Dubai & Abu Dhabi UAE – Personal Travel Studio

The United Arab Emirates is somewhere we’ve travelled to many times, and it’s a destination that continues to reinvent itself.

Most people immediately think of Dubai, but there’s much more choice than that.

Dubai brings the energy, extraordinary hotels, beaches, restaurants, shopping and an ever-changing skyline. Abu Dhabi feels more spacious and brings culture, beautiful resorts and its own collection of world-class attractions, while Ras Al Khaimah offers a quieter alternative with beaches, resorts, desert and mountains.

The UAE can be a straightforward sunshine holiday, a family break, a few nights of complete luxury or a stopover on a much longer journey.

For us, the key is deciding which version of the UAE suits you.

Our travels in the UAE

We’ve visited the UAE numerous times, both as a destination in its own right and as part of longer journeys through the Middle East and Asia.

We’ve seen Dubai change enormously over the years and have stayed in and explored different parts of the city, from its beaches and enormous resorts to Downtown and the older areas around the Creek.

We’ve also experienced the UAE as a gateway to the wider world. Dubai in particular has featured in some of our longer journeys, including cruising from Singapore to Dubai and another voyage taking us from Dubai towards Europe through the Red Sea and Suez Canal.

That’s one of the things we like about the UAE.

It can be the entire holiday, or just the beginning of one.

Those visits shape how we would plan another stay. We would begin with the setting you enjoy, how much exploring appeals and the part the hotel will play in your holiday.

A short city stay and a week at a beach resort need different arrangements, even when they begin at the same airport. Choosing a suitable base and allowing realistic time for the places you want to visit can make the whole experience more comfortable.

Our own journeys also show why a stopover deserves some thought of its own. A few well chosen nights can become a memorable part of a longer holiday.

Why we love the UAE

The UAE offers a choice of holiday styles within a relatively focused journey. You can spend time exploring a city, choose a resort where relaxation takes priority or build a stay around culture and a different landscape.

We particularly like the flexibility that gives you. There is no need to fill every day with attractions, but you can find plenty to do when you want a change from the hotel. A carefully chosen outing can bring another perspective to the skyline or beach outside your room.

It is also somewhere where the right accommodation can make a substantial difference. The setting and atmosphere matter as much as the facilities when you will spend a large part of the holiday there.

For us, the appeal is finding a combination that feels right for you. Choose the pace and surroundings first, then give the stay enough room for both exploring and time to unwind.

Our UAE Picks

These choices bring together the main destinations described in our own account and further possibilities for a wider journey. The right balance depends on the experiences you want, your dates and how much time you have.

Dubai

Dubai is difficult to compare with anywhere else.

It’s bold, energetic and constantly changing. You can spend the morning beside the beach, the afternoon shopping or exploring and the evening eating in one of an extraordinary number of restaurants.

Choosing where to stay makes a huge difference.

The beach areas work brilliantly when you want a resort holiday with easy access to everything Dubai offers. Downtown puts you amongst the skyscrapers, shopping and city attractions, while areas around the Marina and Palm offer another combination of beach, restaurants and entertainment.

And there is another side to Dubai.

Head towards Dubai Creek and the older neighbourhoods and the atmosphere changes completely. Exploring the souks and waterfront provides a glimpse of the city that existed before the skyscrapers.

Then head in the opposite direction and you’re quickly surrounded by desert.

That’s why we think Dubai works best when you occasionally leave the hotel, however spectacular that hotel happens to be.

Allow enough time to enjoy those contrasts comfortably.

Dubai

Dubai is difficult to compare with anywhere else.

Choosing where to stay makes a huge difference.

And there is another side to Dubai.

Head towards Dubai Creek and the older neighbourhoods and the atmosphere changes completely. Exploring the souks and waterfront provides a glimpse of the city that existed before the skyscrapers.

Then head in the opposite direction and you’re quickly surrounded by desert.

