The 20 best uae sights & landmarks – Tripadvisor

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

What to see in the UAE? This question worries many travelers who are going to visit this eastern country. The Emirates is not just an oasis of modern technology and ultra-comfortable relaxation. It is also an opportunity to plunge into the atmosphere of the history, culture and nature of the country, as well as to try amazing entertainment on yourself – from extreme to incredibly relaxing. Below is a selection of attractions that are worthy of the attention of any tourist.

The best sights of the UAE: 20 unique sites worth visiting

Nomination	a place	Sight	rating
The best sights of the UAE: 20 unique sites worth visiting	1	Burj Khalifa	5.0
	2	Palm Island	4.9
	3	Gold Souk (Dubai)	4.8
	4	Ferrari world	4.7
	5	Dubai Mall	4.7
	6	Ski complex Ski Dubai	4.7
	7	Jumeirah Mosque	4.6
	8	Sir Bani Yas Island	4.5
	9	Bastakia	4.5
	10	Bollywood parks	4.5
	11	Archipelago 'Peace'	4.4
	12	Wild Wadi Water Park	4.4
	13	Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum	4.3
	14	Dubai aquarium	4.3
	15	Historical and Ethnographic Village in Abu Dhabi	4.3
	16	Fort Al Husn ('White Fort'), Abu Dhabi	4.2
	17	Singing Fountains	4.1
	18	Mount Jebel Hafeet	4.0
	19	Illusion Museum	4.0
	20	White mosque	4.0

Burj Khalifa

Attraction rating (UAE): 5.0

The skyscraper, grandiose in every sense, rightfully takes a place in the ranking of the best sights of the country. The building is considered the tallest in the world: the structure repeating the shape of a cave stalagmite reaches 828 meters in height (the skyscraper has 163 floors).

Until the last moment of construction, the height of the building was kept secret so that no one could surpass the Burj Khalifa. At the design stage, the skyscraper had a different name – Burj Dubai, but it was decided to rename it in honor of the President of the UAE.

Inside the building there are many luxurious apartments, shopping centers, offices, a whole system of fountains and, of course, several observation platforms from which an incredible view of the entire city opens. The highest of them is located at an altitude of 472 meters. In order to enjoy the beauty of Dubai from a bird's eye view and not overpay, it is recommended to book tickets in advance.

Palm Island

Attraction rating (UAE): 4.9

Some consider this man-made island system to be the eighth wonder of the world. And not in vain: only this sandy archipelago, along with the Great Wall of China, is clearly visible from space. It was created using limestone, sand and stone quarried on the same coast where the island massif was built. It is represented by 3 palm-tree islands (Deira, Jebel Ali and Jumeirah). Each visually resembles a date palm – a plant especially revered in Islam.

Of course, based on geographical terminology, it would be more correct to call these islands peninsulas. Palm trees are connected to the land by means of sandy 'trunks' and are protected from the waters of the bay by reefs carved with quotes from the poems of the Sheikh of Dubai. The crown of each island is a crescent (the symbol of Islam).

Any tourist here can find entertainment according to their preferences: enjoy diving, windsurfing, get a lot of impressions at the Aquventure water park or ride the monorail to see the Palm Jumeirah from above.

Gold Souk (Dubai)

Attraction rating (UAE): 4.8

Dubai is not only a city of advanced technologies. It is also known as one of the world's largest centers for the sale of gold products. Thousands of tourists come here to see with their own eyes the luxurious shining splendor of the Gold Souk: here you can see both respectable businessmen and avid shopaholics.

The Gold Souk (also called Gold Souk) occupies a huge territory, it is completely covered, has 3 entrances. The range of gold products presented here is simply incredible, and prices are lower than on the global market. And, importantly, the goods are strictly certified – do not be afraid to stumble upon a fake (the legislation in the UAE is very severe for fraud of any kind).

