Travelisto destinations
United Arab Emirates holidays
Dubai’s beaches and skyline, Abu Dhabi’s culture and theme parks, and desert nights — reliable winter sun about seven hours from the UK.
Overview
Welcome to United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates is seven emirates on the Arabian Gulf and, for UK travellers, the most reliable winter sun within a seven-hour flight. From November to March you can expect blue skies and 24–30°C, with a choice of holiday that few destinations match: Dubai's beach resorts and skyline, Abu Dhabi's mosques, museums and theme parks, Ras Al Khaimah's mountains and all-inclusive beaches, and the Indian Ocean coast of Fujairah for diving and quieter bays.
Dubai is where most trips start. Stay on Palm Jumeirah for resort beaches and lagoon views, Dubai Marina and JBR for a lively seafront with restaurants and the beach on the doorstep, Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim for the classic Burj Al Arab beach, or Downtown for the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and Dubai Fountain. Old Dubai is a short ride away, with the Creek, abra boats, the gold and spice souks and the Al Fahidi historic district. Most visitors add a desert evening with dune driving, a camel ride and dinner under the stars, or a morning hot-air balloon flight.
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Abu Dhabi, about 90 minutes by road, is calmer and more cultural: the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island's natural beaches, and Yas Island's theme parks (Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World and SeaWorld) for families. Ras Al Khaimah is the value all-inclusive choice, with Jebel Jais, the UAE's highest mountain and home to the world's longest zipline. Hotels in each emirate charge a small tourism fee per room per night, paid at check-out.
Best for: winter sun from October to April, families (theme parks, water parks and kids' clubs), couples who want five-star beach hotels and great restaurants, stopovers on the way to the Maldives, Seychelles, Mauritius, Asia or Australia, and two-centre trips pairing Dubai with Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah or an Indian Ocean island.
From the team
Why we love United Arab Emirates
The UAE works because you can mix it: a few nights in Dubai for the city and the desert, then a beach resort on the Palm, in Abu Dhabi or Ras Al Khaimah to slow down. Tell me what matters most and I will pick the right base.
Rossella Rossella, Luxury & Destination Specialist Meet our Travel DesignersFind your trip
Holiday types in United Arab Emirates
Pick a holiday style — or combine two. Each section links straight to the next step.
Where to stay
Beach destinations grouped by resort area — pick the cluster that matches your pace.
Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
Palm Jumeirah · The Crescent · West Beach
See hotels →
Dubai Marina & JBR
Dubai Marina · JBR · Bluewaters Island
See hotels →
Jumeirah & Umm Suqeim
Jumeirah · Umm Suqeim · Madinat Jumeirah
See hotels →
Abu Dhabi: Saadiyat & Yas
Saadiyat Island · Yas Island · Corniche
See hotels →
Ras Al Khaimah & Fujairah
Al Marjan Island · Al Hamra · Fujairah · Al Aqah
See hotels →City breaks
United Arab Emirates's cities reward 2-4 nights each — pair two for a tailor-made multi-centre trip.
Abu Dhabi
Cruises
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the home ports for Arabian Gulf cruises from November to March, usually 7 nights calling at Oman, Qatar or Bahrain.
Tailor-made
Everything you see above is a starting point — we'll shape any of these around how you actually want to travel.
Dubai city and beach
A few nights for the skyline, souks and desert, then a beach resort to slow down.
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Family theme-park holiday
Dubai or Yas Island resorts close to the theme parks and water parks, with park tickets arranged.
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Stopover on the way
Two to four nights in Dubai or Abu Dhabi on the way to the Maldives, Seychelles, Mauritius or Asia.
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Honeymoon or celebration
A five-star beach suite, a desert dinner and the special touches quietly arranged.
EnquirePractical info
Knowing before you go
When to go
Jan
24°
Feb
25°
Mar
29°
Apr
33°
May
38°
Jun
40°
Jul
41°
Aug
41°
Sep
39°
Oct
35°
Nov
30°
Dec
26°
November to March is the best time, with sunny days of 24–30°C, warm sea and cool evenings. October and April are hotter but still good beach months. From May to September daytime temperatures pass 40°C: hotels are cheaper and life moves indoors and into the pool. Ramadan dates change each year; hotels stay open, with some daytime restrictions on eating and drinking in public.
Flights & how to get there
Direct flights take about 7 hours from London and around 7 hours from several regional UK airports. Dubai International is about 15–30 minutes from Downtown and 35–45 minutes from Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina; Abu Dhabi has its own international airport.
Visa & passport
UK passport holders currently receive a free visit visa on arrival. Your passport must be valid for at least six months. UAE laws and customs differ from the UK, including on alcohol, dress and behaviour in public. For up-to-date entry requirements and safety advice, check the UK FCDO travel advice for the UAE.
Currency & money
The UAE dirham (AED), pegged to the US dollar. Cards are accepted almost everywhere. Hotels charge a tourism fee per room per night, paid locally at check-out (in Dubai, from about AED 7 to AED 20 depending on hotel category).
Language & tipping
Arabic is the official language. English is spoken everywhere in hotels, shops and restaurants.
Health & safety
No vaccinations are usually needed for UK travellers. Take the summer heat seriously: drink plenty of water and avoid the midday sun. Consult your GP before you travel and buy comprehensive travel insurance.
FAQs
United Arab Emirates — your questions
When is the best time to go to Dubai and the UAE?
November to March is the best time, with sunny days of 24–30°C and pleasant evenings. October and April are hotter but still good for the beach. May to September is very hot, often above 40°C, but hotels are better value.
How long is the flight to Dubai from the UK?
About 7 hours direct from London, with direct flights from several regional UK airports too. Dubai is 4 hours ahead of the UK in winter and 3 hours ahead in summer.
Do I need a visa for Dubai?
UK passport holders currently get a free visit visa on arrival, and your passport must be valid for at least six months. Always check the latest FCDO travel advice before you go.
Are there extra charges at hotels in the UAE?
Yes. Hotels charge a tourism fee per room per night, paid at check-out. In Dubai it ranges from about AED 7 to AED 20 depending on the hotel category, and Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah have similar fees. We show these before you book.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Ras Al Khaimah: which should I choose?
Dubai has the widest choice of beach hotels, restaurants and sights. Abu Dhabi is calmer and more cultural, with the Yas Island theme parks for families. Ras Al Khaimah is the best-value all-inclusive beach option, about an hour from Dubai airport. Many travellers combine two of them.
Make this trip yours
Plan your United Arab Emirates holiday with a Travel Designer
Pick from any of the options on this page or tell us what you have in mind — we'll build it around how you actually like to travel. ATOL protected, flights included, real humans available 9am–7pm.
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