That’s why we think Dubai works best when you occasionally leave the hotel, however spectacular that hotel happens to be.

Allow enough time to enjoy those contrasts comfortably.

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi can sometimes be overshadowed by Dubai, but it deserves to be considered as a destination in its own right.

It generally feels more spacious and measured, while still offering some exceptional hotels, restaurants and beaches.

Culture is a particularly important part of its appeal.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is extraordinary, while Saadiyat Island has helped establish Abu Dhabi as a significant cultural destination as well as somewhere for winter sunshine.

For families, there are also major attractions and entertainment around Yas Island.

That creates an interesting balance.

You can spend one day beside a beautiful beach, another exploring culture and architecture and another enjoying some of the UAE’s biggest family attractions.

Abu Dhabi and Dubai don’t necessarily need to compete either. Combining them can give you two different experiences without adding another flight.

We would choose a manageable mix of visits and leave the rest of the stay flexible. A suitable resort base gives you space to enjoy the beach as well as the city.

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi can sometimes be overshadowed by Dubai, but it deserves to be considered as a destination in its own right.

It generally feels more spacious and measured, while still offering some exceptional hotels, restaurants and beaches.

Culture is a particularly important part of its appeal.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is extraordinary, while Saadiyat Island has helped establish Abu Dhabi as a significant cultural destination as well as somewhere for winter sunshine.

For families, there are also major attractions and entertainment around Yas Island.

That creates an interesting balance.

You can spend one day beside a beautiful beach, another exploring culture and architecture and another enjoying some of the UAE’s biggest family attractions.

Abu Dhabi and Dubai don’t necessarily need to compete either. Combining them can give you two different experiences without adding another flight.

We would choose a manageable mix of visits and leave the rest of the stay flexible. A suitable resort base gives you space to enjoy the beach as well as the city.

Ras Al Khaimah

For something quieter, look north to Ras Al Khaimah.

It has developed an excellent collection of beach resorts and can offer particularly good value when the priority is sunshine, a lovely hotel and plenty of time to relax.

But Ras Al Khaimah isn’t only about the beach.

The landscape becomes part of the attraction, with desert and the Hajar Mountains creating a very different backdrop from Dubai’s skyscrapers.

It can work particularly well for families and couples who like the quality and convenience of a UAE resort but don’t necessarily need to be surrounded by the constant activity of Dubai.

And if you do want some Dubai time, combining the two can work well.

A few busy days first.

Then slow everything down.

Choose the hotel around the atmosphere you enjoy and the outings you would like to consider. A well placed resort lets the quieter rhythm become part of the holiday, with enough time for an occasional change of scenery.

Ras Al Khaimah

For something quieter, look north to Ras Al Khaimah.

It has developed an excellent collection of beach resorts and can offer particularly good value when the priority is sunshine, a lovely hotel and plenty of time to relax.

But Ras Al Khaimah isn’t only about the beach.

The landscape becomes part of the attraction, with desert and the Hajar Mountains creating a very different backdrop from Dubai’s skyscrapers.

It can work particularly well for families and couples who like the quality and convenience of a UAE resort but don’t necessarily need to be surrounded by the constant activity of Dubai.

And if you do want some Dubai time, combining the two can work well.

A few busy days first.

Then slow everything down.

Sharjah

Sharjah is worth considering if museums, heritage and a different cultural perspective interest you. It offers another way to explore the UAE beyond its best known resort and skyline experiences, with collections and historical settings that can give a visit a clear focus.

Rather than trying to see every museum, choose the subjects that appeal most. A visit centred on art, local history or heritage can be more rewarding when there is time to understand what you are seeing.

We would consider Sharjah in relation to your wider stay. The location of your hotel and the practical journey there matter, particularly if you are adding a day out from another emirate.

It can bring variety to a longer holiday or provide a reason to plan a more culturally focused return visit. The important thing is allowing enough time for the experience itself, with room for a meal and a pause between the places you choose rather than fitting too many stops into one day.