To get the desired product at a bargain price, in no case do you need to run around the market in search of a cheap analogue – bargain. The main thing is to do it persistently, but with a smile. To be sure, before going to Souk, you should clarify the market price per gram of gold, drop taxes, a little for work and profit. The resulting approximate price will be the starting point. If you wish, you can bring down the starting price by 30%.

Ferrari world

Attraction rating (UAE): 4.7

The theme park geographically belongs to the emirate of Abu Dhabi. It is located on the artificial island of Yas. The building has a non-standard shape – it is made in the shape of the legendary Ferrari GT model and painted in the iconic bright red color. Created in 2010 and now a cult building, it is considered the largest theme park on the planet. Its area is about 22,000 km2, and the dome reaches a height of 45 meters.

Ferrari Park is all about Formula 1 racing. Anyone who visits the park will get a lot of unforgettable impressions: the latest achievements of the car brand, iconic car models, interactive installations, copies of Italian landmarks and a lot of attractions that will give an adrenaline rush are presented here. In the park, you can try to fly up in a capsule or feel like a pilot flying in his cockpit. And the most extreme ones will be able to ride a roller coaster with an inspiring speed of 200 km / h.

Dubai Mall

Attraction rating (UAE): 4.7

The largest shopping and entertainment complex on the planet stretches for many kilometers of boutiques, showrooms, cinemas and all kinds of attractions for every taste. The territory of the mall is approximately equal to the area of ​​50 (!) Football fields. There is a large children's town (KidZania), a computer games park, an Olympic-sized ice skating rink and an aquarium that has entered the Guinness Book of Records as one of the largest oceanariums in the world.

Shopping fans flock to Dubai Mall from all over the world. This is not surprising, because such a huge number of all kinds of shops (and there are about 1200 of them here) and entertainment can be found not so often. But this is not the main reason. Dubai is an open port with low entry fees, so there is plenty to roam around here. And the fact that every customer is treated here as an important person warms the soul a lot.

Ski complex Ski Dubai

Attraction rating (UAE): 4.7

The United Arab Emirates love a spectacular approach to entertainment and a year-round ski resort, stretching across the desert expanses, is a vivid confirmation of this. One of a kind, Ski Dubai covers an area of ​​about 25 km2 and has a daily capacity of 1,500 people. And, although winter is artificially reproduced here, this does not prevent hundreds of visitors from enjoying the snowy cold.

The guests of the complex are given the opportunity to ride on any of the 5 ski slopes of varying difficulty, there is a special track for snowboarders. Beginners will not get bored here either: you can practice in a group of similar beginners or use the services of an experienced coach. By the way, if you don't have skis and equipment with you, it's not scary: rental offices will provide everything you need, including warm clothes.

There is entertainment for the little ones: in the 'Snow Bear Club' the animators will keep the kids busy with all kinds of games. And skiers tired of outdoor activities can, if they wish, relax and refresh themselves in a cafe, comfortably wrapped in a blanket.

Jumeirah Mosque

Attraction rating (UAE): 4.6

Although this religious building belongs to modern buildings, it is made strictly in the medieval style and it is one of the most important attractions in Dubai. The spectacular structure, made of white stone, has a huge dome in the center, supported by numerous columns. On the sides, the mosque is majestically framed by imposing minarets.

The Jumeirah Mosque is the largest religious building in the Emirates and has been honored to be on the local 500 dirham banknote. The UAE is considered a progressive country in all respects: here they strive to establish, among other things, multicultural ties, therefore, in order to popularize Islam, representatives of other religions were allowed to enter the mosque.

The mosque regularly conducts excursions, during which they tell interesting stories about the history of the emergence and development of Islam, the rules of communication with Allah and the essence of prayer. Persons of any gender and age are allowed here, except for children under 5 years old.

Sir Bani Yas Island

Attraction rating (UAE): 4.5

Remote 250 kilometers from the coast, the island is a unique combination of many velvet beaches and tourist attractions with pristine, wilderness. It's hard to believe, but less than half a century ago, these lands were only sand and stones. The 'green' project started very quickly and successfully: today it is a heavenly place.

