The United Arab Emirates, a Middle Eastern nation on the southeastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, shares land borders with Saudi Arabia to the south and Oman to the east. It’s well worth your time to check out the cities in the United Arab Emirates.
The nation shares maritime boundaries with Iran and Qatar. An intriguing statistic about the United Arab Emirates is that a recent census put the total population of the country’s largest cities at 9.8 million, of whom only 1.9 million were native Emiratis, and the rest were all ex-pats.
The United Arab Emirates (aka UAE) is a federation of emirates that came into being on December 2, 1971. The nation has the world’s seventh-largest oil reserves. Dubai is both a major metropolis and the country’s capital. It is a worldwide and international transportation and transportation center.
Natural gas and oil exports are the backbone of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) economy. UAE’s major cities have flourished into progressive metropolitan centers. Most cities in the United Arab Emirates are also rather cosmopolitan due to the enormous number of expatriate people that live there.
Top 10 cities to visit in UAE
The best cities in the United Arab Emirates to visit are shown below, along with the key characteristics of each.
- Dubai
- Abu Dhabi
- Sharjah
- Fujairah
- Umm Al Quwain
- Ajman
- Al Ain
- Ras Al Khaimah
- Hatta
- Kalba
Dubai
Dubai is the most active and exciting city in the whole Middle East. That’s what makes it one of the best cities to visit in UAE. The tallest building in the world, the Ain Dubai (observation wheel), the biggest building in the world, the Dubai Frame, and the deepest pool in the world can all be found in this city.
With a plethora of opportunities for fun and amusement, visitors may sign up for a tour of the Museum of the Future or purchase tickets to Legoland Dubai. Tourists, especially those interested in sightseeing and families with young children, have long found Dubai to be a desirable destination.
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, about two hours drive from Dubai, is a beautiful exhibition of the elegant blending of ancient history with cutting-edge modernity. It’s also the largest and the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
Here, ancient buildings like Qasr Al Hosn from the 18th century stand side by side with modern marvels like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Some of UAE’s top attractions are located in this city, making it one of UAE’s best cities to visit.
Yas Island also features attractions like Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, CLYMB Abu Dhabi, and Warner Bros. Abu Dhabi, making it a destination for families looking for healthy adventure and thrills. The nicest part about visiting Abu Dhabi is that Eastern Mangrove National Park is only a short drive from the city center, so you can get out into nature without having to go too far.
Sharjah
You can’t possibly talk about UAE’s top cities to visit and not mention Sharjah. Sharjah, only 40 or 45 minutes away from Dubai, is the best way to experience culture and the arts in the United Arab Emirates. Sharjah isn’t the only UAE city with impressive historical and cultural attractions, but it could be the most impressive.
The Sharjah Art Museum, Sharjah Fort, Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, and Mleiha Archaeological Centre are just a few of the places that will confirm your point. However, the Al Majaz seafront and the Al Qasba neighborhoods of Sharjah are home to some of the city’s liveliest attractions and most enjoyable nightlife.
Fujairah
Being the only emirate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that borders the Gulf of Oman, Fujairah offers spectacular scenery that is hard to find anywhere else in the UAE.
Enjoy snorkeling and scuba diving off its beautiful shores and peek into the region’s fascinating history and culture at landmarks like Fujairah Fort. The Friday Market, also known as Masafi Market, is an essential stop for anyone in search of local produce and inexpensive trinkets and souvenirs.
This industrial city on the east coast is the newest in the United Arab Emirates, although its residents maintain a laid-back attitude. Fujairah Fort, Fujairah Village, Snoopy Island, and Al Bidyah Mosque are just a few of the well-known attractions in this top city in the United Arab Emirates. The months of January through March and September through December are ideal for visiting this city.
Umm Al Quwain
Umm Al Quwain is a picturesque location rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. In fact, this is what sets it apart as a true jewel in the country and makes it one of the best cities in the UAE.
Experience the peace and quiet of its mangrove woods, travel back in time as you discover Umm Al Quwain and its stunning shoreline, and hunt for rare birds like flamingos and other avian rarities. Take a kite surfing excursion or go to Dreamland Aqua Park if you’re looking for some excitement.
Unlike its neighbors, Umm al-Quwain has not been hit hard by rapid urbanization, and the city still has many of the hallmarks of its former life as a fishing center.
Ajman
If you find yourself in need of some downtime from all the glitz and glamour of Dubai, Ajman is the place to go, as it also is one of the best cities to visit in all of UAE. Despite being the smallest of the United Arab Emirates seven emirates, Ajman charms visitors with its idyllic landscapes, world-famous beach, magnificent Corniche area, and traditional-style buildings. The Ajman Museum, located in a fort built in the 18th century, is another great place to learn about the area’s rich history. The Ajman Gold Souk is a must-see if you’re looking for a great deal. The best part is that it just takes 30 minutes to go to Ajman from Dubai.
Al Ain
Al Ain, Abu Dhabi’s biggest city, is known as the “greenest city” in the United Arab Emirates and one of UAE’s top cities to visit. It’s no exaggeration to say that at every turn of your Al Ain city tour, you’ll be greeted by beautiful scenes of lush greenery. Visit the incredible Al Ain Oasis, home to more than 150,000 date palms, and the Al Ain Zoo, home to more than 4,000 creatures, and be amazed.
Visiting the UAE’s second-highest mountain peak, Jebel Hafeet is another must while in the area. Visit the hot spring waters at Mubazzarah Park, located in the park’s foothills. Several public gardens and historical landmarks, such as Al Jahili Fort, may be found in this area.
Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah is known for its breathtaking scenery, which includes a vast desert, glistening seas (along the Persian Gulf), and rough mountains. A haven for the ultra-rich, a utopia for history buffs and nature lovers, and a must-visit for adrenaline junkies, this location has it all.
It takes less than an hour to travel from Ras Al Khaimah to Jebel Jais, the highest peak in the United Arab Emirates, where you may take the world’s longest zipline (Jebel Jais Flight), go on the Jais Sky Tour, and visit the Viewing Deck Park. Ras Al Khaimah is, without a doubt, one of the best cities to visit in the UAE.
Hatta
Hatta is easily on the map of the in-the-know because of its pristine wilderness, carefully kept history, and fascinating opportunities for outdoor activity. Hatta Lake is a great place to go bicycling, hiking, ziplining, and kayaking, and it also features the 3,000-year-old Hatta Heritage Village, where you can see remnants of a bygone period.
The surrounding scenery is breathtaking, with mountains, wadis, lakes, and more, making it one of the best cities to visit in the UAE. It is one of the nearest places to Dubai, where you may escape the city’s crowds and heavy glitz by driving for around an hour.
Kalba
One of the most well-known and best cities in the United Arab Emirates, Kalba may be found in close proximity to Sharjah. Located on the coast of the Gulf of Oman, it is an offshoot of the Emirate of Sharjah.
Located midway between Oman and the emirate of Fujairah, Khor Kalba (also known as the Kalba Creek) is a marshy region home to dense mangrove trees often considered to be the oldest in Arabia. Some of the world’s rarest and most spectacular birds may be seen in this city in the United Arab Emirates.
