Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, sits off the mainland on an island in the Arabian Gulf. Its focus on oil exports and commerce is reflected by the skyline’s modern towers and shopping megacenters such as Abu Dhabi and Marina malls

Places to visit

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Arabian Saluki Centre, Abu Dhabi Corniche, Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, Emirates Palace, Qasr Al Hosn, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi Louvre, Zayed Centre for Studies & Research.

Dubai

Dubai is a city in the United Arab Emirates known for luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture and a lively nightlife scene. Burj Khalifa, an 830m-tall tower, dominates the skyscraper-filled skyline. At its foot lies Dubai Fountain, with jets and lights choreographed to music. On man-made islands just offshore is Atlantis, the Palm, a resort with water and marine-animal parks.

Places to visit

Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, Wild Wadi Water Park, Dubai Creek, Ski Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, Madinat Jumeirah, The Dubai Mall, Palm Islands.

Ajman

Ajman is the smallest of all the established emirates. Ajman is essentially a port city great for shopping and dining. The small city maintains a certain charm the other emirates lack, mostly due to its small size which creates a more intimate feel than many of the large, bustling cities. One of the main attractions in Ajman UAE is the long expanse of powdery white sand beach, stretching for almost 20 miles and situated along the Arabian Gulf Coast.

Places to visit

Dhow Yard, Mowaihat in Ajman, Ajman Museum.

Fujaira

Fujairah is an emirate on the east coast of the United Arab Emirates, lying along the Gulf of Oman. It’s known for its beaches and the Hajar Mountains, which run through much of the emirate.

Places to visit

Al-Bidyah Mosque, Fujairah Fort, Al-Hayl Castle, Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Bithnah Fort, Fujairah Museum, Ain al-Madhab Hot Springs.

Ras al-Khaimah

Ras al-Khaimah could taken to mean “headland of the small huts”, which can be attributed to the indigenous buildings that existed along the coast. The emirate is in the northern part of the UAE, bordering Oman’s exclave of Musandam. The city has two main sections, Old Ras Al Khaimah and Nakheel, on either side of a creek. It is served by the Ras Al Khaimah International Airport. Ras al-Khaimah has the most fertile soil in the country, due to a larger share in rainfall and underground water streams from Omani mountains.

Places to visit

Ras Al-Khaimah National Museum, Dhayah Fort, Ras Al-Khaimah Pearl Museum, Jazirat al-Hamra, Hajar Mountains.

Sharjah

Sharjah is a United Arab Emirates city on the Arabian Gulf. Traditionally more conservative than its southern neighbor, Dubai, Sharjah is widely considered the nation’s cultural capital. Its Heritage Area is on the creek that the city first developed around, with restored homes and museums devoted to Emirati customs. It’s also home to Sharjah Fort, a 19th-century royal residence turned local history museum.

Places to visit

Sharjah Arts Museum, Central Market, Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation, Souks, Sharjah Maritime Museum, Sharjah Archaeology Museum, Kalba.

Umm Al Quwain

Umm Al Quwain, a tiny emirate wrapped around an island-dotted lagoon. It is Small, sleepy, quaint and without a single international resort or megamall, its retro feel stands in sharp contrast to the more glamorous Dubai. Al Sinniyah Island is a protected marine environment noted for its mangrove swamp and large colony of Socotra cormorants. It’s also a stopover for migrating birds, including flamingos, gulls and terns.

Places to visit

Umm Al-Quwain Fort and Museum, Seneyah Island, Al-Dur Archaeological Site, Dreamland Aqua Park.

Al Ain

Al Ain also known as the Garden City due to its greenery, is the second largest city in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the fourth largest city in the United Arab Emirates. Al-`Ain is the birthplace of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first president of the United Arab Emirates, and has the highest proportion of Emirati nationals (30.8%). Its attractions include the Al Ain National Museum, the Al Ain Palace Museum, several restored forts and the Hili Archaeological Park site, dating back to the Bronze Age. Jebel Hafeet, a 1340-metre-high mountain, dominates the surrounding area. It is popular to visit to the mineral springs at the base and to drive to the mountaintop at sunset. Other attractions include the Al Ain Oasis in the city centre, other oases dotted around the area — all cool retreats in the middle of the summer heat — Al Ain Zoo, an amusement park named “Hili Fun City”, many well-maintained parks popular with families in the summer evenings, and a heritage village. Opened in 2012, Wadi Adventure is located near Jebel Hafeet and provides a range of water-based activities including surfing, kayaking and rafting.