A significant part of the island is occupied by the Arabian Wildlife Park – a reserve on the territory of which numerous and rare representatives of the Arab flora and fauna live. More than 8 million of all kinds of trees were planted on the desert lands, many birds and animals were brought in, several hotels and restaurants were built for guests of the island. Today the island is a veritable oasis in the desert.

Here you can meet amazing animals, take part in a safari, even visit the archaeological excavations, and in the evening fully enjoy your rest in a comfortable hotel.

Bastakia

Attraction rating (UAE): 4.5

One of the oldest districts of Dubai, leading history from the distant 19th century. In ancient times, pearl divers lived here, and this rather dangerous occupation was their only income. All this happened even before the beginning of the era of the 'golden' oil rain. Among the huge and shining skyscrapers, the historic district of the city seemed to be frozen in time. This place still breathes history.

Unfortunately, some of the buildings of the old period were demolished in the second half of the 20th century. But, nevertheless, some of the buildings were preserved unchanged. Their distinctive feature is the wind towers, which at that time served as a kind of fan for cooling rooms on especially hot days. The more such towers there were in the house, the more wealthy its inhabitants were considered. The buildings (most of them) are in the traditional Arabian style and have been very professionally restored.

Bollywood parks

Attraction rating (UAE): 4.5

The only theme park in the world that is inspired by Indian cinema. Snow-white palaces, intricate pavilions with carved panels, bright colors around, songs, dances and many smiles, in a word, everything that resembles Bollywood is presented here in abundance. It should be said right away that there are practically no traditional slides here, but they are not important either: almost all of the local attractions are closely related to Indian film production.

Having visited Bollywood Parks, you can learn a lot about the filming process, see the creation of special effects with your own eyes, or even try on the role of one of the actors. To visit most of the sites, it is recommended to wear 3D glasses in order to feel like a full-fledged participant in the bright action taking place. One of the most spectacular entertainment in the park is the dance show at the Rajmahal Pavilion (starts at 20:00). Here you can get a lot of impressions from the vibrant Bollywood choreography.

Archipelago 'Peace'

Attraction rating (UAE): 4.4

An exact miniature copy of the planet Earth. It is the largest man-made island structure in the world with an area of ​​55 km2. The outlines of the archipelago exactly follow the contours of the planet. It was originally planned to visually recreate the earth's continents. But later it was decided to scale down to a smaller extent: this is how countries, cities, etc. appeared on the 'map'.

Such a division was made in order to enable more investors to invest their funds. Anyone can buy a plot here and build a city of their dreams, a huge palace, a golf course – whatever. The cost of the plots ranges from 15 to 250 million dollars.

The archipelago was created mainly using local sand. The islands are separated from each other by straits about 100 meters wide and 16 meters deep. Here you can find 'Australia', 'New Zealand', 'France', 'Great Britain' and even 'Russia'. There are also unusual islands on the archipelago. Among them is Fashion Island – a true fashion paradise with a huge number of boutiques, a luxury spa resort and stylish hotels from the best architects.

Wild Wadi Water Park

Attraction rating (UAE): 4.4

By visiting this place, you can get a lot of incredible impressions. The construction with an area of ​​about 5 hectares has the most modern technical equipment. For this reason, the water park is considered one of the most expensive in the world. The structure was created visually similar to the Wadi River flowing along the mountain slopes.

Each of the rides (24 in total) is associated with the adventures of Sinbad. All attractions are connected by water slides with a total length of more than 1500 meters. The water temperature is stably warm (+ 28 ° C) and crystal clear thanks to the ultra-modern cleaning system. And the safety of tourists is ensured by a professional team of 50 lifeguards. If desired, on the territory of the water park, you can purchase all the necessary equipment for swimming, and, when hungry, have a tasty meal in one of the many catering establishments.

Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum

Attraction rating (UAE): 4.3

In 2017, a new, unique museum of its kind was opened in the capital of the UAE – a branch of the world famous French Louvre. The facility is located on Saadiyat Island – the most expensive and technically innovative in the world. The main idea of ​​the exposition is to convey to people in an accessible and interesting way human history in its various aspects, eras, cultures, etc.

When it comes to the prestige of the country, the Arab states do not like to be modest, so the project was implemented on a grand scale: about 1 billion euros were spent on the museum complex as a whole. The complex consists of 55 buildings and 23 domed galleries with a total area of ​​6400 m2. Many water channels run between and inside buildings, creating the feeling of an open space – a rather non-standard and very effective solution for a museum.

Visitors to the Louvre Abu Dhabi can see many paintings, sculptures, books, historical decorations, many artifacts collected from all over the world. In 12 thematic blocks, into which the complex is divided, both modern and ancient exhibits are exhibited.

Dubai aquarium

Attraction rating (UAE): 4.3

Many have heard about the famous Dubai mall, but not everyone knows about the incredible size and beauty of the water park located in this mall. The structure has impressive dimensions – 51x20x11 meters. More than 30,000 representatives of the aquatic world live here, 400 of which are sharks and rays. To keep the colossal amount of water inside and create a barrier for large, strong animals, glass walls were built with a thickness of 0.75 m.

You can observe the life of marine life both from the outside and from the inside. For connoisseurs of special extreme sports, there is an opportunity to dive under the water in a cage for half an hour. Lovers of closer contact will be able to frolic with sharks. For a more calm and relaxing holiday, visitors are offered a walk on the water in a boat with a transparent bottom (you can even feed the animals). To enjoy the beauty of the entire oceanarium at once, you can walk along the riot of marine life on foot, passing a tunnel right through the entire structure.

On one of the floors of the aquarium there is a whole underwater zoo, divided into 3 sections – rocks, rainforest and ocean. In each of them, acquaintance with one or another representative of the sea world awaits. Here you can find huge crocodiles, unusual dart frogs, penguins, piranhas, etc.

Historical and Ethnographic Village in Abu Dhabi

Attraction rating (UAE): 4.3

One of the most important sights of the country, symbolizing an islet of the past – a small part of a long history that has become modernity. Once the capital of the UAE was only a tiny village, and its inhabitants cherish the memory of those times. A deserted settlement with houses built from date palms, clay or coral limestone lies right against the backdrop of modern skyscrapers.

Here, handicraft products are produced according to old technology: you can see with your own eyes how pottery, weaving or blacksmith's products are created. And, in order not to be distracted, right on the spot, visitors can refresh themselves with delicious cakes prepared according to ancient recipes used by the Bedouins.

In the village, everyone has the opportunity to touch the ancient Arab culture by watching the performances of dancers and musicians. You can end your journey into history with an unusual walk – riding a camel.

Fort Al Husn ('White Fort'), Abu Dhabi

Attraction rating (UAE): 4.2

The White Fort is not only one of the most famous historical buildings, but also one of the oldest structures in the UAE. It was built at the beginning of the 17th century on the site of a source of fresh water discovered by local leaders, which at that time was the source of life. The fort became the starting point for the emergence of an entire emirate. Initially, the fort was built exclusively as a defensive structure. But it gradually turned into a real archive, and later – into a museum of the country's history. For some time, the White Fort served as the residence of the rulers of the emirate.

In the 80s, the complex reconstruction of the fort was completed and only by 2007 it was included in the museum complex – the historical building opened its doors to the general public. Today it houses the UAE Cultural Foundation, a library, a repository of documents and an entire Bedouin village. Every year in the spring (March) there is a festival of culture and creativity (you can visit the festival of English and Arabic cinema, as well as a book fair).

