What is the sea of ​​the UAE, when is it better to relax? Leisure, beaches, hotels, attractions in Dubai, Jumeirah Beach, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, Ajman

What distinguishes Dubai from Abu Dhabi, what can not be done in Sharjah, when it's better to go to the UAE - read this article.

United Arab Emirates, general information

The UAE is not a country, but a real Arabian fairy tale in the middle of the desert. There are also luxurious palaces-hotels, colorful oriental bazaars, overseas dishes and oriental warning and hospitable staff, lush gardens and outlandish entertainments.

Surprisingly, all this splendor grew only some 30 years ago. In the 1980s, on the site of modern resorts endless sands stretched, and the state of the UAE itself appeared only in 1971, when several Arabian princedoms of the Persian Gulf decided to unite under the same flag.

View of Dubai in 1990 and 2007

It seems that the UAE has decided to get the title of "the most-most in the world": the world's most luxurious hotels, the world's largest park of flowers, the world's highest service. In the Emirates, almost everything causes either surprise or admiration. Where else do you see air conditioners, even at public transport stops?

UAE on the world map

Emirates are located on the Arabian Peninsula, on the border of Saudi Arabia and Oman. Most of the territory is desert. In the summer in the UAE reigns burning out all the living heat: 45-50 degrees even in the shade.

Because of this heat in the UAE there is practically no flora and fauna( lush greens in the resort areas - the fruit of painstaking daily work).

Desert in the United Arab Emirates

In winter it gets a little cooler, but not for long. The coldest month in the UAE is January, when the temperature drops to 20 degrees in the afternoon, and the sea cools down to 17-18 C.

Map of the UAE in Russian

Detailed maps of the United Arab Emirates in Russian can be downloaded here. On the maps in interactive mode, the main attractions and hotels of each of the emirates that make up the UAE are marked, All maps are available for download.

The capital of the United Arab Emirates

The capital of the UAE and at the same time the largest emirate of the country - Abu Dhabi. Until the 1960s, Abu Dhabi was a small fishing village, until huge oil deposits were found in the Emirates. And it was from this time that the rapid development of the city and the state as a whole began.

Desert in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

What sea is in the UAE?

The shores of the Arab Emirates are washed by the waters of the Persian Gulf( although the hydrological properties are more like a sea) and the Omani Gulf, which is part of the Arabian Sea. It is noteworthy that in the countries of the Persian Gulf it is persistently called the Arabian Gulf.

When is the best time to relax in the UAE?

A distinctive feature of the Arab Emirates is the very high humidity of the air on the coast. In combination with the heat, the climate requires some adaptation. The most comfortable time for holidays in the UAE is the off-season: October-early December and late February-April.

In the summer, sand storms often come from the central part of the desert on the coast and the strongest heat comes( Emirates are one of the hottest places on the planet).And in January, the air becomes too cool, especially given the sharp changes in the night and day temperatures characteristic of desert areas.

UAE, Dubai

Features of recreation in the UAE

Separately it is worth mentioning about the system of prohibitions in the Arab Emirates, as for some violations( inoffensive in our opinion) may be threatened with deportation and even prison.

• You can not appear in public places drunk, especially drinking alcohol. You can drink alcohol only indoors( bars, hotels)
• . It is strictly forbidden to sell, buy or use drugs. Punishment - prison
• You can not photograph government buildings and military

Police in the United Arab Emirates

• Special etiquette when dealing with Arab women: men can not look at them, talk, touch( exception - business partners where business etiquette is applicable)
• It is forbidden to show disrespect( loud laughter, insulting actions) to local symbols of power, monarchy, priests
• Ladies are forbidden to appear on the beach topless and wear too frank clothes in the city
• prescheny any manifestations of sexual behavior in public places( sometimes for such can get a little too passionate kiss)

Women in the UAE

Do I need a visa in the UAE?

You need to get an entry visa to visit the United Arab Emirates. The procedure for issuing a visa is simple: documents are submitted electronically( no personal presence is required), the list of documents consists of only three points: scan the first page of the passport, scan photos 3.5 * 4.5 and completed questionnaire.

The visa can be opened through the Dubai Visa Center in Moscow, the Asian Visa Center in Moscow, the Dubai Visa Center in St. Petersburg.

If you purchase air tickets from Emirates Airlines or FlyDubai, you can open a visa through the representative offices of these airlines. If you buy a ready tour in a travel agency, visa registration is included in the general package of travel services.

