Top 12 Amazing Places To Visit In Emirates

One of the richest cities of the world, Abu Dhabi is a perfect example of a modern Gulf oil-city that has evolved from being a fishing village to a megacity in just a few decades. With its rich past tracing back to 3000 B.C., Abu Dhabi, unlike Dubai has preserved its distinct Arabian culture amidst its glitz and glamour. The desert city is also home to some of the most beautiful and rustic old towns displaying its rich desert-trader past. Jump from the gorgeous Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, ride the fastest roller coaster in the world, witness past Arab royalty at the Emirates Palace and more.

Earning a title of 'Cultural Capital of the Arab World' by UNESCO in 1998, the city of Sharjah is best known for preserving its culture, tradition and heritage. Its Art Museum is world-renowned while fascinating buildings in the Heritage Area are immersed with Emirati history. 

Away from the glitz and glamour of Dubai, the city offers a plethora of entertainment and amusement options including well-maintained museums, beautiful mosques, Souks and numerous parks. National History Museum and Desert Park is one such place where petting animals is the major highlight for kids and the Science Museum is packed with fun facts and exhibits.

Sharjah is also a shopper's paradise selling its famous Arabic rugs, rugs, gold, silver and precious stone jewellery at its markets including Souq Al Arsah on Cornich Road and Blue Souq, one of the major markets of the city with some 600 vibrant shops. Although rooted with Islamic traditions, the city has maintained a good balance between its traditional roots and 21st-century modern aspects.

Al Ain literally translates to 'the spring', and it was once a vital oasis on the caravan route from UAE to Oman. It is a small and sleepy town away from the crowds of the major cities of UAE. It is largely known for its greenery and is a beautiful sight to view in the midst of a desert. 

Al Ain is a one and a half-hour drive from Abu Dhabi city and is one of the world's oldest permanently inhabited settlements and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It can easily be regarded as the cultural site of the UAE with a lot of history and culture broiling in it for a long time. It is home to various picturesque forts and museums, along with the iconic oasis lined with date palm trees, which is the main attraction of Al Ain.

A must-do when in Al Ain is to drive up to the top of Jebel Hafeet, a rocky mountain dominating the city, to experience a breath-taking view of the plains. It is the emirate's highest peak and UAE's second-highest. 

Calm and serene, the Emirate of Fujairah is a picturesque beach town tucked away from the fast-paced city life. A busy city lined with business skyscrapers and beautiful mountains and beaches, it is known to be a peaceful retreat for locals and travellers.  

Primarily a business centre and commercial hub of U.A.E, the city oozes charm with its natural raw beauty. It is separated from the rest of the U.A.E because of the massive Hajar Mountains and offers an enchanting landscape and a simple lifestyle. Carrying on with its rich cultural heritage, the city is a fascinating combination of a 70km long sandy coastline and lofty mountain ranges.

The sunny beaches of the emirate support several maritime activities including sailing, rowing, water surfing, yachting, deep-sea fishing and swimming almost throughout the year. Fujairah is host to the annual powerboat racing championships. 

Peaceful and relaxed, Ajman is the smallest of all seven emirates and is known for its scenic beauty and beautiful beaches. It is also a growing economy with numerous options of sightseeing such as museums, beaches, fort and shopping complexes.

 Situated along the western coast of United Arab Emirates, Ajman is snuggled on the Arabian Gulf with its coastline extending up to 16 km. Apart from it being a rapidly growing business hub, there has also been an increase in the shopping culture and other activities attracting tourists in large number. As a tourist destination, it offers its visitors a sunny vacation and an enriching historical experience. With some of the best sandy shorelines in U.A.E, Ajman is a place to relax and laze under the sun.

One of the most scenic emirates in the U.A.E, Ras Al Khaimah covers 27 miles of coastline adorned with beautiful lagoons and tranquil sandy beaches making it a perfect destination for vacationers. Go camping, biking and even the World's longest zipline at the UAE's tallest peak, Jebel Jais, explore ancient Arabian ruins at the Al Dhayah Fort and take a dip at Wadi Shawka! 

Without the presence of oil fields, Ras Al-Khaimah has evolved itself as a prominent business hub by encouraging innovation, dynamism and entrepreneur culture. The varied topography of the region including desert, mountains, beaches and lagoons gives it an edge over other emirates when it comes to the raw scenic beauty. With Bedouin settlements in the desert and contemporary lifestyles in the city, the place offers a perfect blend of modernism and traditional to visitors. 