Sharjah

We would consider Sharjah in relation to your wider stay. The location of your hotel and the practical journey there matter, particularly if you are adding a day out from another emirate.

Al Ain

Al Ain offers a different setting within the emirate of Abu Dhabi, with oasis landscapes, forts and a relationship between the town and surrounding desert that contrasts with the coastal cities.

The shaded paths and traditional irrigation at Al Ain Oasis introduce the landscape through something more intimate than a skyline view. Al Jahili Fort provides another opportunity to explore the region’s heritage, with time to understand the setting as well as the building itself.

This suits travellers who would enjoy a day or stay built around history and landscape. Choose a few places that work together, taking the weather and the distance between visits into account.

We would look at whether an excursion or an overnight stay best fits your holiday. A longer itinerary can give Al Ain more space of its own, while a shorter stay may be better served by concentrating on your main base. Either way, allow proper time for the journey and a comfortable pace once you arrive.

Al Ain

Al Ain offers a different setting within the emirate of Abu Dhabi, with oasis landscapes, forts and a relationship between the town and surrounding desert that contrasts with the coastal cities.

This suits travellers who would enjoy a day or stay built around history and landscape. Choose a few places that work together, taking the weather and the distance between visits into account.

The desert beyond the cities

Time in the desert can introduce a different scale and atmosphere from the UAE’s coastal resorts. The appeal might be the dunes, a quieter setting for an evening or a stay where the surroundings are central to the experience.

There are different ways to approach it. Some travellers will enjoy a carefully chosen excursion, while others may prefer a desert resort and enough time to settle into the setting. Activities and the level of adventure should match the people travelling.

A nature or heritage focused outing can also provide an alternative to a programme built mainly around speed and entertainment. Look at what the experience includes, how long the journey takes and how much time you spend enjoying the landscape.

We would consider the season and your wider plans before deciding what fits. The desert should add something you particularly want, with a suitable pace and enough time to appreciate the change from the city rather than simply becoming another item on a busy sightseeing list.

The desert beyond the cities

Things to do in the UAE

Hotels are a big part of the experience

The UAE does hotels exceptionally well.

There are enormous family resorts, sophisticated city hotels, beach properties, desert retreats and some of the most extravagant luxury hotels in the world.

But bigger and newer doesn’t automatically mean better.

Location matters. So does the beach, pool, atmosphere, restaurant choice and how easy it is to get to the places you actually want to visit.

For families, we’d look carefully at room configurations, children’s facilities and how much entertainment you want within the resort.

For couples, we might look for something quieter or more intimate.

The best UAE hotel is the one that fits the holiday rather than simply the one with the most impressive lobby.

Explore older Dubai and the waterfront

A visit around the Creek and older neighbourhoods can bring a different perspective to a Dubai stay. Leave time for the souks, the waterfront and the relationship between these areas and the modern city.

A guided introduction can provide context before you continue at your own pace. The aim is to enjoy the setting, with room for a meal or a pause rather than moving quickly between photographs.

Think about how the visit fits with your hotel location and the rest of the day. A manageable programme can give the experience its own character while leaving time to return to the beach or enjoy an evening elsewhere in the city.

Make culture part of an Abu Dhabi stay

Choose cultural visits around the subjects that interest you most, with time to appreciate their setting. Architecture, museums and heritage can provide a varied programme alongside the beach and resort.

A day does not need to include every major attraction. Giving one or two places proper attention can be more enjoyable than spending much of it moving between appointments.

We would consider the complete journey from your hotel, the weather and how much guided interpretation you would like. A well chosen programme leaves room for a relaxed meal and time to reflect, with the rest of the stay available for other interests or simply enjoying your surroundings at a comfortable pace.

Choose a desert experience that suits you

Decide what draws you to the desert before choosing an excursion. You may be interested in scenery, learning about the setting or enjoying an evening away from the busiest parts of the city.