Visa UAE

When issuing a visa to the Emirates, there are a number of nuances that need to be considered in order not to be refused. For example, until recently, the consular service of the UAE was extremely reluctant to issue visas to unmarried girls and young women traveling unaccompanied. Also, in the category of undesirable came tourists who had previously visited Israel.

Recently, the number of failures on these items has decreased, but there are precedents. More information about the most frequently asked questions about a visa in the UAE can be found here.

Dubai Airport, UAE

Currency of the United Arab Emirates

The official currency of the UAE is called the "Dirham"( international designation AED).A small change coin is called "fils", 1 dirham = 100 filsam. The currency exchange rate of the UAE as of 2016: 1 dollar = about 3.7 dirhams.

Officially, all calculations in the Emirates are conducted only in dirhams. But in the tourist zone, dollars are often taken into payment. If you make a large purchase, it is more profitable to pay in dirhams, since sellers accept the US currency at an inflated rate, on large amounts the difference will be appreciable. Small purchases( a bottle of water) are also better paid in dirhams.

Dirhams, the official currency of the UAE

Dollars for dirhams can be exchanged at banks and currency exchange offices( the latter are located everywhere, but the rate is less profitable than in banks and an additional commission is charged).The most acceptable are 100-dollar bills, small bills and old-style dollars can be exchanged at a discount.

Another currency in the UAE is not in demand. Plastic cards are accepted for payment in large stores, in small ones - only cash. ATMs are everywhere.

ATM in the UAE, changing money for gold

Time difference with Emirates

The difference in time between Moscow and Abu Dhabi is +1 hour: when in Moscow at 9:00 am, in Abu Dhabi for an hour more.

Emirates of the United Arab Emirates

Dubai: hotels, beaches, attractions, entertainment

Dubai is the most densely populated, popular among tourists and the most developed emirate in the UAE.This is the largest trading and financial metropolis of the Middle East. On the level of significance it is often compared with Shanghai.

Dubai is actively developing, every year there are new business and residential quarters, the city is literally changing before our eyes. While it is possible to identify the four largest areas.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Bur Dubai

Bur Dubai( Bur Dubai) is the oldest part of the city. Do not think that the area is built up by shabby old hovels from the past. This is a very modern business and tourist area. Historic buildings in Bur Dubai are, but they are carefully restored and open to visitors as sightseeing objects.

The prices here are moderate, as the Bur Dubai is located some distance from the beaches. Almost every hotel, including 2 *, offers a free shuttle to one of the city's beaches. In general, the rest in this part can be called calm and measured

More information about the hotels in the Bur Dubai area can be found on the site Booking.com

District Bur Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai Deira: hotels, beaches, leisure

Deira( ) - another historicdistrict of Dubai. Deira is best known for its shopping streets, small shops, cheap prices and an abundance of descendants from Pakistan and India. Deira is the authentic and most "eastern" district of Dubai.

Rest in Deira has its pros and cons. On the one hand, this is a noisy and very densely populated area: markets, traders, migrants - who here just do not exist. On the other hand, in Deira the lowest prices, the beaches are close, the airport is nearby( there are no tiresome transfers).

By the way, for security in Deira you can not be afraid, because in the UAE is one of the harshest legislation in the world. Crime is zero here, no matter how suspicious you may seem to local Pakistanis.

More information on the Deira hotels, see on the Booking.com

District Deira Dubai, UAE

Dubai Jumeirah Beach: hotels, beaches,

Jumeirah( Jumeirah) is an expensive luxury district in the center of Dubai. Jumeirah stretched along the best beaches in Dubai for an impressive distance, and continues to build up, so some hotels are quite far from the central part of the district.

In Jumeirah, many modern luxury hotels, rest here is considered not cheap. The beaches on Jumeirah are clean and well equipped, most of the guests of Dubai like to relax here.

Jumeirah Beach is free and the most popular. Jumeirah Park - paid, but the entrance fee( only 5 dirhams) is justified with a vengeance: this is a real park for the whole family on the beach, where everything is provided for a full family vacation.

More details about Jumeirah hotels, see on the Booking.com

District Dubai Jumeirah, UAE

Dubai Marina: hotels, beaches, leisure

Dubai Marina is the most fashionable place in Dubai, bordered by Jumeirah. The entire infrastructure of the district justifies the status of "laxtery": hotels, shops, beaches, promenades. The prices here are very high, but if you do, you will get a full range of pleasures.

The area is located along the coastline of Dubai, some distance from the center, but it is unlikely that the guests of Marina remember this. In Dubai Marina has everything the soul desires.