Staying true to the vision of the founders of the United Arab Emirates of expanding into modern horizons while sticking to its roots, Hatta is an amalgamation of adventure and culture. It is an exclave of the United Arab Emirates and is located high above in the Hajar Mountains. Cosseted in the mighty heights, it is landlocked by Oman, Ajman and Ras-Al-Khaimah. Popular for Kayaking and other adventure sports such as kayaking, hiking, climbing and camping - Hatta's economy mainly rests on tourism. 

Hatta gives a sneak peek of the rural culture, heritage and lifestyle during old times. On getting here, one can gauge the evolution of Dubai from a dusty hot desert to a glittering city with the most amazing skyline and thrilling activities to enjoy. It was restored in the year 2001 and was open for tourists for sightseeing and sports like biking, hiking, kayaking, swimming etc to name a few. Rocky roads, campsites, hill parks, bike trails, lakes lined with palm trees is an exquisite experience in itself.

Staying true to the vision of the founders of the United Arab Emirates of expanding into modern horizons while sticking to its roots, Hatta is an amalgamation of adventure and culture. It is an exclave of the United Arab Emirates and is located high above in the Hajar Mountains. Cosseted in the mighty heights, it is landlocked by Oman, Ajman and Ras-Al-Khaimah. Popular for Kayaking and other adventure sports such as kayaking, hiking, climbing and camping - Hatta's economy mainly rests on tourism. 

Hatta gives a sneak peek of the rural culture, heritage and lifestyle during old times. On getting here, one can gauge the evolution of Dubai from a dusty hot desert to a glittering city with the most amazing skyline and thrilling activities to enjoy. It was restored in the year 2001 and was open for tourists for sightseeing and sports like biking, hiking, kayaking, swimming etc to name a few. Rocky roads, campsites, hill parks, bike trails, lakes lined with palm trees is an exquisite experience in itself.

Jebel Ali is located on the south-west coast of Dubai and has a historical significance as it is the world's ninth busiest port, the largest man-made harbour, and the biggest and by far the busiest port in the Middle-East. The port Jebel Ali was constructed in the late 1970s to help take the pressure off the facilities of Port Rashid. It quickly became the most visited spot by US Navy ships outside of US.  

Jebel Ali is well-connected due to its virtue of being a significant town, by Al Maktoum International Airport and to the rest of Dubai by the UAE Exchange, Danube (formerly Jebel Ali Industrial), and Energy stations on the Dubai Metro. The Jebel Ali Free Zone, created in 1985, is an industrial area that is located around the port. It is popular among business circles as the international companies that set up their offices here can enjoy tax privileges for 50 years. There are several resorts, camping spots and even luxurious hotels waiting to grab your attention.

Located in Abu Dhabi, at the westernmost tip of the region, Madinat Zayed is the major and most prominent administrative district in Al Gharbia. However, it is also well-known for a festival that consists of a beauty pageant for camels called Al Dhafra Festival. It also features several quirky and entertaining events such as a traditional market, races and several social Emirati activities.

 Nearby is the Habshan gas field which is an important natural resource. Madinat Zayed is regarded as one of Abu Dhabi’s premier destinations for buying gold. With over 400 kiosks and stores, the Madinat Zayed shopping complex is a thriving hub of commerce.

Situated on the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates, the city of Khor Fakkan is an exclave of the Emirate of Sharjah and is nothing less than a paradise on Earth. With the Khor Fakkan Beach present on the banks of Gulf of Oman and the Bay of Khor Fakkan, the city is geographically surrounded by the Hajar Mountains on its western end. Beaches, mountains, historic castles, museums and mosques - Khor Fakkan has plenty of attractions for you to visit during your stay there.

Don’t forget to visit the famous Al Wurrayah Falls and Shark Island. Recently, a new beach project has brought in many water sport activities and many sandcastle sculptures on the beach. Khor Fakkan is also the second-largest coastal city present on UAE’s eastern coast only after Fujairah. The city even has its own natural deep-sea port which is another hotspot for tourists. Khor Fakkan is also one of the worlds leading container ports.