Singing Fountains

Attraction rating (UAE): 4.1

Dubai fountains are a symbol of prosperity for the entire country. Decorated with rich mosaics, the 12-hectare pool contains a whole complex of fountains. The entire project cost the state a considerable amount – the Singing Fountains were built for $ 217 million. This is the most expensive fountain in the world. Sometimes it is called the water wonder of the world.

During the evening performance, the reservoir is illuminated by a huge number of spotlights. The jets rise to a height of 150 meters – all thanks to powerful water cannons. All actions (pumps, guns and music) are controlled by a special program. The powerful sound system creates a special atmosphere, accompanying the movement of water jets with songs in English and Arabic. The spectacle is incredibly beautiful, mesmerizing everyone who comes to enjoy the synergy of water, light and music.

Mount Jebel Hafeet

Attraction rating (UAE): 4.0

The hill is located almost on the border with Oman, so it will take about 1.5 hours and a powerful car to travel from Dubai. The winding road passes through territories where there are no residential settlements or greenery. But around the mountain there are landscapes of incredible beauty: it is not for nothing that it is included in the list of UNESCO sites.

Observation platforms were built in the most beautiful places of the mountain range. And whoever gets to the top will not be disappointed: from the top of the mountain there is a stunning view of the 'hottest' point of the planet (Rub al-Khali desert), ancient caves formed under the influence of winds that have blown the mountain for millions of years, and green an oasis at the foot of Jebel Hafeet – Green Mubazarrah.

Here you can not only take a horseback ride, but also plunge into the hot medicinal springs, see with your own eyes the tombs older than the Egyptian ones, and even (if you're lucky) find the fossilized remains of sea animals.

Illusion Museum

Attraction rating (UAE): 4.0

It is considered the largest among similar ones: the Dubai Museum provides visitors with the opportunity to enjoy 80 installations of illusion of a sensory, spatial, photographic type. Those who venture into the museum will experience an unforgettable experience. The spiral in one of the halls introduces into a hypnotic trance, the anti-gravity room violates physical laws, the mirror hall creates millions of reflections.

Another mirrored room, also known as the 'laughter room', creates funny and not-so-visual distortions that seem funny. Holographic illusions are especially worth highlighting – incredibly complex, unusual, exciting. The Vortex Tunnel is guaranteed to confuse visitors by making their brains believe they are standing on an unstable floor (although they are not). The 'Endless Tunnel' will make you visually lost.

By the way, there are also puzzle rooms where you can practice sharpening your mind. If you like, you can buy the games you like in the store at the museum.

White mosque

Attraction rating (UAE): 4.0

This unique religious building is a gesture of respect and gratitude to the great Sheikh Zayed ibn Sultan al-Nahyan, the first president of the United Arab Emirates, who created a prosperous state from poor Bedouin principalities. The ruler of the UAE began construction of a mosque, but its construction was completed without him: the sheikh's tomb was installed directly in the mosque.

The Sheikh Zayed Mosque attracts thousands of tourists with its luxurious decoration and unique architecture. By the way, this building is one of the 6 largest mosques in the world: its magnificent domes, columns and 4 minarets over 100 meters high, surrounded by lush gardens, invariably attract attention from any of the bridges connecting Abu Dhabi with the mainland. And against the background of sunrise or sunset, the mosque looks fantastic.

This is one of the few mosques in the world where everyone is allowed, regardless of religion. Every tourist can see with his own eyes the luxury of the White Mosque from the inside. An incredibly beautiful carpet completely covers the floors of the building. The dimensions of the product are truly impressive – 5627 m2. This is the largest carpet in the world. About 1200 craftsmen and 20 technical groups worked on the creation of this masterpiece of weaving art. Its weight is 47 tons, 35 of which are wool and another 12 are cotton.

The mosque's lighting system, represented by a set of 7 chandeliers, which was considered the largest in the world until 2010, attracts no less attention. The weight of this set is over 12 tons, the height is 15 meters.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.