Area Dubai Marina, UAE

In addition to hotels in Dubai Marina a lot of residential condominiums and townhouses that are sold to all comers. The audience in Marina is very diverse, a lot of immigrants from Europe and Asia, Russia and CIS countries. In general, there is little resemblance to the Arab East: skyscrapers, elite public, expensive entertainment.

Detailed information about Dubai Marina hotels can be found on Booking.com

Dubai Marina District, UAE

Best hotels in Dubai

Parus - Burj-al-Arab

Dubai Business Card, Burj-al-Arab is located on an artificial island and is considered the highest hotelin the world. Refers to category 7 *( this classification is only in the UAE).

Room size from 170 to 780 sq.m, all rooms of two floors, panoramic view, antique furniture, personal transfer for all guests( Rolls-Royce or helicopter).All services can not be re-read. The cost of rooms from 1900 dollars per day. The official site of the hotel is here.

Hotel Burj-al-Arab, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

One & Only The Palm

Elite hotel, accommodation in apartments and private villas on the first line. The hotel restaurant - the owner of Michelin stars. Private beach, individual service, full entertainment package. Zest - one of the restaurants is located under water. The cost of rooms from 1200 dollars per night. The official site of the hotel is here.

Hotel One & Only The Palm 5 *, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf - Madinat Jumeirah

Large area, exclusive villas, channels with sea water. More than 40 restaurants, all the cuisines of the world. Each villa has a private patio, a swimming pool, an Arabian style, antique furniture, a private butler. Prices for villas from 1370 dollars per night. The official site of the hotel is here.

Hotel Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf - Madinat Jumeirah 5 *, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The Address Dubai Marina

Luxurious hotel-skyscraper, direct access to the shopping and entertainment center Marina Mall, personal trainer in the fitness center, to the beaches 5 minutes walk. Good for those who want to combine nightlife, shopping and beach holidays. The cost of the room is from 400 dollars per day. The official site of the hotel is here.

Hotel Address Address Dubai Marina 5 *, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Center

Business hotel in the business center of Dubai. Panoramic views, glass swimming pool, full range of business services. Excellent spa, car rental, rooms equipped with the latest technology. Panoramic and cigar lounge. The price of the room is from $ 500 per night. The official site of the hotel is here.

Hotel Four Seasons Hotel DIFC 5 *, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Hotels in Dubai Citymax

Citymax( CityMax) is a chain of relatively inexpensive but very high quality hotels in the UAE, two of which are located in Dubai: CitiMax Al Barsha and Citimax Bur Dubai. All hotels belong to the category 3 *, but in terms of service they can be compared to good 5 * in other countries. Official site of hotels CityMax here.

Map of Dubai

Detailed map of hotels and attractions of Dubai in Russian can be viewed here.

What to see in Dubai?

To list all the sights and interesting places of Dubai is a pointless thing, as there is not enough even for a separate article. Below is listed the pathetic part of what can be seen.

• Gold Bazaar .Prices and quality will please any connoisseur, but the main cymes are the oriental flavor: brisk merchants, respectable Arabs, head-to-toe beauty

Gold market in Deira, Dubai, UAE

• Singing fountain - every evening water performance to music. According to many tourists, the fountain in Dubai is the best of these kinds of spectacles.
• Burj Khalifa is a skyscraper tower that simultaneously houses a hotel, a mosque, an entertainment center, night clubs, apartments, offices and the world's highest observation deck.
• Palm Jumeirah is an artificial archipelago in the form of a date palm tree, where hotels, restaurants and shops are located. Well seen from space

Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE

• Wild Wadi Water Park .Well, you already understood that this is the largest, most interesting and most technically advanced of water parks. Like everything else in Dubai
• Mirkarden Garden Park is the world's largest flower park. Most striking is that this beauty is broken on the lifeless sands of the desert and is completely man-made by the
• Ski Dubai - a ski resort. Closed site with artificial snow( thickness of the cover is 70 cm), several routes, rope tows. Simultaneously holds up to 1500 guests

Ski Center Ski Dubai, UAE

What to bring from Dubai?

This is the most difficult question, since you can bring EVERYTHING from Dubai. In a literal sense, everything you can buy there: gold, pearls, perfume, souvenirs, equipment, Arabian sweets, cashmere. Yes, even an elephant, there would be money. The main thing - bargain.

Abu Dhabi, hotels, beaches, vacations, attractions

There is no Dubai pomposity in Abu Dhabi and a desire to outdo the whole world. Abu Dhabi is a sedate respectable holiday with appropriate entertainment: golf clubs, art galleries, cozy cafes and playgrounds.

