! You will be able to discover the charm of the Emirati sunsets and the beauty of pristine nature, appreciate the professionalism of restaurant chefs who are ready to satisfy your every whim and the skill of massage therapists in famous spa centers, chat with local residents, or completely retire to your own villa. Here you will see other Emirates - calm, with an interesting culture, traditions and history, filled with the wisdom of Eastern philosophy and the endless wish for peace on the whole Earth (the Arabic greeting literally translates as "peace be upon you").

Tell us what you like to do during your holidays most of all, and we will be happy to select an interesting holiday program and routes in the UAE for you. We hope that this section of the site will become for you a convenient electronic guide to the world of entertainment, excursions, attractions, shopping and gastronomy in the United Arab Emirates!

Just some 40 years ago, the place of the UAE was a continuous desert. And now many tourists from all over the world come here to observe the result of architectural and technological progress. The Emirates are growing and developing at an incredible rate. Surrounded by the warm clear waters of the Persian Gulf, they are always fully armed and happy to receive "overseas" guests who want both a holiday on the beach and the opportunities of a developed metropolis.

The UAE is a country where the impossible is possible!

5 reasons to go to the Emirates:

1. The holiday season in the UAE lasts all year round. The hottest months are June-September. The temperature reaches 40-42°C, but you will not notice this heat - air conditioners in the Emirates work at every turn. In January, the air temperature does not fall below 25°C.
2. All around wealth, cleanliness, luxury and the smell of expensive perfume. And local traffic cops patrol the streets of megacities in Bugatti and Lamborghini cars.
3. The desert in the UAE is the most real, with dunes. What the resort area of ​​Egypt cannot boast of. So feel free to go on a jeep safari!
4. Here you will not meet drunk brawlers. In the emirates, laws are strictly enforced. By the way, if a tourist stares at a Muslim woman for a long time, he can be fined or imprisoned. Be sure to check the local dress code.
5. A relatively short flight (4-5 hours) will allow you to be on a paradise beach, no worse than in the Maldives or the Dominican Republic, but 2-3 times faster. With the same fluffy and clean sand and a smooth entry into the sea!

See also: Which beach is right for you?

Which emirate to choose?

First, decide what you will do. Go clubbing? You in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Wish you comfortable family vacation- Emirate of Fujairah for you. For an inexpensive, calm relaxation, head to the emirates of Ras al-Khaimah and Sharjah.

The UAE is a major shopping center. All emirates have malls and markets. The locals have a special attitude towards them - they spend evenings, weekends, celebrate holidays and just drop in here at any free minute in shopping centers.

In the Emirates there are city hotels, hotels on the first line with their own beach and coastal hotels at municipal beaches. City hotels, as a rule, have their own swimming pools, which are located on the upper floors of the building. Love breathtaking views? Look for a hotel with a pool located as high above sea level as possible.

Focus on the price: the farther the emirate is from Dubai, the main entertainment and shopping center of the country, the cheaper the hotels. However, from hotels in the far emirates, a bus to Dubai runs several times a week, paid or free, depending on the hotel.

Dubai

The most cosmopolitan and "Europeanized" emirate. This is a huge metropolis with a vibrant nightlife, one might say, “the second Moscow”. Only here there are more shopping centers, water buses are common, and the metro goes without drivers at all.

Dubai has a very rich nightlife and restaurant life. Everywhere you can smoke a delicious hookah, try the delights of world cuisine and buy designer things. However, youth under 21 are not allowed into the clubs.

If you are planning to visit the Emirates for the first time, then go here. From the excursion program - the tall tower of the Burj Khalifa, the Village of pearl divers, Dancing fountains and much more

Dubai hotels do not have their own territory where one could walk. And there is no beach holiday as such - many people go to swim in the neighboring emirate of Sharjah.

Sharjah

A very strict and conservative emirate, “dry law” reigns here. It is forbidden to drink alcohol in open restaurants, on the street, on the beach, and alcohol is not sold in the hotels themselves.

Sharjah is also the cultural capital of the country with numerous attractions. Boys of any age will be interested in visiting the Museum of Vintage Cars.

Holidays here are much cheaper than in the larger emirates, so Sharjah is popular among Russian tourists who drink little. It is quiet and calm, not crowded beaches. Located 45 km from Dubai.

fujairah

Fujairah is called the most beautiful emirate of the country, it is located in the bay, and many hotels have their own beaches. There are fewer skyscrapers here, and therefore much more comfortable. Fans of the exotic and diving fans come to Fujairah: there are a lot of corals in the sea, you can see moray eels, butterfly fish and other underwater inhabitants.

Among the attractions of the emirate are the Museum of Ancient Settlements, the district Old city, busy port. The city itself is decorated with numerous fountains and sculptural compositions with traditional Arabic motifs.

This is the northernmost emirate, so it is always 2-3 degrees cooler here, and there is more greenery. From Dubai to go about 5 hours.

Ras Al Khaimah

In the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, there is much less entertainment than in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. It is better to come here on a tour from a neighboring emirate. From Dubai about 1.5 hours drive - buses run for an additional fee.

Few tourists, more locals on the beach. But even here there is a lot of entertainment for tourists: again, shopping malls, camel racing, sailing and others. The Old City area is rich in historical sights, for example, the ruins of the palace of the Queen of Sheba. For children and adults, the Ice land water park operates.

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is the business center of the UAE, there is no area for a beach holiday. However, it is worth visiting the emirate! You will be amazed by breathtaking views of mosques scattered across the "field" of skyscrapers, beautiful architecture of modern buildings. You will see palaces, monuments, numerous fountains. It's as luxurious here as in Dubai. Even you can safely buy gold in the machine. Night life also quite active. Among other things, this is the greenest emirate!

Where to go with children?

In the UAE, children are very fond of, so here you can find good water parks, zoos, which is worth only the Aquarium in Dubai - the largest in the world. There is practically no animation in hotels, and All Inclusive is not very common. However, the All Inclusive meal option would be the only reasonable option, since food prices in all cafes, proudly called "restaurants", regardless of the menu, are quite high. For a relaxing family holiday with children, choose the emirate of Fujairah.