The pace and activities should suit your travelling companions. A programme centred on observing the landscape offers a different experience from a more active outing, so look carefully at what is included.

Allow for the full journey from your hotel and how the experience fits with the next day. Leaving some breathing space around the outing helps it feel like a worthwhile part of the holiday rather than another appointment between visits that have little connection with one another.

Look beyond the beach in Ras Al Khaimah

The desert and mountain backdrop offers a reason to consider time away from the resort. Choose an outing around the scenery you want to see and how much activity appeals, rather than assuming every mountain visit needs to be an adventure.

The location of the hotel matters when planning days out. A realistic view of the travelling time helps you decide whether an excursion adds enough to the stay.

We would keep the programme flexible, particularly when relaxation is the main aim. One considered day exploring can bring variety to a longer resort holiday, with the remaining time free for the pool, beach and meals you can enjoy at your own pace.

Balance attractions with time to relax

Family attractions, shopping and evenings out can all have a place in a UAE holiday, but they work best when the programme suits the people travelling. Choose the experiences that matter most and allow enough time to enjoy them.

The rest of the stay can have a much quieter rhythm. A leisurely breakfast, time beside the pool or an afternoon enjoying the hotel may be exactly what you want after a busy day out.

For a short break, fewer planned visits can make the holiday feel more spacious. For a longer stay, spread the activities across the available days so the resort remains part of the experience rather than simply somewhere to sleep.

UAE FAQs

When is the best time to visit the UAE?

For most of our clients, the UAE is particularly appealing during the UK’s cooler months.

Autumn through spring generally offers the best conditions for combining sunshine with sightseeing, outdoor dining and time beside the pool or beach.

Summer can be extremely hot, although excellent hotels, air conditioning and attractive resort offers mean some travellers still choose it.

We’d match the timing to what you actually want to do rather than looking at temperature alone.

Which is better: Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Ras Al Khaimah?

It depends on your holiday. Dubai has the greatest energy and choice, Abu Dhabi combines resorts with culture and attractions, while Ras Al Khaimah generally offers a quieter resort experience with desert and mountain scenery.

Is Dubai good for families?

Extremely. The combination of family resorts, pools, waterparks, attractions, shopping and restaurants means there’s plenty for different ages.

Is Abu Dhabi worth visiting if I've already been to Dubai?

Yes. The atmosphere is different and its cultural attractions, beaches and more spacious feel give it its own identity.

Why choose Ras Al Khaimah?

For a more relaxed UAE holiday. It has excellent resorts and beaches but also mountains and desert, making it a good alternative if you don’t need Dubai’s constant activity.

Can I combine Dubai and Abu Dhabi?

Absolutely. They’re close enough to combine easily, allowing you to experience both without taking another flight.

Can I combine Dubai with Ras Al Khaimah?

Yes. It can work particularly well if you want a few energetic days exploring Dubai followed by a quieter resort stay.

Is the UAE only about luxury hotels and shopping?

Not at all. There are beaches, desert landscapes, mountains, older neighbourhoods, culture, museums, food and plenty of activities. The resorts are excellent, but we’d encourage you to see something beyond them.

Is the UAE good for a stopover?

Very. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are excellent gateways for longer journeys to the Indian Ocean, Asia and Australasia. Two or three nights can turn a flight connection into another part of the holiday.

How long should I spend in the UAE?

For a stopover, two or three nights can work. For a dedicated holiday, we’d generally look at around five to seven nights, or longer if you’re combining two Emirates.

Why do we keep returning to the UAE?

Because it never really stands still.

We’ve watched Dubai evolve over many visits, experienced the UAE as a beach destination and city break and used it as the starting or finishing point for much bigger journeys.

You can make it energetic or completely relaxing, incredibly luxurious or surprisingly simple.

And sometimes, when it’s cold and grey at home, a beautiful hotel, warm sunshine and dinner outside are more than enough reason to go.