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

District Al Aini is a family area with a large zoo, quality hotels and a large park area. Al-Gharbia is a zone of ecotourism and relaxation. Yas Island is the focus of entertainment and shopping centers.
The level of hotels in Abu Dhabi is different - from budget to expensive and elite.

Recently, Abu Dhabi is gaining rapid popularity among tourists, tired of crush in Dubai. More information about Abu Dhabi hotels can be found on the website Booking.com

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

What to see in Abu Dhabi?

• The Sheikh-Zayed Mosque is an active mosque built in honor of the ruler of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed, in which the country reached its peak. The mosque is open to tourists, but strict adherence to the dress code is required( no open parts of the body!)
• Ferrari Park is a huge theme park with lots of entertainment for adults and children. All the attractions of the park are stylized for car racing
• Hotel Emirits Palace - the most expensive hotel in the world. Finishing and service level - literally royal, as the hotel has personal apartments of several world monarchies. A simple tourist here can rent a room, but it will cost VERY expensive

Ferrari Park in Abu Dhabi, UAE

• Qasr al Hosn is the former residence of the kings of Abu Dhabi, a historic fortress. Against the background of modern buildings, the building looks just a toy. In the premises of the Kreopsti there is a museum of the ruling monarchy
• Yas Waterward - a modern water park, 43 attractions for visitors of all ages. A huge territory, the most modern equipment, high-quality service
• Track "Formula 1" - a platform for one of the stages of the famous motor racing. Covered stands, part with air conditioning, there are VIP-boxes and premium seats. In our free time, excursions are organized here. There is an opportunity to ride a car

Formula 1 track in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Sharjah hotels and beaches

Sharjah is a small emirate near Dubai. Modest hotels, quietly in a family way. Low prices, no expensive hotels. In Sharjah, those who want to save themselves like to live, but stay in the thick of Dubai( from Sharjah to Dubai only 30 minutes by bus, many hotels offer a free transfer).

Part of Sharjah hotels is located on the first and second shorelines( level 3 * and 4 *), there are a couple of shopping and entertainment centers, a small promenade, several museums, restaurants and cafes. Everything is located compactly. Read more about the hotels of Sharjah here.

In Sharjah, the strictest rules of public behavior: a complete ban on alcohol and outdoor clothing. In the rest the rest is comfortable, the beaches are clean, the hotels are worthy, despite the simplicity.

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Fujairah: hotels and beaches

Fujairah is a small emirate on the east coast of the UAE, on the coast of the Arabian Sea. Also on Fujairah is a particularly mild climate, as from the desert of the UAE it is protected by a small mountain range. The Arabs prefer to rest on Fujairah, as they consider it to be the most environmentally friendly resort in the UAE.

In Fujairah excellent conditions for snorkeling and diving: underwater reefs were chosen by the most exotic species of fish and corals. From other entertainment on Fujairah - several historical monuments, a medieval fort, mosques, natural geysers, bullfights.

Fujairah hotels mostly have their own beach and good territory. The level of hotels from 3 * to 5 *, type of rest - beach. For more information about Fujairah hotels, see Booking.com

Fujairah, UAE

Ras Al Khaimah: recreation, beaches, hotels

Ras Al Khaimah is the most remote from the center and the most peaceful emirate of the UAE.Its main advantage is wild beaches, untouched nature, crystal clear ecology.
The old city of Digdada is very interesting, there are some good historical museums, not far from the old fort and archaeological ruins.

Ras Al Khaimah has a special mild climate, good service. Dubai is about an hour's drive away. Prices in the emirate are moderate. Quiet and relaxed vacation. There is no public transport, only a taxi.

In Ras Al Khaimah, good shopping, many shopping centers and restaurants. Its water park. Hotels are represented by all categories of star rating. For more information about hotels, see Booking.com

Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

Ajman: recreation, hotels, beaches, hotel Ramada

Ajman is the smallest emirate of the UAE.And the most controversial:

• Ajman is considered the poorest emirate, but on its territory is located one of the best hotels in the UAE - Ajman Kempinski
• In Ajman there is little entertainment, but tourists from all the UAE come here, as here the most loyal attitude to alcohol and alcohol flows the riverin many bars

In general, Ajman is a very provincial quiet place, not devoid of charm and attracting a special category of people. Here go those who do not need super-entertainment, but very important is the comfort and service.

More about Ajman hotels can be found on the website Booking.com

Video. Useful tips for vacation in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Video. How correctly to behave in the United Arab Emirates?