UAE Travel Guide: Dubai & Abu Dhabi Adventures
Dubai & Abu Dhabi Travel Guide: Heat, Skylines & Modern Wonders
The United Arab Emirates is a country built on extremes - record-breaking skyscrapers, vast deserts, futuristic transport systems, and some of the most ambitious architecture on Earth. This trip took us through Dubai and Abu Dhabi, from old souks and kebab houses to towering mosques and air-conditioned metro stations.
If you're planning a UAE trip, here’s what to expect - including the heat, highlights, transport tips, and the places that genuinely stood out.
👉 Exploring more of Asia? Read our India Golden Triangle guide or our Everest Base Camp trek itinerary.
UAE Travel Quick Facts
- Best time to visit: November to March
- Main destinations: Dubai & Abu Dhabi
- Getting around: Dubai Metro + taxis
- Language: Arabic (English widely spoken)
- Currency: UAE Dirham (AED)
- Dress code: Casual in most places, modest at mosques
Why Visit the UAE?
The UAE blends luxury, ambition, tradition, and desert landscapes into something unlike anywhere else. One moment you're wandering through spice markets and old neighbourhoods, the next you're standing beneath the tallest building on Earth.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are modern, fast-moving cities, but there are still glimpses of traditional culture woven throughout - from mosque architecture and local food to old trading districts and waterfront souks.
🌆 Dubai - Skyscrapers, Souks & Serious Heat
Our UAE trip began in Sharjah before quickly crossing into the futuristic playground of Dubai. The contrast was immediate: enormous highways, luxury cars everywhere, and skylines rising straight out of the desert heat.
Dubai in summer is intense. Temperatures pushed beyond 40°C daily, turning even short walks into endurance events. Air conditioning becomes less of a luxury and more of a survival system.
Despite the heat, Dubai is incredibly easy to navigate. The Dubai Metro is clean, modern, affordable, and connects most major attractions across the city.
📍 Burj Khalifa, Dubai Frame & Old Souks
🏙️ Burj Khalifa
At 828 metres tall, the Burj Khalifa dominates the skyline with a design that feels futuristic, excessive, and completely unforgettable. Even from street level, it’s difficult to comprehend the scale.
One unusual fact: it’s technically possible to watch the sunset twice in one evening - once from ground level, then again from higher up the tower thanks to the elevation difference.
🖼️ Dubai Frame
The Dubai Frame offers panoramic views across both old and new Dubai. The structure itself has become one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks, designed to symbolically connect Dubai’s past and future.
🧂 Old Dubai Souks
In contrast to the futuristic skyline, the old souks provide a more traditional side of Dubai. Narrow alleyways are packed with spices, fabrics, souvenirs, and persistent sellers trying to negotiate every possible sale.
The contrast between old and new Dubai is what makes the city interesting. Glass skyscrapers sit just minutes away from traditional trading districts that still feel rooted in the region’s history.
🍢 Food Highlights in Dubai
After weeks of travelling, one unexpected highlight was simply finding familiar comfort food again. Regional fast food chains served local variations like the McArabia - surprisingly solid after long days in the heat.
But the real standout was an old-school Iranian kebab restaurant dating back to 1976. Smoke-filled dining rooms, massive trays of grilled meat, and walls lined with old photographs gave it far more character than many of Dubai’s polished modern restaurants.
The UAE food scene reflects the country itself - international, fast-moving, and heavily influenced by cultures from across the Middle East and South Asia.
🕌 Abu Dhabi - Mosques, Marble & Modern Architecture
From Dubai, we made a trip to Abu Dhabi to visit the incredible Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the most impressive modern religious buildings in the world.
Opened in 2007, the mosque features 82 domes, enormous chandeliers, reflective pools, and marble imported from across the globe. The scale is difficult to capture properly in photos.
Visitors must dress modestly, with long sleeves and covered legs required inside the complex. Despite the strict dress code, the atmosphere remains welcoming and calm.
The mosque feels both spiritual and ultra-modern at the same time - almost like an airport terminal merged with a sacred space. It’s pristine, carefully designed, and undeniably impressive.
🏆 UAE Trip Highlights
- ✔️ Riding the Dubai Metro across the city
- ✔️ Seeing the Burj Khalifa dominate the skyline
- ✔️ Exploring the old souks and spice markets
- ✔️ Visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
- ✔️ Escaping the heat inside legendary kebab restaurants
- ✔️ Experiencing one of the safest and cleanest major cities in the world
UAE Travel Tips
☀️ Prepare for Extreme Heat
Dubai and Abu Dhabi become brutally hot during summer. Carry water constantly and avoid long outdoor walks during the middle of the day.
🚇 Use Public Transport
The Dubai Metro is one of the easiest ways to explore the city. It’s clean, affordable, and avoids the heavy traffic common across Dubai.
👕 Dress Respectfully
Tourist areas are generally relaxed, but modest clothing is important when visiting mosques and religious sites.
💳 Card Payments Are Everywhere
Most places accept card payments, including taxis, metro stations, and small restaurants.
Is Dubai Worth Visiting?
Dubai won’t feel “traditional” in the same way as destinations like India or Nepal - but that’s part of what makes it interesting. It’s futuristic, artificial in places, wildly ambitious, and unlike almost anywhere else on Earth.
Combined with Abu Dhabi’s architecture and cultural landmarks, the UAE offers a completely different style of travel experience compared to much of Asia.
FAQs About Visiting Dubai & Abu Dhabi
Is Dubai safe for tourists?
Yes - Dubai is considered one of the safest major cities in the world for tourists.
How hot does Dubai get?
Summer temperatures regularly exceed 45°C. November to March is generally the best time to visit.
Is public transport good in Dubai?
Yes - the Dubai Metro is modern, air-conditioned, reliable, and affordable.
Is Dubai expensive?
Dubai can be expensive, but public transport, budget hotels, and affordable local restaurants make it possible to visit on a moderate budget.
How many days do you need in Dubai?
3–5 days is enough to explore the main attractions, including the Burj Khalifa, old souks, desert activities, and nearby Abu Dhabi.
Can tourists drink alcohol in Dubai?
Yes - alcohol is available in licensed hotels, bars, and restaurants.
What should you wear when visiting mosques?
Modest dress is required - long sleeves, long trousers or skirts, and head coverings for women.
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